Dear Parents and Carers,
So we find ourselves at the end of another very busy and quick half term and it’s certainly been an eventful one!
Firstly, a reminder that today’s INSET had to be moved due to the red weather warning and school closures so we moved to remote learning as a result. There is a post on the school story on Dojo with some more detail and a letter from Local Authority.
As stated in the post, we appreciate that this was a very late change and we know many of you will already have plans in place for today so we completely understand if your child/ren aren’t able to access or complete the work. The work is there as an offer only.
Secondly, thank you once again for all of your support and patience at collection time yesterday as we managed the school evacuation. As you may have seen from my Dojo post, there was no fire in the building, there was a fire in the garden of a house behind and the high winds had carried the smoke into the building, but the fire brigade had to check and assess thoroughly which understandably took a long time. It certainly wasn’t how we wanted to end our half term and we’re aware some children have left some belongings in their classrooms; these will be kept safe until we return after half term. I’d like to say thank you to all of our staff who were amazing in looking after the children and ensuring they were all safe and as always, our children made us so proud. They managed the situation very well in cold and difficult circumstances!
Finally, as you are all aware, we have had a turbulent half term with covid cases. Thankfully, all staff and children who had tested positive are fully recovered and have returned to school. We will continue to assess and review our covid-19 risk assessment in liaison with Local Authority and in line with Welsh Government guidance.
I hope you all have a lovely half term with your wonderful children.
Take care, stay safe.
Mrs Wangiel
This half term’s value is:
HARD WORK AND EFFORT
Heroes of the Week
This week’s heroes are:
Dosbarth Coch: Bessie and Jousen
Dosbarth Oren: Maxx
Dosbarth Melyn: Evie and Bear
Dosbarth Glas: Jayden and Jerzey
Dosbarth Porffor: Ruby and Joshua
Dosbarth Enfys: Sophie and Ellie
Well done to all of our certificate winners, we are very proud of you all!
Nursery Applications for September
The deadline for applications for Nursery places starting in September 2022 is the 25th February 2022.
Please share the link below with any parents/ carers of pupils who you know would like to join Derwendeg Primary in September:
https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/schooladmissions
Young Carers
At Derwendeg Primary School, we are aware that some of our pupils are young carers. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils who are young carers are identified and supported effectively. If you think your child might be a young carer, please let us know by filling in the form below.
Thank you.
https://forms.gle/nxAdjM9S2YZuqeB88
Eisteddfod and World Book Day
For this years’ Eisteddfod home school craft, we are linking with World Book Day and the task is to make a book box, showing a scene from the children’s favourite book. They can be as simple or complex as you like, just have fun together! Boxes should be no bigger than a shoe box and can be brought into school on 28th February. There are example pictures on the school story on Dojo if you need some ideas. Remember – every entry gives the children’s houses 10 points towards the Eisteddfod! (This is for all classes)
The Eisteddfod will be held on Tuesday, 1st March. The children can wear their Welsh clothes to school on this day.
World Book Day is Thursday, 3rd March and the children can dress up as their favourite book character!
Online Safety
This week we took part in Online Safety Day. It is so important that we teach our children how to use the internet safely and for them to understand the risks of being online.
During our assembly this week, we shared the video at the link below. The video is a very child-friendly way of showing children how we need to be careful online, especially when talking to online ‘friends’. Please share it with your children again and discuss the content.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcM7sV9ZrGM
Big Talk (Please discuss with your children):
This week’s topic is… What are the pros and cons of the internet?
Upcoming Dates 2022
Monday, 28th February – children return to school (deadline for Eisteddfod home craft – please see above for detail)
Tuesday 1st March – Eisteddfod (children can wear their Welsh clothing)
Thursday, 3rd March – World Book Day (Dressing up)
Tuesday, 8th March – Golf lessons start for Dosbarth Glas
Friday, 11th March – School Nurse to review Reception children
INSET Days
Friday, 24th June
+1 date to be confirmed (to be rearranged from 18.02.22)
The first week back after half term will be week 3 on the lunch menu.
Link to the menu: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fjddvXRVCeDgbbPODOsC3IKxQK34xr58/view?usp=sharing
Please see the flyers below from Caerphilly about sports opportunities during half term
