School News
Christmas Message
Today (Thursday, 22nd December) is the last day of our Autumn term as we begin our Christmas holidays. The children will return to school on Monday, 9th January ready to start a fresh, new term.
As always, our children have made us so proud in so many ways this term. They have worked hard, challenged themselves everyday and continued to display our school values. We are so lucky to have such amazing children at Derwendeg. I am also so incredibly lucky to work with an amazing team of staff whose commitment and dedication to our children never fails to amaze me. Thank you to all of the staff, PTA, Governors and volunteers at Derwendeg for all you do and continue to do for our school and our children. I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to you all as parents and carers, and also to our school community, for your ongoing support for our school.
We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year.
See you all in 2023!
Help and Support
We know that the cost of living crisis is affecting many people including many of our school community. Please click here to access a list of support options that may be available to you including food banks and cold weather payments.
If you need further help, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Winter Water Safety
You will have seen the tragic story recently in the news of the 4 boys who fell into a frozen lake in Solihull and sadly died. It is absolutely vital that we educate our children of the dangers of the water, especially in winter. Please click here to access winter water safety advice from the Royal Life Saving Society. Please share with your children.
Free School Meal Arrangements
Eligible families will have received a letter from the Post Office for free school meal holiday payments (there is no need to apply for this payment).
Unfortunately it was been brought to our attention that there was an error in the letter as it stated the deadline for cashing the voucher is 5th December 2022. CCBC have previously reported that this voucher could be cashed up until the 31st January 2023, unfortunately we have been informed by the Post Office today that this is incorrect, and the voucher must be presented before Friday 6th January 2023.
Parents are being advised that if they have any further issues with their claim, they can email fsmholidaypayments@caerphilly.gov.uk or call 01443 864055.
Important Dates
Upcoming Dates
Monday, 9th January – Children return to school
Wednesday, 11th January – Wow day
Week beginning 16th January – Clubs re-start
Thursday, 26th January – Year 5/6 Athletics tournament
School Holiday Dates
Thurs, 22nd December – Break up for Christmas
Mon, 9th January – Return to school
Fri, 17th February – Break up for half term
Mon, 27th, February – Return to school
Fri, 31st March – Break up for Easter
Mon, 17th April – Return to school
Fri, 26th May – Break up for half term
Mon, 5th June – Return to school
Friday, 21st July – Break up for summer holidays
INSET Dates 2022-23
Friday, 23rd December 2022
Friday, 17th February 2023
Friday, 30th June 2023
Certificates
Heroes of the Week
This week’s heroes are:
Dosbarth Coch: Nila and Jayden
Dosbarth Oren: Paige, Sophia, Ava and Tia
Dosbarth Melyn: All the dancers
Dosbarth Glas: Harper, Ava and Rosie
Dosbarth Porffor: Rowan and Billie-Rose
Dosbarth Enfys: Zavien and Summer
Headteacher Awards
This week’s Headteacher Awards go to:
Tate. J
Elliot. P
Ava. M
Zavien. K
These children were chosen for displaying our school values and will be treated to a hot chocolate and a chat with Mrs Wangiel. Da iawn bawb!
We’d also like to say a huge well done to those children receiving a Mathletics certificate.
Well done to all of our certificate winners, we are very proud of you all!
Attendance Matters
The United Nation Article 28 states ‘every child has the right to have a primary education’. We are linking our attendance performance to this article.
We want our children to have the best possible education to give them the best chance in life. If your children aren’t in school we can’t give them this opportunity and can’t give them the opportunity to ‘be the best they can be.’
School target: 92%
Annual % to date: 87.9%
Weekly total
(Week ending 16th December 2022): 85.4%
Dosbarth Coch: 84.8%
Dosbarth Oren: 83.6%
Dosbarth Melyn: 85%
Dosbarth Glas: 92%
Dosbarth Porffor: 86.6%
Dosbarth Enfys: 81.3%
Well done to Dosbarth Glas for achieving the school target!
It is important all of the children are in school every day to ensure they aren’t missing out on important learning.
Weekly Items
This half term’s value is:
Respect
Links to termly learning overviews and homework menus:
Please click on the correct class and year group for your child here to access the learning overview and homework menu for this term:
| Coach – Nursery | Coach Reception |
| Oren – Reception | Oren – Year 1 |
| Melyn – Year 2 | |
| Glas – Year 3 | Glas – Year 4 |
| Porffor – Year 4 | Porffor – Year 5 |
| Enfys – Year 5 | Enfys – Year 6 |
Online Safety
It will be very easy for us all and our children to spend way too much time on a device or staring at a screen over the Christmas holidays. It is important to plan time to have fun together away from a screen this holiday. Please click here to access an article with some advice on how to reduce screen time this Christmas.
Criw Cymreig: Brawddeg yr Wythnos (Phrase of the Week)
“Nadolig Llawen”
Merry Christmas
Big Talk (Please discuss with your children):
How can we show gratitude this Christmas?
School Menu
Click here to see the school menu.
Next week (Week beginning 9th January will be Week 1)
