Friday September 15th

It’s been a great start to the new year at Waunarlwydd School with our superstar children settling back into school life brilliantly. A big thanks to all of you that attended our ‘Meet the teacher’ events this week. We hope you found them worthwhile and took away with you the key messages that Waunarlwydd is ‘Our School‘ and that we need to work as a ‘Partnership‘ with ‘Good Communication‘ as the key. We appreciate that some will not be able to attend these sorts of events due to other commitments but we will endeavour to keep everyone up to date with information.

All the Nursery staff are delighted at how well the children have settled and they have been having great fun exploring the classroom, both inside and out in the lovely weather. As always, the bikes have been a great hit and they went down to the woods on Wednesday to have a little explore which everyone enjoyed. We have also welcomed 5 new children to the class this week who have settled in brilliantly. New topics are underway in other parts of the school with Reception starting ‘Over the Rainbow’ where they will be exploring colour through stories. Years 1, 2 and 3 (Progression Step 2) have begun ‘Long Long Ago’ and children are excited to start their first mini topic, learning all about Dinosaurs. In Years 4, 5 and 6 (Progression Step 3) the topic is called ‘Your Country Needs You’. They will be exploring different topics around the era of World War 2, starting with evacuation and the impact on children. 

School Senedd

Our new school Senedd group met with Ms Williams for the first time today and have decided that this year’s focus will be on developing the wonderful outdoor spaces we have in our school. They have started planning our first project, with children across the school having input. A new addition to our plans this year is a ‘Community Friday‘ which we will hold on the last Friday of each half term. On this day we will be inviting family members to come into school to work with children and staff on our outdoor development projects. More details on this will be sent nearer the time.

Extra-curricular clubs

Our after school clubs will begin next week. You should have received a form to complete. Please ensure your child definitely wants to attend the club before completing. Clubs will run for a block of 4 weeks every half term and ALL will be held on a Wednesday. Clubs will run regardless of weather conditions with indoor alternatives provided if needed.

CAMHS in-reach

Our CAMHS in-reach worker this year is Frances Pugsley. She is able to offer support to children and families around areas such as: Worries, Low Mood, Self-esteem, Emotional Regulation, Understanding Anger and Resilience. If you would like to learn more, we will will be holding an informal coffee morning on Friday September 22nd at 9.00.

Online Safety – Advice for Parents

As always, if you have any queries or concerns, don’t hesitate in making contact!

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Headteacher

The weather has certainly been kind to us as we’ve enjoyed a wonderful first week back at school. Children and staff have had a great week settling into their new classes and catching up with friends. We can all look forward to an exciting year ahead. It has been amazing to see and hear all the learning and laughter across the school as new topics get underway. We are looking forward to working together as a whole school community to give the very best opportunities to the incredible children of Waunarlwydd Primary School. We have lots of exciting plans aimed at further enhancing whole school community engagement and will update you over the coming weeks.

Exciting news – new website

We have been working hard to build a brand new website and are looking forward to launching it at some point this term with the aim of further developing our means of communication. We appreciate your patience as we undertake this process.

Parents ‘Meet the teacher’

Parents/carers of children in Years 1 to 6 will have the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher and learn about routines and plans for the year. Events for Nursery and Reception parents will be arranged for later in the term.

Wednesday September 13th (14.50 school hall) – ‘Meet the teacher’ for parents/carers of children in Years 4, 5 and 6.

Thursday September 14th (14.50 school hall) – ‘Meet the teacher’ for parents/carers of children in Years 1, 2 and 3.

Reminder

We’d like to remind parents parking on Brithwen Road to make the safety of all children their priority as well as being respectful to residents. Please can you also ensure that no litter is left on leaving the premises. Many thanks for your support!

As always, if you have any queries or concerns, don’t hesitate in making contact!

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Headteacher

Friday July 21st

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the end of the year at Waunarlwydd Primary School! A massive thanks to all the staff for, once again, giving their all for the children. Huge thanks to to all our amazing families for working with us and to the governing body and PTA for their support. Without a doubt, the biggest thanks has to go to our incredible children, who have, once again, proven themselves to be a credit to Waunarlwydd and a pleasure to be around. You are all superstars!

To our Year 6 children, as they reach the end of Primary School, you should head to Gowerton with your heads held high. We are very proud of you all and Gowerton is a very lucky school to be welcoming you in September. What a way to finish with a magnificent Leavers Concert. Aim high and go for it!

To all our other children, your new teachers can’t wait to learn and laugh with you in September! You should all be very excited!

This Year we say goodbye to 3 incredible members of staff. Mrs Davies is leaving after so many years as Headteacher of Waunarlwydd and can set off on her new adventures safe in the knowledge that she has made a massive difference to the whole school community during her headship. Mr Jenkins, after 33 years at the school is heading off into the sunset, ready to travel and make new memories. He should be proud of the difference he has made to so many pupils over the years. Finally, a big good luck to Mrs Hyatt as she pursues her dream of becoming a mid wife when she starts University in September. You’ll be amazing!

On a personal note, I count myself extremely privileged to be starting my position as Headteacher from September 1st. I look forward to working together as a whole school community as we strive to make Waunarlwydd the best possible place for our awesome children to thrive!

Have a wonderful, safe and healthy Summer! See you all on Tuesday 5th September!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday July 14th

As much as we were all looking forward to our first whole school trip to the beach, unfortunately, the only option we had was to cancel. We didn’t let the weather stop us having fun and we’ve had a great day in school with discos, games and, of course, lollies and ice creams. We’ve seen two incredible assemblies this week led by Miss Tyrrell and Mrs Melen’s classes. I’m sure all those present would agree that the children were amazing.

Year 6 have enjoyed their days at Gowerton Comprehensive School during transition week and have been very busy rehearsing for their Leavers’ Concert next week. We’re in for a treat!

All the teachers have loved meeting their new classes ready for next year. As I’m sure you are now aware, we will be having straight year groups next year:

Nursery – Mrs Mcdonnell, Reception – Mrs Melen, Year 1 – Miss Tyrrell, Year 2 – Mrs Evans and Mrs Thomas, Year 3 – Mr Reid, Year 4 – Either Miss Shaw or Mrs Wallace and Mrs Howells, Year 5 – Miss Fender, Year 6 – Ms Williams.

Another massive thanks to all those that helped with and supported our Summer Fair. The astonishing amount of £3657 was raised. This will be of enormous benefit to our children and we will let you know exactly what the money will be spent on in the new year.

Children will receive their end of year reports on Monday and we are looking forward to enjoying our last week together before the Summer Holidays. A reminder that Friday 21st July is the last day in school for children.

As always, if you have any queries or concerns, don’t hesitate in making contact!

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday July 7th

Another exciting and busy week at Waunarlwydd! Yesterday’ Summer fair was a huge success and it was wonderful to see the whole school community getting involved. There was a great atmosphere and an amazing amount of money was raised. We will let you know the grand total next week. A massive thankyou needs to go to the PTA for their outstanding efforts in making it happen!

It has also been wonderful to welcome so many many families into school for pupil workshops. We hope those that could make it enjoyed the experience as much as the children. We look forward to more whole school community events in the future!

In amongst the usual learning and laughing, we’ve also managed to squeeze in some trips and visit. Year 4 thoroughly enjoyed their sports day a t the Elba, Criw Cymraeg shared their knowledge and experience with pupils form other schools at Gowerton Comprehensive School and Gowerton Primary visited our enterprise group to share their successful enterprise project.

Next week our fingers are crossed for good weather as we look forward to our first whole school beach visit to Oxwich.

Dates for the diary

Monday July 10th to Thursday July 13th – Year 6 transition

Wednesday 12th July/Thursday 13th July – Meet your new teacher

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip (Oxwich)

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events and trips specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday June 30th

Another wonderful week at Waunarlwydd full of learning and laughter. The highlight has been our whole school 3D art project linked to Wales and our area. The children look forward to showing their hard work next week during parent workshops. We hope you can make it. Year 5 thoroughly enjoyed their Triathlon event at Gowerton School, big thanks to all involved!

More change to tell you about on the staffing front. After a lot of hard work, we can now congratulate Mrs Hyatt on following her dream to become a midwife. She starts University in September and, after making a huge difference to so many children over the years, we have no doubt that she will be a huge success in her new role!

INSET DAYS and Start of the new year

Monday 24th July is an INSET DAY. The children’s last day in school will be Friday July 21st.

We can now confirm that the new year in September will start for children on Tuesday September 5th. Friday September 1st and Monday September 4th are INSET DAYS.

Reminder – Family support – Early help hub linking with school

We have linked with the City and County of Swansea to enhance understanding and engagement with early Help Hubs. A senior lead worker is based at our school fortnightly to offer support to families, children and parents in a variety of ways. For example, support with children’s behaviour, emotional health & wellbeing, money, housing, ALN group work, ASD Awareness group, Under 11’s family lives group, understanding adolescents group, healthy relationship work and much more. If you would like to book an informal consultation with our lead worker, Yasmin, please contact us.

Dates for the diary

Monday 3rd July – Reception Parent workshops (9.15)

Mrs Evans/Mrs Thomas’ and Mr Reid’s class Parent workshops (13.15)

Tuesday 4th July – Miss Tyrrell’s and Mrs Wallace/Mrs Howells’ class Parent Workshops (9.15)

Mr Jenkins’ class Parent workshops (13.15)

Wednesday 5th July – Year 5 and 6 Parent workshops (13.15)

Thursday July 6th – Nursery meeting for parents (ready for reception) followed by parent workshop (9.00)

Thursday July 6th – Summer Fair (15.30)

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip (Oxwich)

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events and trips specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday June 23rd

The sun has been shining during a busy couple of weeks at Waunarlwydd. It has been absolutely amazing to see the whole school community come together to celebrate our sports days this week. Thanks again for your support! A big thanks to the staff for organising, our older pupils for being fabulous role models to the younger pupils and, of course, all the children for taking part with big smiles and a superb spirit. A special thanks to Mr Jenkins for his efforts on his 33rd and final Sports Day at Waunarlwydd! Diolch Mr J!

Sports Days haven’t been the only highlights. We’ve had trips to Mumbles to visit the lifeboats and local landmarks such as the lighthouse, the pier and the Big Apple, before exploring Bracelet Bay and having fun in the park. Our Music Rocks project has been brilliant, with some budding rock stars emerging! We’ve had an excellent pirate-themed assembly presented by Mr Reid’s class. Last Friday saw our Enterprise group venture to Castle Gardens for market day. The children did themselves proud with the manner in which they conducted themselves with polite (yet convincing) sales techniques that resulted in a profit of £245. Don’t worry if you think you’ve missed the opportunity to visit ‘Good Vibes Co – Waunarlwydd’ because they’ll be at our Summer Fair in a few weeks!

INSET DAYS and Start of the new year

A reminder that next Friday (June 30th) is an INSET DAY. Monday 24th July is also an INSET DAY. The children’s last day in school will be Friday July 21st.

We can now confirm that the new year in September will start for children on Tuesday September 5th. Friday September 1st and Monday September 4th are INSET DAYS.

Reminder – Family support – Early help hub linking with school

We have linked with the City and County of Swansea to enhance understanding and engagement with early Help Hubs. A senior lead worker is based at our school fortnightly to offer support to families, children and parents in a variety of ways. For example, support with children’s behaviour, emotional health & wellbeing, money, housing, ALN group work, ASD Awareness group, Under 11’s family lives group, understanding adolescents group, healthy relationship work and much more. If you would like to book an informal consultation with our lead worker, Yasmin, please contact us.

Dates for the diary

Friday June 30th – INSET DAY

Monday 3rd July – Nursery and Reception Parent workshops (9.15)

Mrs Evans/Mrs Thomas’ and Mr Reid’s class Parent workshops (13.15)

Tuesday 4th July – Miss Tyrrell’s and Mrs Wallace/Mrs Howells’ class Parent Workshops (9.15)

Mr Jenkins’ class Parent workshops (13.15)

Wednesday 5th July – Year 5 and 6 Parent workshops (13.15)

Thursday July 6th – Summer Fair

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip (Oxwich)

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events and trips specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday June 9th

The sun has continued to shine and we’ve enjoyed a fabulous first week of our last half term of the year. It’s going to be a busy half term with lots going on and both staff and children are looking forward to ending a great year in style. A huge thanks to the hard working volunteers that gave up their time and muscles to help clear our wonderful woodland area today. We are so lucky to have such amazing grounds within our school to support our children’s learning. Any support you can offer as we look to further develop our outdoor spaces is very gratefully received.

A big well done to our awesome athletics team that represented the school wonderfully yesterday. In very hot and challenging conditions, every boy and girl competed with a smile on their face and should be very proud of themselves! Gwaith wych!

Reminder – Family support – Early help hub linking with school

We have linked with the City and County of Swansea to enhance understanding and engagement with early Help Hubs. A senior lead worker is based at our school fortnightly to offer support to families, children and parents in a variety of ways. For example, support with children’s behaviour, emotional health & wellbeing, money, housing, ALN group work, ASD Awareness group, Under 11’s family lives group, understanding adolescents group, healthy relationship work and much more. If you would like to book an informal consultation with our lead worker, Yasmin, please contact the school.

Digital advice to parents

Dates for the diary

Friday 16th June – Enterprise market day – Castle Gardens. After so much hard work and preparation, our amazing enterprise group will be selling their products at Castle Gardens, Swansea City Centre. Please stop by and offer support if you get a chance.

Tuesday 20th June – Nursery sports day (time to be confirmed), Reception Sports Day (time to be confirmed)

Wednesday 21st June – Year 4, 5 and 6 Sports Day (13.30)

Thursday 22nd June – Year 1,2 and 3 Sports Day (14.00)

Friday June 30th – INSET DAY

Monday 3rd July – Nursery and Reception Parent workshops (9.15)

Mrs Evans/Mrs Thomas’ and Mr Reid’s class Parent workshops (13.15)

Tuesday 4th July – Miss Tyrrell’s and Mrs wallace/Mrs Howells’ class Parent Workshops (9.15)

Mr Jenkins’ class Parent workshops (13.15)

Wednesday 5th July – Year 5 and 6 Parent workshops (13.15)

Thursday July 6th – Summer Fair

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events and trips specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday May 26th

After 33 years of teaching at Waunarlwydd Primary School, we can now confirm that Mr Jenkins will be retiring at the end of this academic year. I have no doubt that you will join us in thanking Mr Jenkins for his outstanding contribution over so many years. Let’s make sure that the last half term of the school year is a great success so that we can send Mr Jenkins (and Mrs Davies) off in style!

Help our Woodland!

Following the need for our woodland to be out of bounds (while the council have been completing essential work), we need to cut back and tidy up some areas. We are putting together a working party for Friday June 9th (during the school day -anytime between 9 and 3). A big thanks to those volunteers that have offered to help us. If you would like to join us, please let us know. Diolch!

Cluster RSE Parents meeting

All parents/carers are invited to a meeting at Gowerton Comprehensive School on Monday 5th June @4pm.  During the meeting, Jennifer Harding – Richards (Advisor for RSE and RVE) will be giving an overview of the RSE legislation and share the RSE code, guidance and expectations for schools (information leaflet).  In order to prepare for the event and answer any questions, please can you complete the following form, if you are attending, by Friday 26th May (12.00) – Diolch. Form for parents’ RSE meeting

It has been a wonderful end to a half term with the beautiful weather meaning the Nursery have spent most of their time outdoors in the sunshine. Carrying on with their work on number, morning Nursery took their clip boards around the school searching for numbers. Nursery rhymes were the theme on Welly Wednesday, with the highlight being rolling down the hill like Jack and Jill. Afternoon Nursery went to explore the woods for the first time this week and built an imaginary fire. The favourite activity though, was cooking biscuits in the shape of Numicon. Reception have been talking about how they have changed since being babies and sequencing a human timeline. They had fun listening to more of their favourite songs and playing our ‘Pwy ydy Pwy’ baby photo guessing game! Children learnt about their hand span and measured it with multilink and then took their learning outside to explore the lengths of sticks in the woodland. In P.E, children loved throwing and catching beanbags, balancing with bean bags on their heads and playing a beanbag relay race!

It has been ‘Gardening Week’ in Miss Tyrrell’s class and the children have been so excited to finally be able to use their beautiful outdoor garden again. Thank you to all the grown ups for your kind donations! Back in class the children have been learning facts about wild animals to help them write a fact file. They have put the animals in alphabetical order and used the turtle program on JIT to practise directional skills. Mrs Wallace and Mrs Howells’ class have enjoyed playing the glockenspiels this week, to accompany a song they have learnt to sing. The whole class had so much fun! The children also loved seeing their butterflies emerge from their cocoons and releasing them into their natural habitats. Highlights in Mrs Evans and Mrs Thomas’ class was also their beautiful butterflies emerging, releasing them into the outdoor area and watching them take flight! Children have also been busy planting fruit, vegetables and flowers to encourage pollinators as well as writing lovely character descriptions about elephants. Mr Reid’s class have enjoyed perfecting and performing their pirate dances in a Strictly Come Dancing style format. They’ve been working hard on their smuggler’s stories using writing targets and building confidence to write independently. They’ve also been working hard on maths skills including telling the time on analogue clocks and dividing with bigger numbers. Da iawn!

Mr Jenkins’ class have been learning to use mapping skills and co-ordinates to locate places. They have also made an animation and used coding to control a rocket to different planets. In numeracy they have been solving reasoning problems while in literacy children have been making story boards and acting these out using iMovie to create our performance adverts. Year 5 and 6 have loved using the field for lunchtime, daily mile and PE this week. In maths the children have been looking at probability and chance. The independent challenge was to present an A3 page about ‘What does it mean to be Welsh?’ The children used many different approaches and creative ideas to show their understanding. Gwaith wych!

Digital advice for parents

Dates for the diary

Monday June 5th – RSE information session for parents (16.00 to 17.00) at Gowerton Comprehensive School

Tuesday 20th June – Nursery sports day (time to be confirmed), Reception Sports Day (time to be confirmed)

Wednesday 21st June – Year 4, 5 and 6 Sports Day (13.30)

Thursday 22nd June – Year 1,2 and 3 Sports Day (14.00)

Friday June 30th – INSET DAY

Monday 3rd July – Nursery and Reception Parent workshops (9.15)

Mrs Evans/Mrs Thomas’ and Mr Reid’s class Parent workshops (13.15)

Tuesday 4th July – Miss Tyrrell’s and Mrs wallace/Mrs Howells’ class Parent Workshops (9.15)

Mr Jenkins’ class Parent workshops (13.15)

Wednesday 5th July – Year 5 and 6 Parent workshops (13.15)

Thursday July 6th – Summer Fair

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher