Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school and our community at the moment.

• REMINDER - NO DOGS ALLOWED

  Tue 23 May 2023

  REMINDER

  Please can we remind all parents / carers that DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED on school the premises unless they are an assistance dog. We would also like to ask that you do not stand in the school entrances with a dog/s or tie them up to any of the school gates. If you could please pass this on to anyone who drops off and or collects your child/children.

  Thank you very much for your cooperation

• Year 2 - 6 Personalised Assessments

  Thu 18 May 2023

  As you are aware, all children in Wales in Year 2 - 6 undertake Personalised Assessments in the Summer Term.

   

  We will be carrying out these assessments in school between the 7th and 20th June 2023.

   

  The information from the assessments helps teachers to plan next steps and to support learners to make progress. A personalised assessment gives a snapshot of your child’s skills at a particular time. It is just one source of information on your child’s knowledge and understanding that teachers will consider alongside the other information they have about your child’s reading and numeracy work in the classroom.

   

  An example of the questions on Year 2 & 3 assessments can be found here: https://youtu.be/vs-zVN3JYuQ

  An example of the questions on Year 4, 5 & 6 assessments can be found here:https://youtu.be/5InfsSPQUpM

   

  If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to email bethan.ware@pontyclunprimary.rctbc.cymru

   

  What are personalised assessments?

  Personalised assessments are online assessments of learners’ skills in reading and numeracy. They are taken by learners in Years 2 to 9 in maintained schools in Wales.

  The assessments are taken at least once a year and are available in the following subjects: Numeracy (Procedural), Numeracy (Reasoning) and Reading (English).

  Numeracy (Procedural) focuses on numerical facts and procedures – the numerical ‘tools’ that are needed to apply numeracy within a range of contexts.

  Numeracy (Reasoning) focuses on how well your child can use and apply what they know in order to solve numerical problems.

  Reading personalised assessments provide information on how well your child understands a text and whether they are able to make judgements about what they are reading.

   

  What is the purpose of personalised assessments?

  The assessments provide feedback on your child’s reading and numeracy skills so that they, their teachers and parents/carers can understand where they are in their learning journey.

  The information from the assessments helps teachers to plan next steps and to support learners to make progress.

   

  More information can be found at

  https://hwb.gov.wales/api/storage/ed026c10-44fc-4e80-bded-ffc243f549ae/online-personalised-assessments-reading-numeracy-information-for-parents-carers-221117.pdf

• School entrance in Palalwyf Avenue from Monday 15th May

  Sun 14 May 2023

  The main school entrance in Palalwyf Avenue will re open tomorrow morning, Monday 15th May and the entrance in Maes Y Felin has now closed to everyone for the remainder of the new school build.

  We do appreciate that the area outside of the classrooms is much reduced in size compared to our original yard area, so we would like to ask that you continue to drop/collect and go to try and eliminate too much congestion.

  Confirmation will follow tomorrow about additional entrances to the school during the building works.

  During the school day the entrance in Palalwyf Avenue is one again accessible via the intercom. If you could please announce yourself and report to the main school office after entering the grounds.

  Thank you for your continued cooperation as our new school redevelopment progresses.

• Sickness/Absence

  Thu 27 Apr 2023

  REMINDER

  Sickness / Absence

  The school needs to be notified of ALL absences and associated reasons by 9.30am at the latest. This is a legal requirement and we need to code the child's absence appropriately. Please call the school office (01443) 237833, choosing option 1, and leave a message. Any unexplained absences are followed up by the authorities attendance officer. 

  When leaving your reason please be specific i.e.: stomach bug, headache etc. Leaving 'unwell' or 'won't be in today or this week' will result in the school calling you to ascertain a reason.

  Should your child be suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea, they must stay off school for 48 hours following the last bout of illness.

  Thank you very much

• Additional financial support information

  Wed 26 Apr 2023

  Please read even if your child already receives a Universal Primary Free School Meal (currently available to all Reception, year 1 & 2 pupils and eligible Nursery pupils)

  If your child does not receive free school meals and you think you may be entitled, please complete the online application form on the Council’s website (Free School meals - Apply for free school meals | Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (rctcbc.gov.uk).

  Only by making a successful application for Free School Meals will you be eligible to automatically receive other support for your child(ren) such as Welsh Government funded school holiday payments (in lieu of Free School Meals) for example for Christmas holidays and half terms and help toward school uniform payments.

  Even if your child already receives a Universal Primary Free School Meal (currently available to all Reception, year 1 & 2 pupils and eligible Nursery pupils) in order to receive this additional financial support you must apply and be entitled to free school meals.

  Thank you

• John Rees 10 A Side Final Champions

  Mon 24 Apr 2023

  A massive congratulations to our rugby boys today! A huge well done to them all, Miss Studley and Mr Roberts! They played outstandingly well and were a credit to our school community as well as bringing back the John Rees Cup! 
   

  We are all very proud of them! 
   

  We will be sending out more photos and memories from this amazing day later on in the week to celebrate this wonderful achievement! 

   

  Well done again, 

  Pontyclun Primary

  

• Rugby news

  Fri 21 Apr 2023

  On Monday 24th April we are taking year 5 and year 6 pupils to support their peers representing the school in the National 10 a side John Rees Cup final at the Principality Stadium. This is an amazing opportunity not only for pupils to support their peers but also for them to have the opportunity to visit an iconic sporting venue. This takes place during school time and pupils will return to school by the end of the day. 

  On Wednesday 26th April some of the players have also been picked to play and represent Ponty schools in the DC Thomas Cup final also to be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. We wish both teams good luck and are immensely proud of them all for this great achievement.

• Snacktime

  Fri 21 Apr 2023

  We would like to take this opportunity ro remind everyone that snack needs to be fresh fruit or vegetables only, this is line with our Healthy Schools policy and alleviates any concerns over pupils with allergies in our school. Other snacks are not permitted and will not be allowed to be consumed in class from Monday 24th April.

  Thank you for your continued support.

• Pontyclun Primary School Redevelopment - Newsletter 4

  Wed 12 Apr 2023

  Please see attached a newsletter regarding the redevelopment of Pontyclun Primary School.

  Thank you very much

  

• End of Term News

  Fri 31 Mar 2023

  Comic Relief

  Thank you to all that donated for Comic Relief - we raised £500 - fantastic news and we all had a lovely day!

  Boys Rugby

  Our rugby team were absolutely amazing in the recent all Wales Llandovery rugby competition. Despite the atrocious weather the boys played a scintillating brand of rugby winning all their games and conceding no tries. They will now play the all Wales final in the National Stadium Cardiff. They were an absolute credit to all at Pontyclun Primary School and we are very proud of their achievements.

  Welsh Competition - Dwlu Darllen

  We entered a welsh speaking competition, where we had to create a script about welsh books that we had read. We talked for 6 mins fluently and without hesitation. We are very proud of our pupils that managed to secure 1st place!! A fantastic achievement!!

  School Building

  Please be aware that when we return after the Easter break the entrance to Palalwyf Avenue will still be closed to parents/visitors. In addition to this the route around the Infant building will need to be reversed as the corner of the year one classrooms will be blocked to allow for the foundations for the second demountable to be completed. Hopefully this will be short term.

  Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding in this matter.

  Just to remind you that there is an Inset day on the Monday 17th April and school is closed to all pupils.

  We hope you have a wonderful Easter break.