Tel: School Dinners Week beginning – Monday 1 st February MondayMacaroni Cheese, Tomato and Basil Pasta Bake (v) TuesdayGammon/Cowboy Hotpot Country Cheese and Vegetable Bake (v) Wednesday Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding/ Glamorgan Sausage (v) Thursday Chicken Curry/Sweet and Sour Vegetable Curry/Quorn Sweet and Sour, Friday Fish Cake/Fish Finger Vegetable Finger Week beginning – Monday 8 th February Monday Homemade Pizza (v) TuesdayBBQ Chicken/Beef Casserole BBQ Quorn/Veg Casserole (v) WednesdayRoast Turkey and Stuffing Vegetarian Roast (v) ThursdayMeatballs in Savoury Sauce Meat free balls (v) FridayAlaskan Salmon/Fish Finger Vegetable Finger(v) Jacket Potatoes served every day except Wednesday Friday 29 th January 2016 Gilwern Primary School Nurture, Empower, Achieve Dates for the Week Ahead Monday 1 st February Year 5 Swimming (last session) Monday 8 th February Year 4 Swimming Wednesday 10 th February Year 4 – Gilwern Outdoor Centre – Water Focus Monday 15 th February – Friday 19 th February – School Closed for Half Term Late Arrivals There are a large number of children arriving late each morning. This has a detrimental effect on a child’s learning and wellbeing. In many ways children need to feel like their peers. Arriving on time, with friends in the morning and not walking into class late can support a child’s self esteem. If you travel and are held up by the A465 roadworks, please ensure you are allowing plenty of time for travel and early arrival at school. As of Monday 1 st February, 2016, Mr Guy and the Chair of Governors have asked for an audit on all pupils arriving after 9:00am. Children arriving late must report to the main entrance of the school and be signed in by a member of staff. Dear Parent/Guardian, Can I start by thanking all parents for the efforts you are making in supporting your children with their homework tasks. The new format is proving to be successful and should be providing consistencies within family homework; a general theme linking activities wherever possible. Reception children have been busy this week preparing for their very first school Eisteddfod. Already they have written a story about a dragon and have completed their dragon artwork. More work next week to complete their activities – well done Reception for all your hard work. School Council and Eco Council members have met to discuss issues raised within school suggestion boxes. Mrs. Millington, who leads both these groups, said that she was very proud of the way members conduct themselves and make relevant contributions to discussions. We are looking forward to another busy week ahead. Enjoy your weekend. Mrs. Broad

Attendance Week ending - 15 th January 2016 Reception – 94.0% Year 1 – 98.1% Year 2 – 98.7% Year 3 – 96.9% Year 4 – 99.7% Year 5 – 98.0% Year % Week ending – 22 nd January 2016 Reception – 95.0% Year 1 – 97.0% Year 2 – 100.0% Year 3 –97.7% Year 4 – 98.6% Year 5 – 97.0% Year % Please don’t forget - the LEA has set the school’s attendance target at 95.8% and as a school we have to monitor and report on attendance. Take a look to see if your child’s class falls below the LEA target. Dates for the Term Ahead Monday 15 th February – Friday 19 th February – School Closed for Half Term Tuesday 23 rd FebruaryReception Class – Vision and Growth Check Tuesday 23 rd FebruaryBoys Tag Rugby/Girls Football at KHS Tuesday 1 st MarchSt. David’s Day – Dress up traditional Welsh Costume Thursday 3 rd MarchSchool Eisteddfod (pupils only) Friday 4 th MarchWorld Book Day (Theme to be decided) Tuesday 15 th MarchYear 2 Wetlands Trip Monday 21 st MarchParent Consultation Evening Tuesday 22 nd MarchParent Consultation Evening Wednesday 23 rd MarchParent Consultation Evening Friday 24 th MarchBreak for Easter Holiday Monday 11 th AprilStart of Summer Term Maths This year our focus is on Numeracy across the curriculum – using and applying mathematical skills. This fortnight’s numeracy focus is on ‘Area and Volume.’ Please see attached sheet to give you information on our Maths focus. Scooter and Bike Safety Please ensure that at this time of year children riding bikes/scooters to school are wearing clothes which make them more visible. The darker mornings don’t always allow for children to be seen clearly. Helmets must be worn throughout the year. Donations If any families have spare wellington boots at home that their younger children have grown out of, the Foundation Phase department will be happy to provide a home for them and match them to children who do not have wellies in school. Also, we are looking to set up a weather recording station. If any parents/grandparents have any instruments which would be suitable for school use – we would be very grateful. A ‘long shot’ request – the school is preparing to have a ‘Stevenson Screen’ made for the school grounds, however, if anyone knows anyone who is looking to get rid of one which they no longer need, please consider the school as a new home for this item. Gilwern wears Red The school was certainly bright with the colour of red on Monday of this week. Thank you for your support for St. Dwynwen’s Day and raising awareness of the forthcoming National Eisteddfod in Abergavenny this Summer.