SCHOOLS

ST CLARE’S SCHOOL NEWS

It is two years since the unprecedented shutdown of the education system in Wales as coronavirus took hold. Fortunately, we were in a completely different position to many schools. In April 2020, we moved everyone from Nursery to Sixth Form to our Online Learning Programme. Our pupils benefitted from a fully interactive, structured timetable with the same scheme of work, same high-quality teaching, interaction with their peers and teachers as well as assessment, marking and teacher feedback. They enjoyed an excellent and truly ‘uninterrupted’ education, and we were mentioned in Estyn’s Annual Report 2020-21 for our distance learning curriculum programme and the support offered to pupils and parents during lockdown. Throughout this past year, pupils’ safety and emotional wellbeing has continued to be placed at the heart of our offer. Maintaining high quality, continuous education has been demonstrated to have been integral in sustaining both academic progress and the emotional health of children. Teachers worked tirelessly to provide a range of opportunities for children to remain settled, happy and grounded despite the pandemic. Consequently, we have seen excellent attendance during this past academic year, with teachers offering face-to-face teaching in school whilst live-streaming lessons to pupils who needed to self-isolate.

Helen Hier, Head Teacher

the patron saint of Welsh lovers and creating St. Dwynwen’s Day cards and crafts. We celebrated Saint David’s Day with the first eisteddfod for a number of years. We enjoyed excellent singing, art and poetry competitions in each year group. The year 5 & 6 poetry entries were considered for the eisteddfod chair under aliases and after much deliberation the first prize was awarded to ‘Jeremy Hopscotch’ - Kasey in year 6. Congratulations & well done everybody! With preparations for the implementation of the Curriculum for Wales gaining pace, and the expectation that we make considerations in regards learning an international language, we have begun learning some German in key stage two. We were also very fortunate to have an information sharing visit from Sophie from Rostock. Bilingualism has many advantages including making it easier to learn additional languages, strengthened cognitive abilities, open mindedness and flexibility.

If you are interested in learning about Welsh medium education contact us on 01656 754865.

YSGOL Y FERCH O’R SGÊR

It was exciting to perform ‘Hei Mistar Urdd’ as a whole school to celebrate the Urdd’s centenary and to contribute to their record-breaking success. We also celebrated St Dwynwen’s Day at the beginning of term & the children enjoyed hearing about

PORTHCAWL PRIMARY NEWS

We love this time of year with the longer days and warmer weather. We particularly enjoyed celebrating International Women’s Day earlier in the term. To inspire children about gender equality, children throughout the school participated in various activities to celebrate women’s achievements and challenge gender stereotypes and bias. We were so grateful to all the incredible and inspirational local women who supported us – Helen Jenkins (3x Olympian and 2x World Champion Triathlete), Chloe Shaye (Bridgend Young Labour), Sarah Murphy (MS Bridgend & Porthcawl), Jenna and Megan (Porthcawl RFC), Annie (Marine Biologist), Angharad (RNLI), Molly, (published author), Lydia (Crossfit athlete), Jo (prison officer), Katie and Tia (firefighters), Erin (soldier), Sian (commonwealth medallist). At the end of term, our families generously donated Easter Eggs for Porthcawl Foodbank and raised money for Ukraine with a non-uniform day. Our little school has grown dramatically over the last few years and, for the first time ever; we have 200 children on roll. We are a small and friendly school, set in extensive grounds. We prioritise well-being and are proud of our excellent academic standards. If you are looking for a new school, please contact me using the details below.

Jo Rowley, Head Teacher Tel: 01656 815660 admin@porthcawlps.bridgend.cymru

PORTHCAWL COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL

We were so thrilled that we were able to see a glimpse of our traditional annual Eisteddfod return this year in the Jubilee Theatre, even if it did have to be virtual once again for all pupils to enjoy! The onstage competitions displayed the wealth of talent that we have at PCS and it was encouraging to see so many pupils regaining the confidence to perform and take part. We are looking forward to being back at the Pavilion next year! The link is on our website for all to enjoy, www.porthcawlschool. co.uk and on YouTube via https://youtu.be/sX4jJvdnErA We were also delighted to be able to hold one of our favourite events of the calendar, Science Transition, after a two-year absence. This has always been a most popular event when Year 6 pupils from our feeder schools as well as a large number of out of catchment pupils had the chance to spend a morning with us and have a taste of what Science lessons might be like when they start with us in September. Please contact school on info@porthcawlschool.co.uk to arrange a visit.

Andrew Slade, Head Teacher

THE BRIDGE

We have a busy term ahead of us. Coming up is Red Nose day, where we will wear red on Friday and make bacon rolls to sell. All donations will then go towards Comic Relief. Recently, we’ve been doing some indoor gardening, planting beetroot, carrot and tomato seeds ready to transfer to our allotment when the weather warms up. We have also been making pancakes for Shrove Tuesday and Welsh cakes for Saint David’s day. We celebrated World Book day by dressing up as book characters such as Cruella Devil and her Dalmatian. We also saw characters from the Bible as two pupils turned up as Mary and Joseph. Thanks to Mrs Lawrence, we did several activities linked to Marvel comics, such as designing our own super hero badges and creating comic strips. We were also lucky to have our very own Welsh author Mrs Mattravers read one of her stories to us- The Elephant and the Buns. Our theme this term is ID, which fits perfectly with our Rights Respecting Article 8: You have the right to an identity. Finally, although Easter is a little while off, let’s hope for some warmer weather so we can play more outdoor sports.

Cameron, Ellie & Tom

Together We Can. Gyda’n Gilydd Ni’n Gallu.

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NOTTAGE NEWS

We’re pleased to announce that we would also like to assist the Porthcawl Community in providing a rail of FREE coats for anyone who requires one, both adult and child alike. Please feel free to pop in during the hours of 8.30am to 4.30pm. The rails will be outside our main reception area. If you do have any spare coats you would like to donate you can just hang them on the rail using the spare hangars. We also have a rail for school uniform, so Nottage parents feel free to hang up any unused uniform, but we will accept other school uniforms for the community to exchange so share the news with your family and friends in the Porthcawl area as we would really like this to become a feature of our community.

www.nottageprimary.co.uk

Calling all Tiddlers!

Are you thinking about a school place for your toddler?

Why not pay a visit to Nottage Tiddlers, a purpose-built nursery tucked safely away at the heart of Nottage Primary School? Here, you will find a team of experienced practitioners waiting to welcome your little one into the wonderful world of Tiddlers! To find out more, contact us on 01656 815540 or send an email to admin@nottageps.bridgend.cymru or visit our website www.nottageprimary.com you can even like us on Facebook @NottagePrimary