School reports

PORTHCAWL COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL ST CLARE’S SCHOOL NEWS

We are so looking forward to welcoming our pupils back to school at the end of June! We are delighted that after weeks of uncertainty, we will have the opportunity to touch base with our learners before the summer break and allay any concerns that they might have before September. As I write this piece, we are finalising the details of exactly this will transpire, and by the time of publication, all pupils will have been contacted with arrangements. In the meantime, PCS pupils mostly from Years 8 and 12 have been involved in an important study being conducted by Dr Michael Ward, Senior Lecturer in Social Studies at Swansea University. ‘Corona Diaries’ is documenting the everyday lived experiences of a global pandemic, to record people’s changing life experiences in the coming weeks and months through their own testimonies and accounts. The experience has been very beneficial for our pupils. With the global shortage of Personal Protective Equipment, the Design and Technology Department continues to pour its talents into making PPE face shields for the local community. Already the school has made and delivered almost a thousand protective visors in the Porthcawl and Bridgend area. Grateful recipients include Cwm Taf Morgannwg nurses, pharmacies, opticians, dentists, nursing homes, vets, care agencies, post office workers and Porthcawl Co-op staff. The school has set up a Go Fund Me page in the hope of covering the costs of the materials, and volunteers will continue making the shields whilst the demand is there. Please see the link below. http://gofundme.com/1zi3f6kp5c

Andrew Slade Head Teacher

We are looking forward to reopening the school as per government guidance from Monday, 29th June. Schools are to be open for pupils to “Check in, catch up and prepare for summer and September.” As we go to print, we are just finalising detailed plans on how this can be done adhering to the guidelines. Fortunately, we are in a very different position to many schools. In the week before Easter we moved every year group from Nursery to Sixth Form to our Online Learning Programme. Our pupils have 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, without any interruption to their studies. Our guide to online learning is on our website but, of course, we are now busy working on our Reopening Booklet! Our Virtual Open Mornings in June was a great success. If you missed them but would still find out what a difference a St Clare’s education could make for your child, visit our website www.stclares-school.co.uk or contact our friendly Admissions Team who will be available all through the summer holidays. Telephone (01656) 789966.

Helen Hier, Head Teacher

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CYNFFIG NEWS

The last month has been filled with different learning experiences for everyone at Cynffig. Pupils have impressed us daily with not only their online learning but with their independent endeavours through our Freestyle IT activities. From baking, to robot making, gardening to knitting our pupils have become accomplished in an abundance of new skills during lockdown. Our Key Stage 3 pupils joined ‘The National Theatre Wales’ mission to get crafty and created 3D sunflowers. To coincide with the summer solstice our pupils’ fantastic artwork was part of a virtual parade called ‘Go Tell the Bees’. To keep Cynffig connected we came together for our ‘Blue for Bravery’ event where staff and pupils wore blue to show our appreciation for the NHS, we have since walked, cycled and run to raise money for charity. Congratulations to Joseph Gray the chairman of our School Parliament who has been singing to lift morale in his community. Catrin Angharad from BBC Radio Cymru selected a video of him singing ‘Myfanwy’ for her weekly music show. Finally, well done to Gethyn Jones who has been selected for the Ospreys under 16’s preliminary training squad we wish you the very best!

Hannah Castle Head Teacher

NEWTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Following the onset of Covid 19, lockdown and now re-opening, school life has changed dramatically for all of our children. Over the last few months our children have been doing fantastic home/school learning which could not have been accomplished without the love and support from their amazing parents and carers. So as a staff we would like to give all of our families a special mention. You are all stars! Key stage 2 teachers have loved seeing all of the children’s work based on their ‘Passion Project’ which has ranged from surfing, rugby, football, plastic pollution and space to name a few. Some of the children during lockdown have learnt a foreign language and taken part in the Porthcawl pass it on project. One little boy in year 4 has even learnt to cook and has been making meals for his neighbours! Miss Oatley set a task of creating a Banksy piece of artwork relating to lockdown. Lots of children created amazing pieces in lots of different mediums. The children’s work was transformed into a virtual art show, which can be found on our Facebook page and YouTube. It is fabulous to see the different views on lockdown from a child’s perspective. Nursery and reception staff has loved seeing all of the children’s work based on a weekly story. The children have made some fantastic musical instruments and butterfly feeders. Well done everyone! Just a little reminder, if your child is aged 3 before the 31st August 2020 you can enroll online at BCBC for your child’s nursery place. Please email the school on newtonprimaryschool@bridgend.gov.uk where we will keep you updated with our schools settling in process when our current conditions are eased.

Stay safe everyone!

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