ST CLARE’S SCHOOL eye test

From your child’s first day, we lay the foundation for a love of learning that will remain with them throughout the course of their school life, providing a bedrock for future success. As part of St Clare’s family, they can access eleven acres of magnificent grounds and all our facilities and resources.

With our innovative new Early Years curriculum and outstanding level of care, your child will receive all the support they require to develop into curious, confident and rounded young people. Reception class is a supportive and fun bridge between Nursery and the more formal educational experience enjoyed from Year 1.

Literacy and Numeracy are taught daily in Reception, where children participate in a range of practical activities to support their learning. We balance the academics with Spanish/French, PE and Music taught by experienced subject specialists. Children also enjoy Forest School every week.

Our deliberately smaller classes allow staff to truly tailor their teaching expertise to pupils’ individual needs and abilities. As pupils progress from Reception through Years 1 and 2, they often demonstrate advanced reading levels for their age. Pupils are encouraged to be innovators and creative and use iPads and Smart boards to enhance teaching and learning.

Helen Hier, Head Teacher

Tools For Self Reliance

Through Christian Eyes

Hi folks, with Easter just gone, here’s another thought. A popular question these days is, ‘What is truth’? It’s not only a postmodern question but also springs from all the different events and related stories going on in the world today. And there’s a lot! What can we trust?

The Roman Governor Pilate asked Jesus the same question –What is truth? (John 18 v 38).

And Jesus said he was the truth (John 14 v 6). What does that mean?

Many readers know we send tools to Africa but may not know the following:

- 18,500 people participated in our projects over the last 10 years learning vocational skills they can use for work to build sustainable livelihoods.

- 640 people across the U.K. help with collecting, refurbishing and fund raising.

- 15,700 tools have been shipped in the last twelve months to five regions of Africa – Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zambia.

The population of these countries exist mainly on subsistence farming and about 80% of the people live on less than one dollar a day, they are trapped in this environment. Education is virtually nonexistent and disease is rife so charities such as ours supply the means to learn new life skills and use the tools we send to earn a living and give them a meaningful life. Did you know that we send refurbished sewing machines with a haberdashery kits so women and girls can learn to be seamstresses, they also get to take a machine home after training enabling them to make garments to sell so they can buy more materials?

The tools you donate are vital to the success of these projects. For tool collections please contact John on 01656 786367.

David Cook, Workshop manager

Churches Together In Porthcawl

Annwyl Gyfeillion – Dear Friends, ‘I pray that God may give you a spirit of wisdom…so you may know what is the hope to which he has called you’ (Ephesians 1:17-18). Having celebrated the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, it is with joyful hope that we invite you to join in our events this month for Christian Aid:

Tuesday 2nd May, 2.00pm at All Saints: A talk by Jennie Weaver about Christian Aid’s work and mission.

Monday 8th May (‘The Big Help Out’): meet us at the Bandstand, John Street; learn about our work and fundraising.

Saturday 13th May, 12-3pm: A ‘Holy Hike’ for Christian Aid calling at all our member churches! Could you sponsor us? More details on our Facebook: www.facebook.com/eglwysi

Why not join us for afternoon tea that same day at St John’s, Newton, from 3pm? All welcome.

Sunday 21st May, 3pm at All Saints: a special joint service reflecting on Christian Aid’s work. Finally, our special thanks to Jonathan Hurley Design (https://www.jonhurleydesign.com/) for designing our new logo! The scallop shell marks both our seaside location, as well as our individual faith journeys as Christians here in Porthcawl.

Pob bendith – every blessing.

Neil Harvey

In the Greek language the word truth and reality are the same so when Jesus claimed to be the truth, he was saying he is ultimate realty. I think ultimate reality is something that is eternal. Scientists tell us that if we ever get there, one day the sun will burn out. In other words, the world as we knew it will not last forever. But because of the eternal existence of God and – Jesus, shown by his resurrection, then surely Jesus is ultimate reality and ultimate truth. There are many proofs for the resurrection. Two for now – is all the disciples were willing to die for what they said they saw and the ongoing fact that Jesus changes lives.

Neil Harvey

Deadline date for the June issue is:

MONDAY 15TH MAY

Porthcawl Lions

Summer isn’t too far away and Porthcawl Lions are holding the first of the weekly car boot sales at Pyle Rugby Club on Sunday 7th May, 7.30am and 1.00pm. Cost for sellers is £7 per car. It is hoped to hold these sales every Sunday, weather permitting, until September.

There is still time to enter teams of 4 into the Golf Day on Friday 9th June at The Grove Golf Club. The cost is £160 per team to include lunch and prizes.

Being able to once again hold events means that Lions are in a better position to help more deserving causes once more.

In April the club made donations to the Seahorse, Porthcawl, to support the NICU at Singleton Hospital and Cornelly Development Trust as well as continuing its regular monthly payments to KPC Youth and Porthcawl Pantry.

In April one of Porthcawl Lions founder members celebrated his 90th. birthday. Don has always been and still is a very active member who is both well liked and respected. Everyone in Porthcawl Lions sends him congratulations and very warmest wishes for the future.