Knelston Primary School | Spring Newsletter 2009

Diary Dates

24^th February

Pancake Day courtesy of The Friends. Special thanks to them for their hard work and support. The children had a fantastic time with pancake racing and treasure hunts. Please can we keep this as an annual event?

27^th February

Thank you children for such a lovely St David’s Day Concert.

10^th March

Invention and Discovery Road show by XL Wales. All KS2 classes participated in the experimental science activities.

18^th March

A selection of Y5/6 pupils played in

South Wales Police Gower Inter Schools Rugby Cup Challenge in Dunvant. The team played extremely well with lots of effort. They were placed second in the

Shield final. All pupils came home with very smart medals.

20^th March Inset Training Day

1^st April

Football Festival at Ashley Road for various pupils in Y5/6. Results to follow.

3^rd April

Easter Bonnet Parade for Nursery, Reception and Y1/ 2 classes at 10.00am followed by an Outside Easter Eggstravaganza! organised by The Friends.

6^th - 17^th April Easter Break

20^th April Inset Training Day

21^st April Return to School

4^th June School closed. European Elections

Contact Details

Knelston Primary School

Reynoldston

Gower, Swansea, SA3 1AR

Tel: 01792 390071

Fax: 01792 390071

Website: www.knelstonprimary.ik.org

Email: knelston.primary@swansea-edunet.gov.uk

Healthy Eating -

The New Funky Fruit Tuck Shop

The fruit only morning break will commence on Tuesday 21^st April 2009. Therefore any children found eating other snacks such as crisps, biscuits or chocolates etc will be asked to put the food back in their bags for eating at lunchtime. Remember children can bring in fruit from home to eat or purchase fruit from the Tuck Shop (at a very reasonable rate). The aim is to ban all other snacks, from morning playtime all together.

We are pleased to confirm that there has been a significant improvement already throughout the school since January with much more children now eating fruit or healthier snacks at break times. A task force of Year 6 children have performed some research into what fruit the pupils would like to see in the New Funky Fruit Tuck Shop with some questionnaires being circulated to the majority of children. In order for this to work we are relying upon the support of you as parents. Overall, we must look to our children’s future and give it our best shot!

- A Job Share Proposal -

Re-structuring of Key Stage 2 classes

The Governing Body have received a request from two KS2 Teachers, Mrs Chris James and Mrs Kate Porter for a Job Share to commence in September 2009. Following advice and a meeting between the LEA and the Finance/Appointments Committee it has been decided to agree to the proposal. Given that this will now create an opening for a permanent KS2 teacher, we will be advertising this position immediately after the Easter break, with interviews taking place around 10^th - 15^th May 2009.

It is likely that either Year 6 or alternatively Year 3 /4 will be affected by the Job Share proposal. However, we apologise but are presently unable to confirm exactly what Year group will be involved as much depends upon the outcome of the interviews.

We understand that with any change, concerns are likely to be raised. Please feel free to come and speak with the Headmaster about anything that might be worrying you. We will keep you informed of any progress as soon as we are able.

School Update

Ÿ Evolved Sports have run after school clubs for Years 3 /4 , Y5/6 and Y1/ 2. Lots of fun activities and we have had great feed back from the children.

Ÿ Sports Stars ran a holiday sports club during February half term week which was very well attended. A further week is taking place in the Easter Break. See the school for further details.

Ÿ Yr 6 pupils have been involved with taster sessions from the PE department at Bishopston Comprehensive School. This term it was dance based next term they hope to do gymnastics.

Ÿ A thank you to Mr Dave Harvey for working with the school to set up a mobile phone texting system (KAPOW) to help deal with inclement weather.

Ÿ Y4/5 have continued to participate in swimming lessons at Penyrheol Pool. Next term it is hoped that Y3/ 4 will be having a block booking for one session per day for a week.

Ÿ Y5 pupils will be visiting Llangrannog between 22^nd -24^th April accompanied by Mr Smith and Mrs Jen Morgan. Lets hope they all have a fantastic time. May we say a special thank you to The Friends for their continuing financial support in contributing £25.00 to each child to help pay for the trip and paying for the hire cost of the bus.

Ÿ What a great atmosphere for Red Nose Day on 13.3.09.There were some fantastic hair styles and wonderful wigs about. Even Mr. Davies joined in - we think it was a wig he had on! The school raised £417.12 . Thank you for all those children parents or carers who joined in the fun and made cakes to sell at the event.

Ÿ Y6 children have had an opportunity to work with artist Mary Haymen in designing work for the bus shelter in Oxwich. What out for those designs appearing in your locality soon.

-World Book Day - 5^th March 2009-

A big thank you for all those parents/carers who came into school on World Book Day and read stories to the children. Great fun was had by all. Everyone joined in the spirit of “Bedtime Stories” including the staff who wore some very snazzy PJ’s. If you would like to see the great photographs as proof, they are on display as you enter the school through the middle doors. The Travelling Book Fair held in the hall during the same week raised £779.00, with the school keeping 50% towards new book purchases. Thank you for making those purchases.

Our School Grounds -

Teachers from both Cwm Glas and Craig Cefn Park have visited our school to look at our grounds for inspiration for their own schools. We are very pleased to have been recommended for such visits.

Parents of Early Years pupils may have noticed a newly constructed covered area at the back of the unit to allow for protected outside play within the Foundation Phase. The School applied for and were successful in obtaining an Early Years Grant receiving around £1780.00, which enabled the work to be carried out. We would like to say a special thank you to Mr Dave Shaw our Caretaker, who carried out all of the building work. He has created such a great area with so much potential. Well Done Dave.

The other outstanding matter is the covered area on the corner, outside the Year 4/5 and Year 6 classrooms. The School recognises that it is in a desperate state of repair, but numerous past discussions with the Local Education Authority have always raised issues of funding. However, we are now hopeful that the area will be replaced by the LEA sometime soon in the new financial year!

Breakfast Club Update

This has now been running successfully for 4 months with a total number of 19 children on the register. come and join in the fun if you can wake up early enough.

4 May 2009 - Spring Newsletter 2009