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St Mary's & St Patrick's RC Primary Newsletter November 2023

Autumn Term - Part 2

I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable half term. The school has already become a hive of business and it was a pleasure to welcome lots of you to Parents Evenings this week. For those of you who met Julia, she is our Family Engagement Officer. Julia will be spending a Monday at our school, as part of her role within BCBC. Julia is here to support, listen and point you in the right direction with any concerns you may have. We are hoping that you will be able to meet Julia very soon.

STMP - a Catholic family learning together

Mass Times on Saturday evening / Sunday

We know how busy life can be, I always find it handy knowing the time of Masses around our area. Here is a list of Churches near by and the time of Sunday Mass.

Christ the King Mass - November 26th - 5pm Mass

Our Parish Family Life group invite us the celebrate Mass on November 26th at 5pm. After Mass there will be an opportunity to share some time to reflect on the Feast of Christ the King and begin to prepare for Advent. Please make every effort to join us celebrating as a Family.

Our Lady's & St Patrick's RC Church. Maesteg Sunday 11am & 5pm

St Robert's RC Church. Aberkenfig Sunday 9am

St Mary's RC Church. Bridgend Saturday 6pm Sunday 11am & 6pm

St Joseph's RC Church. Port Talbot Saturday 6pm Sunday 10am

Contact details

Please can you make sure that we have the most up-to-date contact details, address, any allergies, medical issues or anything we need to know to support your child's needs.

Handle with Care

If your child needs a gentle approach any day, please text 'Handle with care' to either the school messaging service or on Class Dojo. You do not have to tell us anymore than 'Handle with care'. We will know that your child will need extra time, patience or help.

Brawddeg yr Wythnos

As part of our ongoing Welsh language development we would like you to share these phrases / Q&A's with your family and friends.

Sut wyt ti? - How are you?

hapus/wedi blino/ trist/bendigedig

happy/tired/sad/brilliant

Dw i’n dda iawn, diolch/ fendigedig/ofnadwy.

I’m very well, thank you/brilliant/terrible.

Dw i wedi blino. - I’m tired.

Dw i’n hapus ac yn fendigedig.

I’m happy and brilliant.

Sut wyt ti heddiw? - How are you today?

Sut wyt ti’n teimlo? - How are you feeling?

Dw i’n grac. - I’m cross.

Dw i’n hapus achos mae hi'n heulog.

I’m happy because it is sunny.

Dw i ddim yn hapus achos mae hi’n bwrw glaw.

I’m not happy because it is raining.

Dw i’n dda iawn ond dw i ddim yn gyffrous.

I’m very well but I’m not excited.

If we do not know the Welsh word, yet, we are placing the English word in its place. We would love you to join us on our bilingual journey.

Friends of STMP

Many thanks to those who joined us for the meeting in October. It was wonderful to welcome new parents, and those who have been with us for sometime. There is always room for everyone to join us, even if you can't make the meetings, we always welcome any support and help. All are welcome!!!

23rd November 2023 Disco of Light

Nursery / Reception / Year 1 / Year 2 - 4.30pm until 5.30pm. Parents must stay with the children.

Year 3 / Year 4 / Year 5 / Year 6 - 5.30pm - 7.00pm. Children can be dropped off and picked up at 7pm.

Price £3.00 - 1 child / £5.00 - 2 children / £7.00 - 3 children

This includes hot dog / fruit / water / glow sticks and glitter tattoos.

If you are able to help at either of the disco's please speak to a member of the Friends of STMP or a member of staff. All help will be very welcome. Many thanks

Friends of STMP

We also spoke about Christmas events and dates;

Thursday 30th November 2023 – Rainbow Day / Home clothes day – Prizes for Raffle.

Home clothes for children, please can they bring in something for the Raffle. Each class have a different colour, they will need to bring something for the raffle that colour. Eg. purple - candle / selection box or green - plant / biscuits / shower gel.

Nursery - Green

Reception - Red

Year 1 - Purple

Year 2 - Orange

Year 3 - Yellow

Year 4 - Blue

Year 5 - Green

Year 6 - Purple

Helping out with teas / coffee's and cakes at the Christmas Concerts. If you can help out, we would be very grateful, it maybe you are available for one of the concerts your child is not in.

Christmas Concerts begin at 2pm

5th December 2023 – Y5 & Y1

6th December2023 – Y6 & Reception

7th December 2023 – Y5 & Y1

8th December 2023 – Y6 & Reception

12th December 2023 – Y3 & Nursery

13th December 2023 – Y4 & Y2

14th December 2023 – Y3 & Nursery

15th December 2023 – Y4 & Y2

14th December 2023 – Christmas Dinner Day

21st December 2023 – Christmas Surprise for Children – Theatre Show

If you would like to discuss anything with your child's class teacher, please can I ask you to make an appointment or send them a message on Class Dojo. When we are dismissing children at the end of the day, it is not the best time to discuss important information about your child.

School begins at 8:55 am - Doors open at 8:45am. School day ends at 3pm for Nursery pupils, 3.15pm for rest of the school.

Drop off & Pick up arrangements:

• Breakfast Club – the main gate to the yard is the entry point – Doors are open between 8.15am and 8.30am.

• Mr Ballenger will be on the gate to ensure the children go in safely.

(The hall door must remain closed as it as a Fire Exit)

• All classes will come through the main gate on the yard – Doors will be open from 8.45am for children to come in to class, ready to begin their day

• If you access the school from the Church steps, Commercial street, the Main Reception doors will be open from 8.45am for children to come into classes.

The main gate and the Reception door will be maned by staff to ensure safe entry for children.

This will be the same for pick-up – Nursery pick up time is 3pm. Reception to Year 6 – 3.15pm

Please can I ask you to be very mindful of parking and try not to park in the Church grounds. We all have the safety of our children at heart.

BCBC Autumn Menu 2023

Use your camera on your phone to link to the BCBC Autumn Menu. Nursery Parents, please note the * is the lunch your child will have.

November dates for your diary;

13th November 2023 - School Photographs

16th November 2023 - RE Hub Day - We are welcoming staff from all our South Wales to a training day.

17th November 2023 - Home clothes Day - £1 donation - Friends of STMP - Disco Prep

20th November 2023 - Do-Bemindful Parent Workshop 9.00am - Please join us to meet Louise - Founder of Do-Bemindful

23rd November - Disco of Light - 4.30pm - 5.30pm - Nursery / Reception / Y1 / Y2 - Parents to stay/

23rd November 2023 - Disco of Light - 5.30pm - 7pm - Y3 / Y4 / Y5 / Y6 - Children may be dropped off.

24th November 2023 - Reading Cafe - Tamar

24th November 2023 - Y6 visit to ABMcG - Music Workshop

26th November - Christ the King Mass - 5pm - Our Lady's & St Patrick's RC Church

Future Dates

  • 30th November 2023 - Rainbow Day - homeclothes for raffle prizes (see above)
  • 1st December 2023 - Advent Retreat for children at school
  • 2nd December 2023- Blessing of the Crib - Maesteg Town Council Offices
  • 3rd December 2023 - 1st Sunday of Advent
  • Christmas Concert Dates;
  • 5th Dec - Y5 & Y2
  • 6th Dec - Y6 & Reception
  • 7th Dec - Y5 & Y1
  • 8th Dec - Y6 & Reception
  • 12th Dec - Y3 & Nursery
  • 13th Dec - Y4 & Y2
  • 14th Dec - Y3 & Nursery
  • 15th Dec - Y4 & Y2

14th December 2023 - Christmas Dinner Day

19th December 2023 - Parish Carol Service

21st December 2023 - Last day of term for children

22nd December 2023 - INSET

22nd December - 7th January 2024 - Christmas Holidays

8th January 2024 - Return to school

12th January 2024 - Young Voices Choir

9th February 2024 - INSET

9th February - 18th February 2024 - Half term

22nd March 2024 - Last day of term / Break up for Easter Holidays

23rd March - 7th April - Easter Holidays

8th April 2024 - Return to school

6th May 2024 - Bank Holiday Monday

24th May 2024 - Last day of school

25th May - 2nd June - Half term

3rd June 2024 - Return to school

21st June 2024 - INSET

19th July 2024 - Last day of Academic Year 2023-2024 for children

22nd July 2024 - INSET

Jesuit Pupil Profile Attentive & Discerning

Our children and staff will be learning to be attentive to their experience and to their vocation, and discerning about the choices they make and the effects of those choices.

St Ignatius tells us that we need to be attentive to the big and the small things, to the responses of other people, to the stirrings in our hearts, and to the preoccupations that thread their way through our lives. Being attentive takes practice; it is much easier to rush from one thing to the next, taking little time to notice anything. Once we develop the habit of being attentive, we can begin to discern what is good for us and what is not; and what God calls us to be, and to do.

Let us pray that God will guide us to be attentive in our daily lives and become discerning of the good that awaits us.

Amen

Attendance and punctuality  A reminder that doors open from 8.45am. Staff set up activities for the children to enjoy before the day begins. This has proved to be a good start to the day where children have self-registered, and their learning can begin promptly. School officially begins at 8.55am. Please inform Mrs James of any absences before 10am in the morning of the first day. This can be done by text or phone call. If you need to collect your child early for any reason, please ring the office to explain. Many thanks for your support with this.

Mobile phones in school - Please can I ask if your child must bring a phone to school, can you send me a message on Class Dojo. We ask they hand them into Mrs James every morning and collect them at the end of the day. They are brought in with your permission only please.

If you need to get in touch, I am available on my Class Dojo phone, via email - head@stmstpcs.bridgend.cymru or phone the office - 01656 815585.

God bless you and your families always. Mrs Kelly-Fisher.