15th July 2009.
Dear Parents
Another school year has flown by and I am pleased that it has been another very successful one. We were, of course, pleased that the Inspection recognised our achievements and especially that the Inspectors were so delighted with the children. Their manners and courtesy were a credit to themselves and to us all.
I know you’ll agree that the children have been incredible. St. Gwladys Bargoed really has got talent, whether it be academic, musical, sporting or dramatic. The Christmas concerts, class assemblies, Urdd performances and other events have entertained us all. The children’s confidence has been a joy to see; if they can stand up in front of an audience of adults, they are certainly feeling good about themselves. The Nursery children roaring like dragons and singing about minibeasts to a hall full of people were a perfect example of this.
The Cooking Classroom has been an excellent addition to the school and I know many of you have enjoyed the after school club. I know that some very tasty dishes have gone home for tea and I look forward to sampling some of these again next year too! The Community Computer Club will begin again in the Autumn Term along with a wide range of other extra-curricular activities.
Some children are rightly proud of certain personal achievements: Eve Jones is a World Champion in Tae Kwondo, Jamie Jones is a member of Bristol Rovers Development Squad, John Doubler and Luke Thomas have gained places with Cardiff City Development Squad. We wish all these children every success in the future as they move on to Heolddu.
Our results at the end of Key Stage 1 and 2 demonstrate the ongoing success of the school.
Results at the end of Key Stage 2 (Level 4+) are as follows and as you can see, they are well above the National figures that are used for comparison:
English: 86.8% (26.4% level 5) Wales ’08 level 4+: 79.8%
Maths: 96.2% (28.3% level 5) Wales ’08 level 4+: 81.3%
Science: 96.2% (32.1% level 5) Wales ’08 level 4+: 85.6%
C.S.I. = 86.8% Wales ’08 = 75.5%
At the end of Key Stage 1 (Level 2+) results are:
English: 87.9% Wales ’08: 82.4%
Maths: 97.0% Wales ’08: 86.8%
Science: 97.0% Wales ’08: 89.7%
C.S.I. = 84.8% Wales ’08: 80.7%
(C.S.I. = Core Subject Indicator: those children achieving level 4+ in English, maths and science)
We appreciate all your support throughout the year; it is so important that we work together to assist the children in their work. I know we can continue to rely on this. We will be introducing Learning Logs in September which I am sure you will enjoy sharing with the children.
I am also very grateful to all the staff who work so tirelessly to ensure the children have the best possible start to their school life. This includes the teaching and support staff, the breakfast club staff, the lunchtime supervisers and the canteen staff. All do their best to make the children’s school days happy and secure.
We are sad to say goodbye to Mrs. Walsh and Mr. Warrell but grateful to them both for their contribution to the school. Mrs. Walsh intends spending time at home with her new baby son while Mr. Warrell has taken a job nearer home.
I have been lucky and grateful to have had the support of Mrs. Cushion as Acting Deputy during the course of this busy year. Because of her young family, she is only available to us three days a week. Consequently, Mrs. S. Pascoe has been appointed as Deputy Head and will be joining the school in September.
Let’s hope the weather this week isn’t going to set in for the holidays and that the children have some good weather to enjoy their play outdoors.
Have a very good summer holiday,
Mrs. K. Evans.
