Friday July 21st

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the end of the year at Waunarlwydd Primary School! A massive thanks to all the staff for, once again, giving their all for the children. Huge thanks to to all our amazing families for working with us and to the governing body and PTA for their support. Without a doubt, the biggest thanks has to go to our incredible children, who have, once again, proven themselves to be a credit to Waunarlwydd and a pleasure to be around. You are all superstars!

To our Year 6 children, as they reach the end of Primary School, you should head to Gowerton with your heads held high. We are very proud of you all and Gowerton is a very lucky school to be welcoming you in September. What a way to finish with a magnificent Leavers Concert. Aim high and go for it!

To all our other children, your new teachers can’t wait to learn and laugh with you in September! You should all be very excited!

This Year we say goodbye to 3 incredible members of staff. Mrs Davies is leaving after so many years as Headteacher of Waunarlwydd and can set off on her new adventures safe in the knowledge that she has made a massive difference to the whole school community during her headship. Mr Jenkins, after 33 years at the school is heading off into the sunset, ready to travel and make new memories. He should be proud of the difference he has made to so many pupils over the years. Finally, a big good luck to Mrs Hyatt as she pursues her dream of becoming a mid wife when she starts University in September. You’ll be amazing!

On a personal note, I count myself extremely privileged to be starting my position as Headteacher from September 1st. I look forward to working together as a whole school community as we strive to make Waunarlwydd the best possible place for our awesome children to thrive!

Have a wonderful, safe and healthy Summer! See you all on Tuesday 5th September!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday July 14th

As much as we were all looking forward to our first whole school trip to the beach, unfortunately, the only option we had was to cancel. We didn’t let the weather stop us having fun and we’ve had a great day in school with discos, games and, of course, lollies and ice creams. We’ve seen two incredible assemblies this week led by Miss Tyrrell and Mrs Melen’s classes. I’m sure all those present would agree that the children were amazing.

Year 6 have enjoyed their days at Gowerton Comprehensive School during transition week and have been very busy rehearsing for their Leavers’ Concert next week. We’re in for a treat!

All the teachers have loved meeting their new classes ready for next year. As I’m sure you are now aware, we will be having straight year groups next year:

Nursery – Mrs Mcdonnell, Reception – Mrs Melen, Year 1 – Miss Tyrrell, Year 2 – Mrs Evans and Mrs Thomas, Year 3 – Mr Reid, Year 4 – Either Miss Shaw or Mrs Wallace and Mrs Howells, Year 5 – Miss Fender, Year 6 – Ms Williams.

Another massive thanks to all those that helped with and supported our Summer Fair. The astonishing amount of £3657 was raised. This will be of enormous benefit to our children and we will let you know exactly what the money will be spent on in the new year.

Children will receive their end of year reports on Monday and we are looking forward to enjoying our last week together before the Summer Holidays. A reminder that Friday 21st July is the last day in school for children.

As always, if you have any queries or concerns, don’t hesitate in making contact!

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday July 7th

Another exciting and busy week at Waunarlwydd! Yesterday’ Summer fair was a huge success and it was wonderful to see the whole school community getting involved. There was a great atmosphere and an amazing amount of money was raised. We will let you know the grand total next week. A massive thankyou needs to go to the PTA for their outstanding efforts in making it happen!

It has also been wonderful to welcome so many many families into school for pupil workshops. We hope those that could make it enjoyed the experience as much as the children. We look forward to more whole school community events in the future!

In amongst the usual learning and laughing, we’ve also managed to squeeze in some trips and visit. Year 4 thoroughly enjoyed their sports day a t the Elba, Criw Cymraeg shared their knowledge and experience with pupils form other schools at Gowerton Comprehensive School and Gowerton Primary visited our enterprise group to share their successful enterprise project.

Next week our fingers are crossed for good weather as we look forward to our first whole school beach visit to Oxwich.

Dates for the diary

Monday July 10th to Thursday July 13th – Year 6 transition

Wednesday 12th July/Thursday 13th July – Meet your new teacher

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip (Oxwich)

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events and trips specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday June 30th

Another wonderful week at Waunarlwydd full of learning and laughter. The highlight has been our whole school 3D art project linked to Wales and our area. The children look forward to showing their hard work next week during parent workshops. We hope you can make it. Year 5 thoroughly enjoyed their Triathlon event at Gowerton School, big thanks to all involved!

More change to tell you about on the staffing front. After a lot of hard work, we can now congratulate Mrs Hyatt on following her dream to become a midwife. She starts University in September and, after making a huge difference to so many children over the years, we have no doubt that she will be a huge success in her new role!

INSET DAYS and Start of the new year

Monday 24th July is an INSET DAY. The children’s last day in school will be Friday July 21st.

We can now confirm that the new year in September will start for children on Tuesday September 5th. Friday September 1st and Monday September 4th are INSET DAYS.

Reminder – Family support – Early help hub linking with school

We have linked with the City and County of Swansea to enhance understanding and engagement with early Help Hubs. A senior lead worker is based at our school fortnightly to offer support to families, children and parents in a variety of ways. For example, support with children’s behaviour, emotional health & wellbeing, money, housing, ALN group work, ASD Awareness group, Under 11’s family lives group, understanding adolescents group, healthy relationship work and much more. If you would like to book an informal consultation with our lead worker, Yasmin, please contact us.

Dates for the diary

Monday 3rd July – Reception Parent workshops (9.15)

Mrs Evans/Mrs Thomas’ and Mr Reid’s class Parent workshops (13.15)

Tuesday 4th July – Miss Tyrrell’s and Mrs Wallace/Mrs Howells’ class Parent Workshops (9.15)

Mr Jenkins’ class Parent workshops (13.15)

Wednesday 5th July – Year 5 and 6 Parent workshops (13.15)

Thursday July 6th – Nursery meeting for parents (ready for reception) followed by parent workshop (9.00)

Thursday July 6th – Summer Fair (15.30)

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip (Oxwich)

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events and trips specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday June 23rd

The sun has been shining during a busy couple of weeks at Waunarlwydd. It has been absolutely amazing to see the whole school community come together to celebrate our sports days this week. Thanks again for your support! A big thanks to the staff for organising, our older pupils for being fabulous role models to the younger pupils and, of course, all the children for taking part with big smiles and a superb spirit. A special thanks to Mr Jenkins for his efforts on his 33rd and final Sports Day at Waunarlwydd! Diolch Mr J!

Sports Days haven’t been the only highlights. We’ve had trips to Mumbles to visit the lifeboats and local landmarks such as the lighthouse, the pier and the Big Apple, before exploring Bracelet Bay and having fun in the park. Our Music Rocks project has been brilliant, with some budding rock stars emerging! We’ve had an excellent pirate-themed assembly presented by Mr Reid’s class. Last Friday saw our Enterprise group venture to Castle Gardens for market day. The children did themselves proud with the manner in which they conducted themselves with polite (yet convincing) sales techniques that resulted in a profit of £245. Don’t worry if you think you’ve missed the opportunity to visit ‘Good Vibes Co – Waunarlwydd’ because they’ll be at our Summer Fair in a few weeks!

INSET DAYS and Start of the new year

A reminder that next Friday (June 30th) is an INSET DAY. Monday 24th July is also an INSET DAY. The children’s last day in school will be Friday July 21st.

We can now confirm that the new year in September will start for children on Tuesday September 5th. Friday September 1st and Monday September 4th are INSET DAYS.

Reminder – Family support – Early help hub linking with school

We have linked with the City and County of Swansea to enhance understanding and engagement with early Help Hubs. A senior lead worker is based at our school fortnightly to offer support to families, children and parents in a variety of ways. For example, support with children’s behaviour, emotional health & wellbeing, money, housing, ALN group work, ASD Awareness group, Under 11’s family lives group, understanding adolescents group, healthy relationship work and much more. If you would like to book an informal consultation with our lead worker, Yasmin, please contact us.

Dates for the diary

Friday June 30th – INSET DAY

Monday 3rd July – Nursery and Reception Parent workshops (9.15)

Mrs Evans/Mrs Thomas’ and Mr Reid’s class Parent workshops (13.15)

Tuesday 4th July – Miss Tyrrell’s and Mrs Wallace/Mrs Howells’ class Parent Workshops (9.15)

Mr Jenkins’ class Parent workshops (13.15)

Wednesday 5th July – Year 5 and 6 Parent workshops (13.15)

Thursday July 6th – Summer Fair

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip (Oxwich)

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events and trips specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday June 9th

The sun has continued to shine and we’ve enjoyed a fabulous first week of our last half term of the year. It’s going to be a busy half term with lots going on and both staff and children are looking forward to ending a great year in style. A huge thanks to the hard working volunteers that gave up their time and muscles to help clear our wonderful woodland area today. We are so lucky to have such amazing grounds within our school to support our children’s learning. Any support you can offer as we look to further develop our outdoor spaces is very gratefully received.

A big well done to our awesome athletics team that represented the school wonderfully yesterday. In very hot and challenging conditions, every boy and girl competed with a smile on their face and should be very proud of themselves! Gwaith wych!

Reminder – Family support – Early help hub linking with school

We have linked with the City and County of Swansea to enhance understanding and engagement with early Help Hubs. A senior lead worker is based at our school fortnightly to offer support to families, children and parents in a variety of ways. For example, support with children’s behaviour, emotional health & wellbeing, money, housing, ALN group work, ASD Awareness group, Under 11’s family lives group, understanding adolescents group, healthy relationship work and much more. If you would like to book an informal consultation with our lead worker, Yasmin, please contact the school.

Digital advice to parents

Dates for the diary

Friday 16th June – Enterprise market day – Castle Gardens. After so much hard work and preparation, our amazing enterprise group will be selling their products at Castle Gardens, Swansea City Centre. Please stop by and offer support if you get a chance.

Tuesday 20th June – Nursery sports day (time to be confirmed), Reception Sports Day (time to be confirmed)

Wednesday 21st June – Year 4, 5 and 6 Sports Day (13.30)

Thursday 22nd June – Year 1,2 and 3 Sports Day (14.00)

Friday June 30th – INSET DAY

Monday 3rd July – Nursery and Reception Parent workshops (9.15)

Mrs Evans/Mrs Thomas’ and Mr Reid’s class Parent workshops (13.15)

Tuesday 4th July – Miss Tyrrell’s and Mrs wallace/Mrs Howells’ class Parent Workshops (9.15)

Mr Jenkins’ class Parent workshops (13.15)

Wednesday 5th July – Year 5 and 6 Parent workshops (13.15)

Thursday July 6th – Summer Fair

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events and trips specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday May 26th

After 33 years of teaching at Waunarlwydd Primary School, we can now confirm that Mr Jenkins will be retiring at the end of this academic year. I have no doubt that you will join us in thanking Mr Jenkins for his outstanding contribution over so many years. Let’s make sure that the last half term of the school year is a great success so that we can send Mr Jenkins (and Mrs Davies) off in style!

Help our Woodland!

Following the need for our woodland to be out of bounds (while the council have been completing essential work), we need to cut back and tidy up some areas. We are putting together a working party for Friday June 9th (during the school day -anytime between 9 and 3). A big thanks to those volunteers that have offered to help us. If you would like to join us, please let us know. Diolch!

Cluster RSE Parents meeting

All parents/carers are invited to a meeting at Gowerton Comprehensive School on Monday 5th June @4pm.  During the meeting, Jennifer Harding – Richards (Advisor for RSE and RVE) will be giving an overview of the RSE legislation and share the RSE code, guidance and expectations for schools (information leaflet).  In order to prepare for the event and answer any questions, please can you complete the following form, if you are attending, by Friday 26th May (12.00) – Diolch. Form for parents’ RSE meeting

It has been a wonderful end to a half term with the beautiful weather meaning the Nursery have spent most of their time outdoors in the sunshine. Carrying on with their work on number, morning Nursery took their clip boards around the school searching for numbers. Nursery rhymes were the theme on Welly Wednesday, with the highlight being rolling down the hill like Jack and Jill. Afternoon Nursery went to explore the woods for the first time this week and built an imaginary fire. The favourite activity though, was cooking biscuits in the shape of Numicon. Reception have been talking about how they have changed since being babies and sequencing a human timeline. They had fun listening to more of their favourite songs and playing our ‘Pwy ydy Pwy’ baby photo guessing game! Children learnt about their hand span and measured it with multilink and then took their learning outside to explore the lengths of sticks in the woodland. In P.E, children loved throwing and catching beanbags, balancing with bean bags on their heads and playing a beanbag relay race!

It has been ‘Gardening Week’ in Miss Tyrrell’s class and the children have been so excited to finally be able to use their beautiful outdoor garden again. Thank you to all the grown ups for your kind donations! Back in class the children have been learning facts about wild animals to help them write a fact file. They have put the animals in alphabetical order and used the turtle program on JIT to practise directional skills. Mrs Wallace and Mrs Howells’ class have enjoyed playing the glockenspiels this week, to accompany a song they have learnt to sing. The whole class had so much fun! The children also loved seeing their butterflies emerge from their cocoons and releasing them into their natural habitats. Highlights in Mrs Evans and Mrs Thomas’ class was also their beautiful butterflies emerging, releasing them into the outdoor area and watching them take flight! Children have also been busy planting fruit, vegetables and flowers to encourage pollinators as well as writing lovely character descriptions about elephants. Mr Reid’s class have enjoyed perfecting and performing their pirate dances in a Strictly Come Dancing style format. They’ve been working hard on their smuggler’s stories using writing targets and building confidence to write independently. They’ve also been working hard on maths skills including telling the time on analogue clocks and dividing with bigger numbers. Da iawn!

Mr Jenkins’ class have been learning to use mapping skills and co-ordinates to locate places. They have also made an animation and used coding to control a rocket to different planets. In numeracy they have been solving reasoning problems while in literacy children have been making story boards and acting these out using iMovie to create our performance adverts. Year 5 and 6 have loved using the field for lunchtime, daily mile and PE this week. In maths the children have been looking at probability and chance. The independent challenge was to present an A3 page about ‘What does it mean to be Welsh?’ The children used many different approaches and creative ideas to show their understanding. Gwaith wych!

Digital advice for parents

Dates for the diary

Monday June 5th – RSE information session for parents (16.00 to 17.00) at Gowerton Comprehensive School

Tuesday 20th June – Nursery sports day (time to be confirmed), Reception Sports Day (time to be confirmed)

Wednesday 21st June – Year 4, 5 and 6 Sports Day (13.30)

Thursday 22nd June – Year 1,2 and 3 Sports Day (14.00)

Friday June 30th – INSET DAY

Monday 3rd July – Nursery and Reception Parent workshops (9.15)

Mrs Evans/Mrs Thomas’ and Mr Reid’s class Parent workshops (13.15)

Tuesday 4th July – Miss Tyrrell’s and Mrs wallace/Mrs Howells’ class Parent Workshops (9.15)

Mr Jenkins’ class Parent workshops (13.15)

Wednesday 5th July – Year 5 and 6 Parent workshops (13.15)

Thursday July 6th – Summer Fair

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday May 19th

Another great week of learning and laughing in Waunarlwydd! N week in Nursery has been all about numbers and Numicon. Morning nursery searched for numbers and Numicon in the right order and built towers numbered 1-10 on Welly Wednesday. It was very exciting on Thursday when they were able to go back into the woods for the first time for gym. After playing lots of number games they enjoyed throwing the leaves and jumping off the new logs. Both Nursery sessions have been practising their fine motor skills, threading pasta and cereal to make a necklace to take home. Reception have continued with their Marvellous Me topic, this week learning names for body parts in Welsh and using Welsh in our new hospital role play area. Children talked about favourite hobbies and have started listening to favourite songs, discussing why they like them and listening for the voice, instruments, whether it is fast or slow and loud or quiet. It was fun taking selfies and using the tools on SeeSaw to doodle on them! We have also talked about money, what it is for and how we use it and then had fun in the pretend toy shop paying for items up to 10p.

Miss Tyrrell’s class have been learning all about frogs this week. They have followed instructions to create some superb drawings of frogs, completed the life cycle and written sentences as part of their independent challenges. The maths focus this week has been making ‘groups of’ and adding equal groups. Mrs Wallace and Mrs Howells’ class are keeping a close eye on their caterpillars, now they have turned into a chrysalis. They have transferred them to the butterfly house, ready for when the butterflies push their way out of their cocoons! Children are so excited to see it happen! They have also enjoyed finding out more about wildlife at the start of their ‘On safari’ topic and wrote fantastic fact files all about the animals. Mrs Evans and Mrs Thomas’ class have enjoyed researching facts about lions as part of their sensational safari topic. Another highlight has been creating some beautiful silhouette safari art work and learning to tell the time. Children have also planted lots of different flowers to attract pollinators to their outdoor area. The pirate theme has continued in Mr Reid’s class this week with the children using a playscript and props to act out a smuggling scene. They have also enjoyed describing a pirate in Welsh using See Saw.

Mr Jenkins’ class have been learning about the Water Cycle and how we use water and keep it clean. Another hit has been writing their super adverts to sell their games and next week they will begin filming them using the imovie app. Y5 and 6 have enjoyed PE this week – rounders season has begun! In maths, the children have been working with co-ordinates, plotting shapes in all four quadrants. Art this week has been based on ‘The Arrival’. The children drew pencil sketches of important items in their homes. Great week!

Cluster RSE Parents meeting

All parents/carers are invited to a meeting at Gowerton Comprehensive School on Monday 5th June @4pm.  During the meeting, Jennifer Harding – Richards (Advisor for RSE and RVE) will be giving an overview of the RSE legislation and share the RSE code, guidance and expectations for schools (information leaflet).  In order to prepare for the event and answer any questions, please can you complete the following form, if you are attending, by Friday 26th May – Diolch. Form for parents’ RSE meeting

Help our Woodland!

Our woodland has been out of bounds for several months while the council have been completing essential work taking a large number of trees down from our woodland area. We are now in a position to further develop this wonderful space for our children. We are looking for volunteers with strimmers, hedge clippers or simply a pair of gardening gloves to help us clear the areas which have become overgrown. If you are interested in giving up a couple of hours of your time to help us, please get in touch and we will put together a working party. Diolch!

Kicks Sessions 2022/23

If you’re interested in finding out about FREE fun football sessions in the area, including girls only sessions, click on the following link for more information. https://form.jotform.com/SwansFdnKicks/Home

Digital advice for parents

Dates for the diary

Monday June 5th – RSE information session for parents (16.00 to 17.00) at Gowerton Comprehensive School

Tuesday 20th June – Nursery sports day (time to be confirmed), Reception Sports Day (time to be confirmed)

Wednesday 21st June – Year 4, 5 and 6 Sports Day (13.30)

Thursday 22nd June – Year 1,2 and 3 Sports Day (14.00)

Friday June 30th – INSET DAY

Monday 3rd July – Nursery and Reception Parent workshops (9.15)

Mrs Evans/Mrs Thomas’ and Mr Reid’s class Parent workshops (13.15)

Tuesday 4th July – Miss Tyrrell’s and Mrs wallace/Mrs Howells’ class Parent Workshops (9.15)

Mr Jenkins’ class Parent workshops (13.15)

Wednesday 5th July – Year 5 and 6 Parent workshops (13.15)

Thursday July 6th – Summer Fair

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher

Friday May 12th

It’s great to see the sun shining at the end of another week at Waunarlwydd full of highlights. It’s been ‘M’ week in nursery. The highlight was visiting ‘The Farmers’ in Waunarlwydd where the children bought their own toast and drinks using their own money. There has also been lots of creative craft in both morning and afternoon nursery with junk modelling and painting in the style of ‘Mondrian’ using just 4 colours. Making monsters has also been a big hit with the children. Reception have started learning through their ‘Marvellous Me’ topic. Using a mirror they have looked at their eye colours to complete a class pictogram. Looking at faces, they created self portraits in different ways, firstly by looking in a mirror and using pastels and also using half a black and white photo of themselves and drawing the other half. In writing, children completed a basic fact file. The children have absolutely loved getting the wall bars out in gym this week to practice climbing and swinging.

Caterpillars and butterflies have been the topic in Miss Tyrrell’s class this week. The children attempted recount writing of the life cycle of a butterfly independently, as well as butterfly maths addition. Beautiful symmetrical butterflies were made by the children during their creative challenge. The trip to Swansea Museum to look at life before electricity had them all problem solving as it proved very tricky to match everyday objects to the ones used long ago. Mrs Wallace and Mrs Howell’s class loved seeing their caterpillars start forming into a chrysalis. They’re so excited to see them turn into butterflies! Year 1 loved going to Swansea Museum to learn all about electricity. Mrs Evans and Mrs Thomas’ class have loved looking after their caterpillars. They are getting ready to spin their chrysalis. They have also enjoyed learning about money in Maths and practising their pbuzz songs, the favourite at the moment is ‘I feel good!’ Finding out about the history of smuggling on Gower and acting out the story of William Hawkins Athur have been the highlights in Mr Reid’s class while the children have also loved using Popplet on the Ipads to generate and share ideas for their class assembly. 

Mr Jenkins’ class have been busy making adverts to develop their skills in persuasive writing. They have also enjoyed learning more about angles and have started making an amazing symbol of Wales ‘The Red Dragon’ in 3d mouldable materials. Year 5 and 6 have been writing non-chronological reports on their imaginary creatures based on their book, ‘The Arrival’. Some very creative ideas included! In maths, children have enjoyed looking at shape – drawing angles and shapes accurately. Although loud and slightly out of time, children have loved learning to play the recorder in music. 

Enterprise

Our Enterprise team have been hard at work preparing their wonderful products based on promoting positivity. They will be selling their products at a market in Castle Gardens on June 16th! Pop down if you get a chance!

Digital advice for parents

Dates for the diary

Monday June 5th – RSE information session for parents (16.00 to 17.00) at Gowerton Comprehensive School

WB June 19th – Sports Days (details to follow next week)

Friday June 30th – INSET DAY

Week beginning 3rd July – Parent workshops (details to follow next week)

Friday 14th July – Whole School Beach trip

Monday July 24th – INSET DAY

(Information about events specific to classes or cohorts will be sent out separately)

Have a great weekend!

Mr Jamie Evans

Deputy Headteacher