Annual Governors' Report to Parents
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Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Y Castell Annual Governors’ Report to Parents 2016-2017 To be presented on the school’s website. 27th October 2017 A paper copy is available through the school office on request. Cerddwn ymlaen â ffydd yn ein cân. 1 Contents Page 2. Contents 3. Governors’ Introduction 4. Pupils’ Activities 9. Governors’ Activities 10. School Performance Data 2017 12. School Development Plan 15. Finance Statement 16. School Terms and Holidays 2017/2018 and Times 17. Special Educational Needs 18. The Governing Body 19. Contact Details 2 Governors’ Introduction Dear Parents and Guardians, As Chair of Governors, I am pleased to introduce the school's annual report for 2016/2017. I hope it helps to demonstrate what a successful, dynamic and all inclusive school the children attend. My father would often say to me "One great thing about education is that no one can take it away from you". This has resonated with me throughout my life and I am sure that those reading this report will agree. At Ysgol y Castell, the staff and governors strive to provide an education for its children that can help transform their lives for the better and tap into their potential. We seek to provide them with skills that will serve them well throughout their formal education and also in the wider world. At the school we wish to include all pupils of all abilities and backgrounds and I hope this report demonstrates our core values. No school can function well without the right staff and I believe we are blessed at the school to have excellent people, whose goal is to pass on their knowledge, skills and wisdom to the children. This past year saw the Deputy Head, Daniel Davies, promoted into a fresh challenge and his replacement Gareth Hughes came to the school this September. I am sure he will make a positive contribution to the continued success of the school. I hope you enjoy reading this report and send you all my best wishes. Gareth Williams Chair No meeting was held under Section 94 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013. Five formal complaints were received during this academic year. These were all resolved at stage 1 of the Complaints Procedure. 3 Pupils’ Activities At Ysgol Y Castell, we are proud of our curricular provision, learning experiences and the wealth of extra-curricular activities offered to pupils. All the experiences mentioned below ensure a wide and varied provision for all our pupils. All activities enrich their learning and inspire them to work to the best of their potential; with enjoyment, committment and towards a meaningful purpose. Autumn Term Year 3 and 4 Castell Henllys – inspiration for the theme “Y Celtiaid” Year 5 Castell Caerffili – Welsh History Festival workshops – composing poetry Anni Llŷn (Welsh Poet Laureate) Year 5 and 6 Recorder lessons by Caerphilly Music Service Year 6 Caerphilly Library – celebrating Roald Dahl’s centenary Year 5 Lush – creating bath bombs School Community Macmillan Coffee Morning Year 2 Weekly Kerb Craft lessons School Choir Aberfan Memorial Concert with Cwm Aber Male Voice Choir – Saint Helen’s Church Year 6 Cadburys World Year 1 and 2 Dan yr Ogof – Abracadabra (Rala Rwdins books) Year 1 - 6 Sports workshops by Amy (Urdd Sports Officer) Key Stage 2 Tonyfelin Chapel – Harvest Festival Year 6 Elim Chapel – donations for local food bank School Community Halloween Disco MAT Pupils Yr 5 and 6 Writing Squad – Caerphilly Library and Ysgol Cwm Rhymni (literacy) Sports Ambassadors Tŷ Penallta – leadership training Year 3 and 4 Birds of Prey Reception – Year 2 Theatre – performance of “The Emporer’s New Clothes” Year 3 and 4 (Urdd Urdd Jamboree – Millenium Centre, Cardiff members) 4 Year 3 and 4 GE Aviation – workshop with engineers looking at flight processes Year 5 and 6 Cardiff Castle – The Blitz Year 6 – FSM pupils Workshops in Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni Spring Activities Nursery and Reception Caerphilly Castle Year 6 Crucial Crew Youth Forum Llancaiach Fawr Year 5 Llangrannog Residential Course (week) Year 3 a 4 Eden Centre Year 2-6 Workshops with NSPCC Reception, Year 1 a 2 Techniquest KS2 MAT pupils Writing workshops with Anni Llŷn FSM pupils Urdd Centre, Cardiff Bay Year 6 Outdoor Learning residential course – Maes yr Haul (three days) Year 5 Mount Carmel Chapel – Easter Cracked All pupils National World Book Day Urdd Members Art display Book Quiz Team Workshop with the author Tomos Morris. Summer Activities Year 6 MAT pupils Modern Forgein Languauge lessons - Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni Reception Funtastic Year 4 Urdd Centre, Cardiff Bay (residential course) Year 1 a 2 Plantasia Nursery Nursery Festival at Saint Fagan 5 Year 5 Aspiration day at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni Year 1 a 2 Cwm Darren Park Year 1 a 2 Urdd Jamboree (members only) Year 5 Pop concert by the Candelas Year 6 School Nurse – growing up All pupils PC Thomas – personal safety lessons Parents PC Thomas – e-safety Year 6 Sharon Risby (EWO) – the importance of good attendance Year 5 and 6 Raising Aspirations at the University of South Wales Science Club Workshops with STEM Scientists Success and Celebrations All pupils and staff run / walk the daily mile. Weekly harp, violin, recorders and brass lessons are offered at school. The gymnastics team competed in the Urdd national competition. The children enjoyed themselves during the long weeks of practice led tirelessly by Miss Alice Corden (former pupil), Mr T. Griffiths and Mrs L. Missen (Governor). The school would like to acknowledge the support received from Bedwas Gymnastics Club and we extend our thanks to them. The children won the following awards: Aled Lewis (individual) – 1st Polly-Jayne Missen and Carys Corden (pair) – 1st Team competition – 1st On March 1st, William Hughes won the Eisteddfod Chair and Seren Beckett received the Eisteddfod Crown during a special ceremony led by Year 5 Gorsedd Y Beirdd. Our pupils competed keenly in the Urdd Eisteddfodau. Once again, for the 11th consecutive year, we won the cup for the most successful school. Many children and parents attended Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd Penybont, Ogwr a Thaf Elai to compete in the following competitions - choir, unison group, two voice group, recition party, individual recition (under 8, 10 and 12). 6 Year 3 and 4 Reading Team gained 1st prize in the county reading quiz and went on the represent Gwent in the national finals. All the sports teams competed with enthusiasm in the Urdd competitions with the Year 4 hockey team reaching the National Final at Aberystwyth University. We celebrated Walk to School week, Anti-Bullying week and Healthy Schools week. Olivia Daniels-Griffiths won 3rd prize in the National Urdd Arts and Crafts competition. The School Council assisted the Governing Body by interviewing candidates for the post of Deputy Head Teacher. Sponsered football activities – new sports equipment and team kits were purchased through the donations made. All pupils prepared and performed class assemblies. Den dan Dȏ (outside classroom) was built and Year 1 and 2 pupils’ toilets were refurbished. An outdoor discovery morning / afternoon was held with nursery parents to see how the pupils learn through play. A £5,000 donation was received from the Friends of the School to purchase yard markings, solar powered clock, books and mus kitchens. The school won the Green Flag status under the leadership of the Eco Committee. The choir sang in the Hybu concert "1,000 voices" in the Motorpoint Arena. The Athletics Team enjoyed competing in the Summer Term, coming second in the Cwm Rhymni cluster and Caerphilly Sports Days. Cross Country Competition – both female teams won the South East Wales Championships. First Aid lessons were held for Year 5 and 6 by st John’s Ambulance staff. A number of extra curricular activities are held on a weekly basis including Urdd Club, arts and crafts, sports, choir, disco and folk dancing, ukulele, sticker swap, reading, sewing, science and coding. We are a Welsh medium school who immerse the Foundation Phase pupils in Welsh to ensure their bilingualism. English is introduced in Key Stage 2. 7 Attendance Information 2016 / 2017 Attendance Authorised Unauthorised Absences Absences Target 2016-2017 95.2% 4.8% 0% Autumn Term 2016 95.26% 4.64% 0.1% Spring Term 2017 94.43% 5.13% 0.44% Summer Term 2017 94.31% 5.12% 0.57% Academic Year 2016 - 95.03% 4.75% 0.22% 2017 We constantly engage with parents and guardians to reduce the number of unauthorised absences through correspondence and text messages. Most pupils and parents think 90% attendance is good. Are they right? 90% attendance = ½ a day missed every week! 90% attendance over 5 years of school = ½ a school year missed Attendance at the end of Days missed from school the year 100% 0 99.5% 1 97.4% 5 95% 10 90% 19 87% 24 85% 28 80% 38 75% 47 We urge parents not to withdraw children for holidays. Every lesson counts! 8 A REVIEW OF GOVERNOR'S ACTIVITY FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2016/17 The Governing Body is delighted to congratulate the school on another fantastic year. Our focus, as always, remains firmly directed at improving outcomes for all our pupils by delivering high quality teaching and maximising progress and attainment. Ours is a strategic role and involves: (i) Setting the aims and objectives for the school; (ii) Agreeing policies, targets and priorities for achieving these objectives; (iii) Monitoring and evaluating to see whether (i) and (ii) are being achieved. In their most recent report Estyn noted that ‘the governing body is very conscientious and supportive, and takes its role seriously in terms of challenging the school.