February Information Letter
1st of February 2024
Dear Parents
Please see below the school calendar. As always, more dates will be added as events are confirmed and you will be updated as the term goes on. This is also updated regularly on our school website www.stmarysllanelli.org (under news and events > calendar)
Next week, the PTA are hosting their annual Valentine Disco on Thursday 8th of February. Foundation Phase (Nursery to Year 2) is 5pm-6pm with parents requested to stay. Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6) is on 6:15pm-7:30pm where parents are invited to stay but don’t have to. The PTA are looking for anyone who can stay to help at the disco or at any future events, if you can offer your services, please contact the school office who can put you in touch with the PTA Chair.
Next week is also the last week of this half term. We are closed to pupils on Friday 9th of February for inset day, throughout half term week starting the 12th of February and on Monday the 19th of February for a Diocesan inset day. School restarts on Tuesday the 20th of February.
The current after school clubs will continue after half term from te 20th of Feburary. There are some clubs that cannot be held on certain dates so please check on Parent Pay and note these dates in your diaries. Pupils who currently attend this terms clubs will automatically be re-enrolled on to the same clubs next half term. If anyone would like to be added to a club, please contact the school office.
Free School Meals: A free school meals depends on your household income and if you receive certain benefits. If you meet the criteria, please apply formally for your child to have free school meals as you may be able to receive support during school holidays and school closures as well grants for school uniforms at certain stages of your child’s education. If you think you are eligible, please apply https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-services/education-schools/school-meals/free-school-meals/# Since September 2022, there has been a gradual rollout of universal primary free school meals for pupils up to and including Year 4. There is no set date yet for when pupils in Years 5 & 6 will join the rollout. I would encourage anyone who thinks they are eligible for the official free school meals grant to do so as it may open other opportunities for support for you and also provides schools with additional funding to offer further educational support to pupils.
Mrs Rebecca Gilroy (Miss Davies), one of our class teachers at St Mary’s, will sadly be leaving us at the end of February. Mrs Gilroy has taught in several classes across the school from Nursery and Reception to most recently in the Year 5 class at the start of last term. Mrs Gilroy is known to pupils and staff for her bright smile and often bright clothing (especially when in the Nursery class!) and her kind and caring nature which she used to nurture everyone pupil and every staff member at school. Mrs Gilroy has asked that we share with you that she has loved her time teaching your children at school and will miss them terribly but feels that at this moment in time, she needs to be at home to care and support her daughter who has additional needs. Mrs Gilroy, we will all miss you very much at school and hope that you will come back to see us all. Wishing you and your family all the very best for your future.
After half term, the school calendar will start to fill up with spring and summer events. These will be advised to you when dates are confirmed.
Y6 parents – just a reminder that the Manor Residential trip is Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd of February. Those not attending the residential trip are expected to attend school and will join in with other class activities.
School Calendar:
01/02/24 |
Junior Proms Practice 10-12 at Theatre Ffwrnes |
Y6 |
05/02/24 |
Netball game against Dafen Primary |
Y5/6 |
08/02/24 |
Y5 Class Assembly 11am |
Y5 |
09/02/24 |
Inset Day – school closed to pupils |
All |
WC 12/02/24 |
February Half term |
All |
19/02/24 |
Inset Day – school closed to pupils |
All |
21-23/02/23 |
Y6 Manor Residential trip |
Y6 |
23/02/23 |
Own Clothes Day £1 |
All |
25/02/23 |
First Holy Communion group Mass OLQP |
Y4 |
25/02/23 |
Start of Welsh fortnight at school |
All |
28/02/23 |
Sticks 2 Cymru music sessions |
KS2 |
01/03/23 |
Eisteddfod at school |
All |
05/03/23 |
Fire Service Safety Talk |
Y1-6 |
17/03/23 |
First Holy Communion group Mass OLQP |
Y4 |
22/03/23 |
Last Day of Spring term Own Clothes Day £1 |
All |
WC 25/03/24 – 07/04/24 |
Easter Holidays |
All |
08/04/24 |
All return to school Y6 three-week daily swimming block starts |
All Y6 |
01/05/23 |
Junior Proms Practice 10-12 at Theatre Ffwrnes |
Y6 |
06/05/24 |
Spring May Day Bank Holiday |
All |
15/05/24 |
Junior Proms Practice 10-12 at Theatre Ffwrnes |
Y6 |
WC 27/05/24 |
Whitsun Half Term |
All |
24/06/24 |
Inset Day – school closed to pupils |
All |
19/07/24 |
Last day of academic year |
All |
If you have any queries, regarding any of the above information, please contact me at the school office.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Howells