Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• September 2024 Welcome

  Tue 03 Sep 2024

  2^nd September 2024

  Dear Parents

   

  A warm welcome back to our pupils, parents, and staff. I hope you all enjoyed your summer holidays.  As we begin the new school year, you will be given the annual consent and medical questionnaires as well as a data capture sheet.  Please complete both forms and return to school signed and dated (please do this at the bottom of the data sheet) by FRIDAY September 9^th 2024. These forms are personal to your child and need to be completed to update all our records. If your child is new to the school, you will already have received this pack and if you haven’t done so already, please return it by Friday.  A Home-School Agreement will also follow in the coming weeks.

   

  It is extremely important that you keep us up to date of any changes in circumstances throughout the year e.g., change of home address, new telephone numbers or any medical conditions.  Our data privacy notice is available upon request and on our school website. Thank you in advance for your cooperation on this matter.

   

  Some general information:

  Access to school: Both the bottom gate and the main parent gate will be open each morning and afternoon for drop off and pick up and locked at all other times. Please use the walkway around the car park for safety.

   

  Car Park: This will soon be inspected by the Road Safety Team for ways to improve and maximise on-site parking as well as ensure road safety of pedestrians. Further information will follow on this. In the meantime, the car park is a bonus for our school as not many have their own car park. We ask that you use the car park safely, park only in designated areas and treat all user of the car park with respect. If the car park is full, please do not double park, find an alternative parking spot outside the school premises. Please do not park on the drive and please do not park on the entry way to the staff car park. In case of an emergency, this is the route that emergency vehicles will take and must not be blocked.  When you have collected your child, please leave the car park to make room for others. If you have children finishing at different times, you are welcome to collect all of your children at the later finishing time of 3:40pm. If this is the case, please let your classroom staff know.

   

  School start: Your child needs to be in school before 9:10am as this is when children are in class ready for registration. Arrival after this time is marked as late which is monitored by the school and local authority attendance officers. 

  From September, if your child arrives late, you will need to sign your child into school in the Late Register detailing why they are late. We do understand that there may be one off occasions where lateness happens however, we need to record reasons for all late arrivals. Persistent late arrivals will be monitored, and the school will need to follow the appropriate procedures. Late arrivals not only impact your child’s learning but also the others in class who’s learning is disrupted.

   

  Uniform: The school uniform consists of a white polo t-shirt, dark bottoms and a royal blue jumper or cardigan with the school logo and black school shoes. PE Kit consists of a blue crew neck t-shirt and dark bottoms with trainers. We kindly ask that children adhere to the school uniform policy. There are several items of free pre-loved uniform available at school if you require any. New uniform can be bought at Picton Sports, Heol Aur, Dafen Industrial Estate. Book bags can be purchased from the school or from Picton.

   

  P.E forms part of the curriculum. Pupils are to wear their school PE kits to school on their allocated days (below). This consists of a blue round neck t-shirt with school logo and blue or dark shorts. We are awaiting a delivery of PE t-shirts at school for you to purchase directly from us (or go to Picton Sports). In the interests of health and safety children are discouraged from wearing jewellery at school. If jewellery is worn, it must be removed during PE sessions. The school will accept no responsibility for the loss or damage of items of jewellery.  

  Please write your child’s name on ALL uniform (and reapply after washes) to help reduce the amount of lost and found and to make it easier to return to the correct owner if lost.   

   

  P.E. Timetable

  Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
  Year 3 Year 4	Year 5 Year 6	Year 1 Year 2	Year 5 Year 6	Year 3 Year 4

   

  Water bottles: Pupils are to bring their own water bottles to school on a daily basis which can be filled up at our cold-water dispensers to stay hydrated. Please write your child’s name on their bottle.

   

  Snacks: We actively encourage children to bring in healthy snacks such as fruit and water, instead of fizzy drinks, sweets, crisps. Energy drinks are not permitted. This will help with your child’s health and their development and goes hand in hand with the Healthy Schools Award Scheme. We are a nut free school. We have some individuals at school who suffer with nut allergies. Considering the severity of these allergies, our school needs to be nut free. We ask for everyone’s cooperation on this matter.  Please do not send your child in with any food that contain nuts e.g., tracker bars, snickers, granola bars, snack packs etc.  

   

  A reminder for Years 3-6 as per end of term letter. You will have already heard in the media that funding for schools have been reduced this year along with increases in costs of almost everything. From September, we ask that all pupils in Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6) bring their own pencil case to school daily. A pencil case will need pens (black ink), pencils, rubber, sharpener and a ruler. Thank you in advance for helping us with this request.

   

  School Meals: Meals can be pre booked and paid for on the school meal website www.parentpay.com

  Parent Pay is also used for school trips. If you have not received your log in, please let us know.  Any pupils new to the school will have their log ins soon as it takes a few days for the system to set up.  Universal Free School Meals are currently available for all full-time pupils in Nursery, Reception, Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Some pupils may be eligible for Free School Meals which also allows access to other grants and provides additional funding to the school. If you think you qualify, please visit https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/home/council-services/education-schools/school-meals/free-school-meals/

   

  The After-school club letter will be issued shortly. Clubs will start the week after next on Monday September 16^th 2024. Please return this letter asap as club spaces are allocated on a first come first serve basis. If you are successful in being allocated a place in your chosen club, the consent and payment information will be open on Parent Pay for you to secure your space prior to its start.  Refunds will only be issued if the club is cancelled by the school.  

   

  Our school Website is being updated regularly. It is a work in progress so please bear with us if some content is not available yet. The new website much more user-friendly with options for translation to multiple languages (click on the British flag at the top right of the screen for different language).  https://www.stmarysllanelli.org/

   

  Own clothes days will continue to be held on the last Friday of most months (except for April/July). We kindly ask for a donation of £1 per child on these days. If you would like to pay for this in advance, this option will be available on Parent Pay. See the school calendar below and the school website calendar for dates.

   

  Thank you for taking the time to read this rather detailed letter. Please remember to return your completed data forms by Friday so that we can update your child’s records. 

   

  Wishing you all a warm welcome at the beginning of a new school year. 

   

  Yours Sincerely

   

  Mrs Howells, Headteacher

   

  School Calendar (more dates will be added)

   

  02/09/24	Designated Inset Day – school closed to pupils	All
  03/09/24	All pupils to attend school – start of Autumn Term	All
  10/09/24	Roald Dahl Drama Workshops – Shine Drama	All
  13/09/24	Roald Dahl Day	All
  18/09/24	Wellbeing session - Digital Detox & Online Safety	Y5/6
  27/09/24	Own Clothes Day - £1	All
  04/10/24	Y3/4 Trip to the Big Pit	Y3/4
  17/10/24	Y6 Class Assembly	Y6
  18/10/24	School photographs – Colorfoto Show Racism the Red Card Day	All
  21/10/24	Inset Day – school closed to pupils	All
  24/10/24	PTA Autumn Disco – date to be confirmed	All
  25/10/24	Last day of half term Own Clothes Day	All
  WC 28/10/24	October half term	All
  04/11/24	All pupils back to school Parents Evening – details to follow	All
  06/11/24	Parents Evening – details to follow	All
  08/11/24	Y5 Class Assembly	Y5
  WC 11/11/24	Antibullying Week	All
  13/11/24	Nasal Flu Vaccines (school nurse team)	All
  15/11/24	Children in Need day	All
  29/11/24	Own Clothes Day - £1	All
  06/12/24	Christmas Jumper Day	All
  10&11/ 12/24	Christmas Show	TBC
  17/12/24	St John Lloyd Christmas Carol Concert
  18/12/24	Christmas dinner day	All
  19/12/24	Christmas Mass at school	All
  20/12/24	Last day of Autumn term Own Clothes Day	All
  21/12/24-05/01/25	Christmas holidays	All
  06/01/25	All pupils back to school	All

   

• End of Academic Year July 2024

  Wed 17 Jul 2024

  17^th July 2024

   

  Dear Parents

   

  As we approach our last day of this school year, it is time to say goodbye to our Year 6 class. They will all be missed at St Mary’s, but it has been a joy to watch them grow and blossom before our eyes. Their leavers performance of Wizard of Oz was excellent – it was evident how hard they have all worked on the show. All school staff wish them the very best for this new chapter of their lives.

   

  Tomorrow, Thursday 18^th of July, is the last day of the year. School is closed to pupils on Friday 19^th of July. There is a county designated inset day on Monday 2^nd of September so all pupils will return to school on Tuesday the 3^rd of September 2024.

   

  As this year closes, we will say goodbye to Mr Randell and Mrs Kornobis-Wilk. Mr Randell joined the school as supply cover whilst Mrs Gilroy was absent and ended up staying with us for the year teaching in Year 5 Mondays through to Wednesday and providing PPA cover in other classes. This means that Mr Randell has taught almost every child in school! Thank you for your hard work and kind and caring support you have shown both staff and pupils this past year. Mrs Wilk has been a supply teaching assistant at St Mary’s for the past three years, working in the top juniors to begin with and this year, has worked with many children from other classes including the foundation phase. Mrs Wilk – your artistic skills ensured the leavers show props were excellent, your language skills have helped staff and pupils alike these past three years and your fun, kind and caring nature has helped nurture each child and staff member you have worked with. You will both be missed, and we hope that you will return to our school in the future.

   

  From September, we welcome two new teaching staff members. Miss Nicole Clark and Miss Annabel Jones-Gammon. Miss Clark will teach the Year 5 class and Miss Jones-Gammon will teach Year 1. A warm welcome to you both to our school. The children are very excited to be in your classes in September.

   

  In light of the staffing announcements, please see below the arrangements for September:

   

  Class	Teacher	Teaching Assistants
  Nursery/Reception	Mrs J Low	Mrs S Bowen Mrs E Jones Mrs K Phillips
  Year 1	Miss A Jones-Gammon	Mrs J Strasdin
  Year 2	Miss L Penn	Mrs A Powell
  Year 3	Mr C Williams	Mrs L Joel
  Year 4	Mrs V Upton	Mrs T Ratcliffe
  Year 5	Miss N Clark
  Year 6	Miss R Healy	Miss S Davies

   

   

  Information for September 

  School starts at 9:10am when class teachers take the register. If you arrive after this time, your child will be marked in as late. From September, you will need to sign your child in to school at Reception if late. Please do not leave them at the gate as you will need to sign them in to the late register.

  A child who is 10minutes late per day, misses 32.5hours of education in a school year. We ask you to arrive early to school to minimise the disruption to their learning and also the learning of those who are already in class. Persistent lateness may result in a referral to the Education Welfare Department.

   

  You will have already heard in the media that Funding for schools have been reduced this year along with increases in costs of almost everything. From September, we ask that all pupils in Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6) bring their own pencil case to school daily. A pencil case will need pens, pencils, rubber, sharpener and a ruler. Thank you in advance for helping us with this request.

   

  Uniform is to be worn for all children (Nursery to Year 6). New uniform can be purchased at Picton Sports, Heol Aur, Dafen Industrial Estate. Book bags can be purchased at Picton or at school. However, before you buy anything new, please call into school and take whatever you need from our pre-worn uniform stock. Uniform consists of white polo t-shirt, blue jumper or cardigan with school logo, grey or black bottoms – trousers, skirts/pinafores, black school shoes or black trainers. The P.E kit consists of a blue crew neck school t-shirt with logo on front and dark coloured bottoms. There will be a stock of P.E tops available to buy at school from September. Cost to be confirmed. The P.E timetable will follow in class newsletters in September. Please write your child/ren’s names on ALL uniform (and reapply after washes) to help reduce the amount of lost and found and to make it easier to return to the correct owner if lost.

   

  After school clubs will not be available in the first week of Autumn term whilst new clubs are being arranged.  Further information regarding the new clubs will be issued during the first week back.

   

  I would like to thank you as pupils, parents, extended family members and friends for your continued support of our school.  I am very proud of our achievements this year both at school, in the community and our parish. We are thankful for our pupils and enjoy teaching and nurturing them as they progress through the school. Have a happy and enjoyable summer.

   

  We look forward to welcoming you back to school on Tuesday 3^rd of September 2024.

   

  Yours sincerely

   

  Mrs Howells

  Headteacher

• Summer Term Letter 3

  Mon 24 Jun 2024

  24^th June 2024

  Dear Parents/Guardians

   

  Please see the information below regarding upcoming dates:          

   

  Monday 24^th June :     Inset day – school closed to pupils.

   

  Wednesday 26^th June: Visitors from the Dogs Trust to speak about dog safety in a whole school assembly (no dogs will be on site).

   

  Thursday 27^th June: Staff from the Llanelli Library will visit at 2:30pm to speak to the pupils about their Summer Reading Challenge. Parents can come in at the end of the day to sign their children up for the challenge.

   

  Friday 28^th June: Own clothes day £1 for all.

  Y3/4 trip to the Llanelli Wetland Centre. Payment is open on Parent Pay. If more time is needed, please contact the school office.

   

  Monday 1^st July: Y5 will have an art session led by local artist Katie Lewis.

   

  Tuesday 2^nd July: Moving up day Year 6 will spend the day at St John Lloyd (parents will have received information directly from SJL regarding arrangements).  All other pupils will arrive at St Mary’s and go into their current classrooms and move up to their next year groups after registration to spend time with their new teachers.  

   

  Thursday 4^th July: New Nursery pupils starting in September will visit to spend some time in class.

   

  Friday 5^th July:  Annual school reports will be sent home with your child.

  Pets and staff from Pets at Home Trostre will visit pupils in Years 1 and 2. If anyone in class has any allergies to animals including rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, please let Miss Penn know asap.

   

  Tuesday 9^th July: Teaching staff will be on hand between 4pm and 6pm to discuss the school reports with parents if required. No appointments needed – drop-in session only.

   

  Wednesday 10^th July: PTA Summer Disco – Foundation Phase *Nursery, Reception, Years 1 and 2 disco is from 5-6pm.  Parents to stay and supervise their child for the earlier disco. Key Stage 2 * Years 3,4,5 and 6 is 6:15pm to 7:30pm. Parents are welcome to stay but don’t have to.

   

  Friday 12^th July: Y6  Leavers Performance “The Wizard of Oz” at 1:30pm. Y6 Parents/Guardians are all invited to attend – please ask your child to inform Miss Healy how many seats you require so that we can ensure space. The show will start at 1:30pm.

   

  Wednesday 17^th July: Y6 Leavers Mass – time to be confirmed but all Y6 parents/guardians are invited to attend.

   

  Thursday 18^th July: Celebration and Leavers Awards Assembly start at 9:30am. All Y6 parents/guardians are invited to attend. Approx length of 1hr.

   

  Thursday 18^th July is the last day of the school year as school will be closed to pupils on Friday 19^th of July for inset training for staff.  All pupils return to school on Tuesday September 3^rd 2024.

   

  Lost and Found: There are many school jumpers left in almost classes but particularly Year 1 and 2. We have no room to store the amount of clothing that has been left this year, so please feel free to pop in next week to see if any belong to your child. Many do not have names on

   

  Uniform for September: Uniform is to be worn by all pupils from Nursery to Year 6.  We are aware that the cost of living is having an impact on almost everyone. To help, we have a range of uniform at school that has been donated or left in lost and found over the past few years. Again, please call in from next week to see what will fit your child before you buy any new items. Currently, there are more smaller sizes than larger sizes, but we will also happily accept further donations for us to distribute to others.   

   

  Water, Sun Cream, Sun Hats: As the weather is warming up, please can you ensure your child has a water bottle daily.  Suncream and sun hats are strongly advised. Please label everything with your child’s name.

   

  Tip Tops will be on sale every Friday until the end of term.  If you would like your child to purchase a tip top, please send in 20p on Fridays.

   

  If you have any queries about any of this information on this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

   

  Yours faithfully

  Mrs Howells

  Headteacher

• Summer Term 2

  Fri 17 May 2024

  17^th of May 2024

  Dear Parents/Guardians

   

  As we approached the end of half term, please see the information below regarding future events.

   

  Sunday 19^th May: Congratulations to all children who are making their First Holy Communion this Sunday at Our Lady Queen of Peace. Children are the be at the Church by 9:30am. We are all so proud of you. Thank you to all of you, your families, friends and staff for supporting you in this wonderful celebration.

   

  Monday 20^th May: We will host a small celebration party for our Y4 First Holy Communicants at school. Please could they bring in their First Holy Communion outfits to wear for the party in the afternoon.

   

  Thursday 23^rd May: As part of our celebration of May as the month of Our Lady, the school will be holding a May Procession on the 23^{rd of} May. The children will sing Marian hymns, share in reflective prayer and process around the school to the statue of Our Lady, this will culminate in the crowning of Our Lady with flowers. Our First Holy Communion children are encouraged to wear their First Holy Communion outfits to lead this procession. It is advisable that children wear uniform to school and change into their First Holy Communion outfits at school. All pupils are welcome to bring a single flower (artificial or fresh) or a small posy of flowers to lay at the feet of Our Lady.

   

  Friday 24^th May: St Mary’s Catholic Primary proudly presents ‘Gaming Day 2024.’ The event will be organised and run by our Digital Leaders and will support our drive on entrepreneurship. The day will give the pupils the chance to play games created by pupils from St Mary’s, and gain coding experience. It will showcase the many talented pupils at our school and help develop digital skills in the whole school environment.

  The pupils can wear own clothes on Gaming Day and will be asked to contribute £1 to take part in the event. Snacks and refreshments will also be on sale. Therefore, pupils are welcome to bring in an additional £1 if they wish to buy items. Please do not bring in more than £2. All proceeds will be used to improve/enhance the digital provision in the school. Thank you in advance for supporting the day – it should be lots of fun!

   

  Half term: The school will be closed for half term during the week of the 27^th of May.

  All pupils and staff will return on Monday 3^rd of June.

  There will be no school led after school clubs after half term. Jujitsu and drama will continue to run on a Tuesday. Parent Pay will be set up for drama next week for those currently registered for the club. However, please note there will be no drama club on the 11^th and the 18^th June due to organiser holiday.

   

  Wednesday 12^th June: Sports Day for the whole school. £1 entry for adults which includes a raffle ticket for prizes to be drawn on the day. We are aiming to start at 9:30am and finish by 11:30/12pm. Children are to wear their house colours. Cold refreshments will be on sale for adult spectators.

   

  Wednesday 19^th June: The PTA are organising a Summer Fayre for Wednesday the 19^th of June at 4pm. This is one of their larger fundraising events to raise money for the school, which this year is going towards funding the new stage. We look forward to welcoming you to the fayre.  

  The PTA kindly ask for your help in the form of your time and donations. Are you able to help at the fayre in any way? If yes, please could you contact the school office to let us know so that we can pass your details to members of the PTA.  

   

  Are you able to donate any items to some of our stalls? In particular, we are in need of:

  Soft toys; tins of food; wine bottles (full and empty with lids); general gifts for a tombola table; and cakes.

  If you have any of these items, please feel free to drop them into school from next week onwards (no cakes yet though please !! please bring these on the day or the day before the fayre).

  Thank you on behalf of the PTA for your support in advance.

   

  All dates are uploaded to the school website www.stmarysllanelli.org on the calendar tab along with this letter which via the website can be translated into a language of your choice (click the british flag button on the top bar next to the Facebook tab)

   

  Thank you for your donations towards the Place 2 Be Fun Run held on Friday 10^th of May. You raised £118 on the day. The spare change boxes will be counted at the end of next week and will be totalled together with the fun run total to donate to Place 2 Be.

• Summer Term Letter 1

  Thu 25 Apr 2024

  31^st March 2023

  Dear Parents/Guardians

  As you can see from the school calendar below, the summer term will be another busy one! More dates will be added. Summer term will hopefully continue to bring the sunshine. As the children are outdoors for some of their learning (as well as playtimes), please ensure your child has a bottle for water with them daily, and a sun hat and sun cream on sunny days.

   

  08/04/24	All return to school . Y6 three-week daily swimming block starts	All . Y6
  09/04/24	Y6 transition PM SJL	Y6
  12/04/24	Start of Term Mass 11am	All
  12/04/24	Y6 Walk Through Bible weekly sessions start	Y6
  15/04/24	Reception Health Screening with School Nurse Team	Rec
  16/04/24	Bronze Ambassador Day Y6 leads	Y6
  22/04/24	Outdoor Learning Week	All
  24/04/24	Hockey Festival at SJL	Y4
  25/04/24	Y6 Swimming Gala (parents can attend)	Y6
  25/04/24	Public Health Team MMR Vaccine session (invite only)
  26/04/24	Own Clothes Day £1	All
  30/04/24	NSPCC Stay Safe Speak Out Assembly	All
  01/05/23	Junior Proms Practice 10-12 at Theatre Ffwrnes	Y6
  02/05/24	Charity Fun Run for Place 2 Be at school	All
  06/05/24	Spring May Day Bank Holiday	All
  15/05/24	Junior Proms Practice 10-12 at Theatre Ffwrnes	Y6
  17/05/24	First Holy Communion Practice at OLQP	Y4
  19/05/25	First Holy Communion Day	Y4
  20/05/24	First Holy Communion Celebration at school	Y4
  23/05/24	May Procession	All
  24/05/24	Last day of half term . Own Clothes Day £1	All
  WC 27/05/24	Whitsun Half Term	All
  06/06/24	TechnoCamps KS2 music session	KS2
  12/06/24	Sports Day * 9:30am start – further details to follow	All
  17/06/24	Junior Proms Concert at Theatre Ffwrnes	Y6
  WC 17/06/24	Personalised assessments will take place for Y2-Y6 over the next 2 weeks	Y2-6
  24/06/24	Inset Day – school closed to pupils	All
  26/06/24	Dogs Trust Assembly and Workshops	Y2-Y6
  28/06/24	Own Clothes Day £1	All
  05/07/24	School Reports out today	All
  09/07/24	Parents Evening Drop-in Session 4-5:30pm after reports	All
  12/07/24	Y6 Leavers Show . Own Clothes Day £1	Y6 . All
  16/07/24	Y6 Leavers Mass	Y6
  18/07/24	Y6 Leavers Celebration Assembly . Last Day of school for the year	Y6
  19/07/24	Inset Day – school closed to pupils	All

   

  Some further information regarding some upcoming dates:

   

  25^th April : Public Health Immunisation Team will be at school to meet with parents and children who according to their available NHS records have not had their MMR vaccine (of full course of vaccines). It is a drop-in session (no appointments required) - you may have already had a call from the nurse team or Mrs Partridge about it. Please be assured that no child will be vaccinated unless a parent is present and has given consent directly to the Immunisation Team who are running sessions at every school in the Health Board area due to the number of Measles cases currently present in the country.

   

  2^nd May:  The Place 2 Be Fun Run will be at school. We invite all pupils to wear orange or yellow on the day. We kindly ask for £1 on the day to take part, and if you have any spare change to donate, each class will have a fundraising jar in their class for the rest of this half term which will all go to Place2Be.

   

  23^rd May: As part of our celebration of May as the month of Our Lady, the school will be holding a May Procession on the 23^{rd of} May. Parents are invited to attend (time to be confirmed).  The children will sing Marian hymns, share in reflective prayer and process around the school to the statue of Our Lady, this will culminate in the crowning of Our Lady with flowers. Our First Holy Communion children are encouraged to wear their First Holy Communion outfits to lead this procession. It is advisable that children wear uniform to school and change into their First Holy Communion outfits at school. All pupils are welcome to bring a single flower (artificial or fresh) or a small posy of flowers to lay at the feet of Our Lady.

   

  From the 17^th of June for two weeks, Personalised Assessments will take place for all pupils Years 2-6. The personalised assessments are based on the skills in the National Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF) and will provide information on the reading and numeracy skills of individual learners and whole classes which teachers can use to plan next steps in teaching and learning.

   

  Further dates will be added as the term progresses. Please visit our school website and social

  media pages for information relating to school life (details below).

   

  A request regarding the Car Park: Over the last few months, the car park has become increasingly busy, particularly during the afternoon pick up times. There have been a couple of “near misses” with cars almost colliding with each other and the school gates. During one recent incident, we received reports of a parent becoming verbally abusive to another, loud enough for others to hear.

  I would like to remind you that the car park is school property and when on school property, we expect ALL parties to behave in a respectful and kind manner. This behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. If the car park is full, please use alternative surrounding areas to park and walk to collect your child. Do not park in front of the staff gates or the white lines as this is the access point for emergency services. Blocking this could delay help when needed. Please be sensible when using the car park and act appropriate to your surroundings.

   

  As always, my door is open if you have any queries.

   

  Yours faithfully

  Mrs Howells

  Headteacher

• Summer 2024 Class Newsletters

  Wed 17 Apr 2024

  Please visit our Newsletters page under News & Events on the home page for your Summer Term 2024 Class Newsletters

• RE NEWSLETTER SUMMER TERM 2024

  Mon 08 Apr 2024

  IMPORTANT DATES THIS TERM

   The month of May is dedicated to Our Lady

   

   

  The Ascension of the lord (9 May)

   

  Pentecost Sunday (19 May)

   

  The Most Holy Trinity (26 May)

   

  The Most Holy body and Blood of Christ (30 May)

   

  The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (7 June)

   

  Ss. Peter and Paul, Apostles (29 June)

  This feast day will be celebrated at Mass on Sunday 30 June.

   

  SCHOOL MASS/SERVICES

   

  Start of New Term Mass:

  April 11^th

   

  May Procession:

  May 23^rd

   

  End of term Mass:

  July 17^th

   

  FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME

   

  Final Group Mass at

  OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE (10:00am)

  April 19^th

   

  FIRST CONFESSION (at school) – May 8^th

   

  FIRST HOLY COMMUNION DAY

  OUR LADY QUEEN O PEACE (10:00am)

  May 19^th 

• February Information Letter

  Thu 01 Feb 2024

  1^st 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 8^th 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 9^th of February for inset day, throughout half term week starting the 12^th of February and on Monday the 19^th of February for a Diocesan inset day. School restarts on Tuesday the 20^th of February.

   

  The current after school clubs will continue after half term from te 20^th 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 21^st to Friday 23^rd 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

   

• RE Newsletter Spring Term Dates

  Wed 17 Jan 2024

  IMPORTANT DATES THIS TERM

   

  MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD 1 January

  THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD 6 January

  THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD 7 January

  THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD 2 February

  ASH WEDNESDAY 14 February

  ST JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 19 March

  THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD 25 March

  PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD 24 March

  MAUNDY THURSDAY 28 March

  GOOD FRIDAY 29 March

  EASTER SUNDAY 31 MARCH

   

  SCHOOL MASS/SERVICES

   

  Start of New Term Year Mass: 19^th January

  Ash Wednesday: February 14^th  

  Lenten Reconciliation: February

  Spring Family Mass (OLQP): 

  End of term Mass: April 11^th

   

   

  FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME

   

  Group Masses at

  OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE (10:00am)

   

  21^st January

  25^th February

  17^th March

   

   

   

   

• December 2023 Information

  Tue 05 Dec 2023

  5^th December 2023

  Dear Parents/Guardians,  

   

  The next few weeks will be quite busy ones in the run up to Christmas, so I thought I’d send out some information relating to each event for your diaries.

   

  Sunday 10^th December: First Holy Communion pupils group mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace. Service starts at 10am. Please arrive by 9:45am.

   

  Week starting 11^th December: The school will host a Scholastics Half Price Book Fair this week. Books will be on sale from Tuesday 12^th December. Please pop in after school to have a look Tuesday – Thursday.

   

  Tuesday 12^th December: Nursery and Reception class concert at 10am. There are still some tickets available at school.  The concert for pupils in Years 1-6 is at 4pm. There are no tickets left for the 4pm concert. Pupils are asked to stay at school and be picked up by 5pm from their classrooms.

   

  Wednesday 13^th December: Concert for pupils in Years 1-6 is at 10am. There are some tickets available.

   

  Thursday 14^th December: Christmas dinner day. Please book and make payment via ParentPay as normal.  A headcount will be taken in classes tomorrow for the purpose of ordering enough food. If anyone needs assistance with Parent Pay log ins, please contact Mrs Partridge at school.  

   

  Friday 15^th December: Christmas Jumper Day at school. All donations gratefully accepted and will go to a local Llanelli charity chosen by the School Council.

   

  Tuesday 19^th December: PTA Christmas Disco and Fayre. There will be refreshments, some stalls, hot food. Entry £2. Nursery, Reception, Years 1 & 2 is at 5-6pm (parents to stay). Pupils in Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 is at 6:15pm to 7:30pm. (Parents are invited to stay but don’t have to).

   

  Wednesday 20^th December: St John Lloyd Carol Concert at Our Lady Queen of Peace at 6pm.

  Wednesday 20^th December: End of term Mass led by Fr Martin Donnelly at school.

   

  Thursday 21^st December: Last day of the Autumn Term. Own Clothes Day (£1 donation kindly requested).

   

  Monday 8^th January 2024: All pupils and staff return to school for the spring term.

   

  Our PTA have a fantastic raffle this year with many prizes to be won. Some prizes include hampers, rugby tickets, family passes for local attractions and many more. They have been selling tickets at recent community events and would like your support to sell more tickets.  All proceeds will benefit your children as the PTA are fundraising for them.  Each child will bring home a book of raffle tickets today, tickets are £1 each. If you can purchase some, please complete the stubs and return the tickets with the money by Friday 15^th of December. If you are happy to ask family and friends to buy tickets, please do. You are under no obligation to buy any as we know that funds are limited for some especially at this time of year. All we ask is that you return the unsold tickets as well to school by the 15^th of December.

   

  Some other dates to note for the new year:

   

  22/12/23	Inset day – school closed to pupils	All
  23/12/23 – 07/01/24	Christmas holidays	All
  08/01/24	All back to school	All
  16/01/24	PC Ruth Courtney visit all classes	All
  26/01/24	Own Clothes Day £1	All
  08/02/24	Last day of half term	All
  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
  20/02/24	All pupils back to school Y5 three-week daily swimming block starts 10am – 10:45am slot	Y5
  21-23/02/23	Y6 Manor Residential trip	Y6
  23/02/24	Own Clothes Day £1	All
  28/02/23	Sticks 2 Cymru music sessions	KS2
  01/03/23	St David’s Day (Welsh costume/wear red)	All
  22/03/24	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 9:15am – 10am slot	All Y6
  26/04/24	Own Clothes Day £1	All
  06/05/24	Spring May Day Bank Holiday (school closed)	All
  24/05/24	Last day of half term Own Clothes Day £1	All
  WC 27/05/24	Whitsun Half Term	All
  03/06/24	All pupils and staff back to school	All
  24/06/24	Inset Day – school closed to pupils	All
  28/06/24	Own Clothes Day £1	All
  19/07/24	Last day of academic year	All

   

  Thank you for your support at the upcoming events.  If you have any queries about any of this information, please let me know.

   

  Yours sincerely

   

  Mrs Howells

  Headteacher