Year 6 have had a great afternoon watching Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff! They've left Cardiff Bay now and hopefully should be back at the garages in Abercanaid at around 6:15pm. Will update further when they are on the A470.
UPDATE: bus will drop off at the garages in Abercanaid approximately 6:10pm. Thank you.
Thursday, 11 May 2017
Friday, 7 April 2017
Reading Cafe
This week we were very happy to welcome parents of our Foundation Phase children in to the school to take part in our first Reading Cafe. It was clear that both children and parents enjoyed the opportunity to swap books and sample lots of different books too. We were delighted so many could join us and hope to hold may more events like this in the future!
Wednesday, 1 March 2017
Eisteddfod 2017
Bobl bach! What an incredible Eisteddfod we enjoyed this year at Abercanaid. At the end of a wonderful competition - filled with poetry, song and performance - two houses, Coch and Melyn, could not be separated on points. Following a sing-off and a teacher vote, Ty Melyn were announced Abercanaid Eisteddfod winners 2017!!
As a staff, we are incredibly proud of all our pupils' hard work for the Eisteddfod. The quality of the writing, artwork and performance has been exceptional - each pupil should feel immensely proud of what they've achieved the last few weeks. Please join us tomorrow afternoon where you'll have the chance to enjoy the winners' work as well as a showcase of performance from all pupils nursery to Year 6.
As a staff, we are incredibly proud of all our pupils' hard work for the Eisteddfod. The quality of the writing, artwork and performance has been exceptional - each pupil should feel immensely proud of what they've achieved the last few weeks. Please join us tomorrow afternoon where you'll have the chance to enjoy the winners' work as well as a showcase of performance from all pupils nursery to Year 6.
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
Class Pages - Termly Outline
Thanks to the help of the Digital Leaders, the class pages have been updated. Please visit the website to see what's going on in your child's class this term.
Sunday, 15 January 2017
Digital Leaders (Year 5/6)
Dear Parents/Guardians
The "Digital Leaders" were selected because of their interest and confidence in using digital technology. As part of their role, they will be taught different skills linked to technology which they will then teach to not only other children but staff also. They will be supporting both pupils and staff in the development of ICT across the school and taking responsibilities in managing the equipment.
As part of our staff meeting this Tuesday, we will be looking at some key components of our school website and we would love for as many of our “Digital Leaders” as possible to join us so that they can learn alongside their teachers and support them in the future with updating and developing our website.
Our staff meeting will begin straight after school and the children will be sent home at half 4.
Please can you let Miss Morgan or Mr Bevan know if you are able to stay on Tuesday.
(This letter will be sent home on Monday)
Friday, 13 January 2017
Friday 13th January - School is Open
The school is open as normal this morning. All paths around the school building have been gritted but please still be careful of the icy conditions.
Friday, 30 December 2016
New Year = New Beginnings
A newsletter from Mrs .Edwards:
New Year = New Beginnings J
I am so pleased to be joining you all and adding
to the success that everyone has achieved already alongside Mr Sullivan. I have
many ideas that I want to introduce to our school community, which I will share
with you all as the Spring term develops.
My main aim is to work with parents to ensure your
child receives an outstanding education, which will remain broad and balanced
giving your child a wealth of experiences.
During the next few months I will take time to
meet/communicate with everyone involved with Abercanaid Community School to
ensure I introduce the right initiatives to drive our school forward.
As a headteacher, I am very open and I value
opinions and suggestions. I very much want to develop further the ethos of Abercanaid
as a Community School. I am excited to be joining and working alongside
you all. I firmly believe that happy children learn and this will always be at
the forefront of any decisions made.
I hope you have all had a happy Christmas with
many happy memories and are ready for 2017 and our new beginning. To help me
with my first week, I would be really pleased if you could chat with your child
on New Year resolutions. These could be personal or linked to school. If they
could bring one thought to school, I will then collect them all next week and use
them throughout the year.
Enjoy the New Year celebrations and I’ll see you
all next Tuesday 3rd January 2017.
Excellence for everyone,
success for all
Mrs J W Edwards.
The school will reopen Tuesday 3rd January for all pupils.
End of an Era
The end of the Autumn Term saw us say goodbye to Mr. Thomas, who has moved into a new career, as well as Mr. Sullivan, who is retiring. We'd like to wish them all the best and look forward to them visiting us in the future.
Friday, 9 December 2016
Christmas Concerts
A massive thank you to everyone who came along to watch our fantastic Christmas Concerts: Mend the Manger and Alice in Wonderland.
The children were a credit to the school and we are so so proud of them for how hard they worked and how well they performed in each of the shows!
DVDs of both shows will be available some time in the new year.
The children were a credit to the school and we are so so proud of them for how hard they worked and how well they performed in each of the shows!
DVDs of both shows will be available some time in the new year.
Monday, 21 November 2016
Snow Procedures
With the possibility of snow in the coming weeks we would like to remind parents of our school closure procedures.
Our aim is for the school to remain open during snowy periods unless weather conditions make it unsafe for children, parents and/or staff to travel to and from the school.
If the school is to be closed on any given day this website will be updated immediately.
Decisions will be made before 7:30am.
Decisions will be made before 7:30am.
School closures will also be updated on the official Merthyr Schools Closures Website here.
Please take extra care when approaching the school either on foot or in cars during icy conditions.
Sunday, 20 November 2016
Children in Need
Friday saw the Year 6s once again organise and run our annual Children in Need fundraising event. They worked incredibly hard all day long to raise money for such a wonderful cause. The whole school had a wonderful time with the children looking fantastic in their costumes. A massive thank you for your incredible generosity in making donations - we raised an incredible £623.36!!! More photos from Friday will be put onto the website this week.
Thursday, 20 October 2016
Monday, 17 October 2016
Food Standards Agency
FSA Visit
We had an amazing visit from the FSA (Food Standards Agency) last week. They taught us how to stay safe when preparing and storing food. We enjoyed a fantastic show and then some super work shops through the day.
Here's a photo of the awesome FSA crew, including Megan and also a great shot of the whole school dabbing:
Monday, 3 October 2016
Parent Drop In Update...
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Parent Drop In for the following classes has to be postponed tomorrow.
Class 1 - Mrs J Richards
Class 2 - Miss J Madden
Class 4 - Mrs S Richards
All other classes - drop in will be from 3.30 - 6.00pm.
We will inform you of a new date as soon as possible.
Class 1 - Mrs J Richards
Class 2 - Miss J Madden
Class 4 - Mrs S Richards
All other classes - drop in will be from 3.30 - 6.00pm.
We will inform you of a new date as soon as possible.
Saturday, 1 October 2016
Wednesday, 28 September 2016
Tuesday, 19 July 2016
Reminder Start - Dates for Autumn Term
1st and 2nd Sept 2016 - School Closed Staff Training
Monday 5th September 2016 - School Starts for Children
Leavers...2016...
Best wishes to our Y6 leavers today... You have been an awesome bunch! Thank you for a great assembly this morning... Have a great disco this evening! All the best for the future... and don't forget to visit!
Tuesday, 5 July 2016
Afon Taf Sports Day
This morning, Mr. Bevan took some of our children along to Afon Taf for their annual sports day for local primary schools. The children competed so, so well and put so much effort and determination into each event and race they took part in. Amazingly, for the first time in Abercanaid history, we won every single trophy! The U9 girls and boys, U11 girls and boys all take medals home tonight and should be proud of their efforts - Mr. Bevan certainly is!
A huge congratulations to Sadie O'Dea too who picked up the well-deserved best girl trophy. What a day!
A huge congratulations to Sadie O'Dea too who picked up the well-deserved best girl trophy. What a day!
Friday, 1 July 2016
Heatherton - update
5pm coming off M4. Traffic has been very good! Expect to Arrive back at Garages 5:45pm!
Heatherton - Estimated time of arrival home
Just leaving at 3:50pm. Hoping to be back by 5:30pm traffic permitting. Will update again at 5pm. Children to be collected from Garages on way into Abercanaid. Had a great day!!! The children have been awesome!!!
Heatherton
Arrived safe and sound. Going to be home at at 6pm...ish. Will update on this web site when we leave and on the way home!
Friday, 17 June 2016
Folly Farm Trip
Nursery and Reception
Unfortunately the bus has broken down on the way to Folly Farm
All children and staff are safe and well...
But at this stage will have to return to school.
We will be rearranging the trip as soon as possible.
Children will be back at school by the end of the school day for collection at normal time - 3.15pm
Monday, 13 June 2016
End of Summer Term - Clarification
Leavers Assembly will be on Tuesday 19th July at 10am
School closes for Pupils at normal time on this day.
Wednesday 20th of July is a staff training Day
__________________________
Autumn Term Advanced Notice
Teachers Training Days Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd September
School Opens for Children on Monday 5th September
Teachers Training Days Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd September
School Opens for Children on Monday 5th September
Thank you.
Friday, 10 June 2016
London Trip 2016
On Wednesday, Year 6 were fortunate to make the annual trip to London to watch the musical Wicked in the Apollo Victoria Theatre. The show was amazing, almost as good as our Christmas production Scrooge! The children's behaviour was impeccable all day - they really did our school and their families proud. We even managed a visit to Buckingham Palace to see the Queen before the show, she wasn't in to say hello, too busy getting ready for her birthday probably!
Despite it being a very long day, Year 6 had a great time; please enjoy some photos from the day below:
Wednesday, 8 June 2016
London Trip
We're just about leaving the M4 to join the A470 up to Merthyr. Will be at garages in Abercanaid around 10:45pm now hopefully. The children are finally looking tired!
London Trip
Busy, busy services this evening! Just leaving Membury so should be back at the garages in Abercanaid approx. 10.30pm. Will update again when we hit the A470.
London!
Wicked was...wicked! Back on the bus now, making our way out of London. Will update when we leave the services.
Sunday, 5 June 2016
Friday, 20 May 2016
Councillor Harvey Jones - Fundraising for McMillan
Dress Down Friday 29th April 2016
On behalf of Councillor Harvey Jones and Family, and all school staff... Thank you SO much for supporting this worthwhile cause.
On non uniform day the school raised £238.35 to add to Councillor Jones' total.
Thank you again for your wonderful support!
Tuesday, 26 April 2016
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Year 6 - Bridge Building
Year 6 were fortunate enough to spend this afternoon bridge building. We had some wonderful engineers in from Griffiths Construction linked to ICE (Institute for Civil Engineers) who helped our own budding engineers build a fully working suspension bridge. The children had a great time working together to build the bridge and were relieved when they were able to walk across it without it collapsing! Please enjoy the photos below:
Monday, 7 March 2016
Tuesday, 1 March 2016
Happy St David's Day - Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!
Well done to Ty Glas for wininng this this year's overall Eisteddfod competition! Ardderchog!
Eisteddfod - Parents Performances
There will be two separate performances of Eisteddfod Songs and poems for parents and grandparents Tomorrow - Wednesday 2nd March...
1:30pm
2:30pm
The performances should last approximately 45 mins and will end
in time for the end of infant school day.
Monday, 1 February 2016
1st February 2016
Dear Parents /
Guardians,
School’s Response to Categorisation
As a school we
are very disappointed with the lack of clarity in reporting the process of
national categorisation, which has been widely publicised in the local press
over the last week. The purpose of this letter is to respond to any concerns
that you may have in light of the school’s current Amber Status.
Firstly, we
would like to point out that this is not a comparison of Merthyr Schools.
Schools are grouped together depending on the amount of free school meal
children who attend, and other socio-economic factors. Our school has very low
free school meals by comparison to most Merthyr schools and therefore is not
compared against them in this process. For example:
- The percentage of children who attained the
expected level for the core subjects at the end of KS2 last year at
Abercanaid was 91.3% - this is in line with the results of the Green Merthyr schools (nb. one of
the green schools scored 84%).
- Only 2 children with Special Educational Needs
at Abercanaid did not attain this level.
- Abercanaid performed above all but one
of the Yellow Merthyr schools at
this measure.
It is worth
noting due to low Free School Meals - Abercanaid’s grant funding was the lowest
in Merthyr - £500 less per pupil than the best funded school in Merthyr in
grant funding alone.
The
categorisation process is based on raw data. Before Christmas the school
governors met with our Challenge Advisor to review teaching and learning at the
school, discuss individual children who affect the data and agree the
categorisation. This was agreed as Yellow – even though the school’s data
suggests otherwise due to the Special Educational Needs of individual pupils. People
who know the school recognise that the standard of teaching and learning at the
school is good for ALL pupils.
A moderation
committee met at the end of December and downgraded our categorisation to Amber – purely on raw data. Against the
recommendation of our Challenge Advisor who knows the school. This is also out of step with our recent
Estyn Inspection which judged standards to be GOOD and ability to improve to be
GOOD also.
Abercanaid has
always been and will continue to be an inclusive school. We welcome children
from our community who have specific educational needs, support them to make
appropriate and often greater than expected progress. Unfortunately the system we work within does
not have the capacity to get to know the awesome individual children we have
the privilege to work with, all it sees are numbers. Furthermore, it does not recognise the hard
work and dedication of the excellent staff who work at our school.
Finally, you may
wish to know that the school is predicted to be yellow for September 2016, and
Green the following year. Either way, as
you can see from above, this measure is not something that the school feels is
an accurate reflection of the education that your children receive.
As ever, thank
you for your continued support and understanding. If you need any further
clarification please do not hesitate to ask one of our staff, or governors who
will be pleased to explain this process further.
Kind Regards,
Mr. M Sullivan,
Headteacher.
Sunday, 17 January 2016
Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Snow Procedures
With the possibility of snow in the coming weeks we would like to remind parents of our school closure procedures.
Our aim is for the school to remain open during snowy periods unless weather conditions make it unsafe for children, parents and/or staff to travel to and from the school.
If the school is to be closed on any given day this website will be updated immediately.
Decisions will be made before 7:30am.
Decisions will be made before 7:30am.
School closures will also be updated on the official Merthyr Schools Closures Website here.
Please take extra care when approaching the school either on foot or in cars during icy conditions.
Friday, 18 December 2015
Junior Christmas Party
Yesterday saw all of the juniors pack into the hall for their Christmas party. It was brilliant fun with the children enjoying lots of games such as musical chairs, pass the parcel, musical statues, the coloured card game and the balloon game (which never fails to make everyone laugh!)
Thanks to all the children for being such good sports and such brilliant behaviour.
Merry Christmas from the Junior staff!
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
Merry Christmas Greenhill Manor
Today children from our Junior Department visited our friends at Greenhill Manor to sing some carols and Christmas songs.
The children were made very welcome and sang beautifully!
Their efforts were rewarded by the kind gift of selection boxes! A huge Thank You from our children for those!
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Monday, 14 December 2015
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