Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,
It was wonderful to welcome everyone back to school on Tuesday, April living up to its showery reputation not damping our spirits too greatly. All of the children have settled back into school so well, ready to learn and eager to get their teeth into this term’s exciting themes and topics. A longer term than the previous bijou one, but one that is always full to bursting with activities, events and one that always flies past.
Attendance
Why is school attendance important?
At Rhos St we believe that being in school is important to your child’s academic achievement, wellbeing, and wider development. There is evidence to suggest that regular school attendance is a key mechanism to support children and young people’s educational, economic, and social outcomes. Schools can facilitate positive peer relationships, which contributes to better mental health and wellbeing.
Attendance at school is crucial to prepare young people for successful transition to adulthood, and to support their longer term economic and social participation in society. There is also evidence that the students with the highest attendance throughout their time in school gain the best GCSE and A level results.
Research found that pupils who performed better both at the end of primary and secondary school missed fewer days than those who didn’t perform as well. For example, data from 2019 shows that 84% of Key Stage 2 pupils who had 100% attendance achieved the expected standard, compared to 40% of pupils who were persistently absent across the key stage.
We are committed at Rhos St school to ensuring the very best outcomes for all our learners and believe that attendance is a vital aspect of this. In line with Denbighshire policy no term-time absence will be authorised unless it is in exceptional circumstances.
We will work closely with families to promote good attendance and will, where appropriate, seek the guidance and support of Educational Welfare Officers if an individual pupil’s attendance remains lower than expected. Please can parents and carers ensure that school is advised of any pupil absence by email or telephone message on the first day of absence.
Please see attached with this newsletter, from Denbighshire County Council, school attendance information and frequently asked questions regarding holidays in term time.
Kick It Sports
Kick It Sports are offering a series of four fun sports sessions on a Monday afternoons 3.15pm – 4.30pm. You can view a video all about the great activities offered by Kick It Sports by following this link:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I1xd6LiOVQ6jDrj6NbfdE6XDnVd9w-QD/view?usp=share_link and book a place on the course by following this link: https://bookwhen.com/kickitsports
Language and Play Sessions
Language and play sessions are free to attend and take place throughout Denbighshire. The sessions are run by Family Link Workers on a weekly basis during term time. All of our sessions have planned activities that help children build language and social skills in preparation for school in a fun, friendly environment.
Language and Play sessions will be taking place at Rhos Street School from 1:15pm to 2:45pm on: Wednesday 17th, 24th of April and 1st, 8th, and 15th of May 2024.
Breakfast Club
Just a quick reminder that Breakfast Club opens at 8.00am, with breakfast being served until 8.30am. Doors close to Breakfast Club at 8.40am until school opens at 8.50am. For safeguarding reasons please can all parents and carers of Foundation Learners please walk their child / ren up to the Breakfast Club entrance. Many thanks.
Tempest Photography
Tempest Photography will be in school on Monday 15th of April to take individual pupil photos. Parents and carers wishing to have photographs including children who do not attend Rhos St should arrive at 8.30am.
Yr. 2 Family Service
We were treated to a wonderful performance from the Yr.2 class this morning in their family service all about stories, books and reading. The children performed brilliantly, singing, reciting, and speaking so clearly. There was also some top-drawer fan dancing! A huge thank you to the children for all their hard work, to Mrs. Liddy and her team for preparing the children so well for their performance and to the parents, carers, family, and friends who came along to support us here at school. Yr. 1’s family service is next up on May 23rd.
Gardening Club
Gardening club will begin next Wednesday (17th April), beginning with the Yr. 5 & 6 pupils, and will run, every Wednesday until half term 3.30pm – 4.15pm. Mrs. Davies and Ms Williams will be running this brilliant and popular club with the children.
Dates for the Diary
15th April Tempest Photography – Individual Photographs
Kick It Sports 3.15pm – 4.30pm
17th April Language and Play Session
Yr. 5 Swimming
Gardening Club 3.30pm -4.15pm
18th April Hockey Fun Festival
Chester Football – After-School Club
22nd April Kick It Sports 3.15pm – 4.30pm
23rd April Yr. 5 Banknote Presentation
24th April Language and Play Session
Yr. 4 Swimming
Gardening Club 3.30pm -4.15pm
25th April Yrs. 5/6 Rugby Sessions
29th April Kick It Sports 3.15pm – 4.30pm
1st May Language and Play Session
Yr. 4 Swimming
Gardening Club 3.30pm -4.15pm
2nd May Rhos St School Eisteddfod
Yrs. 5/6 Rugby Sessions
6th May May Day Holiday
8th May Language and Play Session
Yr. 4 Swimming
Gardening Club 3.30pm -4.15pm
13th May Kick It Sports 3.15pm – 4.30pm
Yr. 6 Bikeabilty
14th May Yr. 6 Bikeability
15th May Language and Play Session
Yr. 4 Swimming
Gardening Club 3.30pm -4.15pm
23rd May Yr. 1 Family Service
25th May – 2nd June Half Term
5th June Yr. 3 Swimming
6th June D-Day Commemorations
Yr. 6 Dangerpoint
14th June Staff Training Day
18th June PC Llinos Yr. N & Yr. R
19th June Yr. 3 Swimming
21st June Yr. R Family Service
25th June Yr. 6 Brynhyfryd Sports Afternoon
26th June Early Years trip to Wizz Kids
27th June Yrs. 1 & 2 Trip to SC2 – Ninja Tag
28th June Yr. 6 Trip to Laser Tag
29th June Ruthin Festival Singing / Performing
2nd July Sports Day
3rd July Yr. 3 Swimming
4th July Reserve Sports Day
5th July Yr. 6 Transition Day
Yrs. N – 5 Moving-Up Day
8th July Parental Consultations
12th July Yr. 6 Leavers’ Service
Infant Sleepover
18th July End of Term
Additional dates will be added once confirmed
Child and Teen Vaping: A Parent Support Event
ASH Wales are offering support for parents worried about teen vaping on 25th April 18:00 – 18:30
ASH Wales will be sharing the latest insights into teenage vaping in Wales with the results of our national vaping survey. They’ll also be explaining the latest regulations and efforts to protect under 18s from addictive vaping products, and most importantly they’ll be answering your questions and signposting to support for you and your family. This webinar is perfect for parents, carers, teachers, or anyone who works with or cares for young people impacted by these products.
Please follow this link to sing up for the event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/worried-about-teen-vaping-a-parent-support-event-tickets-879428563507
The ticket price of £5 is a donation towards the ongoing work ASH Wales are undertaking to educate and protect young people on this issue.
Measles
Measles is currently spreading in the UK with large outbreaks in areas such as the West Midlands and other parts of England. A significant number (1 in 5) of unvaccinated children who have contracted measles have required hospital treatment.
• Measles can spread very quickly among children and adults who are not vaccinated and can cause some people to become seriously unwell and in rare circumstances die
• Measles is spread by the respiratory route. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. A person with measles is infectious (can spread the disease to other people) from four days before the typical rash appears.
• The best way to protect your family is for you and your children to have had the scheduled two doses of the MMR, a safe and effective vaccine that protects against Measles, Mumps and Rubella
• If you or your children are not up to date with your vaccines contact your GP and they will arrange for you to receive the MMR
• For more information about MMR, speak to your GP or Nurse or visit this link to access a briefing document for schools:https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/vaccines-professionals/measles-and-mmr-vaccination-programme-briefing-document-2024-pdf/
NHS Wales are asking parents to be alert for symptoms of measles and to not send their children to school if they are unvaccinated and have any of the symptoms below:
• cold-like symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing and cough
• red, sore, watery eyes
• high temperature (fever)
• rash that usually starts on the head/neck before spreading down the body
• small white spots inside cheeks and the back of lips
It’s very unlikely to be measles if you’ve had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine or had measles before. If you or your child develops these symptoms and is unvaccinated, please call your GP or NHS 111. The person with suspected measles should not go to any health setting (GP, hospital, or pharmacy) without ringing ahead first and advising of any symptoms that might suggest measles.
For further information please visit: Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) – Public Health Wales (nhs.wales) or Measles – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Weekly Wellbeing
This week’s wellbeing quote is from Isaac Asimov, an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the “Big Three” science fiction writers, along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke. The quote reminds us that we are all constantly on the incredible journey of education.
“Education is not something you can finish.”
Isaac Asimov