Rhos Street School
Primary School in Ruthin, Denbighshire

Mawrth 17eg / March 17th

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

After the disruption of last week’s snow, it’s been great to have a straight-run this week at business as usual. The much-anticipated return of family services has been a major highlight, with Yr. 5 doing themselves proud. Our Red-Nose Day fund-raising activities, organised by the school council, have also been a great success with lots of money raised for the excellent charity.

Chester Football

It was wonderful to have Kalvin, form Chester Football in on Thursday working with the Reception and Yr. 3 pupils in the afternoon. They had a brilliant time, showing off their football skills.
The Chester Football after-school club had its first run-out, and everyone enjoyed the activities and games on offer. There will be more sessions up to and after Easter.

Music Tuition
Can all outstanding monies for music tuition owed for this term, and previous terms, please be paid through ParentPay as soon as possible. Children with outstanding bills for music tuition will, unfortunately be unable to continue if their lesson payments remain in arrears. Many thanks.

Yr. 5 Family Service

The Yr. 5 children produced a lovely performance in their family service on Tuesday, all about Japan. There were lots of fascinating facts, about the geography, culture and history of Japan. Some wonderful singing and a fully-fledged, choreographed fight sequence in the Momotaro and the Peach story, in which I was almost accidentally involved; It’s OK Goblins, I’m fine, the swelling has gone right down! Yr. 4 are next in line and their family service is scheduled for Thursday 23rd of March.

Yr. 6 Group Photo
Tempest Photography came in on Tuesday to take the Yr. 6 group photo. The pictures are taken in small groups and then digitally collated in to a single image. They are really effective and a bit more dynamic than the old standing-in-line school photos of yesteryear. A sample copy will be sent out to the Yr. 6 parents and carers in the near future with an option of purchasing copies if required. Some children got the long straw and were snapped with Miss. Price and Eira, one group got the short straw and ended up with me… sorry boys.

Comic Relief

Many, many thanks to the School Council and Miss. Davies for organising another brilliant Red-Nose Day event at school. Everyone looked resplendent in their red clothes and noses and had a fantastic time at the Danceathon and playing the games, including ping the nose on the funny-looking bloke! Many thanks also to parents and carers for supporting the event and to those who provided the lovely cakes for the cake sale. I will share the total raised for this excellent cause as soon as we have it.

Parental Consultations
Rhos St will be holding the spring-term parental consultations next week. You should have received an appointment slip with the date and time of your consultation. If you are unable to attend the appointment, for any reason, please notify school as soon as possible and your child’s class teacher will arrange an alternative. Please wait outside your child’s classroom, prior to your appointment, and the class teacher will greet you at the appropriate time.

Universal Free School Meals
Universal Primary Free School Meals will be made available to children in year 2 from April 2023. The aim is that all other primary aged pupils will receive Universal Primary Free School Meals by 2024. All children (in a year group where Universal Primary Free School Meals are available) will be asked daily by their school if they would like to have school meals. More information can be found by following the links below:
https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/education-and-schools/grants-and-funding/universal-primary-free-school-meals.aspx
https://fb.watch/iP2X28TfcK/

School Meal Price Increase
The Denbighshire School Catering Service has faced ongoing increase in the prices for all major commercially procured food products, the domestic food market and across all food market supply chains.The Service has seen an average price increase of up to 20% across food suppliers, but is working with suppliers to mitigate increases.
In the face of rising prices the cost of school meals will increase by 5p to £2.50 per day, this will take effect from 1st April 2023

Covid-19 Guidance
We are experiencing a rise in reported cases of Covid-19 at school at the moment. Current guidance states that anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19 should avoid contact with other people for at least five days and should avoid contact with anyone at risk of becoming seriously unwell for ten days, from the time of the positive test or when symptoms started. The full guidance document can be viewed by following this link: https://www.gov.wales/guidance-people-symptoms-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19

Student Health & Wellbeing Survey
As part of our focus and emphasis pupil wellbeing, Rhos St has agreed to take part in the Student Health & Wellbeing Survey. This research, funded by the Welsh Government, is the second phase of a feasibility study to explore how the School Health Research Network (SHRN) might be developed further into primary schools to inform efforts to improve pupils’ health and wellbeing. Currently, SHRN brings together all mainstream secondary schools in Wales with researchers and policy-makers. Secondary schools receive tailored Student Health and Wellbeing Reports based on a survey conducted every two years. The data supports needs-based action planning, monitoring and evaluation of wellbeing activities. Across Wales, primary schools are being asked to participate in the Student Health and Wellbeing survey. This is an adaptation of the SHRN survey conducted in secondary schools. All Year 3-6 pupils are invited to take part in this piloting phase of the study and Rhos St will receive a Student Health and Wellbeing report based on the responses to the survey. This will allow us to focus the school’s resources and provision in the most effective areas to improve pupils’ wellbeing.
Please see information letter attached for full details of the study and your right, should you so wish, for your child not to be involved.

Kick It Sports
Kick It Sports are offering engaging and fun multi-sport sessions for Yrs. R, 1 and 2 beginning on April 17th. The session dates are as follows: Mon, 17 Apr ’23 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Mon, 24 Apr ’23 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Mon, 15 May ’23 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Mon, 22 May ’23 3:15pm – 4:30pm.
To sign up for the after-school sessions please follow this link: https://bookwhen.com/kickitsports
For more information about what Kick It Sports offers please follow this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I1xd6LiOVQ6jDrj6NbfdE6XDnVd9w-QD/view?usp=share_link
There are two sessions remaining of the Yrs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 Kick It Sports sessions:
Mon, 20 Mar ’23 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Mon, 27 Mar ’23 3:15pm – 4:30pm

Dates for the Diary
Monday 20th – Thursday 23rd March Parental Consultations
Kick It Sports – Juniors 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Thursday 23rd March Yr. 4 Family Service 9:15am
Chester Football afternoon session
Chester Football after-school club 3:30pm – 4:15pm
Monday 27th March Kick It Sports – Juniors 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Thursday 30th Chester Football afternoon session
Chester Football after-school club 3:30pm – 4:15pm
Yr. 6 Introduction to Sign Language course am
Yr. 6 Emergency First Aid course pm
Friday 31st March Yr. 3 Family Service 9:15am
Break up for Easter holidays!