Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

There has been a decidedly springlike feel to the weather this week, and it’s been lovely for the children to get on the school field and make the most of the dry, sunny weather. We have our fundraising bingo activities this evening, for an extremely worthy cause. I wish all bingo-goers the very best of luck.

Yr. 6 Police Day
We are very excited about our forthcoming Police Day on Wednesday 2nd of April. North Wales Police will be coming in to work with Yr. 6 learners from Rhos St, Pen Barras and Borthyn. We have two sniffer-dogs, a police drone team, and a patrol car on the itinerary. Huge thanks to our school governor Pat Astbury for organising it all.

Yr. 3 Bushcraft Activities

Yr. 3 had a great time on Monday afternoon learning all about the triangle of fire, using strike-a-lights and toasting marshmallows for s ’mores. The activity brings their fantastic topic of The Stone Age to a fitting close.

Taking a Holiday in Term Time – Guide for Parents
Am I entitled to take my child out of school for a family holiday?
• No. Parents have a legal duty to ensure that their children attend school or the alternative provision on a regular basis
• The Education Act 1996 makes it a criminal offence for a parent to “fail to secure their child’s regular school attendance at the school”
• Our view is no term time holidays should be approved
• Headteachers must not grant any leave of absence (holiday) during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances
• Parents do not have entitlement to take their child out of school for a holiday in term time
If we decide to take a holiday during term time, what must we do?
• The parent/carer with whom the child resides must apply in writing to the headteacher where the child is registered
• The application must explain the exceptional circumstance surrounding the request for the leave of absence
What will school do then?
• The headteacher will determine whether the exceptional circumstance applies, if not the application will be declined
• Only the headteacher (or the Deputy) has the power to approve leave of absence applications. When making a decision the headteacher will take in to consideration Welsh Government guidance on this matter (All Wales Attendance Framework ) (2011)
• Each academic year, schools inform parents/carers via a letter, newsletter, or school website that they may receive a Fixed Penalty Notice if their child has unauthorised absences (10days or more) in term time
• You will receive a written response from the headteacher (or the Deputy) letting you know if your application has been approved
• If the holiday goes ahead after the application has been declined the absence will be recorded as unauthorised

Sustrans – Big Walks and Wheel
Today brings us to the half-way point of this year’s Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel. We have been recording all of the brilliant active journeys that children have been making to and from school this week, which will go towards our final total and possible prizes! We have one more week to go, and every active journey counts towards a happier and healthier world. If you can, please support us to make as many active journeys as we can, walking, scooting, skating or riding, in the final week of this fantastic campaign. Rhos St school and Planet Earth thanks you!

Dr. Bike
In preparation for next week’s Yr. 6 Bikeability sessions we had a visit from two of the fantastic bike-mechanics from Drosi Bikes – Dr. Bike. They spent the day repairing and fettling Yr. 6s bikes to ensure that they are in tip-top condition ready for next week’s cycling-safety sessions. A huge thank you to our two bike doctors (not 100% convinced you can get a doctorate in bike mechanics…) for their excellent work.

Lockdown Drill
As a vital part of our safeguarding at school we will be holding a Lockdown Drill on the morning of Wednesday 9th of April in conjunction with Ysgol Pen Barras. The drill will involve the children moving into their classrooms, and staff ensuring that the school is locked and secured. Staff will be speaking to the children, prior to the drill, to explain what they need to do and reassure them that it is simply a practise, just like a Fire Drill, to keep them safe. Staff will be using the scenario of needing to lock the school doors if there was ‘A dog on the yard that we did not know.’, rather than relate it to some more serious threats, which may cause children distress or upset. This Lockdown Drill is extremely important in ensuring our ability to keep our leaners and staff safe and will be handled with great sensitivity with children being supported and reassured at every stage.

Rhos St School Bingo Night
Our Charity Bingo night is tonight! Some great prizes to be won. All welcome (including children) for a great cause.

Weekly Wellbeing
This week’s wellbeing quote is from Alan Watts, the British and American writer, speaker, and self-styled “philosophical entertainer”, known for interpreting and popularising Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu philosophy for a Western audience.

” The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
Alan Watts

Achievers
This week’s fantastic achievers are: Claire, Alex, Neve, Eudora, Maya, Esme, Wren, Charlie, Blake, Connie, and Teddy.
Cecily shared her badminton award, Neve and Chloe shared their brass award, Louie shared his bravery award and Jake shared his Cymraeg award. Well done to all our fabulous achievers.