Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

I seem to have been left the only inhabitant of Grinchtown in Scroogeville this week as our Christmas tree has made an, in my mind, premature appearance, put up sneakily while I was away on a headteachers’ conference. The staff have wasted no time in telling me that I need to get in line with the Christmas spirit and the lovely Christmas singing emanating from the hall, during our concert practise sessions, has started, however slowly, to thaw my inner-Ebenezer. We even had a live robin fly into school and land on the Christmas tree, which must be a sign from Santa that it’s time for me to transform into a picture of festive jolliness!

Christmas-Jumper Days
In support of the charity Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper fund-raising campaign we are inviting children to wear their Christmas Jumpers on Dec 1st, 8th, 15th and 21st. We are requesting donations of Christmas jumpers that children have grown out of and will be having a Christmas-Jumper Swap where children can bring in a Christmas jumper and swap it for a different one, should they wish. We are requesting a donation of £1, which covers all four Christmas-jumper days, which should be brought in to school on Dec 1st. We will additionally have a donation box, also in support of the Save the Children charity, in which children can make a small donation when they swap a Christmas jumper. We are hoping that this will imbue December with a decidedly Christmassy ambience, as well as raising some money for an important cause.

Yr. 3 Drumming Session

Huge thanks to Johnny, from Denbighshire Music Cooperative, who came into school on Monday to deliver a brilliant drumming session with the class. The children had a fantastic time and have definitely got rhythm. Johnny will be hopefully returning later in the year for another great drumming session.

Children in Need
A huge thank you to Rhos Street School pupils, parents & carers for supporting Children in Need 2023. The school Council and Yr. 6 class did a fabulous job organising the fun and games. Thank you also for the wonderful donation of cakes, which was extremely popular with children and staff alike. The event raised an amazing £370 for the important charity.

Pentrellyncymmer
We had a fantastic few days at Pentrellyncymmer last week. The weather was kind and everyone had a great time challenging themselves in the beautiful Welsh countryside. The slightly better behaved WIFI meant we were able to share a few more pictures, than the Nant BH trip, on Twitter (X) and we will be sharing all of the photos of our adventures on the schools Flickr site in the near future.

Read for Good – Readathon 2023
On Thursday 30th of November we will be holding a Rhos St School Readathon in support of the Read for Good charity who provide brand new books and resident storyteller for every major children’s hospital in the UK.
Please see the attached letter for all the information about this worthwhile event, that not only helps our children in school to build their love of reading, as well as receiving free books, but also brings the joy of stories and reading to children in hospital, across the UK. Rhos St will receive 20% of the total raised at the event in free books for our classes and library.
Follow this link for more information: https://readforgood.org/

Weekly Wellbeing
This week’s quote is from one of the foremost of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence, made important contributions to science, especially in the understanding of electricity, and is remembered for the wit, wisdom, and elegance of his writing.

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

Cornel Gymraeg
In Welsh Corner this week we have the welcome return of Tocyn Iaith. Children can earn Welsh-language tokens from staff members for using Welsh phrases around the school. The tokens can then be exchanged for goodies from our Siop Cymraeg, using Welsh of course. There will be lots of Welsh phrases of the week for children to learn and practise in the coming weeks.

Disabled Parking Spaces
I have been made aware by a member of the school community that some of the disabled-access spaces at the site, provided for blue-badge holders only, are being used as pick-up and drop-off spaces, or even as standard car park spaces where the vehicle is being left unattended. I would remind all car-park users that the disabled access spaces are solely for the use of blue-badge holders, who require the additional accessibility provided, to access the school safely. Please can the disabled-access spaces be used only by vehicles displaying a blue badge. I have shared this message with our friends and colleagues at Ysgol Pen Barras and requested that the message be shared with their school community also. Many thanks for your help and support in regard to this very important matter.

Christmas Singing on the Square
We have been asked by Ruthin’s Mayor Anne Roberts if we would be able to perform some Christmas songs on Saturday 2nd of December, on the Square in Ruthin, as part of the Christmas Lights Switch On. The Rhos St performance is scheduled to start at approximately 5.15pm and last approximately 15 – 20 minutes. If you would like your child to take part please complete and return the proforma sent home today with children, Yrs. 2 to 6, who have expressed an interest.

Christmas Pantomime
Oh yes it is! On December 20th Rhos St will be hosting two performances of Aladdin in our school hall, one for the foundation learners, in the morning, and one for the junior children in the afternoon. Our, always brilliant, PTA have very kindly funded the performances, which are markedly less costly without the considerable cost of busses required. Children will be invited to come to school in Disney fancy dress or party outfits on the day.

Christmas Concert
Preparations are well underway for our Christmas Concerts, on Tuesday 12th of December at the Tabernacle Chapel. The matinee will begin at 1.30pm (please note the change of time to allow children to return to school to meet taxis) and 5.30pm. The tickets, available on the door, are £2.50 per person and we are encouraging that, due to limited spaces in the chapel, only two adults, per-family, attend each show as much as is possible.

Achievers
This week’s fabulous achievers are: Riley, Romeo, Grace, Chloe, Willow, Sam, Caden-James, Leo and Kitti.
Jess shared her gymnastics medals and Belle shared her rosettes and pictures from her horse-riding competition.

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Today sees us tip into December, the safe-zone in my mind for the beginning of all things Christmassy. There is a very festive vibe in the school at the moment, with lovely Christmas songs drifting through the corridors and the sight of all those fabulous Christmas Jumpers. We’re all excited for the singing on the square on Saturday evening and it looks like even the weather, you knew I’d mention it somewhere in this newsletter, is turning festive.

Christmas-Jumper Days
It was lovely to see so many Christmas jumpers on display today, all for the charity Save the Children. Many thanks to parents and carers for supporting the event throughout December. We have the first of our donated Christmas jumpers to swap and would welcome any others that have been grown-out of so the jumper swapping can begin in earnest. Please don’t worry about wearing the same jumper several times, with our environmental credentials here at Rhos St we’re all about everyone getting the most out of everything we own, festive colours are great too!

Children in Need
A huge thank you to Miss. Price and the School Council for all their hard work organising our brilliantly successful Children in Need event. The winners of the competitions are: George, who won the guess the number of sweets in the jar competition and Rose, Leo, Thomas, Emily, Charlie, Jessica and Im, all worthy winners of the Pudsey-Pal competition. Well done to all of our competition winners!

Christmas Singing on the Square

We have had a fantastic response to our request for Rhos St children to sing on the Square in Ruthin, as part of the ‘Christmas Lights Switch On’ tomorrow. Many thanks to all the parents and caerers who have offered their support. The children have been practising all week and sound great! The Rhos St performance is scheduled to start at 5.00 pm (ish) and last approximately 15 – 20 minutes. Can children wear school uniform, scarves and hats please. Any additional children who would like to join in on the day are more than welcome!

Flu-Immunisation Catch-Up Clinics
Flu-Immunisation catch-up clinics are available in Kimnel Bay on a Friday. The clinic is appointment only, not drop-in.
Please call 03000836818 to make an appointment.

Period Dignity
Do you live in Denbighshire in a low-income household? Do you attend a Denbighshire School? If so, then you could be eligible for free re-usable or disposable eco-friendly products delivered straight to your door. Denbighshire, through the Welsh Government Period Dignity Grant, have secured funding to support families and young people in Denbighshire to access free sanitary products: https://www.totm.com/ https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/education-and-schools/wellbeing-in-schools/period-dignity.aspx

Rhos Street School have registered as an ‘In case of Emergency’ site. Denbighshire’s residents and visitors can also access free emergency period products from the disabled-access toilet adjacent by the main entrance.

Christmas Concert
Just a quick reminder that our Christmas Concert is on Tuesday 12th of December at the Tabernacle Chapel. The matinee will begin at 1.30pm (please note the change of time to allow children to return to school to meet taxis) and 5.30pm. The tickets, available on the door, are £2.50 per person and we are encouraging that, due to limited spaces in the chapel, only two adults, per-family, attend each show as much as is possible.

Miss. Pugh will be holding a ‘Christmas Singalong’ event on Monday 11th of December at 10.30am, for the Nursey class in the school hall. There will be lots of lovely songs, an opportunity to partake in some refreshments and have a go at some fab Christmas craft. Admission is £2.50 per person, on the door.

Weekly Wellbeing
This week’s wisdom quote is from Athenian philosopher Plato, founder of the Platonist school of thought, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. This quote reminds us all that times change:

“Don’t force your children into your ways, for they were created for a time different from your own.”
Cornel Gymraeg
In Welsh Corner this week we have the winners of our Diwrnod Su’mae competitions: Leo, Isaac, Esme, Chima, Maisie, Jessica and Tommy. Da iawn pawb!

Achievers
This week’s brilliant achievers are: Liam, Isla, Emily, Ella, Archie, Harrison, Fleur, Charly and Harri.
Sebastian shared his badminton award. Well done to all our amazing achievers!

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

As we finally cross the finish line on the longest half term since records began, I think the children can be really proud of everything they’ve achieved. They have all really got to grips with their new classes and have produced some wonderful work within this half-term’s topics and themes. After this activity-packed half term I’m sure we’re all ready for a break, I know staff definitely are, ready to return, refreshed, for the adrenaline-fuelled lead-up to Christmas! Have a great half term, see you all on the 6th of November.

Pentrellyncymmer Payments
Please can all outstanding Pentrellyncymmer funds be paid by Monday 6th of November, to ensure your child’s place on the residential visit. Many thanks.

Halloween Party
A huge thank to the, always brilliant, Rhos St PTA for organising our spooky Halloween Party yesterday that raised over £425. The children looked amazing in their costumes and had a wonderful time. Thank you also to the school community for supporting the event.

Chester Football
I’m really pleased to confirm that we will be working with Chester FC again, after the holiday (dates to be confirmed), who will be providing free afternoon coaching sessions and after-school club for £3 per session. We’re delighted to be working with Kalvin again, with whom we have worked for many years through this very successful collaboration.

Kick It Sports

Kick It Sports will be offering after-school multi-sports sessions, 3.15pm – 4.30pm, from Monday 20th of November for four weeks. Sessions are available to pupils from Yrs. R, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 at the cost of £18 for the four sessions. Session dates are: 20th Nov, 27th Nov, 4th Dec and 11th Dec.
You can find out all about Kick It Sports and what they offer by following this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I1xd6LiOVQ6jDrj6NbfdE6XDnVd9w-QD/view?usp=share_link
Follow this link to book onto and pay for the course: https://bookwhen.com/kickitsports

P.T.A Logo Competition
Our fab PTA are running a design a new PTA logo competition over half term. The design should be on A5 or A4 and include the letters: PTA. All entries, with the 50p entry fee, should be handed in to class teachers after half term. The winning logo wins a chocolatey prize for their class!

Parent Governor Election Results
After completion of the nomination process the following Parent Governors have been duly elected:
1. Sue Salisbury
2. Laura Evans
The successful candidates will take up their positions with immediate effect.

Andrew Davis Julie Debicka
Headteacher Chair of Governors

Achievers
This week’s achievers are: Tahapanes, Seren. Thea, Drago, Neve, Kadey, Abi, Amelia, Nancy and Tommy.
Welsh awards went to: Leo, Daniel, Mia, Joe, Henry, Ryan, Charlie G, Maisie, Charlie R, Neve, Elsie, Oliver, Auraya, Elianna, Isaac, Jake, Harry and a special award for very enthusiastic singing in Welsh Wednesday to Sharon. Da iawn pawb!

Yours sincerely /Yn gywir

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Action aplenty this week with our visit to Nant BH, Welsh Wednesday, Cross Country, Wear Red Day and not to mention the Reading Café! One week to go before we crash headlong into half term for a well-deserved breather.

Nant BH
The weather was suspiciously kind to us on our residential to Nant BH in the first half of the week. The children all had an amazing time adventuring in the Welsh mountains and were so well behaved, showing all of the qualities that we hold so dear: respect, kindness and giving your best. Many thanks for bearing with us in the Twitter (X) department as the WIFI / connectivity at the centre was as flaky as we remembered. Never fear, all of the pictures, including the ones below, from the residential will soon be uploaded to Rhos St’s Flickr account, which you can access through the school’s website.

Pentrellyncymmer Payments
Please can all outstanding Pentrellyncymmer funds be paid by Monday 6th of November, to secure your child’s place on the residential visit. Many thanks.

Wear Red Day
We had a fantastic response to our Wear Red Day to in support of Show Racism the Red Card’s anti-racism campaign. Our service this morning was all about the importance of respecting and celebrating all of the things that we share as well as the things that make us special, unique individuals. Circle time this week has also been focussed on this positive and important message.

Welsh Wednesday
The second of our Welsh-Wednesday assemblies, promoting Welsh language and culture took place on, guess when… Wednesday! Huge thanks to Mrs. Lewis who is leading on this fab initiative.

Halloween Party
We are looking forward to our spooky Halloween Party on Thursday 26th of October. The foundation learners’ party is from 3.30pm -4.30pm and the juniors’ is from 4.45pm -5.45pm. £2.50 entry, which includes a drink and a snack. All foundation learners must be accompanied by an adult.

Music-Tuition Fees
All music tuition fees are now on ParentPay. Many thanks.

Shwmae Su’mae Day
Rain stopped play again, in a big way, for our planned Welsh yard games with Ysgol Pen Barras, we will try again next week, if it ever stops raining!

Cross Country
Well done to all of our valiant cross-country runners who faced the formidable course at Ruthin Rugby Club on Wednesday. Competition was fierce and even though we were down on the usual number of pupils we would normally take along, due to the Nant BH residential visit, everyone did themselves proud. There were a few administrative wrangles at the end of the Yr. 3/4 boys’ race, which we are looking into, but that didn’t mar what was a great morning out. A great demonstration, yet again, of our school ethos of respect, kindness and being your best.

Reading Café
A huge thank you to Mrs. Bourne for all her hard work organising the fab Reading Café yesterday. The children had a fantastic time swapping books and were thrilled with their new books. Many thanks also to the parents and carers who came along to the event and to those who donated children’s and adult’s books. We are looking to hold Reading Cafés on a termly basis… watch this space.

Achievers
This week’s brilliant achievers are: Leyla, Sophie, Isabella, Oliver, Omran, Dolly, Esme, Ted, Dexter, Wren and Romeo. Maddie shared her red belt and certificate; Joe and Emily shared their brown-belt certificates and Grace shared her purple-stripe belt and certificate. Isla shared her three gold and one silver swimming medals. Well done to them all!

Yours sincerely /Yn gywir

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

There’s no such thing as a quiet week in a primary school, and this week has been no exception. Harvest prep aplenty, all ready for our harvest service on Tuesday, and we’re all getting excited about our forthcoming visit to Nant BH – let’s hope this forecast warm spell stretches that far, so that legendarily-chilly Welsh water, in the Arfon Ddu, won’t come as too much of a shock!

Little Acorns
Little Acorns are holding an open evening on Wednesday 11th of October 3.30pm – 5.30pm. Parents and carers are invited to come along to view the setting. There will be time, should you wish, for a chat with Ruth and myself, and maybe even a paned and a biscuit. Please contact littleacornsltd@outlook.com or 07776796020 should you require places in daycare or after school club.

Nant-BH
Please could all outstanding payments for the forthcoming residential visit to Nant BH be made by Monday the 9th of October. Your child’s place on the residential may be at risk if payment is not received by this date. Many thanks.

Proposals to Reduce Library Opening Hours
The Council has opened a public consultation on proposals to reduce Denbighshire library opening hours by 50% from April 2024. The public are invited to respond and give their views on the proposals, online (link below) or via paper forms available in every library.
https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/news/news-detail.aspx?article=52082c99-520f-4497-a45f-5b2fd75f9c53

Harvest Festival
Our harvest service is scheduled for Tuesday the 10th of October at 10am at St Peter’s Church. All parents, carers, family and friends are welcome to attend, for what we hope will be a lovely celebration of harvest time. We are requesting non-perishable goods, for donation to the Ruthin-food bank. Please can all donated items come into school on Monday. Any parents and carers who would be available to assist in walking with the younger learners to the church should meet at the main entrance at 9.30am on Monday (for the rehearsal) and 9.30am Tuesday (for the main event). Many thanks, in advance, for your support.

Nursery Outdoor Area
Miss. Pugh is looking to ‘jazz-up’ the nursery-outdoor area. She is requesting donations of: plastic crates, wooden planks, cable reels, plastic pipes / tubes, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, patches of artificial grass, tarpaulin, large pieces of fabric, pegs, mini-play figure and loose parts such as buttons, corks, pebbles, bark or any small wooden parts. Please get in touch with Miss. Pugh if you think you can help. The Nursery children and staff would be so grateful. Thank you in advance.

Named Uniform / Belongings
We have had some items of uniform and other belongings become temporarily separated from their owners this week, unfortunately the items were not named, which made reuniting them with their owners more complex than it could have been. Please can I request that all uniform and personal items are clearly named to enable us to return them more easily. Many thanks.

Rhos St Reading Café
As part of our work on developing reading for pleasure at Rhos St, we will be holding a Reading Café event on Thursday the 19th of October. There will be lots of fun reading activities going on and the opportunity for parents and carers to come along, grab a cuppa and a biscuit, and take part. Watch this space for details.

Achievers
This week’s fab achievers are: Bertie, Louie, Isla-Rose, Bradley, Orson, Orfan, Eve, Darcie, Merry and Jess.
Jess also shared her gymnastic medals and awards. Very well done to all of our high-achievers this week.

Yours sincerely /Yn gywir

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Another hectic week draws to a close in the world’s-longest half term! Everyone is focussed on preparations for our Harvest service and, even though this is against nature itself in the month of September, completing PTA Christmas cards… Please don’t hold it against us!

Farewell Mrs. Reece
THE END OF AN ERA! Yesterday was the day we said goodbye and good luck to Mrs. Reece as she begins her retirement. She has worked wonders with so many pupils during her time at Rhos Street and she will be so dearly missed by us all. What a star!

School Council

Our brilliant elected members of the School Council had a very successful first meeting this week. So many great ideas and all of them very eager to get started. I’m sure they will have an extremely positive influence on what we do here at Rhos St school over the year.

Little Acorns

I’d like to share with you the Little Acorns setting, which looks incredible, huge thank you to Ruth and the team for their amazing efforts. Please contact littleacornsltd@outlook.com or 07776796020 should you require places in daycare or after school club.

Nant-BH
Please could all outstanding payments for the forthcoming residential visit to Nant BH be made by Monday the 9th of October. Your child’s place on the residential may be at risk if payment is not received by this date. Many thanks.

PTA Christmas Cards
Despite the chill down my spine at mentioning Christmas in September, you should be receiving your child’s PTA Christmas card today or Monday. Please can all orders be returned to school, with payment, by Friday 6th of October. All profits from the sale of the Rhos St PTA Christmas cards will go to the school’s, always brilliant, PTA to fund fun and exciting things and adventures for children at school.

Lost Jumpers / Cardigans
I have been made aware that we have some errant knitwear this week. We have a missing cardigan and a missing school jumper. Both items are named, one on the label, one embroidered on the sleeve. Could I please request that you check your child’s uniform to see if the missing items have accidentally been mixed-up. Many thanks.

Denbighshire County Council – Litter Campaign

Our fabulous Eco Council met with Ruthin Mayor, Anne Roberts on Monday, along with two representatives from Denbighshire County Council, who were requesting ideas to tackle the problem of littering in Ruthin. Unsurprisingly the eco council gave some amazing ideas, which they will be sharing with you all in the near future. Anne and the DCC team were very impressed with the calibre of the ideas and suggestions and, I’m not surprised at all by this, but very proud, the fantastic engagement and behaviour of the eco council. Watch this space!

Achievers
This week’s fabulous achievers are: Brandon, Max, Oliver, Madalyn, Thea, Ruby, Daniel. Jasmine and Rupert.
Claire shared her summer reading challenge certificate and Louie shared his taekwondo certificate. Well done to them all.

Yours sincerely /Yn gywir

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Just in case you didn’t know it was autumn the weather has definitely hammered home the message this week. The children have coped brilliantly with the soggy break and lunch times as well showing stoic resolve when faced with curious influx of our eight-legged friends to the school; some of the staff not so much …

One to One Support Worker / Lunchtime Supervisors
We are currently looking to appoint a one to one support worker to work in the Nursery class, 8.50am – 11.30am, as well as lunchtime supervisors to join our brilliant team here at Rhos St. Please contact the school office on 01824702565 to arrange an informal chat if you are interested in either, or both roles. We look forward to hearing from you.

Reception and Yr. 6 Trip to the Living Classroom
Next Tuesday the Reception children will be visiting the Living Classroom for the first time. They will be accompanied by five members of staff and each will have a Yr. 6 ‘buddy’ who will help them explore the area. The children will need to wear old, outdoor clothes appropriate for the weather. As the children will be outside all morning a coat will also be required. Waterproof over trousers will be supplied by the school if required. The children will also need wellies or strong boots and a change of footwear for the return to school. I’m sure they will all have a brilliant adventure in the Livng Classroom, the first of many to come.

Outstanding Payments
Please can I request that all payments for the Nant BH and Pentrellyncymmer outdoor, residential visits are made as soon as possible. Outstanding payments may mean that your child may not be able to take part in the visit.
Can all outstanding Giggles and After-School Club payments be made as soon as practicable please to ensure a smooth transition from Giggles Daycare to Little Acorns. Any credits in Giggles / After-School Club accounts will be transferred to Little Acorns.

Yr Hen Lys / The Old Courthouse
A big thank you to Tommy, from Yr. 6 for representing the school at the opening of The Old Courthouse / Yr Hen Lys last Saturday. Tommy was presented with a Thank You scroll by Anne Roberts, Ruthin’s Mayor. Mrs. Roberts will also be coming into school on Monday to seek the assistance of our fab Eco Council to help resolve a local litter issue.

Achievers
Our amazing achievers this week are: Liam, Eira, Josh, Ayla, Jaxson, George, William, Alice and Lucas.
Harry and Leo shared their summer reading challenge certificates. Well done to them all!

Yours sincerely /Yn gywir

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth