Ebrill 8fed / April 8th 2022

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

The Easter holidays have arrived and I’m sure that we are all ready to take a little time to reflect and recharge. It has been a really positive term with many projects, long in the planning, beginning to come to fruition. I am immensely proud of the children of Rhos St who have met every challenge and made the most of absolutely every opportunity that has come their way. I wish you all a restful and relaxing Easter, fingers crossed for a little kindness from the spring weather. See you all on the 26th.

Eleri Morris’s Retirement
It a momentous day here at Rhos St as it is Eleri Morris’s last day of work here with us. After 42 years of dedicated service Eleri will be retiring to spend well-deserved time with her family and enjoy her garden. Eleri has been a stalwart presence at the school for over 42 years and has worked with so many children over the years, many returning as parents and even grandparents. Her caring, calm and professional presence will be greatly missed here at school, by staff, parents and children alike. The contribution that she has made over the years, ensuring that the children of Rhos St had the best possible grounding in their journey through education is huge and I’m sure that you will all join me in wishing Eleri a very long and happy retirement.

Natalie Sproston
We also this week have bid a very fond farewell to another colleague Natalie Sproston. Natalie has worked in Rhos St since 2007 and has been a wonderful asset to the school, working in a wide variety of classes and supporting many, many children on their learning journey here with us. Natalie is looking to work a little closer to home, and all of us at school wish her all the best in her future career, and thank her for her professionalism, hard work and friendship.

Old Carpet
We are putting out a request for any bits of old carpet that the school community would be willing to donate. We want to develop our wildlife pond in the Garden Area and I’m reliably informed that pre-lining with old carpet will stop sharp rocks and stones puncturing our expensive pond liner. If anyone is able to help please let us know and we can arrange drop-off or pick-up. Many thanks.

Covid-19
As I’m sure you have seen in the media recently there has been a reduction in the level of regulation around Covid-19. I wanted to clarify the situation with school-based Covid-control measures. The intention of the Welsh Assembly Government is to continue to reduce the regulations towards the goal of ‘living with’ covid-19. In school there is still a legal requirement to have a specific school-based Covid-19 risk assessment in place. This is continuously monitored and reflects local Covid levels, current Government guidance and also infection levels within the school. The current local-infection control stipulates that we continue to avoid whole-school gatherings, such as whole-school assemblies, indoor shows or performances. The wearing of face coverings, at this level, states that face coverings may be worn in and around the school building. Social-distancing and ventilation measures will continue to be an important part of school-based infection control. I will continue to provide updates on current guidance as the situation develops and would like to thank all members of the school community for their ongoing support.

School Meal Prices
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 8% across food suppliers, but is working with suppliers to mitigate increases. In the face of rising prices the service has agreed to increase the cost of school meals by 5p, this will take effect from Monday 25th April. Even after this increase, prices will still be relatively low compared to other local authority areas, and the service is confident that it is providing value for money in terms of the quality of food given to pupils across our schools. This means that the price of a school meal will increase to £2.45. Examples of the meals provided to pupils by the service can be found at: https://denbighshireschoolmeals.co.uk/primary-menus/

Let’s Play Out: Easter holidays
Let’s Play Out are open access play sessions run by Denbighshire’s Play Ranger Service where children have the chance to play, have fun, get messy and muddy and make friends. These sessions have an open access policy which means that young people will be free to leave the session at any point. Sessions are recommended for children aged 6 to 13 years old. Children under 6 years old are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Information is available by following this link: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/leisure-and-tourism/lets-play-out-easter-holidays.aspx

Unreasonable Behaviour
At Rhos Street School, we believe that our stakeholders have a right to be heard, understood and respected. As a school we are extremely fortunate that the vast majority of our community are helpful, supportive and positive and share any queries or concerns in an appropriate manner, working with the professionals in school, as a team, to provide the best possible outcomes for learners. We also understand that people can become angry when they feel that matters about which they feel strongly are not being dealt with as they wish. If that anger escalates into aggression or abuse towards our staff, governors or pupils, we consider that unacceptable. Aggressive or abusive behaviour includes language (whether verbal or written) that may cause staff, governors or pupils to feel afraid, threatened or abused and may include threats, personal verbal abuse, derogatory remarks and rudeness. We also consider inflammatory statements, remarks of a discriminatory nature and unsubstantiated allegations, to be abusive behaviour. Where a stakeholder is aggressive or abusive, we may decide to take action in line with our Unreasonable Behaviour Policy, which may limit or define the specific terms of contact with school.

Buffet
A huge thank you to local company – Pen Y Bryn for supplying a plentiful, and very tasty buffet for leaving staff. They get a big thumbs up from us all here at Rhos St.

Attendance
On our return to school for the summer term, on Tuesday 26th of April, the special Covid-19 regulations put in place for attendance at school come to an end. Monitoring of attendance data will return to pre-covid regulations. Poor attendance or lateness may incur fixed penalty notices or the involvement of the Educational Social Worker. For more information on school attendance please visit: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk and search for behavior and attendance.

Achievers
Our wonderful achievers this week are:
The whole Nursery class – for being so sensible and listening so well while preparing food.
Toby, Florence, Elsie, Isaac, Grace, Lucas, Lola, Hannah, Katelyn, Aidan, Charles, Noah L.S and Jo
Welsh awards went to Aidan, Eva and Jacob
Sophia shared a Brownies award and Holly shared her Rugby – Player of the Match medal.
Piper shared her Little Princess Trust certificate following her generous hair donation.
Eleri got a head-teachers award for hard work and being good – FOR 42 YEARS!
Well done to our brilliant achievers this week!

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Ebrill 1af / April 1st 2022

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

The spring term is flying by at breakneck speed, with one more week to go before the Easter holidays sail majestically over the horizon. As ever, this week has been full to bursting with activity, both inside and out. A fantastic PTA Easter Fun Day brings this week to a close. We can all gird our loins ready for the final push next week!

Garden-Area Donation
Many thanks to Mr. Siôn Gwyn-Jones, Arlo and Fleur’s dad, for his kind donation of £200 towards the Garden-Area project, from his company Urbanbuild Homes. We are extremely grateful and will put the money to very good use developing the area further for the children to enjoy and learn in.

Broken Digging Tools

We are looking for donations of any digging tools, even if they have broken handles, as we have a volunteer who is able to fabricate new handles. Please drop off any donations in the foyer. Many thanks.

Olivia
I was accompanied by Mr. Bryn Jones on Tuesday to the premier of the road-safety film Olivia at Cineworld Llandudno. Working with Olivia’s parents, family and friends and after securing funding through collaborative working involving North Wales Police and partners, a film and supporting lessons have been produced which will be shown to school pupils right across Wales as part of the national SchoolBeat programme. Olivia, a much-loved, ex-Rhos St pupil, was tragically killed in a road-traffic incident. The film was the most difficult thing I can ever remember watching, but will do a vital job in educating new or pre-drivers and aims to help them be aware of their responsibilities and of the devastating consequences that can occur.

Earth Hour

Many thanks to Ben and Emily for sharing pictures of their Earth Hour activities. I’m sure that they were not alone in taking time to stand alongside the WWF – World Wildlife Fund collaborating with people from all over the world celebrate and support positive action for our fragile planet.

Wellbeing
As part of our work supporting Wellbeing in school, and in recognition of the challenges that many children have faced in recent times, we have a copy of the excellent book: Worry-Proofing Your Anxious Child by Bev Aisbett available to loan form the school. A calm, clear and reassuring book that is filled with explanations and practical advice for parents. If you would like to borrow this book please contact Mr. Davis, Mrs. Liddy or Mrs. Davies.

Eleri Morris Retirement
A card and envelope are in the school office for any parents who wish to leave a message or make a donation for Eleri who will be leaving us next Friday after over 40 years of sterling service. – The end of an era!

Easter Fun Day
A brilliant time was had by all at the Easter Fun Day, organised by the wonderful Rhos St PTA. There were lots of great activities including arts and craft, Easter-egg hunts, pin the tail on the bunny, Easter hat / bonnet competition and lots, lots more. Many thanks to all of the PTA members who gave up their time to support the school and also to parents and carers for their kind donations in support of the school. Pictures of the event will soon be available on the schools Flickr account, accessible through the Rhos St website.

Achievers
Our fab achievers this week are: Amelia, Aliza, Oliver, Isabella, Skye, Max, Kalyani, Emi-Lee and Ella May.
Meredith was awarded a Welsh award and Emi-Lee shared her rugby award. Well done to them all!

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Mawrth 25ain / March 25th 2022

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

The warm, sunny weather this week may have lulled us into a feeling that spring is springing. There have been lots of great work outdoors, both in the Living Classroom and also in our Garden Area. It is great to see children outside learning and having fun. Fingers crossed that the weather lasts over the weekend, as the forecast looks a little more unsettled for next week, with even the word snow being recklessly bandied about, so we all need to make the most of it.

Earth Hour
Our service this morning was all about Earth Hour. Started in 2007 by WWF and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney to raise awareness of climate change, Earth Hour is now one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment. Held every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages supporters in more than 190 countries and territories, all taking action to ensure a brighter future for people and the planet.
We are asking for pictures of any Earth Hour activities be forwarded to: andrew.davis@denbighsire.gov.uk so that we can celebrate Rhos St school’s part in the global, collective action for our planet. Many thanks.

Little Princess Trust
We are so proud of Piper, in Yr 2 for her selfless donation of 13 inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer. Well done to her for such a kind gesture. We will Tweet her certificate next week.

Tesco Donation

A massive thank you to Tesco Ruthin who have donated plants and compost to our Garden Area project. Yr. 5 had a brilliant time helping bring in the goodies. Many thanks also to school Governor Pat Astbury and husband Peter for collecting and delivering the donations.

Co-Op Donation
Many thanks to Co-Op Ruthin for their kind donation of plants for the Garden Area project. Also to Pat Astbury and Julie Debicka for organising their collection and drop off at school.

Achievers
Our wonderful achievers this week are: Jake, Emily, Morgan, Jude, Joshua, Arlo, Skye, Maddie, Amelie, Milo, Daniel, Melissa and Miley.
A Welsh award went to Isabella, well done to them all!

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Mawrth 11eg / March 11th 2022
Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Another week flies by with lots and lots of activity throughout the school. There have been groups working in the Living Classroom with Denbighshire Countryside Services. Work has begun in earnest in the garden area, with groups going out to plant trees and begin the long job of landscaping. Our polytunnel is up and will soon be in use, sewing seeds and starting plants, ready for groups to begin developing the different areas of the garden.

Nant B.H / Penrellyncymmer
Please may I request that all outstanding monies still owed for the completed trips to Nant B.H and Pentrellyncymmer are paid as soon as possible. We are, at present, organising visits to these centers for November, details to follow nearer the time.

Garden-Area Donations
Many, many thanks to everyone who has made such kind donations to the garden-area project. We are still looking for wellies, suitable for Foundation Phase and Junior children, and any garden tools would be gratefully received. I am informed that, due to very kind donations, have reached plant-pot critical mass and do not need any more plant pots. Many thanks again to everyone who has donated.

Wellies / Outdoor Footwear
As our garden project develops we will be working with all the children in the school, in small groups, and possibly in a variety of weathers. We are requesting that, when it is your child’s garden-area session that they have either a pair of wellies or a pair of old shoes, boots or trainers (not their PE trainers please) that they would be able to wear for their gardening activities and then bring home.

Wheelbarrows
A huge thank you to Chris Roberts for her incredibly kind donation of three wheelbarrows for our garden area. They will be put to very good use as things develop in our garden area.

Polytunnel
Another thank you, this time for Tony Dallolio for his fantastic work preparing the garden area for pupils, moving all the tyres from the front of the building and for constructing our new polytunnel. Also big thanks to A.J and Liz, who volunteered their own time to help with the works. I am extremely grateful for all of their efforts.

Allergy / Medical Information
Please can any changes to your child’s medical needs, allergies, food intolerances or specific dietary requirements be shared with the school office, as it is of great importance that our records are as up to date as possible. Your assistance, in regard to this, is greatly appreciated.

Ukraine-Crisis Appeal

Thank you to everyone who supported the Wear What You Love Day today. In agreement with the PTA it was decided that the donations made for Wear What You Love would be collected, by the school, and donated, from Rhos St, to the Disaster Emergency Committee – Ukraine Crisis, Red Cross Appeal. A cause, I’m sure, that is on many of our minds at the moment.

Achievers
Our wonderful achievers this week are:

Henry, Elliot, Sophie, Daisy, Sebastian, Rayne, Penny, Maisie, Henry M, Willow, Fletcher, Barkley and Luca.
Zakk for his Welsh Award and Hollie for her Gold, Rookie-Lifeguard Award.
Well done to you all!

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Mawrth 4 ydd / March 4th 2022
Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Wow, what a busy week! St David’s Day and our Rhos St Eisteddfod activities, World Book Day with everyone dressing up and fantastic book-based lessons, not to mention donations of tyres and logs and tools for the garden area! All the children, and definitely the staff, will need a lie down! It’s great to see so much going on and, as we head into spring, a real feeling of new projects dawning in parallel with the lighter mornings and blossoming trees.

Bartley’s Tyres
A huge thank you to Bartley’s Tyres for kindly donating, and delivering, tyres for our Garden Area! We are extremely grateful. The tyres will be put to lots of uses, for planters, seating and for outdoor play. Pupils, from all classes, will enjoy using and benefit from them.

Garden-Area Logs

A big thank you to Mr. Palmer, the father of our very own Mrs. Lewis in Yr 4, for donating and delivering some large logs. We are planning to use them as seating in the bushcraft area of our school garden. I can smell the toasting marshmallows already!

Website – Flickr Update
The pictures on the Rhos St Flickr have been updated, so feel free to check out the latest pics. I’m reliably informed that you may need to accept cookies (unfortunately not triple chocolate) before being able to view the pictures.

Rhos St Eisteddfod 2022

We had a fantastic St David’s Day here at Rhos St. Children came to school wearing Welsh colours and Mrs. Lewis led a fantastic Eisteddfod event with pupil learning all about Wales, its culture, language and traditions as well as some great singing. We will be filming and sharing each classes Welsh performances in the near future.

Garden Area Donations
We have been bowled over by the generosity of of the school, and wider, community in donating to our Garden Area project. A huge thank you to Gill Wilkinson, who runs a local gardening business, for donating tools, water butts and other garden equipment. We have also received an extremely generous donation of wheelbarrows from Chris Roberts, Charlie and Joe’s mum that will get us all gardening like professionals in no time. In addition we have had an very generous donation from Faye Jones, Arlo and Fleur’s mum, who has offered to pay for the school to purchase tools and gardening equipment. I am extremely grateful, and very touched, by the wonderful support we are receiving from the school community.
Many, many thanks again for all of your generous donations.

RGC Competition
Rugby Gogledd Cymru (RGC) the regional representative team for the North Wales Rugby Development Region are running a competition to design their new shirts (see competition entry attached). Any budding designers that would like to take part need to complete the competition-entry form and send it to the address provided. Here is the link to the RGC homepage should you like more information: http://northwalesrugby.wales/home/

World Book Day
World Book Day was a fantastic success with lots of fantastic costumes, from pupils and staff, and some brilliant book-related games and activities. Have a look at the school’s Flickr account for more great pictures.

Achievers
This week’s achievers are: Poppy D, Thea, Bertie, Eliza, Samuel, Paige, Thea, Oscar, Teddy, Nimrod, Jack, Sophie, Charlie G, Poppy, Kush, Liam G, Ethan and Lacey.
Welsh awards went to: Liam P, Leila and Charles. Well done to you all!

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Chwefror 18ydd / February 18th 2022
Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Storm Eunice seems to be the defining factor as we bring this half-term to a close, and it’s a good analogy for the rollercoaster ride that we have all been on in recent times. Through all of this challenge the resilience and support of the Rhos St community has shone through. I won’t lie, taking over the role of Interim Headteacher at the sharp-end of an Omicron pandemic and with a large section of school roof missing did fill me with no small amount of trepidation. It has been the fantastic colleagues, governors, parents and of course, most importantly pupils of this school that have turned this period from one of initial foreboding, to one of pride in the fantastic progress made by so many of our learners, as well as the positive steps taken forward towards our goals for this year. I look forward to continuing the move forward, after half term, and would like to thank you all for your ongoing support, and hope you all have a great half-term break (weather permitting).

Garden Area
The plans for the garden area continue to move forward with the purchase of a polytunnel and the collection of the brilliant garden-area plans completed by the pupils. They have a wonderful imagination and have produced some fantastic ideas for us to work with in our final garden-area design. If anyone has suitable tools, waterproofs or wellies that they were able to donate to the children, to use in garden area, they would be gratefully received.

Wear What you Love Day
Because of the school closure today we have, unfortunately, missed out on the PTA’s Wear What You Love Day.
Never fear, the day has been rescheduled for Friday 11th of March. We have avoided the first week back after half term as children will be invited to dress up for St David’s Day and also for World Book Day in that week and I’m mindful of avoiding dress-up overload!

Have a great half-term holiday everyone.

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Andrew Davis,

Headteacher / Pennaeth

Chwefror 11ydd / February 11th 2022
Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Another really positive week draws to a close. Time is flying by and I can’t believe that it is only a week until half term. School has been a hive of activity with lots of work raising awareness for Children’s Mental Health Week 2022 as well as preparations for out in-school Eisteddfod on St David’s Day.

Garden Area
We are making really positive steps forward with our garden-area project. A polytunnel has been ordered and the children have been busy with their designs for what they would like to see in the garden area. Donations of tools or child-sized waterproofs would be very greatly received.

Jumpers
I have been made aware of some school jumpers going missing, despite being named. Please could I ask that jumpers are checked to see if the missing items have been accidental taken home and that they be returned if this is the case. Many thanks for your help and support.

PE Kit
Please could PE kit worn in school, as much as possible, be black shorts / jogging bottoms, white t-shirt and a school jumper. We encourage this simple PE kit as it reduces the need to purchase expensive sports clothing and protects pupils from some of the possible negative issues related to sports branding.

Tesco Tokens
We have applied to the Tesco Blue Token scheme in support of our garden area. So if you find yourself in Tesco, picking up ‘essential’ supplies (white or red), please give us a thought and direct your token appropriately.

Wear what you Love
The PTA are planning to hold a Wear What you Love day on Friday 18th of February. Children can come in clothes that they love and bring a donation of £1 towards PTA funds.

Children’s’ Mental Health Week
There has been lots of work going on all around school this week based upon Children’s Mental Health Week. The issues, which can sometimes be difficult, have been dealt with in a sensitive and considerate manner with many of the children engaging in fun activities designed to raise the awareness without causing distress.

Healthy Snacks
As a healthy school I would like offer a gentle reminder that snacks brought in to school by pupils should be, as much as possible, fruit. I am aware that some children have a preference for different things, but would ask that any break time snacks be what would be considered ‘healthy’, rather than the crisps and chocolate bars that have made an occasional appearance of late. I would also ask that, due to some children having a severe allergy to nuts that, although a healthy snack option, nuts are not brought in to school as the consequences from an anaphylactic reaction could be severe.

Safer Internet Day
Our assembly today was all about keeping safe online and followed this year’s Safer Internet Day theme of All Fun and Games. We learned all about the importance of talking to a trusted adult if any experience online makes children feel ‘sad or bad’ and the importance of treating friends online with the same respect that is given in ‘real life’.

Pentrecllyncymmer / Nant B.H
Please could any payments due for the Penrellyncymmer or Nant B.H trips be paid as soon as possible. Many thanks.

Achievers

Today’s achievers are:

Louie, Abi, Drago, Thea, Sophie, Isla, Penny, Skye, Charlie R, Jack, Maisie, Eva, Jay, Ella, Lilly-Mae, Riley, Milo, Emily and Emily J well done to them all!

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth