Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Euro 2020 Art – Thank you for the examples sent so far. I have received completed templates and also outdoor art and look forward to seeing more soon. If pupils just want to just make a design on the template, that is fine. Equally, if they just want to create something outdoors that’s fine too. All participants will receive a small prize!

DMC Summer Camp – Attached to the email is a flyer for Denbighshire Cooperatives summer music camps.

Music Lessons – Last week, I shared a letter for you to register interest in your child receiving music lessons from September. I’d be grateful if you could return them at your earliest convenience. I have attached once again.

Academic Dates 2021-22 – I have also attached a document specifying the term dates and training days next year. At some point during the academic year, there will be an additional day that school is closed, in lieu of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, but I’m told that date is yet to be determined.

Active Travel Survey – Denbighshire is running a consultation about the active travel network. Part of the phase two consultation is about reaching out to schools and families to engage with them about their local areas and their journeys in and out of school plus other trips they may do in their area. This link will take you to the survey in order to participate.
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/26eedfd68fc7468c8908688730248c95?portalUrl=https://Sustrans-UK.maps.arcgis.com&center=53.116757,-3.322261&field:what_school=Ysgol%20Rhos%20Street

Play Equipment – The new play equipment is looking good and is nearing completion. We will instruct each class individually regarding its safe use.

New Yard – See Twitter for updates on how the new yard is progressing. Quite a lot has been done over the past week!

Staffing News – We approach the end of the year and plans have been finalised for 2021-22. Mr. Davis, Mrs. Davies and Miss Davies will continue teaching Years 6, 5 and 3 respectively. We are looking forward to welcoming Mrs. Mari Lewis back in Year 4 from her maternity leave just before we break for Summer. She is returning for four days a week with Mrs. Jan Hughes teaching on the other day from September. Miss Price will sadly leave us, but I’m delighted she has been awarded another post in Mynydd Isa and they will be extremely lucky to have her on their team! In the Infants, Mrs. Liddy will be with Year 2, Miss Bevan Year 1, Mrs. Bourne Reception plus Eleri & Kelly with the Nursery.

Transition Morning – On Thursday, each class will spend a morning with their new teachers, as part of our transition arrangements.

Sports Days – We are having some mini bubble ‘Sports Days’ with the pupils. We’ll get some photos posted to Twitter so you can get a flavour of what has been happening. Hopefully next year, we can have a traditional Rhos Street Sports Day once again.

Pizza Treat – On Monday, July 12th the canteen will be serving Chicago Town Pizza and doughnuts.

Topsoil Bag – The fruit and veg outside the front of the school is looking fabulous in the Dandy’s Topsoil bag. There’s coriander, tomato, beetroot, peas, strawberry, chard and some lettuce. Please wash anything picked before eating!

Use of the Car Park – Thank you for your patience with the car park situation. Please ensure you follow the signs directing the flow of traffic, in order to ensure such congestion does not compromise the safety of all.

Summer Reading Challenge – Attached to the email, is an image highlighting the forthcoming Summer Reading Challenge. This initiative is something I’m always eager for all our pupils to take part in, but particularly this year in order to keep our pupils reading over the summer break after such a disrupted 18 months of schooling. Your support in facilitating this would be very much appreciated. I will be delighted if you could tweet us about your visits to the library over the summer break.

Ruthin Town FC – Ex-pupil Charlie Caton visited Ruthin Town FC Under 10s last week, to give them some inspiration. Coach Andrew Lewis, shared with me how grateful the club was to Charlie for giving up his time to share his experiences with the children and what an excellent role model he was. He told the players about the importance of working hard, enjoying what you do and being polite as key things in football or indeed life in general. He met current Rhos Street pupils Elliott, Isaac and Kaden who I’m sure will be very eager to follow in his footsteps! Charlie has just started his pre-season training with Shrewsbury Town this week.

PTA Raffle – Many thanks for selling the PTA Raffle Tickets. There are still books available at the office if want any additional tickets. The draw will take place next Friday.

PTA Photos – If you are yet to send in your order form for electronic PTA Photos, then please do so, in order for them to be sent to you by email before the end of term. Many thanks. The order form is once again attached.

PTA Lockdown Hero Medals – The PTA have kindly organised that each of our pupils receives a special ‘Lockdown Hero’ medal, as recognition for their efforts over the last 18 months of the pandemic. They look lovely and we will present them to each bubble next Friday in a mini-ceremony and celebration. Huge thanks to Lucy Purvis for organising this.

Year 6 Summer Bikeability – As the local authority were unable to deliver the Year 6 Bikeability course this year due to COVID-19, an additional course has been arranged for the summer holidays. Please see the attached flyer.

Year 6 Leavers Ceremony – We will hold a brief socially distanced ceremony on the field by Ruthin Town FC, where we normally hold sports day to share hoodies and pay tribute to our departing Year 6 pupils. Parents of Year 6 pupils are invited, but please maintain 2m distance from one another and wear a face covering. This event will take place at 2pm on Wednesday, July 14th.

St Peter’s Church – Year 6 pupils normally attend St. Peter’s Church for a Leavers’ Service along with other local schools. This year, representatives from the church will visit Year 6 in school and present them with a gift.

Students of the Week – Students of the Week are Elliot, Eden, Chima, Eve, Louie, Piper, Nimrod, CharlieG, Rayne, CharlieR, Thea, Romeo, Charly, Mia-Rose, Tommy, Mia, Lily-Mae, Indi, Kemal, Maya, Anna, Tiffany, Ruby, Jason and Lexie. Well done to them all!

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Bryn D. Jones, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

What is it they say about London buses? Well, in relation to outdoor works on and next to the site, the same principle applies here, as we not only have the new housing estate being built and the accompanying traffic lights, but also have seen the installation of our new play equipment begin. Finally and also most importantly, work has finally started on providing our Infant pupils with a yard. After such a prolonged period battling behind the scenes for this to happen, it’s something that we’re extremely relieved to witness. I remember clear as day, raising the issue with Karen Evans then Head of Education in Denbighshire when she visited the brand new site on the Monday before we opened back in April 2018 and highlighted the deficiencies in our outdoor areas. It’s been a long frustrating wait for staff, Governors, parents and pupils to see this addressed, with all playing their part to make this happen. There have been many obstacles, delays and red tape, but the Local Authority are delivering on their promise and our pupils will benefit greatly. Like me, I’m sure you will all be very much looking forward to its completion.

Move a Marathon – Thank you for your contributions last Friday to our fundraising efforts. A total of over £200 was raised.

Euro 2020 Day – Today, we had a special Euro 2020 themed day, with pupils dressed in red to back Wales in the last 16 match tomorrow v. Denmark. In our online assembly, we sang Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau and I introduced a special activity for the pupils to take part in at home. They’ve been given a planning sheet to design a Euro 2020 football themed outdoor art creation, a little like the one they were asked to complete during lockdown in the natural materials activity. They can use any materials they want to make their outdoor creation and then photos of their work can be emailed or tweeted to the school. I’ll organise a small prize for every entry. Could all photographs be sent by a week on Monday please?

Registration for Music Lessons – Please see the attached letter, regarding registering interest in music lessons with the Denbighshire Music Cooperative for the next academic year 2021-22.

PTA Photos – I have emailed details and sent home an order form for you to make your orders for PTA photographs. Please send them in an envelope and you will receive the photos by email after the deadline of July 9th

PTA Raffle – Raffle tickets have been sent home this week for the PTA Summer Raffle and we’d be grateful if they could be sold and the money returned. More tickets available in the office. There will be some great prizes!
Vaccination Posters from BCUHB – I have also attached some information from the health board regarding vaccinations. They are attached to the email.

Helping Your Child at Home – Last week, information was sent via email regarding a free online course available to all parents at the school, offering guidance and training on how to help your child to learn at home. In order to access the course for free, the code you will need to enter at the checkout is as follows: Denbighshire-05-2021 A video from Mike Gershon, the course creator and presenter, gives further information on the content and explains
its benefits. The video can be accessed via this link – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EdU9fW_eOdIwOXlIzTLWZ7g3s5kqdQMp/view?usp=sharing

Transition – Thank you to staff from Ysgol Brynhyfryd for visiting to speak to our Year 6 pupils about the transition to Secondary School ahead of them. Year 2 also had a lovely transition session with Miss Davies which was held with Year 2 outdoors yesterday, to prepare them for life in the Juniors.

Traffic Lights – You will be now be aware that there are three-way traffic lights on the main road outside the school site, due to works by Welsh Water for the new houses. This is causing significant congestion, so please bear this in mind at pick-up and drop-off time. If you are able to walk instead of travel by car to the site, then this would be helpful and appreciated. I am told a two way system on the approach road will be replacing it soon and have been reassured the traffic system is being monitored going forward.

Thank You Miss Pugh – A big thank you to our departing student Miss Pugh. Best wishes for the future after a fine placement.

Students of the Week – Congratulations to Toby, Madalyn, Billy, Sylvia, Harri, Teddy, Isaac, Lucas, CharlieG, Isla, Rayne, Lola, Theo, Amelie, Leala, Charles, Jacob, LiamG, Jensen, Izzy, EmilyD, Joe and Nate.

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Bryn D. Jones, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Helping Your Child at Home – I have attached further information by email regarding a free online course available to all parents at the school, offering guidance and training on how to help your child to learn at home. In order to access the course for free, the code you will need to enter at the checkout is as follows: Denbighshire-05-2021 A video from Mike Gershon, the course creator and presenter, gives further information on the content and explains its benefits and can be accessed via this link – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EdU9fW_eOdIwOXlIzTLWZ7g3s5kqdQMp/view?usp=sharing

Move a Marathon – Thank you for your contributions, which will go towards Air Ambulance and Young Minds. The pupils enjoyed running their communal marathons and pictures can be seen on Twitter.

Year 2 & 3 Transition – The normal transition activities are of course restricted. However, Year 2 will have some outdoor sessions with Miss Davies from Year 3 in order to give them a flavour of life in the Juniors. The first session will take place next Wednesday.

Year 6 Transition – Year 6 will be visited by staff from Brynhyfryd on Thursday morning. I am sure it will be a worthwhile exercise in supporting their transition.

Music Lessons – We would be grateful if you could settle all outstanding music lesson payments please.

New Yard – I have received further confirmation from the local authority that on Monday, work will indeed commence on the new yard.

Year 6 Class Photo – I emailed all parents in Year 6 with details on how to order the class photo earlier this week.

Menu Change – On Monday, barbecued chicken will be served instead of fish.

Students of the Week – Congratulations to Jaxson, Luna, Samual, Verity, Josh, Lucas, Max, Ruben, Ella, Leyla, Melissa, Cain, Shreya, Stacey and Chloe.

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Bryn D. Jones, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

I hope everybody had a lovely half term and took advantage of the good weather. I’ve been eager to see the pupils get straight back in the groove for this final half-term of the academic year. They’ve settled back into the swing of things well this week, which has been positive and reassuring.

Gobeithio cafodd bawb hanner tymor hyfryd a manteisio ar y tywydd da. Rwy’n edrych ymlaen at weld y disgyblion ail-gychwyn ar eu gwaith ysgol ar gyfer hanner tymor olaf y flwyddyn academaidd.

Giggles News – Two bits of good news from Giggles to report. Firstly, staff member Mali Walker was awarded Coleg Cambria’s Childcare Work Based Learner Award for 2021. What an achievement! Also, Giggles was awarded a five star food hygiene rating, so congratulations to Anna and her team also for that assessment!

A New Baby – Charley and Chima Hecox have welcomed a new sister into their family! Lovely news and congratulations to mum and dad!

Happy Birthday! – Cleaner Liz McLaren celebrated a big birthday this week, so we wish her many happy returns!

Good Luck Wales! – Euro 2020 starts tonight and Wales play their first game tomorrow. Fingers crossed for another strong performance in this year’s tournament. Memories of 2016’s adventure come flooding back! Cmon Cymru!

Yard Update – We have received the following update from the Design and Construction Team of Denbighshire County Council and have been informed the work will commence a week on Monday.
“The relevant agreements and issues which impacted on the start dates have now been resolved and the contractors are able to access the new playground area via the land between the estate road and the school. The works are now presently scheduled to start on the 21st June and it is anticipated that the works will take 10 weeks to complete. We will confirm these arrangements in advance of the 21st June.”

Outdoor Play Equipment – We also have a start date for the installation of the first phase of outdoor equipment, most of which will take place adjacent to the Juniors’ Yard and this will also commence on the 21st June.

Twitter – It was nice to receive updates from families on their half-term exploits and get to share them with the school community. Many thanks. Keep an eye on Twitter for news of our ongoing activities.

GCSE and A Level Results – It’s been a very strange year for students who have been preparing for GCSEs and A Levels this year and a very uncertain time, I’m sure. Normally, it’s during the summer that our ex-pupils receive their results, but this week provisional grades were shared for both GCSE and A Level pupils by Ysgol Brynhyfryd. We very much hope all the Rhos Street veterans received the grades they need to take the next step in life and we wish them all the best for the future. We always root for our ex-pupils long after they leave the building and are proud to hear of their successes.

Charlie’s Contract – One ex-pupil who I’ve mentioned of late is Charlie Caton, who has had further good news in his footballing exploits, by being awarded a two year professional contract by Shrewsbury Town. Congratulations to him once again!

Move a Marathon – Across Denbighshire, many schools are taking part in a charity event to raise money for Young Minds UK and the Welsh Air Ambulance. This is to be done in the memory of Ethan, a young man from Denbighshire who tragically lost his life in a car crash back in 2020. Therefore, on Friday pupils can come to school in their own clothes, bring a suggested donation of £1 per child into school and during the afternoon, each class will collectively run a marathon together. Thank you for your support.

Covid Concerns – I am sure you will have read about and seen the renewed concerns about the impact of the Delta Variant on the number of Covid-19 cases and we have been made aware of an increase of cases in Denbighshire of late. Once again, I am appealing for your ongoing support in ensuring that we as a school community do all we can to mitigate further risk of spreading the virus. The fact many schools have been affected once again, serves as a reminder that we all need to play our part and I’m sure I can count on everybody to do exactly that!

Students of the Week – Congratulations to Esme, Daisy, Elsie, Jude, LucasJ, Leila, Rayne, Alexander, CharlieR, Oliver, CharlieG, Daisy, Amelia, Max, Poppy, CharleyH, Ruben, Claire, Riley, Trystan, Lacey and Bhupinder. Foundation Phase Welsh awards went to Romeo and Ryan.

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Bryn D. Jones, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Half term arrives as does a half decent weather forecast! Have a lovely week and see you on Monday June 7th.

PTA Pyjama Day – Pyjamas, onesies and dressing gowns were the order of the day. See Twitter for the photos. Thank you for your contributions to PTA funds.

Ruthin Town Youth – Ruthin Town Youth Football Club, will shortly be holding training sessions for next season’s Under 12 team, made up of boys currently in Year 6. Interested pupils are very welcome to attend sessions, which have been arranged to take place at the Glasdir pitches next to Ruthin Town Football Club every Thursday evening during June. Sessions are to commence promptly at 6.30pm and completed by approximately 8.00pm, with the first one being on Thursday the 3rd of June. Rhos Street pupils don’t have to be currently playing for Ruthin Town Juniors FC to be able to attend, all new players will be very welcome. All should wear football boots, pads and bring their own drink.

Library Packs – The local libraries are encouraging pupils to visit and pick up a bag of ‘Elmer’ activities. Contact your local library to arrange an appointment.

PTA Photos – A huge thank you to Emma Phipps for her time, equipment and skills as she took the pupils’ photos on Tuesday. Thank you also to Jenny Johnson for helping things run smoothly on the day. Information will follow regarding previewing and ordering arrangements.

Year 6 Photo – On Tuesday, June 8th, Temest photography will visit to take the Year 6 class photo.

Missing Jumpers – Oliver Appleby has mislaid a few jumpers over the past term. They have his name on, so I’d be grateful if you check any you have at home to see if they can be found.

Students of the Week – Congratulations to George, Billy, Sebastian, Jacob, Eliza, Alexander, Maisie, Scarlet, Mia-Rose, Oscar, Ryan, Charley, Amelia, Isabella, Jade, Tomos, Jolie and Leo.

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Bryn D. Jones, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Ruthin Town Youth – Ruthin Town Youth Football Club, will shortly be holding training sessions for next season’s Under 12 team, made up of boys currently in Year 6. Interested pupils are very welcome to attend sessions, which have been arranged to take place at the Glasdir pitches next to Ruthin Town Football Club every Thursday evening during June. Sessions are to commence promptly at 6.30pm and completed by approximately 8.00pm, with the first one being on Thursday the 3rd of June. Rhos Street pupils don’t have to be currently playing for Ruthin Town Juniors FC to be able to attend, all new players will be very welcome. All should wear football boots, pads and bring their own drink.

Internet Safety and TikTok – Earlier this week, I emailed a document regarding the monitoring and use of social media application, Tik Tok. It provides some insight and practical tips regarding this app and more importantly how to keep children safe if they are using it.

PTA Photos – Due to Covid restrictions the PTA have kindly stepped in to organise individual and family photos of our pupils this year. On Tuesday, these will be taken by Emma Phipps and we are very grateful for her time and her photography skills. There will be no PE on Tuesday and all pupils are asked to come to school in their uniform. We have put protocols in place that ensures that Rhos Street pupils from the same household can be photographed together as well as individually. Unfortunately, in order to keep everybody safe, we are unable to include other siblings from the family who are not currently at Rhos Street School. If you do not wish your child to be photographed, please let the office know in advance. Information regarding ordering electronic copies of the photographs will follow, after they have all been taken. You will be able to view proofs of all photos in each class online, before making any orders.

Garden Area – After half term, we would like to appeal for some parental help with digging out the planters, raised beds and borders in the garden area. We already have a couple of volunteers, but many hands make light work so following the holidays I will make an appeal for volunteers to spend a couple of hours over an afternoon or two to get the work done. Watch this space. We are also grateful to our Infant parents for tending to the Dandy’s Topsoil bag by the Foundation Phase entrance yesterday. They have planted strawberries, tomatoes and potatoes.

PTA Pyjama Day – Next Friday, we will allow our pupils to come in pyjamas, onesies, dressing gowns etc. and request a £1 contribution per pupil towards PTA funds.

Urdd Message of Peace and Goodwill – Today, the Urdd’s annual message of peace and goodwill was shared with the pupils. This year, the 99th time it has been published, the message was one promoting equality across the world, for girls, young women and female adults. There were a few online gremlins today, but the message can be viewed via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08yHmYpRIo&t=8s

Twitter – On Twitter, you’ll fine photos and details about World Bee Day activities, baking in the Infants, Japan project work, parachute activities, outdoor symmetry and greek board games. You can also see the lovely care package put together by Shanny as a gift for our brilliant, resilient team of staff. It’ll help us get through these difficult times, as we continue to deal with the Covid-19 fallout.

A Cleaning Thank You – Cleaner Sophie Green returns from her period of maternity leave on Monday, so I’d like to thank Shanny, Becky, Carly and Caolán for stepping in to keep the Foundation Phase clean in these crucial times while she’s been away. Welcome back Soph!

Students of the Week – Congratulations to our Students of the Week, Finley, Luna, Lukas, Eliza, Isla, Teddy, Eva, Alex, Piper, Belle, CharlieR, Katelyn, Max, Seren, Claire, Mia-Rose, Liam, Azam, Ethan, Alys, Tiffany, Luca and Gabby.

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Bryn D. Jones, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

With it being Mental Health Awareness Week, I took the opportunity to speak to the pupils in my weekly online message to the classes, encouraging them to find ways to express themselves in positive ways now that we are coming through the worst of the pandemic. Having spent so long under lockdown over the last twelve months having to (and in many cases, choosing to) spend so much time in front of mobile phones, laptops, tablets and gaming consoles, I felt that now that we come out of restrictions step by step, the opportunities are out there for them to focus on things other than screens. This will benefit their mental health, as well as foster skills of independence, resilience collaboration and self-discipline. We considered the ways in which they could express themselves creatively, such as through art, photography, music, sport and dance to try to kick the habit of on-screen reliance by taking advantages of opportunities in the community, many of which are outdoors.

Hand in hand with that message, was the visit of PC Manus Sheridan, who came and spoke to Years 5 and 6 yesterday about the importance of responsible use of the internet and we were grateful he was able to come along to share some key messages.

Getting the balance right between embracing the technological age and its benefits, while also taking advantage of the many opportunities out there in the ‘real world’ is crucial to the development of our pupils. It is important that our learners not only make the right choices, but appreciate the benefits of those choices to their overall health and wellbeing, as they make their way in life.

PTA Pyjama Day – On Friday May 28th, the day we break up for half term, we will allow our pupils to come in pyjamas, onesies, dressing gowns etc. and request a £1 contribution per pupil towards PTA funds.

Students of the Week – Well done to our Students of the Week; Cecily, Ayla, Madalyn, ArloB, Oliver, Sebastian, Scarlet, Claire, Leala, Merry, Thomas, Amelia, Ruby, Tyler and Bhupinder.

Twitter – Lots to view this week from activities across the school, including the Year 1 and 2 visit to Parc Seren to see what equipment they’d like to potentially see installed, plus photos from our visit from PC Manus and lots more!

Co-Op – Huge thanks to the Co-Op for their donation of £200 to the PTA fund for outdoor equipment. We are very grateful and were recently presented with the cheque which will of contribute towards our purchases.

Goodbye Karina – We said a sad goodbye today to lunchtime supervisor Karina, who is leaving to undertake a new role at Ruthin School. We thank Karina for her input over many years in this role and also in the past as a volunteer and of course her work on the crossing patrol. Best wishes to her and good luck! Diolch Karina!

Yours sincerely / Yn gywir,

Bryn D. Jones, Headteacher / Pennaeth