Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

We seem to have replaced cold weather with stormy weather as storm Eowyn made her presence felt today. Let’s hope we have a slightly calmer weekend, and don’t end up blown back to Kansas.

Dates for the Diary

Please see updated dates for the diary below.

30th January Yr. 4 Family Service 9.15am – 10.00am
3rd – 7th February Children’s Mental Health Week
5th February Yr. 6 – Matilda at Ysgol Bryn Hyfryd
7th February Yr. 6 Indoor Athletics
10th February Yr. 6 Humanities Transition Event
13th February Yrs. 3/4 Rugby Training Session
Urdd Sports Club 3.15pm -4.30pm
17th February Parental Consultations 17th – 20th Feb
20th February Yr. 3 Family Service 9.15am – 10.00am
Yrs. 3/4 Rugby Training Session
Urdd Sports Club 3.15pm -4.30pm
4th March Tempest Photography Yr. 6 9.00am – 12.00pm
6th March Yrs. 3/4 Rugby Training Session
Urdd Sports Club 3.15pm -4.30pm
12th March Yr. 3 First Experience in Music Session
17th March Xplore Science Hydroponics 3.30-5.00pm
20th March Yrs. 3/4 Rugby Training Session
Urdd Sports Club 3.15pm -4.30pm
27th March Yrs. 3/4 Rugby Training Session
Urdd Sports Club 3.15pm -4.30pm
28th March Yr. 2 Family Service 9.15am – 10.00am
31st March – 1st April Yr. 6 Bikeability
3rd April Yrs. 3/4 Rugby Training Session
Urdd Sports Club 3.15pm -4.30pm
10th April Yr. 1 Family Service 9.15am – 10.00am
Yrs. 3/4 Rugby Training Session
7th May Xplore Science Hydroponics 3.30-5.00pm
8th May Tempest Photography – Individuals, Siblings, and families
Rhos St Eisteddfod 2.00pm – 3.00pm
23rd May Yr. R Family Service 9.15am – 10.00am
1st July Sports Day
2nd July Nursery Transition Event
3rd July Reserve Sports Day
9th July Yr. 6 Leavers’ Service

* Please note change of date for Yr. 6 Leavers’ Service

Disabled-Access / Obstructive Parking
I have been made aware that there are unfortunately ongoing issues with some car-park users inappropriately using the disabled parking bays. This has led to some blue-badge holders being unable to access the disabled-access spaces at the end of the day. This has caused considerable issues for those with genuine disabilities in accessing the school. The disabled-access spaces are for blue-badge holders only and should not be used by any other car-park user. I would request that all car-park users respect the signage and designation of areas, both inside and adjacent to the school car park, to ensure that those members of our school community who genuinely require priority parking are able to access it. North Wales Police have been made aware of the situation and will be monitoring obstructive parking in Ffordd Glasdir going forward. Many thanks, in advance, for your help and support with this extremely important issue.

Tree Planting
Denbighshire’s Biodiversity Officer, Ellie, and children from Rhos St completed our tree planting this week. We now have an array of new trees which will encourage wildlife to visit our site and promote the biodiversity of the local area.

Muddy Paths

We are unfortunately having some site users take ‘the path of least resistance’ through our beds. This is causing the formation of slippery pathways through the planting, which are dangerous, cause damage to the plants, look unsightly and lead to mud being brought into the school. Could I please request that site users stick to the designated paths. Many thanks.

Newspaper and Cardboard Request
Yr. 6 are asking for donations of newspaper and cardboard for their art and technology activities. Donations can be sent in with children and handed over to the Yr. 6 staff or left in the foyer behind the blue chairs. Many thanks.

Weekly Wellbeing
With mind to the current weather conditions here is a quote from Edward Michael “Bear” Grylls OBE. He is a British adventurer, writer, television presenter, former SAS trooper and survival expert.
“Struggle develops strength and storms make you stronger.”
Bear Grylls
Achievers
This week’s amazing achievers are: Liam, Linden, Rayne, Billy, Louie, Albie, Ethan, Esme, Chester, Chester, Megan, Maya, Alfie, Harry and Tobias. Cecily and Sebastian shared their badminton awards, Ella shared her dance trophy and Evie shared he brass certificate.

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

A belated Happy New Year to you all, I hope you had a wonderful festive period. A slightly calmer week this week after the disruption caused by last week’s wintry conditions. As usual the children seem to have taken it all in their stride and have settled back into school life as if it never happened. We look forward with great anticipation to what the, euphemistically titled, ‘spring’ term has to offer and I’m sure we’re all looking forward to getting through the traditional January blues and moving on to brighter, and hopefully a bit warmer, times ahead.

Urdd Sports Club

Please see the flyer attached for the Urdd Sports Club scheduled to begin in February 2025. Scan the QR Code of follow this link to book a place on the course:
Urdd – Gweithgareddau

Kick It Sports
Kick It Sports are offering a series of football sessions for Yrs. 1 to 6, at a cost of £18, on the following dates:
• Thu, 23 Jan ’25 3:15pm – 4:30pm
• Thu, 30 Jan ’25 3:15pm – 4:30pm
• Thu, 6 Feb ’25 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Follow this link for the information video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V3YIROLym63NVdLaPY5up-LCZ8atCEjr/view?usp=drive_link
Follow this link to sign up: https://bookwhen.com/kickitsports

Inourplace
Inourplace is an online learning environment developed by psychologists and health practitioners that provides free accessible learning about emotional health and well-being. It has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health, behaviour, and relationships.

inourplace | Solihull Approach

Rugby Sessions

Kate Davies, the RFU Rugby Development Officer, came to work with the Yr. 4 children yesterday. She certainly put them through their paces, and they had a fantastic time in the sunshine honing their rugby skills and playing touch-rugby games. Kate will be returning to provide additional sessions in the forthcoming weeks.

Attendance
Good school attendance is key to helping children have the best possible start in life, to support and maximise their potential learning opportunities. There is clear evidence which links educational achievement to good school attendance. Rhos St School is determined to provide the best education to the children they serve. In recognition that school attendance and attainment are strongly linked a robust attendance procedure has been developed to support pupils learning. Please see the attached: Improving School Attendance information from the Welsh Assembly Government which outlines the importance of school attendance and the policy and procedures that support good attendance.

Statutory Framework
The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him/her to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his /her age, aptitude, and ability and to any additional needs he/she may have either regular attendance at school or otherwise. A pupil is required to attend regularly at the school where they are registered as a pupil.
Furthermore, Section 444 states that:
“If a child of compulsory school age who is a registered pupil at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, his parent is guilty of an offence.”
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/56/section/444
Rhos St will use a variety of strategies to intervene at an early stage to encourage improved attendance of individual pupils and assist to overcome any barriers that may be preventing the expected level of attendance. Persistent absence in Wales is set at below 90 % all pupils below this level are a concern for school and will require monitoring and intervention. The use of school attendance data and coding of pupils is fundamental to tracking and monitoring pupil and school performance. Strategies to improve a pupil’s attendance may be school-based or involve joint working with other education services and partner agencies to ensure the most appropriate support for the pupil is in place supported by the parent/ carer.
Welsh Government in December 2023 changed the threshold for a pupil being persistently absent from previously being any pupils whose attendance was below 80% to those whose attendance is below 90%. This increased expectation underlines the importance attached to regular school attendance and the need for local authorities, schools, and families to work together to achieve this outcome.
Belonging, Engaging, Participation Guidance Welsh Government Guidance 293/ 2023

Reading with your child
At Rhos St we love books and reading, and we understand the amazing benefits that come from spending time with a book. It’s a time for closeness, laughing and talking together – and it can also give children a flying start in life and help them become lifelong readers. If you’re not feeling confident about reading aloud or sharing books, don’t worry – there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy a story together. But here are a few pointers to help you out:
Encouraging a love of reading
As children get older, with lots of other activities competing for their time, how can you encourage them to make time for reading?
• Read yourself! It doesn’t matter what it is – pick up a newspaper or magazine, take a look at a cookery book, read a computer manual, enjoy some poetry or dive into a romance or detective novel. And get your children to join in – if you’re cooking, could they read the recipe? If you’re watching TV, can they read out the listings?
• Give books as presents and encourage your children and their friends to swap books with each other – it’ll give them a chance to read new stories and get them all talking about what they’re reading.
• Visit the local library together. It’s always fun choosing new books to read and keep an eye out for special author events at the library or local bookshops – children love meeting their favourite authors. Jacqueline Wilson and Anthony Horowitz always have signing queues that are miles long!
• Encourage children to always carry a book. That way, they’ll never be bored.
• Have a family bookshelf. If you can, have bookshelves in your children’s bedrooms, too.
• Keep reading together. Just because your children are older, it doesn’t mean you have to stop sharing stories – perhaps you could try the Harry Potter series or A Series of Unfortunate Events.
• Don’t panic if your child reads the same book over and over again. Let’s be honest – we’ve all done it!

Weekly Wellbeing
January comes with its own challenges, short, cold days with the warmth of summer a long way off. This quote reminds us that January is a time of change and is full of possibility for the new year to come:

“January: The month of opportunity, the month of inspiration, and the month of change.”
Achievers
This week’s fabulous achievers are: Henry, Oliver, Verity, Alice, Oliver A, William, Stanley, Fleur, Hannah, Orson & Sophia. Very well done to them all!

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

As we hurtle across the finish line in a flurry of tinsel and glitter, its lovely to look back on a really positive and productive autumn term. I’m always so proud of the children of Rhos St and this term has been another example of what brilliant pupils we have here. They have worked so hard, embraced every opportunity, and have embodied our Rhos St Core Values of respect, kindness and being your best. An enormous thank you to our amazing staff, governors, and PTA who have worked tirelessly this term. Thank you also to our fantastic school community for your ongoing support. From all of us here at Rhos St School, have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you all on January 7th.

Urdd Sports Club

Please see the flyer attached for the Urdd Sports Club scheduled to begin in February 2025. Scan the QR Code of follow this link to book a place on the course:
Urdd – Gweithgareddau

Cornel Cymraeg: Christmas Singalong with Ysgol Pen Barras
The Yrs. 4, 5 and 6 children had a fantastic Christmas singalong with children from Ysgol Pen Barras on Wednesday. The children have been practising songs and Christmas classics in Welsh and it was a lovely opportunity to all share our love of Welsh. Huge thanks to our Welsh coordinator here at Rhos St, Mrs. Lewis, for all her hard work preparing the children in her Welsh-Wednesdays assemblies, and for organising the singalong with our sister school.

Kick It Sports
Kick It Sports are offering a series of four football sessions for Yrs. 1 to 6, at a cost of £18, on the following dates:
• Thu, 16 Jan ’25 3:15pm – 4:30pm
• Thu, 23 Jan ’25 3:15pm – 4:30pm
• Thu, 30 Jan ’25 3:15pm – 4:30pm
• Thu, 6 Feb ’25 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Follow this link for the information video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V3YIROLym63NVdLaPY5up-LCZ8atCEjr/view?usp=drive_link
Follow this link to sign up: https://bookwhen.com/kickitsports

Farewell Sara & Mali
Today brings mixed feelings as Sara, the excellent HLTA from the Yr. 1 class, is leaving us to head to pastures new. Sara has been an invaluable asset to Rhos St School and will be sorely missed. I have no doubt that she will bring same professionalism, positivity and warmth to her new role that has been her modus operandi with us. I’m sure you will join us in wishing Sara the very, very best as she takes the next step in her career.
Very best wishes also to Mali, from Little Acorns, who is moving to a new role out of the area. We are very grateful for all your hard work, professionalism, and support.

Employment Opportunity
We are looking to appoint a suitably qualified Supply Teaching Assistant to work in the infant department from January. All information pertaining to the post can be found on the Denbighshire County Council website by following this link:
https://workfor.denbighshire.gov.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID%3d237336Dt7P%1BUSESSION=821A8CE197638FC1D65AEC5B575EF645&WVID=7576912FL1&LANG=USA
Applications close on 6th of January 2025.

Primary School Menus
Please follow this link to the Denbighshire County Council – Primary Menu page to view forthcoming menus served in our canteen: https://www.denbighshireschoolmeals.co.uk/primary-menus/

Prize Winner
Congratulations to Ryan Killow, who won an Amazon Kindle at the Ysgol Brynhyfryd open evening. Ryan was presented his prize on Monday by Mr. Trefor Jones, the headteacher at Ysgol Brynhyfryd.

Christmas Gifts
Many, many thanks for the extremely generous gifts that staff members have received this week. It is never expected,
but always very much appreciated.

Early-Years Fundraising
A huge thank you to all of our Nursey and Reception parents and carers for all their fantastic support of this month’s early-years fundraising. Between the Christmas-craft mornings and sponsored walk over £1632 has been raised for the children.

Piano Recital

No certificates this week, as our service was a festive Christmas singalong. Poppy rounded off proceedings perfectly with a lovely piano rendition of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Weekly Wellbeing
This week’s wellbeing is from the mental-health charity Mind and outlines the lessons we can all derive from that festive-staple, the Christmas tree.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Rhos St School.

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

As the clock ticks down on the autumn term, it’s great to see all the children and staff embracing the festive season, even me, in my role Rhos St’s arch-Grinch, is starting to succumb. Following on from the success of last week’s Christmas performances this week has seen two great visits to the reindeer farm and the Christmas-craft machine getting up to full speed with snowflakes, Christmas cards and festive bunting erupting from every classroom. Just one week to go before we close our doors for the Christmas holidays…not that we’re counting.

Reindeer Farm
We had fantastic visits to the North Hill Reindeer Farm on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The weather was dry, if a little chilly, and everyone had a wonderful time in the Christmas-tree maze, toasting marshmallows and feeding the reindeer. A huge thank you to Dom and Si for looking after us so well, to our very own Emma for organising it all so expertly, and to the, always brilliant, Rhos St PTA for subsidising the visit. There will be pictures aplenty of the visit on our Rhos St Flickr account coming soon…

Christmas Singing at Tesco

Our fab Rhos St choir headed off as far as Tesco on Tuesday to sing some well-known Christmas classics and favourite songs from our Panto Pandemonium show. The children had a lovely response from the shoppers and lent a wonderful Christmassy air to the place. Thank you to Miss. Davies, and Rachel, from Denbighshire Music Cooperative, for giving up their own time to practise with the children and for taking them on the day.

Tree Planting
Ellie, Denbighshire’s biodiversity officer, and Denbighshire Countryside Services staff have been working with groups of children this week planting trees around the school site. The children had a fantastic time and really enjoyed helping to increase the biodiversity of our school.

Urdd Sports Club

Please see the flyer attached for the Urdd Sports Club scheduled to begin in February 2025. Scan the QR Code of follow this link to book a place on the course:
Urdd – Gweithgareddau

Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day

Many thanks for the wonderful response to our Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day yesterday. The children looked great in their festive jumpers and over £150 was raised to support the incredibly valuable work conducted by Save the Children all over the world. One more Christmas Jumper day to go on, Friday 20th of December.

Kick It Sports
Kick It Sports are offering a series of four football sessions for Yrs. 1 to 6, at a cost of £18, on the following dates:
• Thu, 16 Jan ’25 3:15pm – 4:30pm
• Thu, 23 Jan ’25 3:15pm – 4:30pm
• Thu, 30 Jan ’25 3:15pm – 4:30pm
• Thu, 6 Feb ’25 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Follow this link for the information video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V3YIROLym63NVdLaPY5up-LCZ8atCEjr/view?usp=drive_link
Follow this link to sign up: https://bookwhen.com/kickitsports

A Very Special Visitor
It was wonderful to welcome Santa to Rhos St school yesterday. The great man must have heard that it was Rhos St’s Christmas jumper day and Christmas dinner day on Thursday and took the opportunity of all that ‘Christmassyness’ to make a magical appearance. Santa was helped by some of the Yr. 6 Elves to give out gifts to all the children and to keep abreast of how the naughty and nice list was shaping up (apparently it’s coal again for me this year). Huge thanks to the PTA for providing Santa with some of the gifts and to Santa himself for taking time out of his incredibly busy schedule, at this time of year, to come and visit us here at school. Fortunately, as the children of Rhos St had fed his reindeer so well, earlier in the week, his long trip form the North pole whizzed by in a flash.

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

This week has been all about Christmas shows, and it’s been lovely to experience the culmination of all the hard work and preparation that has gone into these performances. The children were amazing and really shone in their roles. Huge thanks to our fabulous Rhos St staff for all of their hard work in preparing the children so well and to our wonderful school community for supporting us at the shows.

Reindeer Farm
Our Reindeer Farm visits are scheduled for Tuesday (Infants) and Wednesday (Juniors) next week. The weather forecast is currently for cold, dry conditions on those days, but may very well change as we get nearer the time. I would request that children come to school on those days in warm clothing and appropriate footwear. A big thank you to the, always brilliant, Rhos St PTA for subsidising the visit.

Christmas Jumpers
We had another fantastic response to our latest Christmas Jumper Day today, the children looked fab in their festive attire.
We have two more Christmas Jumper days scheduled this term.:
Thursday December 12th – Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day (£1 donation to Save the Children)
Friday December 20th – Christmas Jumper Day (end of term)

There is no pressure whatsoever to purchase a Christmas jumper, own clothes on these days are fine. We will also be running our Christmas Jumper Exchange, in the foyer, where jumpers can be swapped; a great way to update your Christmas look for free! Just leave a jumper and take a new one!
Any donations of Christmas jumpers, for the Exchange, are very gratefully received. Just leave your donated jumper on the back of the blue chairs in the foyer.

Platinum Eco Award
It was wonderful this week to receive notification that Rhos St has retained our Platinum Eco School status, validating. the progress, new projects, and ideas that are such a big part of our Eco work at the school. A big thank you to the members of the Eco-Council who shared all they have learned about protecting the environment and nature, through their class work, with the assessor. It was also wonderful to hear how well they enthusiastically communicated their many fantastic ideas for taking positive environmental action for the year ahead. Huge thanks also to Mrs. Davies for all her work with the Eco Council and in leading us, as a school, so successfully on our eco journey.

Disabled Access
It has been reported to me that we sadly still have some car-park users inappropriately using the disabled parking bays, which has led to some blue-badge holders being unable to access the disabled-access spaces at the end of the day. This has caused considerable issues for those with genuine disabilities in accessing the school. The disabled-access spaces are for blue-badge holders only and should not be used by any other car-park user. I would request that all car-park users respect the signage and designation of areas, both inside and adjacent to the school car park, to ensure that those members of our school community who genuinely require priority parking are able to access it. Many thanks, in advance, for your help and support with this extremely important issue.

Cast / Event Photos
Many thanks everyone who purchased cast / event photos following our fantastic Christmas events and shows this week. I will be emailing them out shortly.

Urdd Sports Club
Please see the flyer attached for the Urdd Sports Club scheduled to begin in February 2025. Scan the QR Code of follow this link to book a place on the course:
Urdd – Gweithgareddau

Weekly Wellbeing

Our service this morning was all about the power and importance of gratitude. This quote is from Eckhart Tolle, the German-born spiritual teacher and self-help author, and reminds us about the psotive power in recognising and celebrating the good things in our lives.

Achievers
Classes from Yr. R to 6 were recognised for their brilliant Christmas performances this week. Alice, Albie and Maya were recognised for their super efforts and achievements this week. Amelia was recognised for achieving a distinction in her cello examination and Ella shared her trophy for her recent dance competition. Well done to all of our fabulous achievers this week.
Jess performed a wonderful violin recital to round of this morning’s service in the best possible way.

Yours sincerely / Yn Gywir

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

The Rhos St Christmas-show machine rumbles inexorably forward and we are all very excited to be on the brink sharing all the hard work and preparation that has taken place over the last few weeks with you all next week. Tickets have been selling very well, so please get in touch with the school office if you haven’t managed to get yours yet. We are also in the process of taking posed cast photos which will be available for sale at each performance.

Attendance
Good school attendance is key to helping children have the best possible start in life, to support and maximise their potential learning opportunities. There is clear evidence which links educational achievement to good school attendance. Rhos St School is determined to provide the best education to the children they serve. In recognition that school attendance and attainment are strongly linked a robust attendance procedure has been developed to support pupils learning. Please see the attached: Improving School Attendance information from the Welsh Assembly Government which outlines the importance of school attendance and the policy and procedures that support good attendance.

STATUTORY FRAMEWORK
The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him/her to receive efficient full-time education suitable to his /her age, aptitude, and ability and to any additional needs he/she may have either regular attendance at school or otherwise. A pupil is required to attend regularly at the school where they are registered as a pupil.

Furthermore, Section 444 states that:
“If a child of compulsory school age who is a registered pupil at a school fails to attend regularly at the school, his parent is guilty of an offence.”

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/56/section/444

Rhos St will use a variety of strategies to intervene at an early stage to encourage improved attendance of individual pupils and assist to overcome any barriers that may be preventing the expected level of attendance. Persistent absence in Wales is set at below 90 % all pupils below this level are a concern for school and will require monitoring and intervention. The use of school attendance data and coding of pupils is fundamental to tracking and monitoring pupil and school performance. Strategies to improve a pupil’s attendance may be school-based or involve joint working with other education services and partner agencies to ensure the most appropriate support for the pupil is in place supported by the parent/ carer.

Welsh Government in December 2023 changed the threshold for a pupil being persistently absent from previously being any pupils whose attendance was below 80% to those whose attendance is below 90%. This increased expectation underlines the importance attached to regular school attendance and the need for local authorities, schools, and families to work together to achieve this outcome.

Belonging, Engaging, Participation Guidance Welsh Government Guidance 293/ 2023

Christmas Tickets
Tickets are still available for our Christmas performances:

3rd December Christmas Fun with the Early Years (Yrs. N & R) 9.30am – 10.30am
4th December The Nativity – Matinee (Yrs. 1 & 2)
The Nativity – Evening (Yrs. 1 & 2) 1.30pm – 2.30pm
5.30pm – 6.30pm
5th December Christmas Fun with the Early Years (Yrs. N & R)
Panto Pandemonium – Matinee (Yrs. 3, 4, 5 & 6)
Panto Pandemonium – Evening (Yrs. 3, 4, 5 & 6) 9.30am – 10.30am
1.30pm – 2.30pm
5.30pm – 6.30pm

In order to adhere to fire regulations two tickets per-performance will be available to purchase, from the school office, per-family. Nativity and Panto Pandemonium tickets cost £2.50 per ticket, Christmas Fun with the Early Years cost £5, as there is a craft element and refreshments are provided at the event. For safety reasons there will be strictly no ‘on-the-door’ access to any of the shows without the appropriate ticket.
Additional tickets are now on sale, subject to availability, from the school office. Due to the anticipated limited number of additional tickets, only two additional tickets per-performance per-family will be available. Any subsequently remaining tickets will be available for sale on the day before the individual performance.
Tickets can be purchased directly from the school office, or a clearly labelled envelope, with payment, your child’s name, class, and the performance/s for which the tickets are required, can be sent in with your child.
Cast photos will be available to view and purchase on the day of the Early Years, Infant Nativity and Junior Panto Pandemonium performances.

Size of Wales
Yrs. 3 & 4 had a very informative and enjoyable time on Monday in their deforestation workshop, linked to their topics. They learned all about the damage cause by deforestation and what we can do to help preserve our wildlife and wild spaces.

Christmas Jumpers
Many thanks to everyone for the fantastic response to our PTA Christmas Jumpers for Chocolate Day yesterday. The children looked fantastic in their finery and a huge mountain of chocolate was kindly donated to the PTA Christmas Fair.
We have three more Christmas Jumper Days scheduled this term:
• Friday December 6th – Christmas Jumper Day (scheduled to avoid our Christmas shows)
• Thursday December 12th – Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day (£1 donation to Save the Children)
• Friday December 20th – Christmas Jumper Day (end of term)

There is no pressure whatsoever to purchase a Christmas jumper, own clothes on these days are fine. We will also be running our Christmas Jumper Exchange, in the foyer, where jumpers can be swapped; a great way to update your Christmas look for free! Just leave a jumper and take a new one!
Any donations of Christmas jumpers, for the Exchange, are very gratefully received. Just leave your donated jumper on the back of the blue chairs in the foyer.

Christmas Fair
A huge thank you to our, always brilliant, Rhos St PTA for organising such an enjoyable festive event yesterday. The school hall was transformed into a Christmas Wonderland of stalls, activities, and games. Many thanks to all the members of the PTA, parent volunteers and staff members who gave up their time to run the event. Thank you also to parents, carers, family, and friends who came along to support us in such numbers. The Christmas Fair raised a fantastic £1281.48 which will be used to provide enrichment activities for the children of the school.

Name the Elf
I had very mixed feelings yesterday when I discovered that the two giant elves, that had been hanging round my office, had finally found their new homes. They have definitely been getting in the way somewhat and have been caught making themselves at home on more than one occasion. But they did add a wonderful Christmassy ambience to the place, which I’m sure that they will take with them as they take up their new residence with the winners of the PTA Name the Elf competition Eva and Toby. Well done to them both. Huge thanks also
to Emily Jackson, who so kindly donated one of the elves to the PTA.

Raffle Prizes
Please see below the list of our PTA Christmas Raffle winners. Thank you so much to the members of the school and local community who so kindly donated the fantastic prizes, and to everyone who purchased a ticket. The prizes can be collected from the school office.

Prize Ticket Number Winner
Wine Vaults Gallon of beer 1115 Noa Swan
Jay Reigns recording session 0983 Justya Kupins
Ruthin Castle sparkling afternoon tea for 2 0332 Elle Rowlands
Union Wrestling Dec 28th tickets x 4 1250 Rayne Jones
Union Wrestling Dec 28th tickets x 4 1648 Jayne Williams
Park Place 3 mystery prize 0751 Jess Geddes
Park Place 3 mystery prize 0763 Mal
Park Place 3 mystery prize 0431 Emma H
Vale Golf Centre voucher 0752 Jess Geddes
The Pet Sitter Ruthin £30 voucher for Farm & Pet Place 1058 Eden Jones
Handmade by Nanny dinosaur teddy 0078 Gareth Edwards
Asudres Bar cocktails for 4 people 0781 Reece Jones
Kellogg’s Cereal hamper 1033 Rhian S&L
Pop Ins, 2 hours domestic 1640 Linda Jones – Corwen
Automark dash cam 1759 Junior
Automark dash cam 0392 Nicola Brown
Automark dash cam 1726 Natalie Davies
Automark dash cam 0382 Elianna Bett
MKM £50 Amazon 0806 Kathy- Ellie Sandbrook
MKM echo dot 1650 Jayne Williams
Llanbenwch £10 voucher 1080 Emma Taylor
Bartley’s Tyres £30 voucher 0483 Thea Littler-Healey
Bartley’s Tyres £30 voucher 0540 Isla Wilson-Pickles
Splash-N-Dash Valeting Free Mini Valet 1074 G Liddy
CJ Valeting Exterior Valet 0183 Lesley- Mia & Esme
Tesco Vera Wang perfume 1013 Kara Astbury
Tesco Wine 1036 Deanne
Leyland Arms Sunday lunch for 2 0537 Isla Wilson Pickles
Shorecliffe 3 day first aid course 0185 Lesley-Mia & Esme
Port 0912 Hannah Vallance
Fizzy Wine 0967 Louise Thew

Influenza Vaccinations
Please can all flu-vaccination forms be returned to school as soon as possible please. The vaccinations are scheduled for the Reception to Yr. 6 classes on December 13th.

Urdd Sports Club
Please see the flyer attached for the Urdd Sports Club scheduled to begin in February 2025.
Scan the QR Code of follow this link to book a place on the course: Urdd – Gweithgareddau

Weekly Wellbeing
This week’s wellbeing quote is from Oscar Fingal O’Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. This quote helps to remind us of the positive side of the long nights and cold weather:

“Wisdom comes with winters.”

Oscar Wilde

Achievers
This week’s fantastic achievers are: Henry, Myah, Arlo, Teddy, Elsie, Eden, Chloe, Elliot, Freya, Daisy, Daniel, Rupert, Kai and Kiara. Sebastian and Cecily shared their badminton certificates and Jess shared her gymnastic medals. Very well done to this week’s amazing achievers.

Yours sincerely / Yn Gywir

Andrew Davis, Headteacher / Pennaeth

Dear Parents and Carers / Annwyl Rieni a Gwarchodwyr,

Even a weather obsessive, such as myself, has never looked at the Met Office site so often as we have tentatively navigated our way thought the unravelling complexity of this week’s wintry offerings. The children on the residential to Pentrellyncymmer were greeted by a winter wonderland on their arrival at the centre and have had a magical experience in the mountains. It’s also been lovely this week to see the children who remained at Rhos St enjoying the snow together.

Book Café
Mrs. Bourne is extremely keen to run another of our fantastic book cafés this term. We have lots of picture books and books for grown-ups but would really love some junior-age-appropriate books for the café. If you have any suitable books to donate, please bring them in to the school office.

Stroke Association Fundraising
Poppy Davies, from our Yr. 6 class, completed her 4th swim on Thursday night for the Stroke Association. So far, she has completed 126 lengths and raised £545 + £101.25 in gift aid.
Poppy’s original target was 100 lengths in a month and to raise £500 by 15th of
December, so she’s smashed both targets!
You can follow the link below to support Poppy for this very worthwhile, and personal, cause: https://www.justgiving.com/page/angela-davies-1730807939734?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fangela-davies-1730807939734&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share

Appointment Cards
As part of our important work in promoting positive attendance at school I would request that all medical appointments, requiring absence from school, are supported by the appropriate appointment letter. In cases where an appointment letter is not available an appointment slip can be obtained from the main school office which can then be stamped by a medical professional and returned to school to enable us to authorise the absence. Unfortunately, any absences which are not supported by an appointment letter or stamped appointment slip may be recorded as unauthorised. Many thanks for your help regarding this important matter.

Pentrellyncymmer Residential
We returned this afternoon from our residential visit to Pentrellyncymmer. The children had an amazing time and were lucky enough to experience some wonderful, snowy adventures making memories which, I’m sure will last a lifetime. I’m so grateful to the children, who were praised by the bus driver and the centre staff, for their great attitude and behaviour. Huge thanks also needs to go to Miss. Davies, Miss. Price, and Emma who freely gave up their time to allow the children to have these fantastic experiences. Thank you also to parents and carers for supporting the visit. The stunning photos of the residential will available to view soon on our school’s Flickr account.

Christmas Tickets
Tickets will be going on sale from today for this year’s Rhos St Christmas performances:

3rd December Christmas Fun with the Early Years (Yrs. N & R) 9.30am – 10.30am
4th December The Nativity – Matinee (Yrs. 1 & 2)
The Nativity – Evening (Yrs. 1 & 2) 1.30pm – 2.30pm
5.30pm – 6.30pm
5th December Christmas Fun with the Early Years (Yrs. N & R)
Panto Pandemonium – Matinee (Yrs. 3, 4, 5 & 6)
Panto Pandemonium – Evening (Yrs. 3, 4, 5 & 6) 9.30am – 10.30am
1.30pm – 2.30pm
5.30pm – 6.30pm

In order to adhere to fire regulations two tickets per-performance will be available to purchase, from the school office, per-family. Nativity and Panto Pandemonium tickets cost £2.50 per ticket, Christmas Fun with the Early Years cost £5, as there is a craft element and refreshments are provided at the event.
Additional tickets will be on sale, subject to availability, from the school office from November 29th. Due to the anticipated limited number of additional tickets, only two additional tickets per-performance per-family will be available. Any subsequently remaining tickets will be available for sale on the day before the individual performance.
Tickets can be purchased directly from the school office, or a clearly labelled envelope, with payment, your child’s name, class, and the performance/s for which the tickets are required, can be sent in with your child.
Cast photos will be available to view and purchase on the day of the Infant Nativity and Junior Panto Pandemonium performances.

Weekly Wellbeing
In the week that we have been enjoying the many pleasures and benefits of getting outside this quote is from John Muir. Also known as “John of the Mountains” and “Father of the National Parks”, he was a Scottish-born American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, botanist, zoologist, glaciologist, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States
“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”