WHAT'S NEW AT PENYGAWSI?

• VE Day Menu Friday 8th May 2026

  Wed 15 Apr 2026

  Pre‑ordering Main Meal & Dessert Options

   

  To support an efficient service, we will be sending a form out fo for you to complete ensure that all pupils pre‑order their main meal and dessert. Pre‑ordering is essential for this menu.

   

  Please look out for the form that will be send via MCAS.

   

   

  

• Pipyn - Health Happy Families

  Mon 13 Apr 2026

  We are thrilled to be hosting our first PIPYN workshop for families starting 15/04/2026.

  Sign up via is link to join in with some hands on free fun with your child/ children.

   

  https://forms.office.com/e/ZjD6cqBjRr

   

  Please select TBC Wednesday afternoon if our school is not named on the form.

  Sessions will run from 2pm starting Wednesday 15th April and will run for 5 weeks.

   

  More information can we seen here - 

  https://ctmuhb.nhs.wales/services/public-health-dietitians/pipyn/

   

  We look forward to seeing you 

  

• Mini Police Project

  Thu 26 Mar 2026

  We have recently developed a strong relationship with our local PCSOs, and we are delighted that they have offered to run the Mini Police project at Penygawsi after Easter. The programme will be available for eight pupils in Year 4 or Year 5.

  If your child is interested in a future career in the police force or in the prison service, this could be a fantastic opportunity for them. If you would like your child to take part, please click the link below and complete the form together by Monday 13th of April.

  If we receive more than eight applications, we will read through all the manifestos and select the eight that we feel are the strongest.

   

  Mini Police Project – Fill in form

   

  What is the Mini Police?

  The Mini Police is a volunteer engagement scheme for children aged 8–11. It provides a fun and educational way for pupils to build positive relationships with the police from an early age, while also encouraging them to take an active role in their community.

   

  Activities and Learning

  Police officers and PCSOs visit schools throughout the summer term, to deliver sessions on topics such as online safety, healthy relationships, and community awareness. 

   

   

• Opportunity for a Young Pianist 🎹

  Wed 04 Mar 2026

  Does your child have piano lessons?
  Do they enjoy music and show a real passion for learning?
  Would they love to learn to play the piano but don’t currently have one at home?

   

  We have received a wonderful and very generous offer from a member of the community who would like to donate a baby grand piano to a child who has a genuine love of music. This beautiful instrument needs to go to a young person who will cherish it, use it, and look after it as both a musical tool and a lovely piece of furniture.

   

  If you feel your child would truly benefit from this special opportunity, and you are genuinely interested, please contact the office for more information.

  

• Updated Pick-Up Procedures for the End of the School Day

  Wed 04 Mar 2026

  Following a review of how pupils are released at the end of the school day, particularly those with siblings, we have made some changes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children. We have taken into account the size of the areas pupils are leaving from and the number of families collecting at the same time.

  From Monday 9th March, the following procedures will be in place:

  Foundation Phase & Downstairs Classes

  Pupils in any downstairs classroom will now be collected directly from their classroom doors.

  Key Stage 2

  All Key Stage 2 pupils will be released from, and collected on, the Key Stage 2 yard.

  Example for families with siblings

  If you have a child in Miss Morris’ class and another in Miss Tuckwood’s class:

  • Enter through the Foundation Phase gate.
  • Walk through the Foundation Phase yard and around the side of the building to the back.
  • Collect your younger child (e.g., Miss Morris’ class) first, directly from the classroom door.
  • Then walk across the Key Stage 2 yard to collect older siblings.

  Please make sure the youngest child is collected first.

  These changes have been made to prioritise pupil safety and to help ease congestion at the end of the day.

  A map showing the correct routes and classroom doors for downstairs classes has been attached for your reference.

  Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.

  

• St David's Day Menu

  Mon 23 Feb 2026

  🌼 St David’s Day Menu Information for Parents 🌼

   

  We’re looking forward to celebrating St David’s Day with a special themed menu for the children! Please take a moment to read the important information below to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely for all pupils.

   

  🥕 Allergen & Dietary Information

  The Primary St David’s Day menu includes vegan options and provides full allergen information, clearly highlighting all 14 major allergens. 

   

  🥔 Jacket Potatoes

  Please note that jacket potatoes will not be available on the themed day. Due to staffing pressures and limited oven capacity on what is always a very busy day, we are unable to offer this option.

  If your child does not wish to choose the themed meal, we kindly ask that they bring a packed lunch from home.

   

  📋 Medically Prescribed Diets & Resolve Registration

  If your child requires a medically prescribed diet, they must be registered on Resolve. This is particularly important for pupils who do not usually have a school lunch but may wish to take part in the themed meal. Registration ensures our kitchen staff can prepare meals safely and appropriately.

   

  Thank you, as always, for your support in helping us keep all of our children safe while still enjoying these special occasions together. 🌼

  

• Spring 2

  Sun 22 Feb 2026

  We hope you all had a wonderful half‑term break, and we are excited to welcome you back to school tomorrow for what promises to be a busy and enjoyable half term. We will begin with Welsh Week in the lead‑up to our Eisteddfod to celebrate St David’s Day, followed by World Book Day and our new event, Prynhawn Teulu Eisteddfod.

   

  On Thursday 26th of February, the photographer will be in school to take St David’s Day photos. Pupils are invited to wear traditional Welsh costumes or a Welsh top. Please note that school trousers or skirts must be worn with Welsh tops—own clothes should not be worn.

   

  Later in the term, we will also be holding our Parent Progress Meetings. Appointment slots will be available to book on MCAS soon.

• PCSO Visit

  Mon 09 Feb 2026

  On Friday 13th February, our local PCSOs will be visiting Penygawsi to introduce themselves to our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils. This visit will give them the chance to explain their role, answer questions, and begin building positive relationships with the children in our community.

  They will also be sharing important messages about staying safe, understanding who to turn to for help, and how they work with schools to support the wellbeing of young people.

  We are looking forward to strengthening our relationship with the PCSOs and hope to welcome them back for future events and activities here at Penygawsi Primary School.

• Water Supply Update

  Fri 06 Feb 2026

  The current water issue affecting the school has not yet been resolved. We will therefore continue to provide bottled water for all children to drink. Hand sanitiser will also be encouraged after handwashing on Monday to ensure good hygiene throughout the school day.

  I will share a further update at the beginning of next week, or sooner if the situation changes.

  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

  Mrs Black

• Community Safety Update

  Wed 04 Feb 2026

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  Following recent conversations with South Wales Police, I wanted to share some important information to ensure everyone is aware that the police are monitoring reports of suspicious activity in the vicinity of the Penygawsi estate. 

   

  As many of our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils walk to and from school independently, we felt it was important to make you aware of the situation so that you can decide whether you still feel confident allowing your child to walk unaccompanied at this time.

   

  The police have requested that if you witness any suspicious activity, you contact 101 and report it immediately. The more concerns that are reported, the more action can be taken.

   

  South Wales Police have also recommended that families sign up to South Wales Listens if they would like to stay informed.  South Wales Listens is a community messaging service run by South Wales Police that provides local updates, safety information, incident alerts, and advice directly to residents. By signing up, you can receive timely information about what is happening in the local area and how the police are responding.  If you would like to join South Wales Listens, please complete the Microsoft Form by clicking on the link below, by no later than midday Thursday 12th of February. We will then share your details with our local police officers, who will add you to the system.

  https://forms.office.com/e/6CpmfSd41C

   

  In the meantime, you may notice an increased presence of PCSOs and police officers around the school. They are working closely with the school and local residents to ensure the safety of our children and the wider community.

   

  I am also working with our local PCSOs to arrange a date for them to visit the school. This will give them an opportunity to introduce themselves to the children, explain their role, and talk about how pupils can seek help if they ever feel unsafe when out and about.

   

  Thank you for your continued support in helping us keep all members of our school community safe.

   

  Kind regards,
  Mrs Black
  Acting Headteacher