WHAT'S NEW AT PENYGAWSI?

• Water Update

  Tue 03 Feb 2026

  Dear Parents and Carers,

   

  Thank you for your support and patience over the last 48 hours, it has been greatly appreciated.

   

  I am pleased to let you know that tomorrow’s lunchtime menu will return to normal, including jacket potatoes. We now have access to water for handwashing, and hand sanitiser will also be available throughout the school.

   

  At the moment, we do not have filtered drinking water available from the water fountains. Please can I kindly ask that all children bring a full water bottle to school until further notice. If your child finishes their bottle during the day, we have plenty of bottled water available and are able to refill it as needed. Bottled water will also be provided at lunchtime and during Breakfast Club.

   

  The side gate to the Key Stage 2 yard will be open as normal at the end of the school day for collection.

   

  Thank you again for your continued support. I will provide a further update later this week when I have more information regarding the drinking water supply.

   

  Kind regards,

  Mrs Black

• Important Update – Water Supply Issue on School Grounds

  Mon 02 Feb 2026

  Dear Parents and Carers,

  I am writing to inform you that unfortunately we are currently experiencing an issue with the water supply on the school grounds. As a result, there will need to be some amendments to our usual arrangements tomorrow.

  Please note that school and Breakfast Club will remain open as normal.

  Drinking Water

  • Children will be provided with bottled water throughout the day.
  • We strongly recommend that pupils bring their own filled water bottles to school, as this will help us manage supplies more effectively.
  • If children finish their own water, bottled water will be available.

  Lunchtime Arrangements

  Due to restrictions on food preparation:

  • There will be an alternative menu tomorrow.
  • A single hot meal will be available for all pupils, including a vegetarian option.
  • We will not know the exact meal options until pupils arrive in school.
  • Jacket potatoes will NOT be available tomorrow.
  • If your child may not like limited choices, we advise sending a packed lunch.

  Breakfast Club

  • Breakfast Club will offer cereals only tomorrow.
  • Toast will not be available.

  Toilets and Hygiene

  • Toilets remain fully operational as they run from a separate system.
  • Hand sanitiser will be provided for pupils after using the toilet.

  We understand that this situation is inconvenient, but it is unfortunately outside our control. We are working closely with the Local Authority and Robertsons to ensure the school remains open and children’s learning continues with minimal disruption.

  I will update you further about the situation tomorrow.

  Thank you for your understanding and support.

   

  Kind regards,

  
  Mrs Black
  Acting Headteacher

• Important Weather Update

  Thu 08 Jan 2026

  The weather forecast for tonight is unpredictable, but at the moment, school will be open as normal tomorrow.

  If we experience snow overnight, a risk assessment will be carried out early in the morning, and decisions will be made based on the safety of pupils and staff. Possible scenarios include:

  • School open as normal
  • No Breakfast Club, but school open from 9:00am
  • Later start or partial opening
  • Full school closure

  These decisions will be made in consultation with the Chair of Governors and will prioritise health and safety.

  Any changes to the normal school day will be posted here by 7:00am and announced via MCAS. If you do not receive an update, please assume school is open as usual.

  Thank you for your understanding and support.

• Winter Months

  Fri 02 Jan 2026

  I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and I would like to wish you a very happy and healthy New Year.
  
  As we move into the winter months, the weather forecast suggests that conditions may become more changeable and unpredictable over the coming weeks. Should there be any likelihood of snow or ice, and if this results in changes to the school day or a potential closure, we will keep you informed via this website and the MCAS app.
  
  During this time of year, it is also important that all pupils come to school dressed appropriately for the colder weather. Please ensure that children have a warm, waterproof winter coat each day, along with hats, gloves and scarves where needed. Pupils will continue to go outdoors for dry playtimes and outdoor learning wherever possible, and suitable clothing will help ensure they remain warm, comfortable and able to enjoy these experiences safely.
  
  Please ensure that you are registered on MCAS so you can receive the latest updates promptly, and continue to check the 'Latest News' section of the website regularly. I would also encourage all families to familiarise themselves with our Snow and Ice Policy, which outlines the procedures we follow during periods of severe weather.
  
  It is important to note that in certain circumstances we may need to close the school early or cancel breakfast club/after-school clubs. We therefore ask that you are aware of our protocols and have suitable alternative arrangements in place, should these be needed, so that pupils and staff are also able to leave site safely and in good time.
  
  As always, we will do our very best to keep you informed as early as possible. However, to ensure you do not miss any important announcements, please register with MCAS if you have not already done so. Moving forward, we will no longer be using the text messaging service, and all communications will be shared via MCAS and the website.
  
  Finally, a reminder that Monday is an INSET day. We look forward to welcoming all children back to school at 8:50am on Tuesday 6th January.
   

• Community Vaccinations

  Tue 16 Dec 2025

  Children who missed the school flu vaccination programme can still receive their flu vaccine at one of the six Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs).

   

  Drop-in sessions are available:

   

  When: Monday to Friday, 3:30pm – 4:30pm

  Where: Any of our six CVCs. Locations and opening times are available on our website.

   

  Parents/guardians do not need an appointment – they can simply call in during these times.

   

  Letters are also being sent to families with unvaccinated children, inviting them to attend a CVC for a flu vaccination. However, if they would like their child vaccinated sooner, they are welcome to use the drop-in sessions.

   

• It Takes a Village

  Fri 05 Dec 2025

  Flu season has started earlier this year, and we’re already seeing more illness in our communities. This puts extra pressure on health and care services. Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect your child, your family, and others from flu.

   

  On Monday, 1 December, the Flu Vaccination Toolkit – It Takes a Village went live on the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board’s social media channels and website. This resource was created in partnership with the Community Working Group for Vaccination and Health Protection, showing the strength of working together across our region.

   

  What can parents do?

  • Book your child’s flu vaccination today through your GP or local pharmacy (if you didn't have it in school)
  • Share the toolkit messages with friends and family to help keep our community safe.

  👉 Access the toolkit here:Toolkit Link

• What an Amazing Day at Penygawsi!

  Fri 05 Dec 2025

   

  Yesterday was truly magical! We started the day with the fantastic panto Elfish Mishmash, which had everyone laughing and singing along. Then, in the afternoon, we kept the festive spirit alive with our Sponsored Elf Run. The buzz around the school was incredible, and it was wonderful to see everyone embracing the Christmas spirit!

   

  A huge thank you to our amazing PTA for funding the panto this year, it was such a treat for the children. We also want to thank everyone who has already sent in their sponsored money. We’ve raised an incredible amount so far!

   

  If you still have any remaining sponsorship money, please send it into school by Monday, 8th December, so we can announce our grand total.

   

  We can’t wait to see you all next week for our Christmas concerts, it’s going to be another week of special celebrations!

• MCAS PARENT APP

  Thu 04 Dec 2025

   

   

  MyChildAtSchool (MCAS) Self Sign Up Guide

   

  Helpful video here - How to Install and Activate the My Child at School (MCAS) App - Parent Guide

  STEP 1: You can access the Parent Login screen in two ways:

  1. Visit www.mychildatschool.com on a web browser to open the Parent Login screen. 2. Download the MyChildAtSchool mobile phone app from the app store.

  STEP 2: On the Parent Login screen, follow these steps:

  o Click on the Sign-Up link in the Parent Login screen.

  o Enter the school’s Postcode – CF72 8PZ or School ID - 16323.

  o Select the school from the list in the dropdown.

  o Click Continue.

  o Enter the email address you have registered with the school (if your email address isn’t recognised, please contact admin@penygawsiprimary.rctcbc.cymru).

  o Click Sign Up.

  Once you’ve completed the Sign-Up process, you will see this message: ‘To complete your registration, we have sent an email to the email address you provided. Please access your email and follow the steps to create your password’.

  STEP 3: You will then receive an email from MyChildAtSchool with a link to a one-time passcode. Follow these steps:

  • Click on the link for the one time passcode.
  • Enter the one time passcode.
  • Click Verify.

  STEP 4: Once the one time passcode has been verified, you will be prompted to enter a password:

  • Enter Password.
  • Confirm Password (by re-entering the same Password).
  • Click Create Password.

  STEP 5: Once you have created a password, you can log into your MCAS account via the app or by  visiting www.mychildatschool.com on a web browser. 

   

   

  You can change or reset your password at any time by clicking on Forgot Password.

   

   

  If you already have the MCAS app

   

  If you have the app already, please click on your child’s name at the top of the app, then click on the log in at the bottom, enter the same email address used, then click on the activate button, enter our school postcode CF72 8PZ or ID number - 16323

   

  Once activated, you can change schools on the drop down in the app by switching accounts.

   

• Elf Run Tomorrow – Important Information

  Wed 03 Dec 2025

  We’re excited to remind you that our Elf Run will take place tomorrow as part of the school day!

  • Sponsorship: If you do not wish to collect sponsorship money or are not in a position to do so, that is absolutely fine. However, as this is a school activity, all children will be encouraged to participate unless you have informed us otherwise.

  • Special Guest: We have a very special guest joining us to start the Elf Run! They will also be delivering Christmas presents to all classes, thanks to the incredible support of our PTA.

  • Thank You to Our PTA:

    • For purchasing the class Christmas presents.
    • For funding the pantomime for all children from Year 1 to Year 6 tomorrow.
    • For contributing towards the Nursery and Reception trip to visit Santa.

  A huge thank you to our PTA for making these festive experiences possible for our children!

  We’re looking forward to a fun and memorable day for everyone.

• E-scooters

  Wed 19 Nov 2025

  Dear Parents/Carers,

  It is so nice to see so many children getting active in the morning and travelling to school by walking, riding a bike, or using a scooter. It is lovely to see the bike parking station full with bikes and scooters on a daily basis.

  However, it has been brought to my attention that some children are travelling to school on e-scooters, which are illegal to use on public roads and pavements. Please read the important information below:

  • It is illegal to use privately owned e-scooters on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes, or parks.
  • Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, e-scooters are classified as motor vehicles. This means they would require:
    • Insurance
    • Tax
    • Registration
    • Lights
    • Compliance with construction standards
      Most e-scooters cannot meet these requirements.
  • They can only be ridden on private land with the landowner’s permission.

  Riding a private e-scooter in public can result in:

  • A £300 fine
  • 6 penalty points on your driving licence
  • Seizure of the scooter by police

  If your child is travelling to school on a bike or a regular scooter, please ensure they are wearing a helmet for their safety.

  Thank you for your support in keeping our children safe. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

  Kind regards,
  Mrs Black

  Acting Headteacher