Friday 30 December 2016

New Year = New Beginnings

A newsletter from Mrs .Edwards:

New Year = New Beginnings J

I am so pleased to be joining you all and adding to the success that everyone has achieved already alongside Mr Sullivan. I have many ideas that I want to introduce to our school community, which I will share with you all as the Spring term develops.

My main aim is to work with parents to ensure your child receives an outstanding education, which will remain broad and balanced giving your child a wealth of experiences.

During the next few months I will take time to meet/communicate with everyone involved with Abercanaid Community School to ensure I introduce the right initiatives to drive our school forward.

As a headteacher, I am very open and I value opinions and suggestions. I very much want to develop further the ethos of Abercanaid as a Community School. I am excited to be joining and working alongside you all. I firmly believe that happy children learn and this will always be at the forefront of any decisions made.

I hope you have all had a happy Christmas with many happy memories and are ready for 2017 and our new beginning. To help me with my first week, I would be really pleased if you could chat with your child on New Year resolutions. These could be personal or linked to school. If they could bring one thought to school, I will then collect them all next week and use them throughout the year.

Enjoy the New Year celebrations and I’ll see you all next Tuesday 3rd January 2017.

Excellence for everyone, success for all

Mrs J W Edwards.


The school will reopen Tuesday 3rd January for all pupils. 


End of an Era

The end of the Autumn Term saw us say goodbye to Mr. Thomas, who has moved into a new career, as well as Mr. Sullivan, who is retiring. We'd like to wish them all the best and look forward to them visiting us in the future.



Friday 9 December 2016

Christmas Concerts

A massive thank you to everyone who came along to watch our fantastic Christmas Concerts: Mend the Manger and Alice in Wonderland.

The children were a credit to the school and we are so so proud of them for how hard they worked and how well they performed in each of the shows!

DVDs of both shows will be available some time in the new year.




Monday 21 November 2016


Snow Procedures

With the possibility of snow in the coming weeks we would like to remind parents of our school closure procedures.

Our aim is for the school to remain open during snowy periods unless weather conditions make it unsafe for children, parents and/or staff to travel to and from the school. 

If the school is to be closed on any given day this website will be updated immediately. 
Decisions will be made before 7:30am.

School closures will also be updated on the official Merthyr Schools Closures Website here.
Please take extra care when approaching the school either on foot or in cars during icy conditions.

Sunday 20 November 2016

Children in Need - Mannequin Challenge

Here's our attempt at the Mannequin Challenge:


Children in Need


Friday saw the Year 6s once again organise and run our annual Children in Need fundraising event. They worked incredibly hard all day long to raise money for such a wonderful cause. The whole school had a wonderful time with the children looking fantastic in their costumes. A massive thank you for your incredible generosity in making donations - we raised an incredible £623.36!!! More photos from Friday will be put onto the website this week. 





Thursday 20 October 2016

We had a brilliant harvest celebration! 

Thank you parents for your support and donations for the Food Bank.

Thank teachers and children for your hard work preparing for the harvest assembly!

Well done!




Monday 17 October 2016

Food Standards Agency


FSA Visit

We had an amazing visit from the FSA (Food Standards Agency) last week. They taught us how to stay safe when preparing and storing food. We enjoyed a fantastic show and then some super work shops through the day. 


Here's a photo of the awesome FSA crew, including Megan and also a great shot of the whole school dabbing:


Tuesday 11 October 2016



Reminder...
School Closure - Staff Training Day
Friday 21st October


Monday 3 October 2016


Parent Drop In Update...
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Parent Drop In for the following classes has to be postponed tomorrow.

Class 1 - Mrs J Richards
Class 2 - Miss J Madden
Class 4 - Mrs S Richards

All other classes - drop in will be from 3.30 - 6.00pm.

We will inform you of a new date as soon as possible. 



Saturday 1 October 2016



A brilliant sponsored walk for the juniors with everybody taking part. 
We didn't let the weather dampen our spirits...just our shoes!



Thank you to all our generous sponsors for your donations and for those that are still to come!

Wednesday 28 September 2016


The votes are in and we are pleased to announce our new student councilors!
Well done to everyone who tried!

Tuesday 19 July 2016


Reminder Start - Dates for Autumn Term
1st and 2nd Sept 2016 - School Closed Staff Training

Monday 5th September 2016 - School Starts for Children





Leavers...2016...

Best wishes to our Y6 leavers today... You have been an awesome bunch! Thank you for a great assembly this morning... Have a great disco this evening! All the best for the future... and don't forget to visit! 







Tuesday 5 July 2016

Afon Taf Sports Day

This morning, Mr. Bevan took some of our children along to Afon Taf for their annual sports day for local primary schools. The children competed so, so well and put so much effort and determination into each event and race they took part in. Amazingly, for the first time in Abercanaid history, we won every single trophy! The U9 girls and boys, U11 girls and boys all take medals home tonight and should be proud of their efforts - Mr. Bevan certainly is!

A huge congratulations to Sadie O'Dea too who picked up the well-deserved best girl trophy. What a day!

Friday 1 July 2016

Heatherton - update

5pm coming off M4. Traffic has been very good! Expect to Arrive back at Garages 5:45pm!

Heatherton - Estimated time of arrival home

Just leaving at 3:50pm. Hoping to be back by 5:30pm traffic permitting. Will update again at 5pm. Children to be collected from Garages on way into Abercanaid. Had a great day!!! The children have been awesome!!!

Heatherton

Arrived safe and sound. Going to be home at at 6pm...ish. Will update on this web site when we leave and on the way home!

Friday 17 June 2016


Photos From our Folly Farm Trip - Y1 and Y2
Folly Farm Trip
Nursery and Reception

Unfortunately the bus has broken down on the way to Folly Farm
All children and staff are safe and well...
But at this stage will have to return to school.
We will be rearranging the trip as soon as possible.

Children will be back at school by the end of the school day for collection at normal time - 3.15pm


Monday 13 June 2016


End of Summer Term - Clarification

Leavers Assembly will be on Tuesday 19th July at 10am
School closes for Pupils at normal time on this day.

Wednesday 20th of July is a staff training Day

__________________________

Autumn Term Advanced Notice

Teachers Training Days Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd September

School Opens for Children on Monday 5th September


Thank you.

Friday 10 June 2016

Folly Farm Trip - 
Children have had  wonderful day!!! 
We expect to arrive back by 4pm
Children will be dropped off at the garages on the way into Abercanaid


Home Task - To Infinity and Beyond!!!



Our Y5 Hometask was to make a rocket from recycled materials... the added challenge...
make the rocket move... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!


London Trip 2016

On Wednesday, Year 6 were fortunate to make the annual trip to London to watch the musical Wicked in the Apollo Victoria Theatre. The show was amazing, almost as good as our Christmas production Scrooge! The children's behaviour was impeccable all day - they really did our school and their families proud. We even managed a visit to Buckingham Palace to see the Queen before the show, she wasn't in to say hello, too busy getting ready for her birthday probably! Despite it being a very long day, Year 6 had a great time; please enjoy some photos from the day below:

Wednesday 8 June 2016

London Trip

We're just about leaving the M4 to join the A470 up to Merthyr. Will be at garages in Abercanaid around 10:45pm now hopefully. The children are finally looking tired!

Pick up at Garages

Please note that pick up will be at the Garages on way into Abercanaid.

London Trip

Busy, busy services this evening! Just leaving Membury so should be back at the garages in Abercanaid approx. 10.30pm. Will update again when we hit the A470.

London!

Wicked was...wicked! Back on the bus now, making our way out of London. Will update when we leave the services. 



Y6 Children - Gone to see Wicked in London - Arrived safe and sound... Check back later travel updates.





Sunday 5 June 2016


Hope you have had a good half term break...
Looking forward to a great summer term...
Children and Staff are back on Monday 6th June 
See you tomorrow! 

Friday 20 May 2016


Councillor Harvey Jones - Fundraising for McMillan
Dress Down Friday 29th April 2016



On behalf of Councillor Harvey Jones and Family, and all school staff... Thank you SO much for supporting this worthwhile cause. 

On non uniform day the school raised £238.35 to add to Councillor Jones' total.

Thank you again for your wonderful support! 




Three Abercanaid Pupils Recognised for an awesome Season of Rugby


We are so proud of these boys who have had an excellent season playing for Merthyr RFC Under 11s.  All three are excellent sportsmen who deserve these awards. Including Player of the year! Da iawn! Well done lads!

Tuesday 26 April 2016


THANK YOU!!!
Abercanaid School Mates

A huge thank you to Abercanaid School Mates PTA who have raised money for new play equipment for the infant and Junior playgrounds. 


The School Council have sorted it all out... and it is ready to go! 



Monday 11 April 2016





Monday 11th April  - School Closed to Pupils
Staff Training Day




Wednesday 23 March 2016

Year 6 - Bridge Building

Year 6 were fortunate enough to spend this afternoon bridge building. We had some wonderful engineers in from Griffiths Construction linked to ICE (Institute for Civil Engineers) who helped our own budding engineers build a fully working suspension bridge. The children had a great time working together to build the bridge and were relieved when they were able to walk across it without it collapsing! Please enjoy the photos below:

Monday 7 March 2016



Date reminders This Term

Friday 11th March 2016 - School Closure Teacher's Training
14th  - 18th March 2016 - Science Week
24th March 2016 - World Book Day Celebrations 




Tuesday 1 March 2016


Happy St David's Day - Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!
Well done to Ty Glas for wininng this this year's overall Eisteddfod competition! Ardderchog!


Eisteddfod - Parents Performances
There will be two separate performances of Eisteddfod Songs and poems for parents and grandparents Tomorrow - Wednesday 2nd March...
1:30pm
2:30pm

The performances should last approximately 45 mins and will end 
in time for the end of infant school day. 

Monday 1 February 2016


 1st February 2016

Dear Parents / Guardians,

School’s Response to Categorisation

As a school we are very disappointed with the lack of clarity in reporting the process of national categorisation, which has been widely publicised in the local press over the last week. The purpose of this letter is to respond to any concerns that you may have in light of the school’s current Amber Status.

Firstly, we would like to point out that this is not a comparison of Merthyr Schools. Schools are grouped together depending on the amount of free school meal children who attend, and other socio-economic factors. Our school has very low free school meals by comparison to most Merthyr schools and therefore is not compared against them in this process.  For example:

  • The percentage of children who attained the expected level for the core subjects at the end of KS2 last year at Abercanaid was 91.3% - this is in line with the results of the Green Merthyr schools (nb. one of the green schools scored 84%).
  • Only 2 children with Special Educational Needs at Abercanaid did not attain this level.
  • Abercanaid performed above all but one of the Yellow Merthyr schools at this measure.

It is worth noting due to low Free School Meals - Abercanaid’s grant funding was the lowest in Merthyr - £500 less per pupil than the best funded school in Merthyr in grant funding alone.

The categorisation process is based on raw data. Before Christmas the school governors met with our Challenge Advisor to review teaching and learning at the school, discuss individual children who affect the data and agree the categorisation. This was agreed as Yellow – even though the school’s data suggests otherwise due to the Special Educational Needs of individual pupils. People who know the school recognise that the standard of teaching and learning at the school is good for ALL pupils. 

A moderation committee met at the end of December and downgraded our categorisation to Amber – purely on raw data. Against the recommendation of our Challenge Advisor who knows the school.  This is also out of step with our recent Estyn Inspection which judged standards to be GOOD and ability to improve to be GOOD also.

Abercanaid has always been and will continue to be an inclusive school. We welcome children from our community who have specific educational needs, support them to make appropriate and often greater than expected progress.  Unfortunately the system we work within does not have the capacity to get to know the awesome individual children we have the privilege to work with, all it sees are numbers.  Furthermore, it does not recognise the hard work and dedication of the excellent staff who work at our school.

Finally, you may wish to know that the school is predicted to be yellow for September 2016, and Green the following year.  Either way, as you can see from above, this measure is not something that the school feels is an accurate reflection of the education that your children receive.

As ever, thank you for your continued support and understanding. If you need any further clarification please do not hesitate to ask one of our staff, or governors who will be pleased to explain this process further.

Kind Regards,


Mr. M Sullivan,
Headteacher.

Sunday 17 January 2016

Monday 18th Jan

School Open as normal.

Wednesday 13 January 2016


Snow Procedures

With the possibility of snow in the coming weeks we would like to remind parents of our school closure procedures.

Our aim is for the school to remain open during snowy periods unless weather conditions make it unsafe for children, parents and/or staff to travel to and from the school. 

If the school is to be closed on any given day this website will be updated immediately. 
Decisions will be made before 7:30am.

School closures will also be updated on the official Merthyr Schools Closures Website here.
Please take extra care when approaching the school either on foot or in cars during icy conditions.