Reminder – On Monday 21^st January we will be holding our Book Day celebrations. Pupils are invited to dress as a character from a book on this day and will enjoy a range of activities on the day.

Children should now have received a letter concerning their attendance during the Autumn Term. If you have any queries regarding our Callio approach, please contact Miss Lewis in the school office who will be happy to answer any questions.

As the Met Office has started to issue weather warnings, we would like to remind you of the following procedures:

• If it snows during the school day and conditions worsen, we will update the school blog and ask you to pick up your children from school. If you ever feel that you need to pick them up before because of any extra transport difficulties relating to where you live then that is obviously fine.
• If it snows overnight a decision on whether the school will close will be made by 7.30am. This information will be available on the Caerphilly School Closures website http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/Services/Schools-and-learning/Schools,-term-dates-and-closures/Check-if-your-school-is-closed.aspx

It is always a difficult decision to make but all decisions will be made in the interests of everyone’s safety.

Parents of children aged between 3 and 4 are being encouraged to see if they are eligible to save thousands in childcare costs.

The Childcare Offer for Wales is available to families throughout Caerphilly county borough and since being introduced in 2018 has benefitted a total of 4,100 children.

Eligible families are entitled to up to 20 hours of Welsh Government funded childcare in addition to the 10 hours already provided by the part-time Foundation Phase and up to 30 hours of childcare during the school holidays.

Children are eligible from the term following their third birthday.

Eligible parents must:

◦Have a child aged 3 or 4 who is able to access part time education

◦Earn less than £100,000 per year

◦Earn the equivalent of working 16 hours or more per week at National Minimum Wage

◦Live in Caerphilly county borough

Cllr Philippa Marsden, Cabinet Member for Education and Achievement said: “The Childcare Offer is now available to parents living throughout Caerphilly county borough and I would urge those who think they are eligible to apply. The funding could potentially save families up to £4,725 per year on the cost of childcare until they are offered a full time education place, usually the September after their child’s fourth birthday”.

The application process is outlined in 3 simple steps, all of which is detailed on the Council’s website www.caerphilly.gov.uk/childcareoffer  or call Caerphilly Family Information Service on 01443 863232 for more information.

I hope that you all had a restful and happy time over Christmas. It was lovely to see the children back on a cold Tuesday morning this week!

On Monday 21^st January we are delighted to be welcoming Robin Etherington, a renowned comic book writer and artist into school. During his visit, he will be providing a lively and highly creative workshop for the children as well as signing copies of his best-selling books. Copies of his books will be available for purchase – please see the order form provided.  We would encourage children to visit his website to learn a little about Robin before the visit:http://theetheringtonbrothers.blogspot.com/

As part of the celebrations, children are asked to dress as book characters for the day. We are very aware of how expensive this time of year can be and are therefore encouraging children to reuse existing costumes or make their own using items/ materials readily available to them.  Prizes are up for grabs for the best-dressed in each class!