Friday 12th September 2025
Dear Parent / Annwyl Rhiant,
Return to School
It has been a pleasure to see the children settle so quickly on their return to school. Thank you so much for your support in ensuring that the children look so well polished in their uniform and ready to start the new academic year. It has been a busy start of the term. We have revisited our whole school approaches to ‘Rules/Rewards/Consequences, ‘Building Learning Power’, ‘Thinking Hats/Maps’ and ‘Values’. We have made clear our shared expectations regarding whole school teaching and learning routines and processes. Our children have been voting for children to represent their class on the School Council and Eco Committee.
Home Learning expectations have been clarified with the children; we very much appreciate your support in establishing these routines with the children.
Our project learning has been planned for very effectively, aligned to our new curriculum. The children will be enjoying their ‘project launch days’ in the coming weeks. I’m sure that the children will have been telling you all about their learning. Much of this learning has been shared on our @GaerPrimary twitter account.
Clubs
We are delighted to be offering extra-curricular clubs w/c Monday 15th September. Parents have been notified if their child has a place in an after-school club. Club registers have been established. Please notify the school if your child is unable to attend a particular session. This will support our safeguarding protocols.
One Page Profiles
On Friday 5th September you will have received a ‘One Page Profile’ proforma. Please complete the form and return to school as soon as possible. The information that you provide is invaluable for our teachers and most importantly for supporting the children.
Harvest Festival Donations
Our Harvest Assembly is on Monday 13th October. This year we are again supporting the Liberty Church Foodbank. We would very much appreciate donations of tinned and dried food and packaged items with long dates. Could you please send donations to school on Friday 10th October.
Health and Safety/Safeguarding
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind families that dogs are not permitted on the school site. Also smoking/vaping is not permitted on the school site. Thank you for supporting our safeguarding policies.
Please be mindful to park your car safely and appropriately when dropping and collecting your child at school.
Healthy Schools
I would like to remind families that, aligned to our Healthy School Status, we only allow the children to drink water in the classroom. Another ‘non-fizzy’ drink can be provided for lunchtime if you wish. Please provide your child with a clear and labelled water bottle. We will support you to encourage your child to drink water if this is something that is challenging. We also ask you to provide a ‘healthy snack’ for break time. Fruit (fresh/dried) and/or fresh vegetables are encouraged.
PE Uniform/Day Policy
We would like to take this opportunity to remind families of our school policy for PE in preparation for the new academic year ahead.
The compulsory elements of the uniform are as follows:
- PE Kit Indoor-Navy Shorts/White Round-Neck T-shirt
- PE Kit Outdoor-Navy Hooded Sweatshirt/Navy Jogging Bottoms/Trainers
Children do not need to have a school logo on these items.
In addition, children are not permitted to wear any jewellery during physical sessions. This includes all PE lessons, afterschool clubs and trips that include physical activity.
Our school policy is written and agreed upon by our governing body and follows health and safety advice.
Please ensure that children can remove their own earrings and other jewellery, as staff are unable to assist with this. If your child is unable to do this, please ensure that they do not wear their jewellery on PE days.
Children are asked to wear their PE Kit to school for the whole day on their PE Day. Please make sure that your child wears the correct PE kit.
Jewellery Policy
Our children are permitted to only wear a pair of ‘stud earrings’ to school. No other jewellery is permitted; this includes hoop earrings.
Dates for Diary
Monday 15th September: PTA AGM School Hall 3.30pm
Friday 10th October: Harvest Donation Collection (please send in items to class teacher)
Monday 13th October: Harvest Festival
Monday 6th October: Colorfoto (Individual and sibling portraits)
Monday 6th October – Friday 10th October: ‘Gaer Groundforce Week’ (activities tbc)
Wednesday 15th October: Shwmae Day (Children to wear Welsh themed costume/red to school)
Friday 17th October: Show Racism the Red Card (Children to wear red to school)
Monday 20th October: Parent/Teacher Consultations
Tuesday 21st October: Parent/Teacher Consultations
Wednesday 22nd October: Parent/Teacher Consultations
Friday 24th October: End of Half Term
Monday 3rd November: Start of Autumn Term 2
Monday 10th November: Anti Bullying Week/’Odd Socks Day’ (Children to wear odd socks)
Friday 14th November: Children in Need Day (children to dress in Pudsey themed costume/own clothes)
Thursday 11th December: National Christmas Jumper Day (children can wear Christmas Jumpers/own clothes to school)
Thursday 18th December: last day of term
Christmas Concert Dates/times tbc
Planned INSET (school closure for pupils) Days
- Monday 1st September 2025
- Friday 19th December 2025
- Monday 5th January 2026
- Friday 20th March 2026 (Cluster)
- Monday 20th July 2026
One remaining INSET Day will be confirmed and communicated as soon as possible.
The last day of the academic year for the children is Friday 17th July 2026.
Kind regards
Mr A Smith
Headteacher/ Prifathro