Category: Kids

School News March 2026 Notes

  Gwenfo School News – March 2026 Notes

GWENFO PRIMARY PTFA

Farmers Market

Sadly, we have been informed by the organisers of the farmers market that due to falling footfall that it was no longer a viable option. We know many within our community supported the small businesses and enjoyed the coffee and fresh produce once a month. It will be a real loss to the village. The stallholders also contributed a small amount to the school each month which meant that we raised over £1,500 over the time the market ran which are much needed funds. The market will continue in Cowbridge every Saturday morning if you would like to continue to support the traders. If anyone has any ideas, links or suggestions please do pop down to the school as we are always open to any ideas that can help support our community.

Thank You!

Huge thanks to the Wenvoe Neighbourhood Watch group who recently made a donation to the school. This will enable us to add security to the site including improved screening to road facing fencing and to install a new security system to our rear gates. We are very grateful for the support.

Wenvoe Wildlife Group

We would like to say thank you to Bruce and the group for your support as ever. Our wildlife area is full of shoots ready to burst into bloom and we have had a bumper crop of apples this year. The gardening club in school sold the apples to their families and we have used the funds to buy more compost and tools for our garden.

 

 

Nicola Starke, Headteacher,

Gwenfô Church in Wales Primary School Tel:02920 593225

 

Valentine’s Bird Feeders

  CHILDREN’S CORNER

VALENTINE’S BIRD FEEDERS

These decorations can be eaten by birds and contain ingredients you may already have in store cupboards or can be easily purchased from local shops.

200g porridge oats

400ml water

120g lard, melted

1 50g of seeds – pumpkin, unsalted peanuts, sunflower seeds etc

• Mix porridge oats and water together and microwave on high for 1½ minutes 

• Stir the melted lard into the mixture and add any seeds/nuts and leave to cool.

• Once cool scoop into balls – golf ball size is ideal. For Valentine’s, you could shape these into hearts either using a cutter or shaping with your hands.

• At this stage either embed a piece of string or twine to hang your hearts or using a straw, or skewer pierce a hole to thread with string later.

• Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

• When ready to use hang up high in trees, or near windows where you can watch the birds enjoy a feast!

Nicola Starke, Headteacher,

Gwenfô Church in Wales Primary School Tel:02920 593225

 

Christmas Crafts Well Underway

WENVOE PLAYGROUP NEWS AND EVENTS

Registered Charity, right in the heart of the Village.

www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk

As I write this, Christmas crafts are well underway here at the playgroup.
The children have all settled well into Playgroup life this Autumn Term. Please visit our website
www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk to view our gallery of photographs.

We would like to thank all our volunteers in the community for their wonderful support this past year. A big thank you to our Management Committee for their fundraising efforts and Binky Bounce for raising much needed funds.

We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Should you have a child who is aged 2 years and above, and wish to join the Playgroup, then please contact us: email wenvoeplaygroup@btinternet.com or phone 07859 907976.

 

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts – Are Thriving

 

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts – Are Thriving

1st Wenvoe

I am pleased to let you know that all three sections – Beavers, Cubs and Scouts – are currently thriving in Wenvoe. We have some new Leaders to join those who have been part of the group for a while. Of course, we can always use new volunteers both to work with the young people and to support the group and we do need a Treasurer to oversee the finances from our current incumbent.

In the summer we had a recap of the year and all the amazing things that the young people had done from hiking and outback cooking through to crafts and games. Outings included bouldering and visits to the Fire Station and Airport. The Scouts visited the Fish and Chip shops to find out which had the best chips and earned a Fish Supper from the winning group. All this, while learning new skills developing teamwork, getting badges and having fun.

As there are limited clubs or activities offered to the boys and girls locally, I am pleased that we have not had to suspend any of the sections due to a lack of volunteers. The beauty of Scouting is that it offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities that the young people and the volunteers can enjoy and adopt for their own interests.

I know that I, as a Beaver Leader for 20 years, learnt a lot from the experience. Yes, some of the sessions were challenging, but those where few and far between; the joy on the young faces and the friendship of the other leaders made it worthwhile.

I know my own children also enjoyed the experiences offered. They still enjoy camping holidays, following their experiences particularly in Scouts, under the leadership of Skip, Ian Moody. Sadly, Ian died recently after a short illness. He had been involved in the Wenvoe Scouts for over 40 years, and the Group owes him a huge thank you.

Let me know if you are interested in getting involved in the Wenvoe Group.

Jane Fenton-May, President

jfm@fenton-may.org

 

Operating For Over 50 Years

WENVOE PLAYGROUP NEWS AND EVENTS

Registered Charity, right in the heart of the Village.

www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk

The Playgroup has been operating from the Village Hall for over 50 Years. We are registered both as a Charity and with Care Inspectorate Wales to care for 30 Children at any one-time from the age of 2 years. We open from 9am until 1pm Monday to Friday and on Wednesday and Thursday we offer care until 3:15pm. Wrap around care for those attending Gwenfo Nursery School

We collect nursery age children from the Early Risers breakfast club at 08:50am and bring them across to Playgroup. We then take children across to afternoon nursery class for 1pm where they attend until 3:30pm. This allows care from 07:50am until 3:30pm Monday to Friday. Great for working families.

We collect children daily at 11:20am from Gwenfo Nursery and on into our lunch club until 1pm. On Wednesday and Thursday children may stay until 3:15pm. Ideal for those working part-time!

30 Hour Funded Childcare Offer Children from Cardiff and The Vale are benefitting from this offer. 12.5 hours are used for LEA Nursery and 17.5 hours per week can be allocated to time with us here at Playgroup. This offer is for children the term after their 3rd Birthday. To find out more, please visit our website:

www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk

Tax Free Childcare: We accept payment via the Government’s Tax Free Childcare. Currently, many families use this method to pay fees for all ages, or use alongside the 30 Hour Childcare Offer to top up extra hours and/or transition fees. Families set up a Tax-Free Childcare account and for example; every £8 the family pay in; Welsh Government pay in £2. For further information go to www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare.

Further information can be found on our website www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk along with photos of our group in the gallery.

Our Statement of purpose and Admissions Policy & Procedure can be found in ‘DOCUMENTS’ on our website, which may be useful for times and prices. However; if you want to know more, please email or phone. All contacts are on our website.

Should you wish to be added to our list for 2025 or 2026 please email wenvoeplaygroup@btinternet.com.

We are holding an open morning on Wednesday 3rd September, from 09:15am to 11:15am. Please come along and view our group. We look forward to meeting you

We would like to thank all those who volunteer to keep the Playgroup operating successfully and wish you all a lovely summer break. We close on Friday 18th July, until our open morning on Wednesday 3rd September

 

The Boy Who Laughed At Santa Claus

The Boy Who Laughed At Santa Claus

In Baltimore there lived a boy
He wasn’t anybody’s joy.
Although his name was Jabez Dawes
His character was full of flaws.
In school he never led his classes
He hid old ladies’ reading glasses
His mouth was open when he chewed
And elbows to the table glued.
He stole the milk of hungry kittens
And walked through doors marked No Admittance.
He said he acted thus because
There wasn’t any Santa Claus.

Another trick that tickled Jabez
Was crying “Boo!” at little babies.
He brushed his teeth  they said in town
Sideways instead of up and down.
Yet people pardoned every sin
And viewed his antics with a grin
Till they were told by Jabez Dawes
“There isn’t any Santa Claus!”

 

Deploring how he did behave
His parents swiftly sought their grave.
They hurried through the portals pearly
And Jabez left the funeral early.
Like whooping cough
from child to child
He sped to spread the rumor wild:
“Sure as my name is Jabez Dawes
There isn’t any Santa Claus!”

 

Slunk like a weasel or a marten
Through nursery and kindergarten
Whispering low to every tot
“There isn’t any no there’s not!”
The children wept all Christmas Eve
And Jabez chortled up his sleeve.
No infant dared to hang up his stocking
For fear of Jabez’ ribald mocking.
He sprawled on his untidy bed
Fresh malice dancing in his head
When presently with scalp a-tingling
Jabez heard a distant jingling;
He heard the crunch of sleigh and hoof
Crisply alighting on the roof.
What good to rise and bar the door?
A shower of soot was on the floor.
What was beheld by Jabez Dawes?
The fireplace full of Santa Claus!
Then Jabez fell upon his knees
With cries of “Don’t ” and “Pretty please.
” He howled “I don’t know where you read it
But anyhow I never said it!”

“Jabez ” replied the angry saint
“It isn’t I it’s you that ain’t.
Although there is a Santa Claus
There isn’t any Jabez Dawes!”
Said Jabez with impudent vim
“Oh yes there is; and I am him!
Your magic don’t scare me it doesn’t”—
And suddenly he found he wasn’t!
From grimy feet to grimy locks
Jabez became a Jack-in-the-box
An ugly toy with springs unsprung
Forever sticking out his tongue.

The neighbors heard his mournful squeal;
They searched for him but not with zeal.
No trace was found of Jabez Dawes
Which led to thunderous applause
And people drank a loving cup
And went and hung their stockings up.
All you who sneer at Santa Claus
Beware the fate of Jabez Dawes
The saucy boy who mocked the saint.
Donder and Blitzen licked off his paint.

By Ogden Nash

 

Half Term Report

 

 

Well, the past half term has passed by in a flash!

The children have engaged in various activities; some have been playing African drums with specialist teacher, Mr Rees. Pupils in Lower Key Stage 2 have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in a Creative Schools project and have been learning how to screen print; the finished results are truly beautiful. Pupils are also benefiting greatly from learning how to create computer code.

Years 3 and 5 have both led worship this past half term. Parents are welcomed into school to join with their child’s class worship and are invited to stay for a coffee and biscuits afterwards; this is always a special time. Well done to the children and thank you also their class teachers for their very hard work in the planning and facilitation of the class assemblies.

The week before breaking up was Arts Week; the children have been very busy in their preparations for Saint David’s Day, including art work and story writing. They will, no doubt, also be enjoying being creative over half term, making items for the home entries. All entries receive House Points. We have four Houses in school, named after local farms: Ballas; Greaves; Whitehall; Wrinstone. On entry into school, pupils are placed in one of these Houses. House Points are also earned throughout the year, with the winning House presented with an engraved trophy, on an annual basis.

We are looking forward to next half term, with Saint David’s Day celebrations and also the run up to Easter, which is always a very special time in school.

 

 

What’s Coming Up

 

Well, what a busy and fun packed term this has been! It hardly seems any time since we came back in September to begin the new school year!

Our pupils really did themselves and us proud during their recent school concerts! Key Stage 2 pupils put on a wonderful performance of "Scrooge", with Oliver Brownhill Jenkins playing the role beautifully. The singing was glorious and the acting first class. Our Foundation Phase pupils acted out the Nativity play, "A Little Bird Told Me". Both the choir and Nursery children put in special performances, which were very well received indeed. Thanks really must go to: all the parents and carers, for providing such fantastic costumes; to the PTFA, who worked tirelessly to organise the raffles; to all the staff for working with the children to produce such super performances; to Mrs Sian Jones for her hard work and commitment to working with our school choirs; finally, to our pupils for working so hard and making us all so proud.

Next week, the entire school are visiting the Sherman Theatre to see The Wind In The Willows. We are all very excited and this is the first time we have gone to the theatre as a whole school! As it is a matinee performance, it means we come home in the dark, which makes it extra special and magical!

We also have a Christingle service for Foundation Phase children next week. This is always very special and thanks really must go to Mrs Claire James for her hard work in leading and organising the service.

Next week is also party week. Father Christmas visits our younger children and our Junior pupils are wonderfully entertained by Mr Bradley, with a disco and games.

We really would like to say a special thank you to our amazing PTFA, who work tirelessly to raise funds for school – it is so much appreciated and makes such a huge difference.

We would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and all good wishes for 2018!

 

 

October Report

 

Our new children are well and truly settled now and we can’t believe that we are fast approaching half term! Before we know it, we will be well into the swing of practising for Christmas concerts!

School is looking absolutely lovely, with bright and stimulating displays all around. We feel so fortunate to work and learn in such a beautiful environment.

We have enjoyed some fun activities in the past few weeks: to mark Mental Health Day, staff and children alike dressed in yellow and £187 was raised for the charity Young Minds. A big thank you to all!

All children received sport taster sessions from the out of school club, Superstars and a wonderful time was had by all!

Our PFTA works tirelessly to raise funds for the children; they have a number of fun activities planned, including cinema nights for Infant and Junior aged children. The children benefit enormously from funds raised. We really can’t thank them enough for their hard work, dedication and commitment.

Best wishes from the Gwenfo Team!

 

 

 

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