Category: Kids
September’s Events
September saw a quickening of the pace in activity in the church. People are so used to thinking that the church is only used on a Sunday that it may come as a surprise at the other times that services take place. During the month the Eucharist has been celebrated on 10 occasions, Evensong has been held on the first Sunday of the month. There has been 2 baptisms when three children were added to the Christian family, 2 funerals have arranged for the faithful departed, and 1 wedding celebrated. In addition we have had 2 sessions of “Open Door”, 1 meeting of the “brass cleaners”, The Parochial Church Council has met in church, The Scarecrow Festival was held in the churchyard. The Chattery met as usual in the Church hall on the 2nd Thursday of the month The church was decorated for the Harvest Festival, Lots of people involved with lots of “goings on” in the church proves that our lovely building is in constant demand during the week. It is for this reason that our building fund is so important to maintain the building in as good a condition as is possible, by drawing the community of Wenvoe into as many of our activities as they feel comfortable with. Sunday mornings are busy but there always room and a warm welcome for all who wish to join in the worship.
What a joy it was to welcome our “Pebbles” back after the Summer break. They bring such a buzz with them, and they enjoy sharing with the congregation the craft work they have been doing in the Church Hall. New mums and Dads have joined their children and they are most welcome and valued for the care and concern that have for their children to experience something a little different on a Sunday morning. We are very fortunate to have sincere Christian leaders to monitor the group’s activities while the children are in their care. They have been preparing a special something for our Harvest celebration, which has been very carefully kept under wraps until the morning service. We will not be disappointed.
The joint parish Magazine “Connection” is a very high quality print, a number of people have taken up the offer of paying for year in advance, which will help us to plan the quantity we need for the month. We still send many copies to the waste despite trying to include as much news of Wenvoe and St. Lythan’s as is possible. The content of the magazine is open to all, and contributions and ideas are always welcome, whether it is some where you have visited on holiday. Something you have read in another church magazine you may have had in a church you have visited. The Sub Editor in Wenvoe would be most pleased to receive it to forward it to Lynda in Sully, who compiles the magazine for the printer. The copies are always in church on the first Sunday of the month to collect or purchase.
The congregations of all three churches have been invited to Vote for your favourite hymn by October 15th . It would be good to know why the three you have chosen are your favourites, so if you would like
to, please give a reason. There will then be a special service where we will sing the top six hymns as voted for by you on Sunday 29th October at 6 pm at St John the Baptist Church in Sully. So the invitation is there to vote for your favourite hymn and come along see if it has made the top six
Tea Party at the Rectory in Wenvoe for the children and families of the Parishes of Sully and Wenvoe with St. Lythan’s.
Jon writes – On Sunday 17th September all the children and young people who have been prepared for Confirmation in the last three years were invited along with families who attend Pebbles at Wenvoe, and the Sunday School at Sully to come to a Tea Party at the Rectory. The table “groaned” with cakes and the rain held off so we were able to go outside and those who wished to played in the garden with footballs and giant Connect 4 and Noughts and Crosses. Thank you to everyone who came and contributed to a wonderful atmosphere throughout the afternoon.
Next “Messy Church” on Saturday 21st October at 3.30.pm in the Community Centre, Wenvoe.
With every Blessing
Parry Edwards
District Family Camp
Back In School
It has hard to believe that we have already been back in school for 3 weeks!
Our new children are settling in beautifully into Nursery and Reception and we have also welcomed new families into our school community.
We were very pleased indeed with our ESTYN and Church School reports and the way in which the hard work, dedication and commitment of all stakeholders was recognised; the ethos of our school and the care and nurture provided to our pupils was recognised as being excellent.
We are looking forward to another school year, with lots of fun and exciting times ahead.
Playgroup News
Playgroup are back on Thursday 7th September from 9am until 12:45pm (and onto Gwenfo Nursery for 1pm) for all those children who are returning after the summer break. Don’t forget your lunch boxes.
We will be collecting from the Nursery week commencing the 11th September at 11:20 am for those returning. If unsure please give us a ring 029 20597494
Thursday 7th September and Friday 8th September will also be settling in days for parents and children who are new to the setting in time to start from Monday 11th September.
If you would like to know more about Playgroup life, why not call in an see us on Thursday 7th or Friday 8th September to see how we can help.
We offer extended care with Gwenfo Nursery School. Our hours of opening are Monday to Friday from 9am until 12:45pm & Wednesday 9am until 3:15pm Term Time Only.
For more information please visit our website wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk or email us on wenvoeplaygroup@btinternet.com
Our first fundraiser of the new term is with Spiritulist Medium Nataly Churchill. I’m sure some of you who have attended previous evenings are intrigued to learn more about your loved ones? The event details are as follow:
The New School Year
We start the new school year by reflecting on the achievements of pupils, their families and staff over the last year. School year 2016-17 was a busy year for Gwenfô! The Nursery, Reception indoor classroom and Year 1 classroom were completed and pupils have enjoyed using their bright new learning spaces. Two new Nursery classes now complement the learning in the rest of the school. Working alongside Wenvoe playgroup we have been able to offer wraparound care to our youngest pupils and their families ensuring a great start to their schooling.
Learning activities were planned by a dedicated team of teaching and support staff enabling all pupils to learn in a style that suits them, while being challenged to do of their very best. Pupils benefitted by visiting local attractions such as Barry Island, Cosmeston Lakes, the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff Airport and Western Leisure centre. Years 4,5 and 6 all experienced a residential overnight trip and all pupils made good use of the village facilities regularly visiting St Mary’s Church, working alongside Wenvoe wildlife group and visiting the library.
At Gwenfô we aim to prepare children for life outside the school gates both academically and socially. We pride ourselves on our strong Christian family ethos and were thrilled when we had our Section 50 (Church) inspection in July, to receive the very highest grading ‘Excellent’. Currently the school is graded as excellent with prospects to improve as excellent also. We were also visited by Estyn the Welsh Government inspection team and at the time of writing the report has not yet been made public so we cannot share their judgements at yet. If you would like a copy of either report please pop into the school office or email gwenfops@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk and we can make them available to you.
Thank you to everyone who supported us last year, our volunteer team helped children with their reading, planted the outside spaces and supported us in so many ways. We would love members of our community to be involved in the life of the school so please, if you think you could help us in any way please pop in and have a chat. Watch out for community events over the year, we’d love for you to be involved.
Looking forward to the new academic year we are excited to welcome many new families to the school, have planned lots of great learning experiences and look forward to learning and growing together in a Christian way.
Nicola Starke
Acting Head Teacher
1st Wenvoe Scout Group is growing
1st Wenvoe Scout Group is growing and active. We believe through adventure we challenge individuals so that they learn and experience new things that enrich their lives. Last year the Beavers visited Pets at Home and loved meeting and holding lots of different animals. They also explored lots of different countries by making a passport, trying different foods and playing games. Cubs had a weekend away adventure on pack holiday and the Scouts went on a canoeing course at Barry Community Water Activities Centre achieving their One Star award. This term we are already planning our district family camp including rock climbing, archery and a campfire; a Beavers sleepover; a Cubs team sports event and Scouts gamer hike.
We are busy re-growing our group and aim to increase our children numbers back up to maximum. We can only do this with additional adults supporting us on a regular basis at weekly sessions, helping with activities and in our group management. If you are interested in finding out more about the group and how you can support us please contact us at 1stwenvoe@ penarthanddistrict.org.uk. If you would like to add your child to our waiting list please contact Trudy at 1stwenvoe.join@penarthanddistrict.org.uk. If you have older children in the group, please check their younger sibling is on the waiting list if you would like them to join too.
Tori Thomas, Group Scout Leader
Term End Report
Well, here we are, almost at the end of this academic year and what a fantastic year it has been!
Our Year 6 pupils led a super Leavers Assembly last Friday, sharing their memories of their time in Gwenfo. They were each presented with a memory stick containing photographs of their Gwenfo School life. Following their assembly, they then headed off to Porthkerry Park for a barbecue.
Years 1 and 2 have a planned trip to Margam Park – this is always a firm favourite, with all enjoying a ride on the land train, a visit to the play park and adventures in Fairy Tale Land. Years 3 and 4 also had a wonderful time in Cosmeston Park.
Our Nursery children led an assembly for their families and friends; this was such a wonderful occasion. It is hard to believe that our Nursery has been open for a year and that the older children will be moving up to the Reception class in September.
All the children will be running a Gwenfo Race For life this week; this is always a fun activity whilst raising money for Cancer Research UK.
Our Netball team have enjoyed wonderful successes in a tournament in Kent and also at home in the Irene Butcher Memorial Tournament. A massive well done to you all and also a big thank you to Mrs Plevey and Mrs Eltringham for all their hard work and dedication in running the netball team.
We wish you all a relaxing summer – with lots of lovely sunshine and happy memories!
Summer Plans
WENVOE PLAYGROUP
As I am writing this we only have a few weeks remaining until the end of term, which I’m sure will be busy, fun times.
Our open afternoon was held in June, however, should you wish to enquire about spaces at Playgroup you can contact us anytime up until the 21st July on 02920597494, wenvoeplaygroup@ btinternet.com or keep up to date via our web site wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk. During the holidays please contact us via email
We close on Friday 21st July for the summer holidays and resume for children returning from the summer term on Thursday 7th September.
Thursday 7th and Friday 8th September will be settling in days for new intake children and parents, with a start date of week commencing 11th September.
I would just like to thank ‘The Parents’ The Committee’ Gwenfo Primary and everyone in the Community who continues to support Wenvoe Playgroup in various ways to ensure its success and continuation.
Have a safe relaxing summer
