Caerleon Lodge Hill Junior School

by Mrs Power, Head Teacher

St David’s Day celebrations took place on 27th February and began with a lovely assembly full of song, poetry and history with the orchestra accompanying the Welsh National Anthem beautifully.

World Book Day took place on 5th March. Margaret Isaac was our visiting writer for the morning who talked to the children about her novels, her inspiration and experiences as an author. I had been reading one of her novels “Rhiannon’s Way” in assembly and so the children were already acquainted with her work. After her presentation to the whole school Margaret visited all classes and afterwards commented on the lovely way in which the children had been responsive during these sessions. Most pupils dressed up as their favourite character and an entertaining afternoon was had while teachers judged the costumes!

A Healthy Eating Roadshow took place on 27th January in which 2 actors brought the LEA’s Healthy Eating focus to life.

Gwent theatre also visited on 28th January performing an excellent play for Y3 and Y4.

Caerleon Endowed Junior School

By Mr Vittle, Head Teacher

Outdoor Pursuits
On the 14th January KO6, Mr O and Mrs Lavelle set off for a three day residential excursion to Talybont Outdoor Pursuit Centre. The weather was mixed but even the driving rain and wind failed to dampen the children’s enthusiasm for the venture.

On 2nd March LD6 accompanied by Mrs Lin Davies, Miss Kelly & Mr Jenkins made a similar excursion to Gilwern Centre. Both groups returned looking weather beaten and tired but still smiling. They had experienced quite a mixture of weather but to the children’s complete credit and the amazement of the instructors no one grumbled. The feedback from the children has been most favourable and we, as a school, feel that this is a unique opportunity for our children to enrich their social and educational experiences. For many it will have been the first time away from home without parents and that in itself can be a challenge. Thanks to the staff for their willingness to give up their free time to make the visits possible.

RW6, of course, will not miss out and will be visiting Talybont on 20th May 2009 and will be accompanied by Mrs Wrench, Mrs Beckett and Mr Allcock.

Comic Relief
On Friday 13th March 2009 the school celebrated Red Nose Day in school. The school council asked the children to come to school wearing something red and to pay a fine of £1 for the privilege and there were also spot prizes for originality in activities such as songs, dances, jokes and sketches.

CEJS Celebrates World Book Day 2009
On Friday 6th March held our Book Day, encouraging children to explore the pleasures of books and reading. Each child received a free £1 World Book Day token to spend on a book or audiobook of their choice and both children and staff came to school dressed as their favourite book characters.

Eistedfodd
We have come to expect but never take for granted the very high standard of performance and exhibits at our annual Eisteddfod. There are so many talented young people in the Endowed and it is unfortunate that time limits the number of performances. The Marie Curie daffodils were sold leading up to the Eisteddfod and £141 has been sent to this worthy charity. Miss Kelly organised the day and congratulations to Robert Davies (LD6) who was, to his great surprise, crowned Bard.

Confirmation
Congratulations to Emma Smith and Elizabeth Brown. Both girls will be confirmed by Bishop Dominic on 15th March 2009.

Congratulations
A very big well done to Emily Peacock for achieving outstanding success at the National Urdd Swimming Championships and to Lewis Teague for his selection to the Junior Cardiff City soccer squad. Congratulations, also to the soccer team for winning the area Urdd tournament and the netball team for gaining second place in Newport Schools’ Championships.

Read a Million
We are taking part in the Basic Skills Campaign to read a million words this year. Read a Million Words in Wales is an exciting, fun campaign that sets the goal for primary children, classes and schools to read a million words in a year. The aim of the campaign is to promote positive attitudes towards reading and is particularly targeting boys’ literacy. Real Men Read Posters featuring male celebrities and sportsmen will be displayed around the school and classes will be supplied with copies of a new ‘Time Troop’ comic aimed at encouraging children to read has been distributed around the school.

It is hoped that additional funding from Basic Skills Cymru will enable school to purchase additional resources to promote the cause. We hope parents enjoy the campaign as much as their children.

OUR WEBSITE www.steplearn.net/cejs

Books for Schools
Mrs Trott, Librarian, is having a final push on books for schools tokens. Please check to see if you have the Times Books for Schools Tokens and Nestle box tops.

Mr Vittle’s retirement

It is with great sadness that the school has accepted Mr Vittle’s retirement at the end of the school year. Mr Vittle has been an outstanding Head Teacher; enthusiastic, hard working, popular with pupils, staff and governors and has led the school from strength to strength. We all wish Nick a long and very happy retirement with Linda and the family.

We are nonetheless very pleased to welcome Mrs Susan Jones, who will take the post of Head Teacher from September 2009. Mrs Jones is a highly experienced and successful Head Teacher who greatly impressed all those involved in the interview process. The school will be in good hands.


Caerleon Youth Clubs
Monday evenings are focussed on 11-14 year olds and run from 6:30-8:30pm at the Town Hall. Currently there are approximately 20 young people attending.
The staff have, after consultation with the young people, have facilitated team building activities and games to build relationships and are currently facilitating drama activities and issue based workshops.

One young person who has just turned 14 has enrolled onto the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and will use the drama skills towards her Award. Staff will also deliver expedition training to her in preparation for her to complete a summer expedition with the St Julian’s group.

Wednesday evenings Youth Club is held for a Duke of Edinburgh Award group at the Town Hall 6:30-8:30pm. We currently have 8 young people enrolled who are undertaking their Silver or Gold Awards but more have expressed an interest. The group is currently completing a hygiene course for their skill section and training is in preparation for a summer expedition.
They are also completing a physical activity in their own time and hoping to undertake a navigation day in April before the expeditions. A presentation evening is held every year to celebrate the achievements of these and all the young people of Newport who work hard for years to gain these Awards.

The 2009 presentation evening will be held in September.
The Youth Clubs work closely with Tony Gardener at Caerleon Comprehensive School so that all young people interested in taking the Award are provided with the opportunity.

Easter Church Services
There will be Easter services held at St Cadoc’s Church, St Julius, Aaron and David Roman Catholic Church, Caerleon Methodist Church and Lodge Farm Evangelical Church. A children’s service is also going to be held at St Cadoc’s Church on Good Friday.
Congratulations to Rev Camilla and husband Chris, on the birth of their son Benjamen. A reverend giving birth is indeed a rare and special occasion. Best wishes to you all.

Newport University, Caerleon
Don’t miss the Susan Smith Lecture ‘Undressed’ which charts the fashionable shape of women in the 19th & 20th Century– this unique fund raising evening for Newport Women’s Forum is to be held on 15th April 2009. For further information and requests for tickets please contact Rosemary Butler AM on 01633 222523.

Caerleon Cycle Route
The next stage of the cycle route from Pillmawr Lane to Caerleon Comprehensive School is underway. This stage will see the path running to the boundary of St Cadoc’s grounds this year. The works through the grounds and building the footbridge over the rail line being the next two stages to be completed.

Caerleon Senior Dance Club ( over 50s)
This very successful dance club has been successful in gaining a Lottery Award to assist in continuing to provide dancing sessions, trips and social events. All are welcome and it’s a great way to keep fit and enjoy yourself. For further information contact Colin Wesson via Caerleon Town Hall ( 420048).


Gail Giles , 13 Hazel Walk Caerleon Tel 01633 421947 April 2009