The Governors' Annual Report to Parents is being emailed to parents today. I will also make every effort to post it on the website, but I might need a little time working out how to do that particular magic! If you would like a paper copy, please pop into the office and Mrs Smith will sort it out for you. Many thanks

Please look out for the Welsh National Test information (Year 2 to 6 only) that will be coming home with your child today.

This year the Welsh Government has introduced Personalised Adaptive Online Assessment for the Procedural maths test.
This means that the children were able to take the assessments at any point in the school year (after they went live in the Spring) rather than just in test week. The assessments work by having an age and ability appropriate starting question presented on line. The response your child gives, how long it takes to answer and how accurate the answer was, determines the next question and so on. For most children the assessments lasted about 20 minutes but for some children they went on for up to 45 minutes. The system had a few flaws, for example some Y2 children were asked to calculate interest on a sum of money - not something your average year 2 might be asked to do, but in general the assessment was less traumatic than the written paper has proved to be in the past. The results of the online assessments appear differently to those of the other tests and don't have a comparative element as this is the first year of testing in this way so they can't be fairly compared with the tests that have gone before. Most pupils only took this assessment once this year, but some year six parents will see two results on their child's progress sheet. This is because a group of 6 pupils were my guinea pigs and took the test early in the term to help me refine the system we eventually used to get the assessments done efficiently in school. Year 2 pupils did not take the test until July, because of this the progress sheets will not be available until September, the same is true for anyone else in the juniors who missed the original assessment date in June and instead took them in a catch up session in July.  So if you do not see a Procedural Maths Progress sheet, do not panic it will come to you when they are released in September. 

The Reading and Reasoning Tests went ahead with paper versions as per the previous years. That means they had to be delivered within a test week window in May. The progress reports for these two tests will also be sent out today.

The online assessments will continue to be rolled out over the next two school years with Reading Assessments Online as of this September and Reasoning Assessments Online as of September 2020. 

Moving forward we intend to carry out online assessments early in the Autumn Term and again towards the end of the school year. The advantage of the new system for schools is that the detailed information regarding exactly which area of the curriculum your child needs extra help with will inform our planning far more effectively than the current diagnostic tool and will help to tailor teaching more to the individual child's needs. It also has the massive advantage that the children are enjoying doing their 'quizzes' on the computer and it takes away much of the stress of the old system. 

If you would like to discuss any of the information above or if you have any questions regarding the progress sheets you receive today, please feel free to call or come into school for a chat. 

Another crazy busy week here with staff organising class services, trips and school reports. 
As always happens technology lets you down just when you need it and we currently have 7/9 classes with reports printed and ready to go on Tuesday (9th). That leaves two teachers who have been desperately trying to get their work printed after school today with the printers and computers not talking to each other. With any luck the system will reboot after the weekend and we will have everything sorted and on time!

Miss Jones' class did a fantastic job of their service today and we were all very proud of them. The junior staff are very much looking forward to having such an enthusiastic and creative bunch of individuals joining them!

We had some exciting news in recognition of the work the staff and pupils have done to help the pollinator population by creating wildflower beds in the garden; we have been awarded the Holywell Town in Bloom  competition winners! Many thanks to Mrs W Hughes and the gardening club, Mr Williams and Mrs Roberts and the classes that planted the lavender garden and to Mrs Hiller and all those staff and parents who have helped to transform the nursery garden area.

It always amuses anyone who works in a school when people say 'you must be winding down for summer now' as July starts, because of course, we are not! Football, more school trips and more visitors looking at the amazing work our staff and pupils have been doing are all in the diary for next week. We might be on a count down, but we are really not on a slow down.

The weather looks good for the weekend so I hope you all get to enjoy it! 

16 More school days to the end of term and it is safe to say pupils and staff alike are flagging...but I am not going to complain about the heat making it worse!!
Busy week last week, many thanks to all who came to the Carnival. We are still collecting some payments but it looks like we raised over £500. I will get back to you with the exact figure when I have it. Many thanks to the 'Friends of Maesglas' who helped organise the event. I think it is fair to say we are looking forward to the next one and already thinking of what we would like to do to improve it.
We have had lots going on with week especially transition events, both in our school and for our Year 6s. I walked in on the year 6 service practice the other day- may have been a bit weepy- and it is all starting to feel very real!

Next week is also set to be busy for the year 6s with four high schools having their induction days.

We also have nursery and reception having their school trips, year 2 class service (2pm Friday in the hall) and the year 5s going to Greenfield Valley for a mindfulness workshop.

In addition to that, Mrs Hughes and Miss Williams are presenting at a conference for 'Ethically Informed Citizens about the One World Project we are part of. Miss Williams has some videos of the children describing our Genius Hour approach that she will share with you on Twitter later in the week.

Have a lovely weekend all.

Not quite sure how it got to Friday already but here we are...
We have some very important dates for your diary to share - I am going to start backwards and work my way through it!

Monday July 22nd is our last day of term. The school closes at 2pm. If you have pupils in Holywell Childcare we can accommodate them until child care starts. Year 6 Leavers' Service and prize giving starts at 1pm. The children and staff are already working hard to get their 'show' organised. Always a bittersweet day for us.

Monday July 15th - Nursery 'Come and Share' session. Parents are invited to come and see the work the pupils have been doing. 10am in the school hall.

Friday July 12th is our moving up session. Children will spend some time with their new class teacher.

Tuesday July 9th - Year 1 and 2 Trip. End of Term Reports will be sent home. We have changed the format this year and moved away from the report writing tool we usually use. Hopefully you will find them more personal to your child and more relevant to you. We would welcome feedback on the format once you have seen them.

Friday July 5th - Reception Trip and Year 2 Class Assembly 2pm

Friday June 28th - Year 1 Class Assembly 2pm

Wednesday June 26th Information Evening for new Nursery and Reception at 5.30pm and Information Evening for Year 2 Parents who are moving to Year 3 at 6pm

Friday 21st June - Reception Assembly 2pm

​Monday June 17th -Year 1 and 2 Jamboree Trip

In addition we have our 'Greenfield Carnival' organised by Friends of Maesglas on Saturday 22nd June 10am - 4pm.
If you are able to help out on the day or to donate for the raffle prize then get in touch with the committee via Twitter or Facebook.

Hope you all have a great weekend, fingers crossed that is the end of the rain and that the sun continues to shine.

Another busy week at Maesglas!
Our Health Week has been a great success with lots of activities and learning about keeping ourselves fit and healthy. Year 3 enjoyed the challenge of Glanllyn and their first residential visit and Year Six had a quick march up to the Science labs at Ysgol Treffynnon for some transition work. 
We were lucky that the rain kept off for the junior Sports Day in the end and the children were superstars. 
The week ended with Mr Cass coming to visit with a robot cat - but that's a story for another day!
Just some reminders for your diary for next week.
Monday 20th May - Year 6 have a science workshop in the school hall from 1-3. Year 6 parents are welcome to attend.
Tuesday 21st May - Infant Sports Day from 10 am
Tuesday 21st May - Year 4 Bright Sparks trip to Techniquest
Wednesday 22nd May - Elwyn Owen Five-a-Side competition in Deeside Leisure centre
Wednesday 22nd May - Bags to School are being collected. Please bring your filled bags to be recycled to the front office first thing in the morning. You can use ordinary bin bags if yours is filled or lost!
Thursday 23rd May - Cross Country Competition at Holywell Town Football Club
Thursday 23rd May - Flintshire Music Service is visiting the school to perform and concert for year 3 and 4 pupils.
Friday 24th May - Our Leavers' Assembly for Mrs Pilkington and Miss Duffen. Remember to drop a written message into the office if you would like it included in the Thank You books we have prepared for them.
Friday 24th May - Hannah Blythyn AM for Delyn will be visiting the school to look at the work our One World group are doing and to listen to our pupils who are part of our governors and thematic learning teams. 
And then we can all take a breath and relax!!

So proud of the way the children have dealt with their 'quizzes' this week and a big thank you for all the support we have had keeping the children settled and happy. 
Next week is our health week. Each class has different activities such as looking at healthy eating, different ways to keep fit (this includes cricket coaching for years 1,2 and 3), hygiene and the changes that happen to our body as we get older. Year 5 and 6 puberty talk is scheduled for Tuesday. We will also be using the NSPCC Pants resource.
Class teachers have also asked for help to get the school raised beds cleared and planted with healthy crops for the summer. Check with your class teacher for the day you can volunteer. 
We will also be having our class and team photos taken on Wednesday so can I ask anyone who still has any school kit to return it to school by Monday.
Friday is Sports Day, as long as the weather is with us. Infants will aim to start at 10am and Juniors at 1.15. 
And of course Mrs Roberts, Mrs Cowling and Mrs Norton are taking the year 3 pupils to Glanllyn. The highlight of Mrs R's year!
Hope you all have a lovely relaxing weekend - Looks like BBQ weather maybe?

Having had a few technical issues with firewalls and laptops I think I have now got the hang of this!
Where has this week gone? And only another school days before we have our half term...and what a busy 14 days they will be!
So a few reminders for your diary
9&10th May - National Test days for us. Years 2-6 will have their Reading and then Reasoning tests. We try not to put any pressure on the pupils but inevitably some do get worried. We always say to the children that these 'quizzes' help us to see where they need help rather than that they are test the pupils' ability.This year the Procedural Maths test is to be completed on line and will be done over the course of the next term.
13th to 17th May is our Health Week. There will be more details to follow but the most important date is Sports Day on Friday 17th. Foundation Phase from 10 am and Juniors starting at 1.15
!3th &14th May is the Year 3 Trip to Glanllyn
21st May is Year 4 Bright Sparks trip
24th May Hannah Blythyn or Welsh Government MP is coming into school to meet our One Worlders and other pupil representatives. 
24th May is also the day we say goodbye to two long-standing and important members of school staff. Both Miss Duffen and Mrs Pilkington are retiring. We will have a special assembly for the children to say goodbye. We are preparing a memory book for both ladies and each child is leaving a message or a drawing. If you, as parents or grandparents, would like to leave a message to put in the books, please see Mrs Smith and she can give you a note for you to fill in and return.
As I said a very busy half term!
I hope the weather improves and that everyone has a fantastic May Bank Holiday Weekend (My plan is to sleep most of it)

​The end of another very busy week at Maesglas! Thanks to all who took part in The Big Pedal Challenge, we have notched up over 1000 journeys to school by foot, bike or scooter. We have also hosted The Ecclestone Football cup in very wet and windy weather and a group of year 5 and 6 pupils took part in the Dragon Sports Handball competition. We are very proud of our pupils and the way they try their hardest when they represent the school. Friends of Maesglas held their Easter Bingo and raised in the region of £300. Today the pupils have taken part in activities to celebrate Outdoor Learning Week in Wales. The rain hasn't stopped us enjoying the week!
Next week is the final week of term and we are not slowing down. We have Tag Rugby on Monday and Year 4 are off to PentreLlynCymer for their residential on Tuesday and Wednesday (can’t wait to see the photos!). On Thursday we are off to Ysgol Treffynnon for the annual John McBrien Trophy Football competition and Kicks4Kids football activity sessions start then too.
We will be sending out new club letters next week too, so please make sure they are returned before the end of term so we can get started with clubs on the first week back.
Have a good weekend all!

What a week! On Monday morning I came into school with mixed feelings as it was to be my last week with you all as head teacher before handing over to Mrs Lloyd for 2 years.
However, there was no time to get too sad because, as always in Maesglas, we have so much going on I didn't really get time to think about it.
I start with GWE from the 1st April although I will be based in school up to the Easter holiday.   
I know Mrs Lloyd will be a fantastic Head and she will be surrounded and supported by a team of staff, governors, parents and children that are ready to help.
I am very proud of our school and will be spreading the word of all the great work we do.
The school will flourish with Mrs Lloyd as head and a team of hard working and dedicated staff.

All future posts and emails will be from Mrs Lloyd
​Have a wonderful Easter.
Signing out as head...Mr Cass