What’s coming up?

After School Clubs (week beginning 1st July)

Choir: Monday 3.20-4.15pm (Last one of the term – Choir’s Got Talent!)
Netball (Year 6 ONLY): Thursday 3.20-4.15pm

Dates for the Diary

• Sports Day – Thursday 4th July 9:20am start – St Helens Ground
• Pobbles T Class Assembly – Friday 5th July – Parents and Grandparents welcome. Starts approx. 9.00am and lasts about half an hour. Please queue at Gate 2 on Trafalgar Place from 8.50am after the children have been let in.
• Reserve Sports Day – Monday 8th July
• Pobbles R Class Assembly – Friday 12th July
• Year 6 Leavers Concert – Wednesday 17th July
• Last Day of Term – Friday 19th July
• Summer Holidays – Monday 22nd July to Friday 30th August
  
• 2024/2025 Inset Day 1 – Monday 2nd September (school closed to pupils)
• 2024/2025 Inset Day 2 – Tuesday 3rd September (school closed to pupils)

Leaving Brynmill?

We are currently planning next year’s classes. If your child will not be returning in September please complete our online Leavers Form here: https://forms.office.com/e/1ymErcyq6b
(this does NOT need to be completed for Year 6 pupils who are moving up to comprehensive school)

Sports Day

Our Sports Day is on Thursday 4^th July (our reserve sports day is Monday 8^th July 2024). 

Each child belongs to one of our 4 houses, Waterloo (blue), Kemble (green) Trafalgar (yellow) & De Breos (red) and you will be informed of the colour T-shirt they should wear on the day. Please look out for the stickers the children come home with.

If you are joining us in St Helen’s Cricket Ground, please see approximate timings below:  

Safety and security during the event 

While we are mindful that we want our Sports Day to be as enjoyable as possible, we also want the children to be safe. As such, there are a number of safety factors that we would like your help with:- 

• Please ensure your child has a sunhat and is wearing long lasting sun cream 
• Toilets – there are only two toilets available for use on the day. Please give priority to children wanting to use the toilet, and please work with the member of staff who will be supervising the area. 
• Water – Please provide your child with a labelled bottle(s) of water. 
• Please use the entrance near the Patti Pavilion 
• Parents/carers & relatives will be based in the stands, whilst the children will be sat with their teams on the other side of the track.  You are more than welcome to come down to the field to watch your child in their carousel or event, but we ask that you do not take your child back to the stands with you. 
• When watching track events, we ask that parents/carers & relatives (and younger siblings) avoid standing on the track itself and if possible, view from the side of the track nearest the stands.   
• Can parents of pupils with younger siblings who are not of school age, please keep their little ones with them at all times. 
• Photos/filming – You are welcome to take photos/film your own children for your own use, but please remember that we do not have photo/filming permission for all children, so please do not put photos containing images of other children on social media unless you have the permission of their parent. 
• Please note: Dogs are not allowed at the event 
• There is no parking at St Helens. Disabled parking can be arranged in advance with Mrs. Morgans. 

Safety for all leaving the event 

I am sure that you appreciate that the end of the event can be very busy with a lot going on. We rely on your support and patience in ensuring that all pupils leave safely and that no child is left unaccounted for. With this in mind, we ask for your help with the following;  

• At the end of the event, you are welcome to say goodbye to your child, but please ensure that they stay in the designated area near to the class teacher or associate staff. We will be taking registers before we leave. We will be staggering the classes leaving to avoid a large crowd at the exit gates. 

We appreciate your help in making sure this fun event runs smoothly. 

Yours sincerely 
Miss J Simons 

Swansea Council: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) ‘Myth-Busting’ campaign

We are pleased to formally announce that the ASD ‘Myth Busting’ media campaign is live and up to date. Link here: https://swansea.gov.uk/autismsupport

The myth busting project aims to raise awareness for parents and carers of children and young people who are either awaiting and assessment along the Neurodevelopmental Pathway or who already have a diagnosis of Autism.

The campaign consists of a short web-based animation which explains what support can be given at home, at school and from the community regardless of whether formal diagnoses have been received. It aims to support a needs-led approach to supporting neurodiversity in line with National thinking.

Clips from the animation are also being displayed electronically in the central bus station and car parks. Swansea Council social media channels will also raise awareness.

The project is a joint venture between Swansea ALN Inclusion Team and Neath Port Talbot Inclusion Team. It has been made possible through West Glamorgan Regional Partnership Board Funding, as part of Neurodevelopmental Transformation Fund.

A digital and printed resource book for schools has also been developed and made available to support schools and parents.

Phase two will include workshops for parents and carers, hosted in Swansea School to raise awareness. Details to follow.

Rights Respecting School

As a Rights Respecting School, we focus each month on a particular Article from the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child. Assemblies, Circle time and class activities are based on these Rights. In connection with these, we also have a Value of the Month. Together, the Rights & Values encourage our learners to be respectful of each other, safe, and to be the best they can be.

Right of the Month for June

You have the right to rest and play (Article 31)

Value of the Month for June

Fairness

What’s coming up?

After School Clubs (week beginning 24th June)

Choir (Caswell and Oxwich): Monday 3.20-4.15pm
Please note that the choir will not be singing in the fete next Friday.
NO netball this week

Dates for the Diary

• Summer Fete – Friday 28th June
• Sports Day – Thursday 4th July
• Pobbles T Class Assembly – Friday 5th July
• Reserve Sports Day – Monday 8th July
• Pobbles R Class Assembly – Friday 12th July
• Year 6 Leavers Concert – Wednesday 17th July
• Last Day of Term – Friday 19th July
• Summer Holidays – Monday 22nd July to Friday 30th August
  
• 2024/2025 Inset Day 1 – Monday 2nd September
• 2024/2025 Inset Day 2 – Tuesday 3rd September

Lockdown Drill

Please see the link below to a page on our website which has further information about lockdown drills

Fire Drills/ Evacuation and Lock down drills/ Invacuation 

Universal Free School Meals

Message from Swansea Council: Further to previous correspondence, we are pleased to announce we will be rolling out free school meals to all year 6 pupils from 2 September 2024 (after summer holidays). Please note this will be automatic and there will be no requirement to apply for the meals. This completes the roll out of universal free school meals to all year groups in primary schools.

Swansea Council: Keeping Safe Online – Tip of the week

Tip thirty-two encourages a healthy balance between online and offline activities and links to a Hwb guide https://shorturl.at/4LF5Z

PTA News

Our Summer Fete Raffle is now live! Check it out on the link below: 

https://go.rallyup.com/brynmillsummerraffle

Tickets will also be available to purchase at the Summer Fete using cash and the winners will be announced on Friday, during the Summer Fete, at 4:50pm. Tickets start at £2 for x10 entries with a host of prizes from the likes of Folly Farm, Crazy Climb and Exist Skatepark! 

Thank you so much to everyone who has put their name down to volunteer during our Summer Fete on Friday 28th of June. We’re still looking for helpers between 1:30-3pm on the day to help set up and string up all of our beautiful paper bunting we made last night! If anyone is able to help us then before pick up, please do get in touch via friendsofbrynmill@gmail.com 

We can’t wait to see you all next week at the fete! Please remember that this event is CASH ONLY so please make sure to bring cash with you. 

Thank you all for your support. 

Green Scene

Thank you so much to everyone who attended our last volunteer session at the school. We weeded, harvested a ton of Mint, did a lot of watering and made some awesome bubble machines out of old plastic bottles and fruit net amongst other things! We will definitely be making these again during our next volunteer session as it was a huge hit with the children and adults. 

Our next volunteer session will be taking place on Sunday 21st July 10-12:30pm. We hope lots of you can join us! Volunteer sessions will be taking place on the 3rd Sunday of every month going forward.

Rights Respecting School

As a Rights Respecting School, we focus each month on a particular Article from the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child. Assemblies, Circle time and class activities are based on these Rights. In connection with these, we also have a Value of the Month. Together, the Rights & Values encourage our learners to be respectful of each other, safe, and to be the best they can be.

Right of the Month for June

You have the right to rest and play (Article 31)

Value of the Month for June

Fairness

What’s coming up?

After School Clubs (week beginning 17th June)

Choir (Caswell and Oxwich): Monday 3.20-4.15pm
NO netball this week

Dates for the Diary

• Year 5 Olympics Day at Ashleigh Road – Thursday 20th June
• Bracelet B Class Assembly – Friday 21st June – Parents and Grandparents welcome. Starts approx. 9.00am and lasts about half an hour. Please queue at Gate 2 on Trafalgar Place from 8.50am after the children have been let in.
• Summer Fete – Friday 28th June
• Sports Day – Thursday 4th July
• Pobbles T Class Assembly – Friday 5th July
• Reserve Sports Day – Monday 8th July
• Pobbles R Class Assembly – Friday 12th July
• Year 6 Leavers Concert – Wednesday 17th July
• Last Day of Term – Friday 19th July
• Summer Holidays – Monday 22nd July to Friday 30th August

Lockdown Drill

We want to let you know that on the morning of 2nd July 2024, we will be conducting a lockdown drill. A lockdown drill is an exercise designed to prepare children and staff for a potential emergency where it is safer to stay inside the building. During the drill, children and staff follow specific safety procedures to secure their classrooms and remain quiet and out of sight.

The purpose of this safety measure is to ensure everyone knows what to do to stay safe in case of an actual emergency, such as an intruder on the premises. It helps the school community practice staying calm and following instructions quickly and efficiently.

We understand that the idea of a lockdown drill can be unsettling, but please be assured that it is has become routine practice in many schools to help create a safe and secure environment for everyone. Our staff will explain the drill to the children in an age-appropriate manner to ensure they understand its importance without causing undue concern.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your support in keeping our school community safe.

Sports Day

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our sports day at St Helens Ground on Thursday 4th July (reserve date: Monday 8th July). Please note that for Health and Safety reasons we are unable to allow dogs. There is also No Parking in the grounds of St Helens (there is limited availability for disabled parking – please contact the school office to arrange).

Children should have come home with a sticker this week to let you know what house they are in. Please can they wear something of this colour on the day.

Swansea Council: Keeping Safe Online – Tip of the week

Tip thirty-one encourages parents/carers to help their children to understand the value of money when using in app purchases and links to a Hwb guide https://shorturl.at/80WKj

PTA News

Next week one of our PTA volunteers is hosting a crafting evening to make paper decorations for our upcoming Summer Fete. Cava, nibbles and crafting materials will be provided. Please see poster below for details and please RSVP if you’re able to attend. 

Our Summer Fete is just two weeks away today! We are still in desperate need of volunteers and if we do not secure a few more it will have to scaled back or even cancelled entirely. So please if you can volunteer between 3-5pm, we’d love to hear from you. The best way to get in touch is via friendsofbrynmill@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!

Green Scene

Please join us for our monthly Green Scene volunteer session which takes place tomorrow on school grounds.

We’ll be cracking on with a mammoth weeding session from 10am and there will be a bubble making session for children too! Tools, gloves and refreshments will be provided.

Everyone is welcome, just please let us know you’re coming. 

Free Local Events

It is June which means one thing! Kids Eat Free at Mumbles Pier! After the success of the last two years of Kids Eat Free, we are pleased to bring it back for the month of June.

In 2022 & 2023 we served over a 2500 completely free and 100% delicious kids meals! And the same as last year, there is simply no catch, you don’t need to purchase an adults meal, you don’t need to ask for Henry, you just need to have a child come down to our Beach Hut Cafe and enjoy no purchase necessary.

Kids Eat Free runs after school Monday to Friday after 4pm for the entire month of June in our Beach Hut Cafe. So don’t worry about the dishes, scrap the plans for dinner and relax at Mumbles Pier. This offer is exclusively for children (under 12’s only)- adults unfortunately do not eat free

Free events in Cwmdonkin Park

Free Badminton Session at the LC for ages 7+. Book on here: https://bookwhen.com/nb-openday

Rights Respecting School

As a Rights Respecting School, we focus each month on a particular Article from the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child. Assemblies, Circle time and class activities are based on these Rights. In connection with these, we also have a Value of the Month. Together, the Rights & Values encourage our learners to be respectful of each other, safe, and to be the best they can be.

Right of the Month for June

You have the right to rest and play (Article 31)

Value of the Month for June

Fairness

What’s coming up?

After School Clubs (week beginning 10th June)

Choir (Caswell and Oxwich): Monday 3.20-4.15pm
NO netball this week due to the Oxwich residential trip

Dates for the Diary

• Oxwich Residential Trip – Wednesday 12th June to Friday 14th June
• Bracelet B Class Assembly – Friday 21st June – Parents and Grandparents welcome. Starts approx. 9.00am and lasts about half an hour. Please queue at Gate 2 on Trafalgar Place from 8.50am after the children have been let in.
• Summer Fete – Friday 28th June
• Sports Day – Thursday 4th July
• Pobbles T Class Assembly – Friday 5th July
• Reserve Sports Day – Monday 8th July
• Pobbles R Class Assembly – Friday 12th July
• Year 6 Leavers Concert – Wednesday 17th July

Keeping your child safe online

Whilst there are many positives associated with social media and access to the internet, there is a pressing need to safeguard children of primary school age.

We continue to support children and their families to deal with the fallout from misuse of social media and/or exposure to harmful content online. Issues are generally harder to resolve when they are complicated by social media. Schools have no control over which children are allowed to create and use online accounts, and most misuse/exposure to misuse or inappropriate content happens outside of the school day/week.

We understand that it can be a real challenge for parents/ carers to have oversight of everything that their child experiences online. Unfortunately, when it goes wrong, schools have limited access (or no access) to accounts of all those involved, some of whom might not even attend our school.

Most social media accounts are for people aged 13 and over, but some are younger or older. Age restrictions are there for your child’s safety. 

Our school website has some useful information and links for parents/ carers, including:

• App guides for families – with the official age rating for most popular apps  
• How to report harmful content
• Accessing support for children/ who have been affected by harmful content 
• Starting a conversation and getting involved in your child’s ‘virtual life’
• Safer internet – tip of the week

Swansea Council: Keeping Safe Online – Tip of the week

Tip thirty encourages parents/carers to help their children to understand the potential for online advertising to be manipulative and links to a youtube video guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaCV2Cd4um4

Asylum Seeker wifi

Swansea Central Library are offering free SIM cards loaded with data to adults in asylum seeker families as long as they meet the relevant criteria which can be found here. The SIM cards are provided by The National Databank, O2 vouchers can be issued for 12 months. The data can be used on other devices via hotspotting. To obtain a SIM card from Central Library, adults will be required to fill in a form and join to become a member of the library. Please direct any queries to the school office.

PTA News

Friends of Brynmill Primary needs helpers for our upcoming fete! Could you lend a hand in running a stall or helping on the day from 3-5:30pm on Friday 28th June? If so we’d love to hear from you. 

This event is on a bigger scale than our previous discos and other events so if we cannot confirm a good number of volunteers then we won’t be able to proceed with the event. 

Children are of course welcome to help with you. If you can spare some time and are interested in helping out, please get in touch via friendsofbrynmill@gmail.com 

We are also looking for cake sale donations for the fete. So if you’d like to bake us some muffins or cookies to sell we’d welcome any donations on the day of fete. We just need to know in advance of the event so we can make sure we have enough items to sell. 

A reminder, we are also looking for leftover party bag items that we can use as prizes for the games at the Summer fete. Please hand these into the office if you’re able to donate anything.  

Our AGM will be taking place in September this year. We’ll keep you posted on the date and would encourage anyone who’d like to find more about the PTA to come along. 

Finally we’re hosting another Guys Board Game night! Date to be announced shortly which will take place in July. 

Thank you as always for your support! 

Green Scene

We’ve blinked and our next Green Scene volunteer session on school grounds is fast approaching.  Details of our session on Saturday 15th June can all be found on the poster below. Everyone is welcome. Just please let us know if you’re coming

Rights Respecting School

As a Rights Respecting School, we focus each month on a particular Article from the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child. Assemblies, Circle time and class activities are based on these Rights. In connection with these, we also have a Value of the Month. Together, the Rights & Values encourage our learners to be respectful of each other, safe, and to be the best they can be.

Right of the Month for June

You have the right to rest and play (Article 31)

Value of the Month for June

Fairness

Online issues and worries: social media

This advice is aimed at children who are older than primary school age, however, it is useful to chat with your child about some of these online issues and worries related to social media

https://hwb.gov.wales/keeping-safe-online/advice-for-children-and-young-people-online-issues-and-worries/online-issues-and-worries-social-media

What is social media?  

Social media can be a fun way to connect with people and be entertained, but it’s really important to stay safe online.

There are many types of social media, which can all be used for different things. Some of the most popular social media platforms include TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube, but there are lots more.

You can use social media to keep in touch with friends and family, meet new people, watch videos and play games. 

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What can go wrong?

Social media can be fun, but dangerous or upsetting things can happen online sometimes. Here are some common things that can go wrong:  

Make friendship fall outs even worse

All children fall out with their friends or peers from time to time, this can happen at school or anywhere you usually see your friends. It can be difficult to know what you should do when this happens and feelings are likely to be hurt. When you feel this way, it can be tempting to use social media to carry on an argument outside of school, involve others in your dispute as a way of getting them to take your side or act out in a way that you normally wouldn’t in real life because you are hurt and upset.

Hacking

This is when someone gets access to your account without your permission and sees your private information. Don’t share your password with anybody, and make sure it’s a strong one.

Illegal, offensive or harmful content

This is something you see online that doesn’t feel right and makes you feel uncomfortable

Online bullying

This is when someone is repeatedly mean to a person they are targeting online.

Trolling 

This means posting something offensive or controversial to cause upset, get attention, or start an argument.

Catfishing

This is when someone pretends to be someone else online. They could be lying about their identity, name, age and where they live.

Scamming

This is when someone tricks someone into buying something, clicking a link or sharing personal information. Scammers are out to steal your data or your money, so beware of clicking any links.

Feeling pressure

Social media can give the impression that some people are flawless and living their best life. This can put pressure on you or make you feel bad about yourself. Remember that you only get to see the highlights. Real life isn’t always perfect. Don’t be fooled by the filter, stay true to yourself online.

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Keeping your account safe

The best way to avoid the things that can go wrong on social media is to make sure you’re staying as safe as possible. These tips will help you keep your account secure:  

• Update your privacy settings
• Set strong and unique passwords
• Set up two-factor authentication

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Keeping yourself safe

Before posting, it might be helpful sometimes to picture yourself saying it to your parents/carers, your teacher, your next-door neighbour, or a stranger in the street. Would you share it then? Be smart so you can have fun safely.

• Think about what information you share
• Beware of meeting up with strangers
• Be open about your online life. Talk honestly and openly about how you use social media. It could make it easier to get help from an adult if something goes wrong.
• Don’t share personal information
• Age restrictions Most social media accounts are for people aged 13 and over, but some are younger or older. Age restrictions are there for your safety. If they find out that you’re lying about your age, they could close your account or ban you.

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Reporting and blocking

You can control what you choose to see online. If you don’t like something, try one of these steps:

• Report
• Block
• Moderate

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Where to go for help 

Talk to someone – even when you’ve taken all the steps you can to keep yourself safe, sometimes things can go wrong. If you need help, talk to an adult you trust, like family members, teachers, or youth workers. If you’re worried about starting a conversation with an adult, here are some tips.

• Meic – free and confidential helpline for children and young people in Wales with advisers to help you find the support you need. Call 080880 23456, text 84001, or chat online 
• Childline – free, private, and confidential helpline for children and young people in the UK where you can talk about anything. Call 0800 1111  
• App guides for families – information on the most popular apps, social media platforms and games, including how to block and report content
• Internet Matters – step-by-step guides to privacy settings on social media, live streaming, and gaming apps 

HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR CHILD

UK Safer Internet Centre have created some free activities and information for parents and carers which are available at: saferinternet.org.uk/SID-parents

Whether you have 5 minutes to start a conversation or hours to spare, there are top tips, quizzes and films which you can use at home with your child.