Annual Report 2019 Mynyddygarreg

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‘Bach yw hedyn pob mawredd’

Governors Annual Report to parents

2018-19

Come along and celebrate the achievements of
our pupils in your Annual General Meeting on
Wednesday, 25thSeptember at 6pm at the school

MYNYDDYGARREG SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY NO. 84

LEA REPRESENTATIVES (3) TERM OF OFFICE ENDS
Mr G. Davies 28/11/2022

ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY GOVERNOR (1) 06/02/2023
Representing Mynyddygarreg Council
Cllr. Chris Peters-Bond

HEADTEACHER GOVERNOR (1)
Mr S. Jones

PARENTAL REPRESENTATIVES (4) 07/02/2020
Mrs B. Owen 11/02/2020
Mrs E. Jones 17/11/2019
Mrs E. Thomas

COMMUNITY GOVERNORS (3) 08/11/2022
Mrs M. Trussler 26/03/2023
Mrs S. Woodward

TEACHER REPRESENTATIVE (1) 21/05/2023
Mr R. Williams

Chairperson of Governors

Mrs S. Woodward, Dan yr Heol, Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, SA17 4RP.

Clerk to the Governors

Mrs A. Lincoln, c/o Carmarthenshire County Council.

Chairperson’s Letter

Dear Parents and Supporters of Mynyddygarreg School,

Here we are at the start of a new academic year, looking forward to the opportunities that will present
themselves to the school and most importantly to pupils. Mynyddygarreg has firmly established itself as
an exemplar to other schools, offering a high standard of education and growing in confidence with every
year.

As always, the pupils enjoyed many activities in school: visits to Techniquest and Swansea University just
part of enjoying and learning science; local visits to the farm and our new garden at Parc y Bocs. All add a
richness to the curriculum and make learning fun. We continue to enjoy the variety of sporting
opportunities, cultural, music and arts, taking part in Eisteddfodau and putting on our school play – I’m
always amazed at how much talent we have in such a small school. Our fantastic productions with every
pupil playing a part is a great opportunity for all and testament to all the hard work staff and parents put
in at such a busy time of year.

The end of last term concluded the first year of Headship for Mr Steffan Jones and rarely for a new Head
in post we continued to receive green status for the school. The school has maintained its high standards
and continues in confidence through what is a very difficult period for all schools.

Once again we have had a smaller budget to work with but the Headteacher and staff have found ever
more creative ways to deliver a great learning experience to pupils. Staff, members of the governing body
and parents, including PTFA continue to make this small school thrive. Thank you all, for your hard work
and generous contributions of your time, in school and out.

Let’s make this another successful year for our children!

Yours sincerely,

Sue Woodward
Chair of Governors

Progress on School Action Plan

Ysgol Mynyddygarreg is a Welsh medium school. Children
are immersed in the Welsh language on entry into the
Reception class. The main language of instruction
throughout the foundation phase and Key Stage 2 is Welsh.
However, English is taught in lessons in K.S.2 and an
emphasis on bilingualism ensures that pupils achieve high
standards in both languages by the end of K.S.2.

The Headteacher meets with prospective parents prior
to their children starting school during open mornings.
This enables parents to see the close communication
between the Cylch Meithrin and Reception class and explain the schools’ teaching and learning strategies.
Our aim is to inform parents how staff work together and the efforts that are taken to ensure pupils’
transition from Pre-school into Reception is as seamless as possible.

Parents are helped and supported by teachers in helping with homework tasks.

Non Welsh speaking pupils from English medium schools who join the school are fast tracked with
intensive lessons.

The mainstream secondary school for Mynyddygarreg School is Ysgol y Strade. Ysgol y Strade is a Welsh
medium school. Joint activities are arranged throughout Year 5 and 6 and parents evenings held so that
transition is as smooth as possible. However, parents will be able to choose if they wish their child to
attend another secondary school if desired and arrangements can be made to help with transition.

Data shows many improvements in teaching and learning
during the year. The national tests places the school above
our family of schools, the county and Wales. The results of
tests along with Teacher Assessments have formed the
basis for intervention groups. Pupils who need extra
support in specific areas are taught in groups daily.
Intervention strategies such as ‘Hwb Ymlaen’, ‘Numicon’,
and ‘CHATT’ are used. Progress of all learners is regularly
and carefully tracked using Incerts.

The introduction of the digital competency framework
has given new focus to the IT work across the curriculum.
Mrs Davies, I.T. Co-ordinator at Mynyddygarreg School has attended training courses and together with
the IT Co-ordinator at Trimsaran School has provided staff training for teachers. Skills are tracked, from
Reception to Year 6, and have been slotted into the various themes taught. This work is still ongoing.

The school has completed two core visits. Mr Glenn Evans has
scrutinised data and looked at the performance of groups of learners.
He spoke with pupils during learning walks around the school. He also
observed lessons and conducted learning walks throughout the
school concentrating particularly on the standards of teaching and
learning. He reported positively on his findings and offered useful
advice. The school has been categorized as a Green School under the
Welsh Government’s system.

From on-entry to Year 6 a spreadsheet has been created to track
pupils’ progress. This tool proves useful identifying the trends in
pupils’ performance throughout both key stages.

The sharing of good practice between two schools has proved to be invaluable. Teachers plan together
and work on identical themes enabling a sharing of costs, experiences and resources. Expertise is shared
between the two schools and contributes on all levels to improving the teaching and learning. This enables
the sharing of resources and expertise that can be seen for example when the two schools come together
for games and choir practice

Our homework policy continues, where every year group within the school are given homework. Children
take pride in bringing in their books on a Monday morning. Hopefully, this will embed the importance of
homework for the future.

Class assemblies has had a positive impact.

We have invested a significant amount of money in the outdoor area for the Foundation Phase. The
majority of resouces has been funded by the PTA.

The school continues its effort in reinforcing the importance of environmental issues. School and Eco
Councils look for ways in which environmentally friendly practices can become a part of the school life.
Pupil’s voice is important and the Eco Committee have been collecting information from all and acting on
their ideas.

Individual Development Planning meetings have been held to discuss several pupils who have additional
needs. Agencies involved share information regularly and plan together for strategies for improvement.

The “Siarter Iaith” venture continues to thrive. The Criw
Cymraeg work hard ensuring that all pupils speak Welsh
outside the classroom.

Attendance is improving. Efforts are made to increase
percentages pupils are targeted and encouraged to be
punctual and regular attendees.

Community Links

The Junior pupils visited Glan-y-Môr School
for a Music Tour organised by the Peripatetic
Teachers.

The Junior pupils visited Swansea Museum

P.C. Ali Timothy has visited the school during the
year.

Harvest Thanksgiving Service at St Teilo Church.

Design to Smile visit the Foundation Phase pupils on a regular basis.

The P.T.A. and Year 3 pupils organised a Coffee Morning to raise money for Macmillan Cancer. They
raised £85.50.

Year 5 and 6 attended an Interactive Science
Demonstration in Carmarthen.

Pupils raised money for Children in Need.

Reception to Year 4 pupils received the flu nasal spray.

The School Nurse visited the Reception class for a
height and weight assessment and also for Year 1
screening.

TrimyMynydd choir performed at ASDA, Llanelli.

P.C. Trudy spoke with the Junior pupils regarding staying safe on Halloween
and Bonfire Night.

Pupils performed ‘The Lion King’ for Parents at Mynyddygarreg Hall.

Pupis visited St Teilo Church for a Christingle Service.

Year 6 pupils were invited to have a stall and sell crafts at
Ysgol y Strade’s Christmas Fayre.

Pupils have supported the Urdd Locally. Pupils have also
competed at Mynyddygarreg Eisteddfod.

Pupils took part in an Armistice Service at Mynyddygarreg
Hall.

Year 6 performed during the unveiling of the new Brass Band
noticeboard for the village.

The Foundation Phase class visited Techniquest and The National
Museum in Cardiff.

The P.T.A. organised a ‘Cawl a Chân’ evening at Mynyddygarreg Hall.

The Junior pupils took part in a St David’s Parade in Kidwelly,
organised by Menter Cwm Gwendraeth.

The mobile library visited the school.

Eleanor Goldsmith from the Fire Department spoke with Years 1-6 pupils on ‘Fire Safety’.

Pupils received a talk from the ‘Air Ambulance’.

The School Nurse visited Yr5/6 for a wellbeing talk and also gave a talk to Bl6/Y6 on ‘Growing up’.

The Foundation Phase class visited a Jamboree Show at
Pontyberem Hall.

Four pupils attended rehearsals for a ‘Gŵyl Cerdd
Dant’.

One pupil from the Juniors visited a Welsh Language
Centre at Carway School, 1 day a week for 10 weeks.

Emyr Williams has taken our morning assemblies twice
half termly. The aim of ‘Open the Book’ is to inform the
pupils of the main stories in the Bible in chronology.

Year 3 pupils visited Parc-y-Bocs in Kidwelly one afternoon a week for 7 weeks to create a garden.

The Junior pupils took part in a sponsored walk from Burry Port to Pembrey Country Park to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of ‘Save our Sands’.

Year 5/6 visited Ysgol y Strade for a Science Workshop and The National Botanical Gardens.

Year 5 and 6 pupils visited Ysgol Bro Myrddin.

The Foundation Phase pupils visited ‘Play King’ Activity
Centre.

The Juniors visited ‘The Blue Lagoon Swimming
Pool’ at Bluestone.

Years 4, 5 and 6 visited Pendine Residential Centre.

The whole school visited Pembrey Country Park
for our annual trip.

PTA

We are fortunate to benefit from an extremely
supportive P.T.A. who have worked hard to
organise various events during the year which
include:

 Sponsored bike ride
 Cawl a Chân Evening
 Duck Race
 Coffee Mornings
Their hard work has been invaluable and much appreciated. Thank you for your support.

The P.T.A. welcome new members. It doesn’t cost you a
penny to join, all we ask is your time to help organise
and host events to raise money for the school.

Additional Learning Needs

Two pupils have a statement of Additional Learning Needs and is supported by Learning Support Assistants.
One Teaching assistant supports some 6 pupils who are currently on School Action and School Action Plus.
Programmes such as ‘Read Write Inc’, ‘Hwb Ymlaen’ and ‘Dyfal Donc’ are being used. ‘Letters and Sounds’
and ‘Tric a Chlic’ is introduced in the Nursery and is used in the whole of the Foundation Stage for all pupils.
Support is provided by Mrs P. Gower, Mrs G. Humble and Miss L. Davies.
Children can receive their support either in the classroom or by being withdrawn into special teaching areas.

Sporting and other achievements

Yr3-6 competed in the Carmarthenshire County Cross-Country
Championships at Carmarthen Showground.

Pupils undertake weekly PE/games lessons.

Dragon Sports have enthused many pupils by holding a weekly
sports club after school.

Year 1 had an opportunity to take part in an athletics session at
Llanelli Leisure Centre.

Two pupils from Year 6 attended a training course for Bronze Young
Ambassadors at Llanelli Leisure Centre organised by Carmarthensire
County Council. The course inspires them to become role models and
leaders through sport so that they can influence others to take part in
sport and physical activity.

Pupils took part in a whole schoolSuperhero sponsored walk at Trimsaran
Rugby Fields.

Three pupils took part in an Urdd Swimming Gala at Llanelli Leisure
Centre.

The PTA organised a Sponsored Bike Ride
from Burry Port Cycle Path to Llanelli.

The Junior pupils have received a three week
intensive swimming course at Llanelli Leisure Centre.

Years 2-6 had a Hockey taster session, organised by
the Urdd.

The Nursery and Reception classes took part in the Gwendraeth Valley Sports at Parc y Scarlets.

The Derbyn class took part in a Carmarthenshire Bike Festival at Llanelli Leisure Centre

Two pupils attended a Young Bronze Ambassadors event at Pembrey Country Park.

A whole school fitness week was held which included
pupils walking to school under the supervision of staff,
healthy eating, visit to Blue Lagoon Swimming Pool,
Play King Activity Centre and our school trip to Pembrey
Country Park.
School Sports Day and Duck Race at Mynyddygarreg
Rugby Club.

Provision of toilet facilities

Boys and Girls toilets are located within the school.
All toilets are provided with hot water and liquid soap. Toilet rolls and hand towels are replaced daily.
All toilets are checked for cleanliness by Teaching Assistants throughout the day and are cleaned by our
cleaners every evening.

Setting & meeting National Targets

In the academic year 2018/19, 4 pupils were assessed by teacher assessment (TA) at KS2 and 7 at end of
Foundation Phase.

The expected National Curriculum Level for an average pupil at Foundation Phase is Outcome 5. The
school and national results are as follows:

The expected National Curriculum Level for an average pupil at KS2 is Level 4. The school and national
results are as follows:

Key Stage 2 Target Setting

Table showing the percentage of KS2 pupils attaining at least level 4 (TA) in the National Curriculum.

SUBJECT 2020 2021 2022
KS2 KS2 KS2
WELSH Cohort = 4 Cohort = 2 Cohort = 7
ENGLISH pupils pupils pupils
MATHEMATICS 1 child = 25% 1 child = 50% 1 child = 14.3%
SCIENCE 100% 100% 71.4%
100% 100% 71.4%
100% 100% 71.4%
100% 100% 71.4%

In 2019 Targets and Actual Results were as follows:-

SUBJECT TARGET % ACTUAL %

WELSH Cohort = 4 pupils Cohort = 4 pupils
ENGLISH 1 child = 25% 1 child = 25%
MATHEMATICS 100% 75%
SCIENCE
100% 100%
100% 100%
100% 100%

Authorised & Unathorised Attendance Statistics

Attendance for the academic year 2018-2019 was 94.21%. The minimum level expected by the Welsh
Assembly Government is 92%. We will continue to monitor this situation during the coming year.

Any child falling below 80% will be referred to the L.E.A. School Welfare Officer.

In the event of an absence parents are requested to inform the school by phone or by letter
otherwise your child’s absence will be considered to be unauthorised.

The following statistics relate to the number of authorised and unauthorised absences expressed
as a percentage of the total number of possible attendances in that term.

TERM AUTHORISED UNAUTHORISED
AUTUMN 4.50% 2.45%

2018 5.00% 0.76%
3.69% 0.61%
SPRING
2019

SUMMER
2019

A request. A significant number of children are now arriving late for the start of the school. This
not only disadvantages them but also disrupts the learning of others. Please make every effort to
ensure that your children arrive on time as this helps them to develop habits that will be of advantage
to them, not just now, but, in the future.

Regular school attendance is vital and missing school can have a significant impact on achievement over a
one year period as illustrated below:

95-100% Best chance of success Your child is taking full advantage of every learning
attendance opportunity.
At least 2 weeks of learning Satisfactory. Your child may have to spend time
90-95% missed catching up with work.
attendance At least 4 weeks of learning Your child may be at risk of underachieving and may
missed need extra support from you to catch up with work.
85-90% At least 5 ½ weeks of learning Your child’s poor attendance has a significant impact
attendance missed on learning.
Your child is missing out on a broad and balanced
80-85% At least 7½ weeks education. You are at risk of prosecution.
attendance of learning missed
Below 80%
attendance

School Terms & Holiday Dates: 2019-2020

Infants/Nursery Juniors
8.50am – 12.00pm morning 8.50am–12.15pm morning
12.00–1.00pm lunch 12.15–1.00pm lunch
1.00–3.00pm finish 1.00-3.15pm finish

Statement of Expenditure

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 2018/19
Mynyddygarreg School