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	<title>Message from the head</title>
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      <title><![CDATA[Early Summer Term News]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[Mrs Tamarua and Mrs White have both returned to school following their period of maternity leave - welcome back ladies! Ms S Taylor is also back at Maes Yr Haul after completing a twelve week Welsh language sabbatical at the university of Glamorgan. Croeso nol Ms Taylor!
Congratulations to our rugby team who are Welsh 10 a side champions following a wonderful day of rugby at Swansea earlier this month, read all about it in this week's Glamorgan Gazette. The rugby team are also through to the semi final of the Bridgend schools' cup competition, we are so proud of their skill and sportsmanship. Three of our players have been selected to represent West Wales schools in a forthcoming match against East Wales schools, well done Ed Biebrach, Kalafi Molitika and Harry Ridge. 
The summer term has us busily preparing for the inter schools basketball, rounders and swimming matches, I will keep you informed of our progress.
 Already this term class assemblies have been performed by classes Williams, Evans ( R/Y1) and Williams-Jones. All three were very different but equally enjoyable and confirm the excellent work that has been taking place in school. Thank you to all who attended.
This week sees two quiz teams representing Maes Yr Haul at two different events. A team of Year 5 pupils are taking part in the 'Arrive Alive' Road Safety quiz - good luck to Abbie O'Hagan, Emily Morgan, Karun Anantharaman, Holly Davies and Rhys Chalmers. Bridgend Rotary are holding their annual inter school quiz on May 1st and Tomas Williams, Evan Davies, Ewan Coles and Amaan Abbas will be doing their best for our school. 
School will be closed on May 7th for the May Day bank holiday and we have a closure day on May 25th for staff inset. Please make a note that Sports Day is on Tuesday July 3rd ( July 10th if the 3rd is cancelled because of bad weather). The summer fete is on Saturday July 7th, this will be our 10th anniversary celebration fete so please come along and support it. The PFA are  ..]]></description>
      <link>http://www.maesyrhaul.com/blog/head.php?id=806</link>
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      <title><![CDATA[A Busy End To The SpringTerm]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[Celebrations for the 10th anniversry of our school have taken place over the last week, thank you to all who supported our Open School event last Friday, I have received much feedback confirming the success of the morning. The mural created by our key stage 2 pupils adds another interesting dynamic to our school building and tells a wonderful story. The hot air balloon experience was enjoyable and exciting and the range and quality of questions our children asked at this event were really impressive. This week is National Balloon Week and there is a possibility that a photograph of our children with the hot air balloon may be shown on BBC's The One Show - I will be watching in hope!
Congratulations to Rhiannon Harries of Year 6 who came 3rd in the Bridgend Rotary Junior Youth Speaks competition and well done to the Maes Yr Haul team who entered and won the Bridgend Library Penalty Shoot Out Reading Challenge. 
May I take this opportunity to remind parents of children who participate in school sporting activities that we rely on a financial contribution to cover the cost of coach transport to events, could you please ensure you send in your contributions as it is becoming increasingly difficult to subsidise transport costs.
I look forward to welcoming all Nursery and Reception parents to our Easter bonnet parades on Friday March 30th. Friday is also a non uniform day, we ask that each child contributes £1 which will be supporting the Motor Neurone disease charity.
Start of the summer term is Monday April 16th.
Pasg hapus! Happy Easter! ]]></description>
      <link>http://www.maesyrhaul.com/blog/head.php?id=755</link>
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    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Spring Term Events]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[One of the responsibilities of the governing body of the school is to monitor delivery of the curriculum. To assist the governors in this we recently held a Governors' Day when governors observed classes in session. The day was a great success with  very positive feedback from governors. 
We have five Learning Teams in school, all classroom staff and governors belong to one Learning Team. The website is currently being updated to include Learning Team information and this will be available for parents during the summer term, I am confident you will find the information interesting and helpful.
St David's Day was celebrated with eisteddfods both in the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2. There was huge excitement throughout the weeks prior to March 1st and the day itself was excellent. Outside adjudicators congratulated children on the standard of written and performed work. Victorious houses were Llynfi in the Foundation Phase and Ewenni in Key Stage 2. Scott Willicombe was the chaired bard. 
Maes Yr Haul prides itself for being a caring school and this half term we are raising awareness of and raising funds for three charities - Bobath, Velindre hospital and Motor Neurone disease. We sold cakes during breaktimes and raised over £300 for Bobath who support children with cerebral palsy. We have raised over £1,000 for Velindre hospital by selling Easter chicks. On the last day of school this term ( March 30th) we are having a non uniform day. To come to school out of uniform we ask for a donation of £1 per child, all money collected will be supporting the Motor Neurone disease charity.
It is likely that one teaching union will be on strike on March 28th, this will result in 12 classes closing and 7 remaining open. You will soon receive information detailing which classes are effected should the strike go ahead.
Nursery and Reception parents are invited to our annual Easter Bonnet parade on March 30th, let's hope the sun shines that day!
As you know our school i ..]]></description>
      <link>http://www.maesyrhaul.com/blog/head.php?id=751</link>
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      <title><![CDATA[2012 - A SPECIAL YEAR FOR US ALL!]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[Happy New Year and Happy New Term! 
2012 will be a busy year at Maes Yr Haul, we have much planned and will be embracing national and world events as well as our own 10th anniversary celebrations - yes we are 10 years old! To mark this milestone there are many activities planned, the week of March 19th is going to be our official  BIRTHDAY WEEK with a party planned for Friday March 23rd to which you are all invited!
I have received an update from Bridgend Foodbank which helps individuals and families in times of need. They are currently requesting that donations be dropped into their premises at 79a Nolton Street on  Mondays,Tuesdays or Fridays between 10am and 2pm. I f you are able to help they are currently in need of the following : UHT Milk, Orange Juice, Biscuits, Cereal, Rice Pudding, Custard,
Small Coffee and Small Sugar  - thank you!
From time to time we see crazes come into school whether it be children collecting stickers and cards or playing games and activities. Currently many of our playtimes and lunchtimes are being spoiled because of boys playing games which are becoming very physical and resulting in children getting hurt. It seems that many of our boys are basing their playtime activities on a computer game they are playing at home. I have made some enquiries and am surprised that the game causing our playtime problems is rated as suitable for 18 years and over. I would urge parents to monitor what their children are playing at home as I will have to introduce sanctions should these games continue.
Some dates for you to note - teacher training event on February 3rd, school will be closed. The half term holiday is February 13th - 17th. Parents meetings with teachers February 22nd and 23rd.
May I remind you that in the event of snow you should log on to the BCBC website www.bridgend.gov.uk which has a link on the homepage to check if school is open.
 ]]></description>
      <link>http://www.maesyrhaul.com/blog/head.php?id=736</link>
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      <title><![CDATA[What A Wonderful Term!]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[Autumn term 2011 is almost ended - we have had another great term at Maes Yr Haul with so many events, excitement, successes and GOOD LEARNING taking place!
We are currently in the middle of Christmas concerts with Nursery and Reception classes having performed to grandparents, parents and friends and Years 1 and 2 all rehearsed and ready to go! 
When I am out and about and hear people comment that , 'It doesn't feel like Christmas' , I know that those people do not work in schools. At Maes Yr Haul we are celebrating the festive season in a variety of ways. As mentioned we have Foundation Phase concerts ( 12 in all ) and last Friday the Parent and Friends Association organised a hugely successful Christmas Fayre which made a profit of over £900. Well done and thank you to Mrs O'Roche, chairperson of the PFA and her committee who work tirelessly to support the school and offer lots of fun experiences for our children. This year the PFA had more parents than usual volunteering to help out - THANK YOU SO MUCH, your involvement made a real difference. If you would like to help in future events just let Mrs Roche know - the more volunteers the better! The PFA discos this week were enjoyed by all, the children all looked fantastic!
I was in St David's church Laleston tonight, the school choir were performing a repertoire of Christmas songs in the Bridgend Rotary annual carol concert. The quality of the contribution made by our choir was excellent, well done boys and girls and of course well done Miss Jones and Mrs Kenifick - I was definitely the proudest headteacher in BCBC tonight. Next Monday, December 12th, at 3.30pm our junior children are holding a Carols and Christmas Hats event on the junior playground - please come along and support them and join in the singalong - weather permitting it should be a fun half hour.  
On Friday December 9th we have another cycling event in school but with a Christmas twist - 'Bling Your Bike To School' will see our Key Stage 2 p ..]]></description>
      <link>http://www.maesyrhaul.com/blog/head.php?id=712</link>
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    <item>
      <title><![CDATA[Latest News]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[We have the highest number of pupils from any school in both the Bridgend district rugby and football squads, well done to the successful rugby players : Kalafi Molitika, Harry Ridge, Megan Webb, Sion Jansen and Ed Biebrach and to the succesful football players Robbie Regan, Rhydian Jenkins, Alex Upham and Daniel Adair. We are really proud of their success. Congratulations to all cross country runners who attended the first meeting of the season, a good result for Maes Yr Haul, we need your continued support to ensure we have as successful a season as last year.
The new style parents evenings were well attended and I have received very positive feedback, the only change we need to make for next year is to ensure that all classes hold the meetings on the same night , this will make it easier for parents with more than one child in the school. Thank you to all who made the effort to come in, the staff were very positive following your attendance and the children loved being the 'tour guides'.
We will be holding an information evening for parents of Nursery and Reception children during November to explain the new process of assessing pupils on entry to school. Assessments are already completed and we now have to report the outcomes, we will be sending individual assessment reports home and then inviting all parents in to have the new system explained - you will then have an opportunity to meet with staff should you wish to do so.
Our newly elected school council are welcoming Madeline Moon MP to school tomorrow, Mrs Moon will be touring the school, meeting year 5 and 6 pupils and joining a school council meeting.
Sustrans is a leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. We are fortunate to be part of a Sustrans Cymru project and are holding a Bike To School day tomorrow. Years 3-6 who cycle to school tomorow have the chance of winning some great prizes - cycle helmets must be worn.
Fin ..]]></description>
      <link>http://www.maesyrhaul.com/blog/head.php?id=650</link>
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      <title><![CDATA[Parents' Meetings, Cross Country Running, Safe Driving and More!]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[Parents are invited into school next week to meet teachers and visit their children's classrooms and see the work that has begun this term, the style of meeting is different to previous years and we hope to see all parents in school. There will be no set appointments but rather an open classroom where children's work will be on display and we are asking children to come with their parents and show their parents what they have been learning this term. Letters giving details for each class have already gone out but if you are unsure of times please contact the school. I hope the new style meetings this term will be popular with everyone. The spring term meetings will be individual appointments offering full progress reports.
This Saturday October 1st is the first meeting of the Bridgend Primary Schools Cross Country league. This is an inter-school competition for children in Years 3- 6, last year was Maes Yr Haul's first year in the league and we were delighted to achieve 3rd place overall at the end of the season. Cross Country is a team rather than an individual event and we need as many runners as possible to ensure us a chance of doing as well as last year - we would really like to maintain or even improve on our position. The first race is at 10 o clock and we ask all runners to be at the event by quarter to ten. The event is usually finished by 10.45am. The first meeting this Saturday is at Coleg Cymynedol Y Dderwen - the old Ynysawdre comprehensive school site in Tondu. Please support your child if they wish to join in.
There has been an 'unofficial' one way system working successfully for the last few years in the shopping precinct at the front of the school. Cars entering the shopping area all turn left on entry, drive through the shops car parking area, then turn right to drive in front of the school and follow the road to the right behind the shops. This ensures that traffic congestion is kept to a minimum. I have received a few calls to say that many par ..]]></description>
      <link>http://www.maesyrhaul.com/blog/head.php?id=624</link>
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      <title><![CDATA[Happy New Term!]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[Welcome back to you all! We had a great start to the autumn term on September 1st and have been 'full steam ahead' since then. School numbers are the highest ever with 553 pupils and over 90 staff. This school year 2011-2012 will be a busy one with lots going on including celebrations for our 10th anniversary - yes Maes Yr Haul is ten years old and we will be marking this milestone with some special events - more news about this later in the term.
I would like to pass on special congratulations to Mrs White, (year 1 classteacher), and Ms Ekman ( nursery learning support officer) on the birth of their baby sons Charlie and Louis.
You should all have received a newsletter from your child's class teacher with autumn term information and dates for the term. You will also have received our new Home/School Reading Diaries which as well as recording your child's reading progress, offers you ideas to support your child when reading at home. We are really pleased with the diaries and hope you will take time to use them to help your child. Reading is an important focus for us this year and a target in our School Development and Improvement Plan.
The wet start to the term has created some traffic problems at the start and end of the day. If you can walk to school or car share please try and do so - it makes things a lot easier for everyone. The car park at the rear of the school is for staff only so please do not park there and please remember to allow coaches to park in the lay by when returning children back to school from trips, sporting events and other activities.
We organise a fruit and vegetable co-op in school called Fruitique. This is run by some of our Year 5 pupils who work hard and relish the responsibility. The children take orders, phone the supplier, receive the produce, bag it and deliver on the school playground. The success of the children's efforts rely on parents buying the bags of fruit and vegetables which are available every week for £2.50 a bag. Or ..]]></description>
      <link>http://www.maesyrhaul.com/blog/head.php?id=609</link>
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      <title><![CDATA[Summer Holiday ]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[I am writing my blog on an August day, it is the middle of the school summer holiday. Sadly I am not sitting in my garden enjoying the sunshine, in fact I am looking at my garden through a rain splashed window! It is a wet Welsh summer!
The summer holiday for headteachers is a time to relax, refresh, recharge and reflect. As I reflect back on school year 2010-2011 I am reminded of a host of 'greats'. The end of the school year is busy with many deadlines to meet, many of which are target related but at Maes Yr Haul we do not forget that the end of the summer term is importantly a time to say goodbye and good luck to pupils leaving us and a time to say hello and welcome to the children and their families who will be joining us in September. It is a time to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the school year.
Our Year 6 pupils had a wonderful end of term with an emotional last week, the Leavers' Assembly recognised their many talents and the Year 6 prom was a huge success, ( as the pictures on the website home page confirm). There was a massive sense of achievement permeating our Nursery Graduation ceremony, the pride of children, parents and staff was HUGE, there were also lots of tears but only from parents and staff!!!!! 
Meetings for the parents of September 2011's Nursery, Reception and Year 3 were well attended and confirmed the excellent partnership we have with parents.  
Twenty children did not miss one day of school last year and were presented with 100% attendance certificates and gift vouchers - well done!
Our performance data for this year is most encouraging with Year 2 and Year 6 pupils attaining well. Congratulations to all pupils and staff. The expected level for Year 2 is level 2 and the expected level for Year 6 is level 4. 
94% of our Year 2 children attained level 2 or above in English with 96% attaining level 2 or above in both maths and science. 95% of our Year 6 children attained level 4 or above in English with 94% attaining leve ..]]></description>
      <link>http://www.maesyrhaul.com/blog/head.php?id=607</link>
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      <title><![CDATA[Summer Success]]></title>
      <description><![CDATA[On Sunday July 10th Maes Yr Haul competed in Bridgend County's first ever primary school choir competition. Six schools reached the final, the standard was very high and I am delighted to announce that we were victorious! Well done to Miss Jones, Mrs Kenefick and of course to the children of the choir who performed so well. The prize of £500 worth of music vouchers now have to be spent! Sincere thanks to so many of our parents who supported us at the competition in Maesteg.
We have also been competing in several sporting tournamments and have achieved well. Our football team won the Litchard World Cup tournament; our netball team entered the same tournament and came second on goal difference. Well done to Robbie Regan Year 5 who was player of the tournament.The basketball team were second in the Bridgend Blitz tournament.
Sports Week was a huge success, the weather was kind to us especially during Colin Jackson's visit and on Sports Day, which was fantastic - well done to all competitors and congratulations to Yellow and Red houses who took the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2 trophies respectively. The Sportsmanship awards this year went to Ryan Teesdale and Emma Robinson. A special Thank You to Miss Crutch for co-ordinating Sports Week and ensuring it was successful.   
The sun continued to shine for our annual summer fete, what a great day we had! There were a record number of stalls this year and you all helped to ensure a healthy profit was made for PFA funds. The PFA use all profits to support the school in many ways.
Welcome meetings have been held for September 2011 Nursery and Reception parents , they were well attended and we look forward to working in continued partnership with you all. 
Our Year 2 children are singing at Bryntirion Comprehensive Schol in a Gamanfa Ganu on Monday July 18th at 6pm, this is an annual event involving all the associate primary schools. Parents welcome!
We are holding a non uniform day on the last day of term, Thursday  ..]]></description>
      <link>http://www.maesyrhaul.com/blog/head.php?id=590</link>
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