If you have any questions or concerns about anything in this

newsletter, please email me, Mrs Beacon, using an email address

below, and I will do my best to help. Thank you for your support.
[email protected] [email protected]

Parent/Teacher Consultation Appointments - 21st June

Letters came home this week – please contact us if yours did not make it home.
All appointments have been carefully arranged by Mrs Meakins to try to keep sibling
appointments close together and waiting times to a minimum. These appointments
are for you to discuss your child’s school report and to share what they are currently
working on in literacy and numeracy – what their targets are.
Children in Years 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 all completed their National Personalised
Assessments, set by the Welsh Government, last week. I have been so proud
of how well the chidlren have done. Following on from our times tables
successes last week, it should come as no surprise that our children out-
perform nearly every other school that is similar to St Monica’s and our children
far exceed the expectations set by Welsh Government for both numeracy and
reading. We will share your child’s results with you during the meeting.

Helping Hands
All minutes of meetings are available on the school website
or following THIS LINK
The next Helping Hands meeting is IN PERSON at
The Table – Friday 9th June at 9am
Our next Fund raiser is a Djembe Drummathon, to raise money to support school trips across all
Steps in the school. We hope to be able to get enough sponsored drummers (of all ages) to drum
from 8am all day until 6pm on Friday 16th June.
Children will have brought home a sponsor form each with an envelope this week –
please don’t allow your child to ask anyone they don’t actually know to sponsor them –
no knocking on doors along your street.
Friday 16th June
Everyone to wear traditional clothing that is meaningful to them
8am Mrs Beacon and Mrs Meakins start drumming
children, parents and staff to join in as they arrive
9-10 Step 1 to start their turn (parents can join in too)
10 – 12 Step 2 to take over
12 – 2 Step 3 to take over
2–3 Year 6 and Step 1 to take over again
3 – 6pm Parents, friends, children, staff to keep the drums going!

From 2.45 the playground will be open for a BIG dance performance with children from
Steps 2 and 3. The day will end in a ‘bring and share’ food event after school and a
‘Puff-Puff Off’ cooking competition!
Sponsorship forms will be sent home today – additional forms can be downloaded here
 Early Summer 10% Discount On Koolskools Fairtrade Uniform:
26 May - 4 June 2023
Koolskools have asked us to notify parents that they will be running an early summer 10%
discount window for Fairtrade/ECO uniform from Friday 26 May to Sunday 4 June
inclusive.
Again this year Koolskools are hoping that parents will order early, ahead of the anticipated usual
August rush to buy school uniform!
HOW TO ORDER
Please note that the Koolskools website address has recently changed to:
www.koolskools4u.co.uk
Go to our school’s buying page on the Koolskools website on the following link -
https://www.koolskools4u.co.uk/schools-list/ - and place your order.
There will be a flat delivery charge of £4.50.
Orders take 15 days during the busy June to September period (10 days between October and
May) to turn around from the date of order placement.
WHY FAIRTRADE COTTON/RECYCLED POLYESTER UNIFORM?
1. There is no difference in quality between Fairtrade cotton and normal cotton, but Fairtrade
cotton farmers always receive a fair and sustainable payment for their crop. Their
communities also receive a premium for projects such as building schools, hospitals, access
to clean water and so on.
2. Being “Fairtrade Cotton Certified” means that all parts of the manufacturing chain have been
inspected and audited to ensure that practices such as child labour and enforced
overtime/long working hours don’t exist.
3. All the polyester in Koolskools-manufactured garments is GRS-certified, the highest recycled
polyester clothing standard. The polyester is post-consumer (eg recycled plastic bottles etc)
recycled, lending the garments the strongest of planet-friendly credentials.

After School Club

We have spaces in our After School Club. Each session is from 3.15
until 6pm. Children have a snack and play/do activities with children
from St Monica’s and other local schools. Each session costs £11 per
child. It is possible to book a place for one-off sessions, some
parents find it very helpful to do this if they have a particular work
commitment that happens only very occassionally. Your child does
have to be registered with the After School Club beforehand.
It costs nothing at all to register but you may find it helpful to do if you think you might
need emergency childcare after school.
A phone call to the school office to see if we have a space available (before the day you need the
place) usually means we can accommodate your request. The booking form and other information
can be found here: https://stmonicasciw.secure-primarysite.net/after-school-club/

Sadly, due to the drop in numbers in the club over the last 12 months, the Local Authority and I
have had to come to the very sad decision that the club will close at the end of this academic year.
The last day of the ASC will be Friday 21st July.

I have kept the daily charge to as minimum a level as I possibly can but even by offering a very
competitive rate, fewer families are choosing to send their children to the ASC. This is in no way a
reflection on the fabulous care and support Sian and Gwen give to each and every child. It is a
reflection on the times we are currently living in, where more people work from home or work shift
patterns that mean they don’t require childcare.
 Pupil Development Grant
A Pupil Development Grant is available to assist families on a low income to buy school uniform,
sports kit, uniform for enrichment activities, school bags, stationery etc. Please note IT equipment
is excluded from this grant. This year the grant is available to pupils entering:
Pupils with no recourse to public funds and asylum seekers entering any primary age
year group; Year 7; Year 8; Year 9; Year 10 and Year 11 in the 2022/23 school year are
entitled to a grant.
The parent or guardian making the application must be receiving one of the following:
• Income Support
• Job Seekers Allowance (income based)
• Employment Support Allowance (income related)
• Child Tax Credit, with a low household income
• Pension Credit (guarantee element)
• Universal Credit

Working Tax Credit is not a qualifying Benefit and if you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit you
will not be entitled to a Uniform Grant even if you get this together with one of the incomes
above.
If you meet these criteria, please complete the Pupil Development Grant application form. The
Local Authority will then check if you are entitled to receive this payment with the Department for
Work and Pensions. Those receiving Free School meals due to transitional protection will only be
eligible if they meet the criteria above.
https://forms.cardiff.gov.uk/PupilDevelopmentGrant
 Online Forms
I have been working with Mrs Fedorova in the school office to try to
make contacting us in school an easier process, particularly when
looking at how we ask parents to fill in forms or make requests. We
have started this process by looking at putting some Google Forms onto
the school website. You can now request a place in Breakfast Club or
request time off school for your child using one of these forms.
https://stmonicasciw.secure-primarysite.net/trips-tickets-
requests-forms/

With May half term just around the corner, it's time to plan some exciting activities to keep the
kids entertained. Cardiff has plenty to offer! From free and inexpensive options like Lego club,
pebble painting and crafts at the Hubs to outdoor adventures in the city's beautiful parks and
green spaces, there's something for everyone.
May is National Walking Month too, so why not explore Cardiff's wildlife explorer trails and
discover the diverse plants and animals that call the city home? It's a fun and educational way to
connect with nature.
We’ve pulled together some useful links and ideas for half term (29 May-2 June):
Cardiff Hubs events and activities
Wildlife Explorer Trails
Victoria Park Splash pad – opens Saturday 27th May!
Holiday activities for children
Outdoor Cardiff
Park and Green spaces
Visit Cardiff
Walks and Trails
Walking and cycling map
The Visit Cardiff team have also put together a handy list of things to do in the capital, including
an immersive family attraction at Cardiff Castle called ‘Black Tower Tales’ and the popular musical
‘School of Rock’ at the New Theatre.
With a range of activities and attractions in Cardiff, you're guaranteed a fun-filled break!
 The consultation about the future location and
age range of St Monica’s is now live
On-line drop in session is Monday 5th June 9.30-12 on Microsoft Teams
In-person drop in session is Wednesday 7th June 5-7pm at Cathays Library

JUST FOR ST MONICA’S PARENTS:

Tuesday 13th June 2.30-3.15pm in St Monica’s
Here is a link to the consultation documents regarding a possible move of St Monica's to another
local school site and increase in age range to include St Monica's having a nursery. To give a
response to the consultation you may use this link – please ensure you download a copy and then
send you completed form to School Organisation Planning, Room 401 County Hall, CF10
4UW no later than Friday 30 June 2023.
There are many opportunities to be involved in this important consultation, as a parent, governor,
member of staff, pupil or member of the community. A list of the meetings for parents and
members of the community is in the link above.
If you would like to talk to me about the proposals I am very happy for you to make an
appointment with the school office to come and see me over the coming weeks.
All children in St Monica's will also have the opportunity to be involved in the consultation
process. This will start to happen next week, they will be asked for their views on the future
location of the school and whether or not St Monica's should grow to include a nursery (options 1
and 2). They will also be asked (option 3) whether the school should stay exactly as it is.
At no point is St Monica's scheduled to close or reduce in numbers. We are a thriving, over
subscribed school and I am extremely proud of everyone in the St Monica's family who make it that
way. The consultation closes on 30th June and I would urge you to take a look and make sure your
voice is heard regarding the long term future and prosperity of our very special school, one where
everyone SHINES.

Weblinks to important parts of the school website – click on the pictures

 Donations Greatly Received!!!
Our donation button is active on Parent Pay – thank you to those
people who have found it. Our new target is to ensure that every child
can access educational trips. You can get to the link by clicking on the
picture below, or by visiting the school website…

Contact details for staff

We MUCH prefer a face-to-face chat rather than an email, however, we know that for
some parents, getting hold of us at the right time can be tricky.
For questions about Parent Pay or music lessons contact Mrs Fedorova:
[email protected]
To make an appointment to speak directly with (or see) the Head Teacher contact Miss Williams:
[email protected]
To email the Head Teacher: [email protected]
To email the Deputy Head Teacher: [email protected]
To email any teacher:
Step 1 Mr Wycherley: [email protected]
Mrs O’Gorman: [email protected]
Step 2 Mr Thomas: [email protected]
Mrs Vaughan: [email protected]
Step 3 Mr Jones: [email protected]
Mrs Irwin: [email protected]
We try to answer all emails within 24 hours, if your query is really urgent please phone the school
029 2023 3925. Most parents find asking the parent WhatsApp group for their child’s year group
really helpful too.

Links to the School Website – for up to date information about what your
child is learning in school and ANY homework they may have
Step 1 Web Pages Step 2 Web Pages Step 3 Web Pages

Dates for your diary

Children have missed so much face-to-face teaching time already due to the pandemic and no one is
sure of what may happen regarding future lockdowns or strike action. I will not authorise any absence
for term time holiday or any extended time away from school. Please do not be tempted to take your
child out of school during term time.
https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Schools-and-learning/Schools/School-term-dates/Pages/default.aspx

Term dates (including INSET days) for 2022-2023

Mon 29th May – Fri 2nd Jun HALF TERM BREAK – no school for 1 week
Mon 5th June All children return to school as usual, Breakfast Club doors open at 8.10am
Fri 21st July Last day of term for children
Mon 24th July INSET DAY – no school for children – 6 of 6
School Diary
Half Term Break – no school for 1 week
Monday 5th June Tuesday 6th June Wednesday 7th June Thursday 8th June Friday 9th June
1.30-4pm Online drop Rev. Caroline - PC Woodhall – Step 3 9am Helping Hands –
in consultation Worship 1.30-4pm Online drop at The Table
meeting PC Woodhall – Steps 1 in consultation
+2 meeting
Cricket @ Sophia 6-7.30pm Online
Gardens (Free tickets Public consultation
for children) meeting
4.30pm Extra Full GB
meeting
5-7pm Drop in
consultation meeting
@ Cathays Library
Monday 12th June Tuesday 13th June Wednesday 14th June Thursday 15th June Friday 16th June
2.30-3.15 Parent Rev. Caroline - 9.15 Getting ready for Djembe Drummathon
meeting re Worship school 1/4 - new
consultation Reception
11am Vision & Values
GB meeting

Monday 19th June Tuesday 20th June Wednesday 21st June Thursday 22nd June Friday 23rd June
Y6 Swimming Y6 Swimming Rev. Caroline - 9.10 Pupils in Step 3 Step 3 Bute Park
New phone line switch Step 3 – Bute Park Worship consultation Y6 Swimming
over day School Reports due Y6 Swimming 9.15 Getting ready for 2pm New Parent
home Parent Consultation school 2/4 - new Induction Meeting
Day Reception
Y6 Swimming
4.30pm Standards GB
meeting

Monday 26th June Tuesday 27th June Wednesday 28th June Thursday 29th June Friday 30th June
Y6 Swimming Y6 Swimming Rev. Caroline - 9.15 Getting ready for Y6 Swimming
6pm RSE Curriculum Jo Deeley – Worship Worship school 3/4 - new
meeting for parents 8pm Helping Hands Y6 Swimming Reception
Online Y6 Swimming
9.30 GB Learning Walk
Step 3 – Parish
Eucharist

Monday 3rd July Tuesday 4th July Wednesday 5th July Thursday 6th July Friday 7th July
Step 2 Bumbles of Mr Akrill - Worship Rev. Caroline - SPORTS DAY – 9.30-
Honeywood Worship 11am
4.30pm Full GB
meeting

Monday 10th July Tuesday 11th July Wednesday 12th July Thursday 13th July Friday 14th July
Rev. Caroline - 9.15 Getting ready for
Worship school 4/4 - new
Y6 Leaver’s Service Reception
Llandaff Cathedral

Monday 17th July Tuesday 18th July Wednesday 19th July Thursday 20th July Friday 21st July
Rev. Caroline - Last day of term for
Worship children
For Your Information – the Summer break starts on Saturday 22nd July and
children return to school on Wednesday 6th September

St Monica’s Choir

The choir will be singing

at the wedding of
Mrs Beacon and Mr Cuthbert on
Saturday 27th May

Please could the choir arrive at

St Michael’s Church for 1.30pm.

Children will need to be collected from the

church at about 3pm.