BRINGING two schools together has brought about a number of changes at Gaer Primary School as HAYLEY MILLS found out.

IT HAS been a busy year for the staff and pupils with the former Gaer Infant and junior schools amalgamating and there is still work on-going as currently the school is still split over two sites.

Taking me on a tour of the school was the current head teacher Alex Smith, who took over the role last September. He was keen to show off the 14 acres of outdoors that the school boasts.

Since the start of the academic year, the school had been embracing digital technology, which aims to improve links between the school and the community.

Mr Smith said: “Our journey has been mapped out on our new Twitter account, @GaerPrimary. The biggest success this academic year has been the way in which our staff have bonded as a team and been able to both access and celebrate the now greater skill-set we possess across the school.

“The community has really pulled together and has been very positive about the significant changes in such a short space of time.”

The school have also invested in Parents2Teachers – a text messaging service enabling the school to swiftly inform parents of information at a push of a button, as well as introducing Parentpay, allowing parents to make online payments for schools meals.

Our first stop on the tour was to meet Year Five pupil, Jack Bourne. Mr Smith explained that the school is not in a Welsh speaking area, but at the Urdd Eisteddfod 2015, the children took part in solo singing, art and craft, recitation and dancing. The school celebrated its first national-level winning entry with a piece of artwork created by Jack, now framed and displayed at the school.

We also met with Lexie Robins, age 11, who entered the school’s council art competition to design the new school’s logo following amalgamation, and won.

She said: “I never thought I would win. I’m really happy with it.”

We then met with the school’s art therapist, Patricia Clifford, who was busy creating a mural that will be hung in the school.

All of the school’s pupils had contributed by designing a picture of themselves and each will be stuck together to create the mural.

Millie Smith-Byrne, age 10, and Alex Berry, age eight, were busy adding the finishing touches to their picture.

In the classroom, the upper junior project is War and Peace and they have been learning what life was like as a child during The Second World War. They also found out what the role of a corporal in today’s armed forces when they interviewed Corporal Bebb of the RAF. The lower juniors loved the theme, Call of the Wild, and have been producing exciting writing using Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot. The foundation phase classes are enjoying the theme All Creatures Great and Small. They have watched duck eggs hatch and explored the world of mini-beasts inhabiting the school grounds.

On the tour we visited the Year Two class who were in the library, which has a number of themed areas and cosy corners to entice the pupils to read.

Year One pupils were busy producing a piece of animation using small models.

In the Rreception class, the children have a puppet corner, where the children can role play.

Mr Smith said: “Excellent attendance is key to good progress. The children have been working hard to make every day count.”

The school holds a weekly raffle for 100 per cent attendance, which is put towards a half-term prize of a £10 gift card and certificates for attendance are awarded during celebration assemblies.

The school has an active school council that runs a healthy lunchbox initiative to promote healthy living.

The school has also enjoyed a school sports day for all of its pupils for the first time. The four houses race against one another with every race making a difference. Yellow house were the winners.

Mr Smith said: “It was wonderful to see so many mums and dads join the parent’s races with even the teachers joining in.”

A wide range of sports are on offer at the school, with visits from representatives of Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport County to develop skills. There is also dodgeball, circuit training and netball on offer.

In January, Year Six visited the Gilwern Outdoor Centre and took on a challenge of climbing, canoeing and caving, while Year Four enjoyed three weeks of swimming lessons.

Mr Smith went on to explain that as a newly amalgamated school, they have invested heavily in the learning environment, and the school has been refurbished with a neutral and natural decor. While the school has worked with Colorfoto to develop large prints and canvases to display around the building.

There has also been money spent outside, with the development of outdoor provisions for the children. The playground has a new adventure activity trail, markings for sports and clear play zones.

The school was also fortunate to receive a fund from a past teacher, Cora Evans, over 30 years ago. She kindly bequeathed a fund – used to create a sensory garden for pupils.

The school has also renewed its platinum status as an eco-friendly school and this year, the school celebrated with green day, which saw the pupils coming to school dressed in green clothing and taking part in gardening tasks and improving the school grounds.

A workshop was run by Mary Watkins from Welsh Water on the topic of water efficiency.

The school is in its third year of Family Learning and is currently working with over 100 families. This began as a pilot programme with just 28 families. From art therapy to gardening and Indian cookery to Welsh dancing, the school offers creative learning opportunities to suit the needs and interests of the community. The group meet every Thursday afternoon with a programme of challenging and fun activities for parents and children to enjoy together. At the end of each term, they enjoy an event; recently the group visited the Riverfront Theatre to watch a screening of Paddington.

The school have just completed its first project with the initiative Pedal to the Medal. Led by Ray Blackler, the initiative saw a group of parents and pupils take on a bicycle-themed programme, which developed numeracy, communications and bike skills. The Welsh Government is proposing to use the programme as a case study on physical literacy.

The school also offers a vast array of music opportunities. Last year the school organised a range of workshops showcasing the harp, cello, oboe and double bass.

In 2015, the school went on to launch its own instrumental lessons and Mr Smith said they had an “overwhelming” response. The school now has 161 instrumentalists at the school playing violins, double basses, pianos, trombones, flutes, oboes and clarinets.

Mr Smith explained that the key to their success is engaging with families and building a relationship with the wider community. The school now works with Communities First, The National Trust, Newport Gwent Dragons and Harvester, also local shops and businesses.

There is also a range of schools clubs provided by the staff and community. There is football, netball, cheerleading and dance, as well as, swing, IT, film club, literacy club and art club.

The new school Parent Teacher Association is active and have run discos, an Easter fun day, provided treats for pupils attending a pantomime, mince pies for Christmas, ice lollies on sports day and created a café at the school fête.

Mr Smith added: “This year has been full of fabulous experiences and opportunities, which the children and staff of Gaer Primary have full embraced and enjoyed.

“We very much look forward to the new and exciting opportunities and next steps that lie in wait for the school.”

FACT FILE:

Head teacher: Alex Smith

Number of pupils: 424

Number of teachers: 17 (50 staff total)

Chair of governors: Hannah Berry

Address:

Gaer Road

Newport

Wales

UK

NP20 3GY

Contact: 01633 263407

Estyn:

Gaer Junior School inspection- January 2012

The school’s current performance Adequate

The school’s prospects for improvement Good