Latest News
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Easter Raffle
Fri 15 Mar 2024Raffle tickets are available from Monday 18th March for our fabulous Easter raffle, priced at 50p each. They will be on sale at break and lunchtimes and as well as the fantastic Easter egg prizes that can be won, this year we also have a very cute and cuddly Easter bunny as one of the prizes.
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Save 25% off pre-booked tickets at Twycross Zoo!
Fri 15 Mar 2024We have a limited number of Twycross Zoo discount vouchers (25% off admission when pre-booked, online).
These are available to collect from the school office - one per family please. Vouchers are valid until 1st June 2024.
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Red Nose Day 2024
Mon 11 Mar 2024Please click on the link below to find out how we will be supporting Children In Need at Oakham this year.
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Plas Gwynant - Year 6 - Day 4
Thu 07 Mar 2024And just like that, it's over - well, nearly.
The last full day has been a spectacular one, concluding with laughs, jokes and tremendously tired teachers. No more so than Mr Heywood, with his rather animated dance moves. The children weren't impressed...
After a fantastic four days, a disco night was richly deserved. Powered by Fanta, Skittles and good times, the kids let off some steam and spent their last ounce of energy on the dance floor. With requests of some unknown artists like Drake and Dua Lipa (we have no idea, either 🫤) we finished the night with Sweet Caroline, echoing the nearby valleys and beyond. What a way to end.
With a morning and a journey to go, your children have been unbelievable. They have collaborated, making new friends across different classes; they have, when needed, dug in, even when the fear of the unknown has tried desperately to drag them back; and, finally, they've made memories that will last them a lifetime.
Year 6 2024, we are so proud.
Now, to finish, let us share with you a selection of diary entries that capture just what it's like to be here at Plas:
Logan W: Today we got woke up by 'Highway to Hell' by ACDC by Mr K and Mr H. We went rock climbing and canoeing and that was, well, brilliant. Best moment: 'The Views'.
Isla S: I really don't want to go home! Today was amazing. my team went straight to the beach and the best three people had to sit on a massive rock and we had to pull them down! We played in the sand and we explored a tiny village. This was my favourite day :)
Leila: Walks. Mountain. Far. This was many miles and the views were breathtaking, immaculate, strong and wonderful. That's how I would explain my 10/10 day. Laughs contagious and smiles were spread. I loved it.
Thomas A: Today I went to the beach! We made sand angels and went climbing up a big rock and went gorge walking. I had to dunk my head in the waterfall. We also went stargazing and it was amazing. We also learned the story of Beddgelert - it was about a dog and very sad.
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Plas Gwynant - Year 6 - Day 3
Wed 06 Mar 2024Instead of looking back at how today started, let's take a moment to reflect on how it ended. 👀
Plas Gwynant is a magical place, where sights are explored and memories are made for a lifetime, and tonight was one of those nights. Picking the perfect evening for a night walk, we scrambled our way up to the perfect spot to gaze at the stars, with the children turning their torches off and viewing the stunning sights above. Lying down on the floor for two whole minutes - every child and adult - you could hear a pin drop. Utter silence.
And how was it, Year 6? Unbelievable. Breathtaking. Beautiful.
But, Juno nailed it with a single thought: it simply made me happy. Too right!
Walking back down to the centre with some pace (not just to check the West Brom score...), another opportunity to showcase our new-found resilience presented itself: a dark tunnel. Now, we were *hopeful* we'd get three quarters of the class giving it a go. But, no... every single child, including a few shaky staff members, made it to the other side. Despite a few tears, that's resilience! Before bed tonight, myself and the staff shared our pride at that, with it being unlikely that we'll see everybody on a residential do that again. Great stuff!
Going back to today, the wonderful weather gave a platform for another amazing day.
One group dived into a mountain walk, climbing a part of the famous Watkin Path up Mount Snowdon. Skimming stones, scrambling up ridges and even making a final toast of the day with natural spring water straight from the stream, today was a good, good day. As Leila and Sharon say: #mountainvibes.
Another spent time on Matrix Rock, a landmark of the Borth-y-Gest, where the children were running and meeting, Matrix-style, with a high-five. It was an interesting effort from Kristen and Imogen for sure!
And the group who became expert canoers, enjoyed taking part in fun, games and challenges. Alfie ended up doing his best Tom Daley impression, backward rolling into the water - and loving it.
However, not to be outdone, we had a special visitor today with our very own Mr Skett making the journey up to see how we've all been getting on. Whilst canoeing, being egged on by 10 already-wet Year 6s, Mr Skett took the plunge and dunked his face full in the water. Great effort, sir!
So, tomorrow is our last full day and boy, are we going to make the best of it.
Nos da 👋
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Plas Gwynant - Year 6 - Day 2
Tue 05 Mar 2024Wow - What. A. Day.
Days at Plas Gwynant are just built different. After loading up on carbohydrates and making our sandwiches (no jam and cucumber sandwiches this year - phew) we were ready to go.
Today started with our newly appointed meteorologists, Logan and Xen, informing us that today was going to be DRY. Hmmmmm. Now this, of course, was in good faith but, in typical North Wales style, some scattered showers arrived throughout the day. Better luck tomorrow, you pair!
Meeting in the classroom, our instructors shared today's plans with us. One group hit the beach, exploring the beautiful coast of Borth Y Gest. Check out some of their art below - Vincent Van Gough, eat your heart out! Great efforts from Sharon, Mariela, Lara and Will.
Another group climbed Afon Goch, getting a just a 'little' bit wet. Lacey led the troops up to the top, with Mrs Barnett (who, sadly, stayed suspiciously dry for Mr Kettle's liking ) cheering her on; and with nature's own water slide ready to go back down, Isla was quick to volunteer to steer the team back down.
Back on site, with showers being the order of the afternoon, the children devoured their tea of pasta and meatballs, with chocolate brownie and ice cream: a tea of true Plas Gwynant explorers. And, even better, no waste - boom!
For the evening activity, a scavenger hunt with a natural twist and much to Mr Kettle's joy, the yellow team smashed it. We would like to say the celebrations were kept to a minimum, but the competitive juices get going, here.
To finish, before a time for quiet reflection through diaries, hot chocolate and cookies, the shop was opened. I'm sure parents are looking forward to being introduced to a new member of their family: the Plas Gwynant bear. Names to be confirmed. Big shout out to Alfie and Nathan, too, for keeping order at the shop counter!
Parents and carers: your children have been wonderful today, with self-determination, encouragement for others and, most importantly, smiles all round. This is why we do it and the best part of this week: it's only Tuesday evening.
Now, it's time to think of the most creative way to get 52 children out of bed at 7:15 tomorrow morning. Any ideas...?
Night!
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Issues with school internet and phones
Tue 05 Mar 2024We are currently struggling with our phone service and internet.
Please use this number to contact the school office directly - 07376 481659.
We only have one line available so please bear with us or email the ABSENT2 address. Our suppliers are working to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding - we will update you as soon as this issue is solved!
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Plas Gwynant Blog - Year 6 - Day 1
Mon 04 Mar 2024And just like that, day one at Plas Gwynant is over.
52 children and 5 staff all arrived safely at Plas after a lovely sunny journey, where we stopped off at the Welsh town of Llangollen to eat our snacks and prepare ourselves for the jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring sights of Snowdonia - with a few songs to help us along the way. Country Roads made a surprising but welcome appearance here!
After the most important event of the day - lunch, of course - the children were posed a simple question: So, what is this all about?
We are here this week to:
- Complete Plas Gwynant's 50 Things To Do Before You're 11 3/4
- Build teamwork, collaboration and resilience
- Experience an outdoor learning environment
But, most importantly, as Lucas shared: "To have fun."
So, after kitting ourselves out with the famous Plas Gwynant red waterproofs (looking good, Year 6!) having fun was exactly what we did. Exploring the grounds, rolling down a hill, kicking mud and water at each other (well, Mrs Barnett...) - we don't mess about here!
Speaking of not messing about, the kitchen staff here at the centre, similar to the early weather, cooked up an absolute storm, with a choice of 🍕 or 🐟 and 🍟 .
Into the evening activity, to work off all that food, the children partnered up to face off in an orienteering battle in the dark. A big well done to tonight's winners: Sienna & Saihaj and Megan & Lacey. Great stuff, girls!
As first days go, that will take some beating. Our young Oakhamites have flung themselves into new opportunities and already, many are showing that steely resilience that we look for on a week like this.
To finish, hot chocolates were supped, diaries were written and #momentsofday were shared. One of those certainly caught the attention of the room, with one child not only losing their entire welly in the mud, but their poor sock, too. The sacrifices we make for a day of adventure.
Here's to more of the same tomorrow.
Night, all.
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How to keep your child safe online
Tue 06 Feb 2024After half term we will be working with your child in school in keeping themselves safe online. There is a portal called 'SSS training' which we subscribe to as a school and use for some of our staff CPD. Included in our package are parental pages and for online safety there is a useful video explaining how you could talk about this with your child together with resources that will support you in applying parental controls to your devices. Please click on the link below to find out more.
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Children's Mental Health Week
Tue 06 Feb 2024This week is children's mental health week. We launched it in school yesterday with an assembly for KS1 and 2. Children will be completing activities during morning task and PSHE lessons to raise awareness all week. This years themes are 'Use your voice' and 'Express yourself' and on Friday 9th February there will be a non uniform day where children can 'express themselves' by wearing their own clothes. For more information about this there is a letter in the letters home section of the parents tab together with some helpful tips about how to support your children in talking about mental health. If you click on the link below it will take you to the 'Place to Be' website that also has lots of extra information that you may find useful.
