Year 5 and 6 Coding at Cefn Hengoed
Year 5 and 6 have been invited to participate in a series of coding sessions at Cefn Hengoed. Please see the timetable below for a break down of the sessions being provided.
| 24th February 2020 | Trallwn
Python Programming |
Year 6 |
| 16th March 2020 | Trallwn
Python Programming |
Year 5 |
| 30th March 2020 | Trallwn
Introduction to Microbit |
Year 6 |
| 11th May 2020 | Trallwn
Introduction to Microbit |
Year 5 |
| 1st June 2020 | Trallwn
Sumo Challenge |
Year 6 |
| 15th June 2020 | Trallwn
Sumo Challenge |
Year 5 |
| 29th June 2020 | Trallwn
Logo-tronics |
Year 6 |
| 13th July 2020 | Trallwn
Logo-tronics |
Year 5 |
Project Aims
To introduce programming to pupils in Year 5 and 6.
Session 1 Introduction to basic programming using the programming language Python.
Session 2 Introduction to BBC Micro-bit challenge. How to program the BBC Micro-bit.
Session 3 Pupils will work in pairs to programme a robotic vehicle ready for the Sumo Challenge.
Session 4 Introduction to Lego-tronics, pupils will use Lego-tronics software to program a robot to perform a set of instructions.
Does your child enjoy comics and graphic novels?
RBdigital Comics
If you enjoy reading comics and graphic novels you can access hundreds of titles to download and read, free from your public library service in Wales. The RBdigital Comics service has titles for all age ranges, in a wide range of genres, including Marvel’s Spider Man, Avengers, and X-Men, and other top comics such as Transformers, G.I. Joe, Star Trek, and Ghostbusters
Choose whether to check-out a single issue or the whole volume and download as many titles as you like to your device using the RBdigital app, or view on your computer. Get started with our handy guide
To start using this service you will need:
- an Internet connection;
- a computer, tablet or smartphone running the RBdigital app;
- an RBdigital Gateway account. You can create a new account or log in with the credentials you’ve created for another RBdigital product, such as Zinio for Libraries. The login for the e-magazines in Wales is the same as for the e-comics;
- to be a member of a public library service in Wales.
To find out more, go to the RBdigital website for Wales
https://libraries.wales/my-digital-library-rbdigital-comics/
BBC’s 500 Words writing competition
The UK’s largest story writing competition for kids is back for its tenth year. Here’s everything you need to know to get involved.
How to enter
All stories must be submitted via the online form on our website.
Parents, guardians and teachers can register for a SUBMITTER ACCOUNT, or by following the links at the top of this page. Once an account has been created, it can be used to upload a single story or a whole school’s worth of tales with our new top tool! For more information on how to enter a story into this year’s competition, please visit our Submit Your Story page.
Teachers and Librarians can also apply to be one of our volunteer judges by registering a JUDGE ACCOUNT. For more information on how to become a judge for this year’s competition, please visit our Become A Judge page.
Please read the competition rules before submitting entries, along with the competition Privacy Notice.
What are the prizes?
As well attending a spectacular 500 Words Final at Buckingham Palace where superstar celebrities will read the winning stories live on the radio, six amazing illustrators: Tony Ross, Fiona Lumbers, David McKee, Sue Cheung, David Roberts, and Margaret Sturton – will each be set the task of illustrating one the winning stories.
The winners in each age category will also receive:
Gold Winners – Chris Evans’ height in books and 500 books for their school.
Silver Winners – HRH The Duchess of Cornwall’s height in books.
Bronze Winners – Their own height in books.
There is also a BRAND NEW Prize for 2020 and it doesn’t matter how good your story is just that you enter one. One entrant will be selected at random to receive a fabulous book bundle and an invite to the final (for child plus a parent or guardian). They will also win 500 books for their school – so the more pupils a school has that has entered the more chances they have of winning a brand new library.
Read more about the prizes here.
Dates for your diary
All entries must be received by Thursday 27th February at 8pm.
This year’s 500 Words Final will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 from Buckingham Palace, on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, on Friday 12th June.
Get started
500 Words is an open invitation to the wide world of imagination, so it’s time to get those creative cogs turning!
To help you get started, our website is packed full of helpful hints and terrific tips to bust through the writer’s block.
Download a learning pack from the LEARN section, where you can also find advice from our celebrity judges Frank Cottrell Boyce and Charlie Higson in the 500 Words Live Lesson.
Pop over to the 500 Words Blog to discover top tips to create terrific tales written by previous winners, amazing authors and a few of the 500 Words elves.
Last day of term!
Friday the 20th is the last day of term. Children will need to be picked up at the usual time. Diolch.
Microsoft 365 Education is FREE to learners and teachers
Teachers and learners in maintained schools in Wales are able to download and install the latest Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as Minecraft: Education Edition at no cost on up to 15 devices – through Hwb.
Follow the link below.
https://hwb.gov.wales/microsoft#how-to-get-office-at-home
Oxford Reading Buddy
We are pleased to provide a new digital reading service to help your child develop key comprehension skills.
Oxford Reading Buddy is a digital reading service that supports each child’s personal reading journey, motivates them to succeed, and provides teachers with valuable insights into their attainment and development. It is an easy to use and fully optimised digital platform that can be embedded into literacy lessons in order to seamlessly support independent reading.
- Coaching eBooks that are accompanied by a personalised ‘Reading Buddy’ who models key comprehension strategies, supporting children as they read
- An extensive eBook library, with hundreds of eBooks from loved and trusted Oxford series such as Oxford Reading Tree, Treetops, and Project X, providing children with extra practice and consolidating their learning
- Comprehension quizzes that are carefully matched to each eBook, as well as further quizzes for Oxford’s print books that teachers may already in their schools, deepening and developing children’s comprehension skills
- Progression for every child that is underpinned by the expertly devised Oxford Levels system, ensuring every child is reading at the appropriate level for their needs
- Detailed progress reports and data to support teachers with insights into each child’s attainment and reading development, so they can quickly pinpoint where extra support is needed
- An in-built reward system, where children gain badges as they progress in their reading, building motivation into every step of their reading journey
New school website
Croseso nol! Welcome back!
We start a new academic year with excitement and anticipation. To kick off the new year we are pleased to launch our new school website. Please explore, enjoy and let us know what you think.