Dear Parents/Carers,

It’s been a very exciting week at Lakeside, as you know, culminating in Eisteddfods for Reception to Year 2 pupils, and pupils in Years 3 to 6.  All week, year groups have been busy producing decorated handwriting and Welsh art, as well as practicing for on-stage competitions in recitation, singing, folk dancing and playing an instrument.  Thank you for helping your children wear their house colours or national costume on 1^st March – it’s always lovely to see the little ones in their Welsh costumes.  Well done to ALL who took part this week, in the preliminary stages and on Eisteddfod Day – we are proud of each and every one of them for their enthusiasm and engagement.  I don’t think even the pupils at Hogwarts are more loyal to their school houses than Lakeside pupils!

Huge Congratulations to Ty Coch (red) for winning at the Year 3 to 6 Eisteddfod!

Thank you also to families for your generosity in buying Marie Curie daffodils this week.  We ran out early in the week and had to quickly get some more!  We don’t know the total raised yet, but will let you know as soon as we get it.

Lakeside Chess Championship

Well done to all the players who took part in the Lakeside Chess Championship on Monday.  We had 41 participants, ably helped by two Cardiff High School pupils.  Many thanks to Prof. Sergey Popov, who runs the club, and to Mrs Johns and Ms Kearle for helping on the day.  The children really enjoyed the event and a number of them are entering the Welsh Chess Championship this month.  Each player received certificates and rewards for taking part.

Safer Internet Day Competition

Much excitement in a whole school assembly this week as the Digital Leaders announced the winners of their Safer Internet Day competitions.  There were MANY entries and it was a difficult job for the Digital Leaders and Mrs Evans to judge them as the standard was so high.  Thanks to all who took part and well done to those who received Highly Commended, 3^rd, 2^nd and 1^st prizes.  The winning posters are on display around the school.

Year 1 Parent Sharing session – Thursday 7^th March

This will take place in the big hall at 9.30am.  Please come to the upper school (KS2) gate after drop-off, and you will be able to enter the hall once all children have arrived in school.  Thank you.

Parent/Carer Consultations booking

The consultations take place on Monday 18^th, Tuesday 19^th and Wednesday 20^th March.  You will receive an email with the link to book appointments and instructions, and the system will open at 6pm on Monday 4^th March.  Thank you.

World Book Day – Friday 8^th March

World Book Day itself falls on Thursday 7^th, but we will celebrate it on Friday 8th by inviting pupils (and staff) to wear comfy clothes for reading.  This could be pyjamas, joggers or whatever your child feels comfortable in, and that will enable them to curl up with a good book.

Cake Sale – after school Friday 8^th March

There will be a Cake Sale next Friday after school.  Year 3 and Year 6 have been asked to provide cakes, but of course all cake donations are gratefully received.  Thank you.

Comic Relief Day – Friday 15^th March

For Comic Relief Day this year, pupils and staff are invited to wear odd shoes and/or odd socks.  On the afternoon of the 15^th the school netball team will play a match against staff.  We fear humiliation for Lakeside staff on this one!  (A big thank you to the parent volunteers who run the netball team for organising this match).

On the morning of the 15^th Year 5 pupils will run stalls to sell all kinds of things to raise money for Comic Relief.  Last year they sold jewellery, sweets, cakes, drinks, and there were games and other fun activities.  Pupils in Years 3, 4 and 6 will visit the stalls during the morning of the 15^th, and will need money for this in addition to any donations made to Comic Relief on the gate.

Food Bank Easter collection

Following the success – due to your generosity – of our two previous Food Bank collections, we would like to make one more collection and delivery of donated food just before breaking up for Easter.  We will share a list of items needed next week and take the donations to the Food Bank at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Gabalfa on Thursday 21^st March.  Easter Eggs will also be very welcome at this time of year.  Donations can be brought in from Monday 18^th.  Many thanks in advance for your help with this.

Lost Property

We have changed the photos in the lost property section of the school web site, so please check if your child has lost something.  Contact the school if you recognise anything, and please can we remind parents/carers to label clothes and any other items with their child’s name.  Thank you very much. 

Link to Lost Property:  https://www.lakesideprimaryschool.co.uk/lost-property-eiddo-coll/ 

Best wishes,

Rachel Mitchell, Headteacher

March 2024

• Sunday 10^th March – expected date of beginning of Ramadan
• Monday 11^th March – Year 3 Swimming Week 1
• Thursday 14^th March – Year 5 Parent Sharing Session
• Thursday 14^th March – Book Fair begins
• Friday 15^th March – COMIC RELIEF DAY
• Friday 15^th March – Netball match against Marlborough Primary, postponed from 1^st March
• Monday 18^th March – Year 3 Swimming Week 2
• Tuesday 19^th March – Nursery Easter Bonnet parades
• Monday 18^th, Tuesday 19^th and Wednesday 20^th March 2024 – Parent Consultations
• Thursday 21^st March – Year 2 Parent Sharing Session
• Thursday 21^st March – Delivery of Food Bank donations to Emmanuel Baptist Church

April 2024

• Monday 8^th April – expected date of end of Ramadan
• Tuesday 9^th April – Year 4 Parent Sharing Session
• Wednesday 10^th April – expected date of Eid ul-Fitr
• Friday 19^th April – World Bee Day at Lakeside
• Wednesday 24^th April – Reception Parent Sharing Session

May 2024

• Thursday 2^nd May – Year 3 Parent Sharing Session
• Monday 6^th May – BANK HOLIDAY

June 2024

• Monday 3^rd June – INSET DAY

July 2024

• Monday 22^nd July – INSET DAY

Term dates

2023-2024 academic year

Break up for Easter	Friday 22nd March, 2024
Easter Break		Monday 25th March, 2024	Friday 5th April, 2024
Return to school	Monday 8th April, 2024
EARLY MAY BANK HOLIDAY	Monday 6th May, 2024
Break up for Half Term	Friday 24th May
Summer Half Term		Monday 27th May, 2024	Friday 31st May, 2024
INSET DAY	Monday 3rd June
Last Day of term	Friday 19th July