THE school’s mission statement ‘Achieve, Believe and Challenge’ is one that is embraced by pupils at Abercarn Primary School as Kath Skellon found out.

NOW in his fifth year as headteacher, Gareth Roden said the new mission statement inspires his pupils to achieve the best they can, believe in themselves and challenge themselves.

“ABC is easy for them to remember” explained Mr Roden.

“The governors, parents, pupils and staff had an input into what the aims should be.”

We want them to achieve the best and to believe they can do anything.”

The welcoming school is at the heart of the community and is bursting with motivated and enthusiastic pupils who are eager to learn.

Mr Roden admits it has been a busy time for the vibrant and active school but wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s an exciting time for us,” he said.

“Staff and pupils have benefited from a new state-of-the-art classroom in a newly-built extension. It features four multi-media television screens which are connected to the teacher’s station.”

“We are now planning to have three classrooms remodelled during the summer to create more space.”

The school has plenty to shout about having gained its third Eco-Schools Green Flag Award for its sustainability work.

“The members have worked hard in developing the school grounds and in encouraging the wildlife.”

The school has also been awarded Fair Trade School status.

“Our school council and Eco Committee have a strong voice in the school.”

“The school council has been heavily involved in coming up with the school mission statement and its aims.”

“It is important for them to be involved in the decision-making of the school.”

“Their latest venture is to raise funds for the school grounds.”

A new initiative is two post boxes on the wall that enable pupils to voice their suggestions or views on a range of issues to the curriculum to staff. Mr Roden says this system enables them to address the issue straight away.

The school has also had success on the sports field, which is evident by the trophies that decorate the reception area.

“Our football teams played eight matches and won them all in the cluster this year. We are exceptionally proud of them and have some talented players.”

In the classroom, the school has invested heavily in digital technology with ipads in every classroom. Its ICT scheme work includes coding and creative multi-media.

“The scheme is proving very effective and challenging our children to extend their ICT capabilities.”

“ICT is taught every week and where possible opportunities are exploited throughout the curriculum. We have a laptop suite in school which is timetabled to ensure all children have the opportunity to extend their skills.”

“All classes have a wealth of IT and Digital equipment including computers, Ipads and LED screens.”

“We run a popular Digital Club which meets each week. Children who attend the club find out and record the Abercarn Primary News Bulletin using the iMovie app. This reinforces their ICT and literacy skills.”

“The news bulletin is shared with the whole school every Friday during assembly on the large screen and is also published to the school website and social media pages.”

“The weekly newsletter is also recorded using an Audio app and transferred to QR codes so that the news can be heard rather than read.”

“Literacy and numeracy skills are essential in order for young people to reach their potential.”

“At Abercarn literacy and numeracy skills are embedded into learning experiences across all subjects and areas of learning.”

“Staff ensure that skills gained in English and maths lessons are reinforced, enhanced and developed further in other subjects.”

“Within literacy we expect children and young people to become accomplished in oracy across the curriculum, reading across the curriculum and writing across the curriculum.”

“Within numeracy we expect children and young people to become accomplished in developing numerical reasoning, using number skills, using measuring skills and using data skills.”

Away from the classroom the foundation phase pupils enjoy ‘Purposeful Play’ during the morning and afternoon breaks.

They choose the activity they want to do during break time at the start of the week, such as football or drawing and are supervised by a teacher.

Mr Roden said the initiative works really well and is one he hopes to extend across the whole school.

He admits that one of the best times of the day is watching the class ‘Helpwr Heddiw’ lead a question time in Welsh, encouraging their classmates to extend their answers. Every day a different child takes on the role.

During Welsh theme week, every class made a large scale piece of art based on some elements of their heritage.

When asked what he hopes pupils will take with them when they leave, he replied: “I want them to believe that they can succeed in life, achieve the best they can and to believe they can do things in the future.”

FACT FILE: Abercarn Primary School, Chapel of Ease,

Abercarn, Newport.

Headteacher: Gareth Roden

Deputy: Rachael Tavas

Pupils on Roll: 252

Ages 3-11