Monthly Archives: November 2016

Times Table Rockstars

Following a very succesful trial by last year’s Year 5 and 6 class in June and July, since September, all junior classes have been taking part in Times Table Rockstars, both on paper and online.

Times Table Rockstars ensure that pupils have fun daily practice of their times tables. Pupils complete a daily times tables sheet, that consists of 60 questions. Pupils try and complete these 60 questions within 3 minutes. At the end of the week, pupils’ scores and times for each day are added up and they recieve a Rock Status. The more they get correct and the quicker they are, the greater the Rock Status. The goal is to be a Rock Hero!

All pupils have a username and password, in order to access the Times Table Rockstar website, in school and at home, to continue practising their tables and play the online times table games. The more questions pupils get correct online, the more coins they collect. The coins can then be exchanged for new equipment, hair styles and clothes for their Rockstar avatar.

I’m sure you will agree that TT Rockstars is fantastic and very enjoyable for our pupils. So far, we have seen a HUGE improvement in pupils’ times tables. Cwmnedd pupils are all answering times tables questions faster than ever before. Some pupils are now able to answer times table questions in 0.95 seconds!!!

We see the value in TT Rockstars and are extending it to Years 1 and 2. Knowing your times tables is an important skill and we look forward to seeing a school full of Rock Heroes!

Christmas Concert Dates

Wednesday 7th December – Nursery and Reception 9:30am – New Street site.

Friday 9th December – Year 1 and 2 – 9:30am – New Street site.

Wednesday 14th December – Key Stage 2 – 9:30am and 6:00pm – New Street site.

School Information

Cwmnedd Primary School serves the community of Glynneath in the beautiful Neath Valley. The school is on a split site with Nursery and Reception based at Morfa Glas. This purpose built, open plan, Early Years unit is some 500m from the main building at New Street, Glynneath. It is contained within its own grounds with large play and grassed areas.  Whereas Morfa Glas is a 1950’s building, with flat roof, the main building is early 20th Century, of traditional design with a demountable classroom in the yard.  

The surrounding countryside is one of outstanding natural beauty, overlooking the Neath Valley with the Pontneathvaughan Waterfalls within walking distance of the school. Residentially the area consists of both privately and council owned housing.   The school places high on its list of priorities the use of visits out of as well as inside the community.  Each class is encouraged to make full use of visits.  Typical of so many Welsh valleys there is a sense of belonging and responsibility to the area and the school is held in high regard.  There is a good relationship between the school and the community.