Weather fails to dampen Gelli PTA Fete

Despite Saturday's heavy showers (which forced the fete to be held in the school hall and classrooms), nothing could dampen the spirits of the inhabitants of Gelli and the parents and friends of the school. Everybody flocked to school to enjoy the numerous stalls and games, face painting and refreshments. Through the generosity of the participants early estimates seem to suggest that last year's total of £980 could be equalled.
There was also an evening gig at the Railway Inn where proceeds were donated to the PTA funds. The organising committee (led this year by Mrs. Becky Sims) would like to thank all parents and friends who donated items to the fete and everybody who attended and gave so generously to the cause. The PTA have over numerous years contributed resources to the school such as a Plasma screen for nursery, reading materials to augment the school library and always provide gifts for the children at Easter and Christmas. Thank you very much. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Gelli Primary Hockey Squad Achieve National Recognition

On Friday 4th July, our Hockey team travelled to the Maldwyn Sports Centre Complex in Newtown Powys to compete in the finals of the Welsh Primary Schools Tournament.
Having qualified through the two regional tournaments, we were up against the other BEST nine teams from regions around Wales who had also qualified through winning their regional events. The ten teams were divided into two pools of five and would play in a round robin format. Each team would play four games with the top two teams in each pool qualifying for semi and final play offs. We were drawn against schools from Sychdyn and Pen y Bryn from Mold, Nantymoel representing Bridgend and Llancarfan representing the Vale of Glamorgan.
This was a huge step in class for our players. Many of the opposition players represent hockey clubs in their villages and some play representative level for their county.
Our first match was against Sychdyn. We lost 1 – 0. The opposition were more physical than us and pressed our defence into making several high class saves. Ceri in goal led the defence with some class saves and long clearances. This was a close match with nothing between the teams. Sychdyn’s superior experience was probably the deciding factor in their victory. Our team did themselves proud.
In our next match we were drawn against pre tournament favourites, Pen y Bryn. In their first match they had won 3 – 0 and looked ominously efficient. Again, Ceri in goal led the defence who kept the sharp Pen y Bryn offence at bay. After two minutes they scored. Our defence held them out right until the final minute when Ceri was beaten by a stinging shot which would have beaten any goal minder in the tournament. Despite playing well, again we lost narrowly to a team that would top the group.
After a short break (where Mrs. Date did a little coaching of her own, as you can see from our short video)

we played our penultimate match against Nantymoel. For a vast majority of the match we pressed their goal and were unfortunate to hit the post. This time Ceri and the defence hardly needed to make a save. The game ended goalless with both teams earning a point each. However, we felt that we were the better team and deserved to have won the game.
Our last game was against Llancarfan. Super coach Miss Hatch decided that the children needed a bit of an incentive and told the children that if we scored Mr. Jones would buy them a MacDonald’s as a treat. Enough said. We spent most of the game on the attack and after a through ball from midfield which split the defence Ashley raced through and slipped the ball past their keeper. GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL for GELLI
Mr. Jones was so pleased that he stopped filming the game and followed the play. You can see Ashley and the other players celebrating, but not the goal. (Let’s remember to bring a better cameraman with us the next time.)
We had finally won. The players celebrated as if they had won the tournament.
After all the games had been played we looked at the board and we had come in eighth place on goal difference, so we are the EIGHTH BEST HOCKEY TEAM IN WALES, some achievement. The squad have come a long way in a short time. We have a young squad with Ethan in Year 3, Jenna in Year 4, Bradley in Year 5 as a basis for a strong squad in the future. Coach Hatch can also be very proud of their accomplishments and with super supporters Mrs. Date and Mrs. Dunning (who helped transport the pupils to the earlier rounds) the future is bright.
The squad also looked very smart in their new kit (sponsored by NRG). Thank you very much Mr. Gimson for your kind donation.
The whole day was a fantastic experience for all who participated. A special thanks to Mrs. Hatch (or Mummy Hatch as she will now be known from henceforth) for driving the mini bus so skilfully.
This was a tremendous achievement by our pupils and coaching staff. They represented the school and our area with dignity. It was very pleasing to hear that Miss Hatch received several glowing comment not only about their play but also about their sportsmanship. WELL DONE GELLI.

Further articles (including Mr. Jones' videos) will appear on the PESS page on the school website soon.

Science investigation in Year 2

This afternoon Year 2 have been doing an investigation about Electricity. Here are Charley and Catherine to show you what they did. "We made a circuit out of salt dough" said Charley. "After we did this I wrote a description of everything we know about electricity." said Catherine.
The other children are walking around the school to see what appliances need electricity to work. Others are seeing what appliances work with batteries and which need mains electricity. Well done girls.

A Reminder from the PTA

All items donated to the fete can be brought to school from WEDNESDAY July 2nd
onwards, but the later the better as we have limited storage in school.
We will be very pleased to receive donations for the following stalls –
TOYS & GAMES , TINS & BOTTLES, BOOKS RAFFLE PRIZES , VIDEOS, DVD’s & CD’s (Only 1st generation disks please. We cannot sell illegal copies) and CAKES
The Summer School fete will be held in the school grounds on Saturday 5th July to
start at 11.00 a.m.
The school will be open at 9.00 a.m. for all parents and friends who are responsible
for running stalls to begin to set up either in the yard area or indoors if wet.

A Big Thank You from Nursery

A big thank you from the children of nursery to Futureglaze Windows for helping them study living things by constructing a wormery out of double glazing products. They visited the factory in Nantgwyddon to have a tour of the factory, meet the firm's representatives and director. You can see what they did by clicking on the link below

Thank you to the staff at Futureglaze fror their kind donation.

Gelli School join Teddy Bear's for Picnic in the Park

New Kit Sponsorship Deal Announced

Gelli Primary School is proud to announce the first of three new kit sponsorhip deals with local firms. NRG Heating agreed to sponsor our football team kit for the coming season. On behalf of the children we wish to thank Mr. Gimson from NRG Heating and Plumbing for his generosity. At present the kit is being embroidered with our school and sponsor logo. This is a duel purpose kit and our hockey squad will be able to wear it on Friday when they travel to Newtown to represent the County in the Welsh Hockey Championships. Check back here for details of our other kit sponsors which we will be able to announce soon.