Daily Archives: June 23, 2013

Hello to the whole of the Copthorne community and visitors. Welcome to another week at our busy school.

School Council

Last week Mr Jacques and I had the pleasure of meeting with Unais and Sobia – the Chair and Vice Chair of our school council. We enjoyed listening to all the ideas and issues you have passed on to them. We were thrilled to hear how positively you all feel about Copthorne, howproud you are of the school and about the interesting ideas you have for the future. As you will know we have given the school council a budget to spend on school improvement and it was clear from our meeting that you will make great use of this money. Keep the ideas coming.

Football Stars

Last week our Year 5 and 6 footballers took part in the final of the Exceed football tournament. Our team played exceptionally well, demonstrating real sportsmanship and teamwork whilst praising, encouraging their rivals. I am delighted to tell you that our team came second. Well done everyone and congratulations to the winning team from Farnham.

Copthorne’s Got Talent

Last week saw the finals for the individual Key Stages. There was a great range of talent from a mix of solo and group acts which included; singing, dancing, comedy and even hula hooping. The level of talent was very impressive as was the way the audience supported each of the competitors. It takes a great deal of courage to stand at the front of a hall packed with several hundred children and staff and give a good performance. We are very proud of everyone who took part. The acts through to the whole school final are:

USA: Song and dance group

Anisah: dancing

Desi Dolls: dance group

Sara Salem: dancing

Fast 5: rap group

Sara Sami: dancing

Congratulations and good luck to all of you. We are looking forward to the finals at 2pm this Friday (28th June). I hope that as many parents, family members and friends as possible will be able to come along and see the show.

Year 1 Phonics Screening Test

Last week our Year 1 children took part in the phonics screening test. During the test the children are shown a number of words – both real and nonsense ones. The words test pupils’ ability to blend letters and strings of letters together correctly which is one of the most important skills needed in learning to read. All of the children worked very hard and we are very proud of how well they have done. Thank you to Mrs Scott and Miss Richards for ensuring that the tests ran so smoothly.

This week at Copthorne

Feversham work experience

This week we are joined by a group of young ladies from Feversham College. The girls are completing Year 11 and will be carrying out their work experience with us as extra classroom and office support staff. Several of the girls are ex pupils of ours so it’s great to see them back into our school. Welcome to all of you and we hope you have an enjoyable and useful time with us. 

Reception classes to Lister Park

Both or Reception classes will be visiting Lister Park this week as part of their Creative Curriculum work on planting and growing. I hope that they have an enjoyable and informative visit as they continue to learn about how to protect our environment for the future.

Linking Schools Visit

This Wednesday, 26th June, 4 Poplar will be spending the day with their Link School – All Saints, Ilkley. The children will be meeting up with their link partners from All Saints and carrying out a range of activities to strengthen the bond between the two schools. I wish them an enjoyable visit and know that they will be great ambassadors for Copthorne.

Year 5 Transition

There is an important meeting for parents/carers of all pupils in Year 5 at 9am on Thursday 27th June, in the school hall. The meeting will be run by Mr Nick Smith from Barnardos to provide parents with vital information about transition of pupils from primary to secondary school and will include useful advice on form filling and the choices available to the children and parents. I do hope that as many of our parents as possible will be able to attend and I look forward to seeing you then.

Copthorne’s Got Talent – The Final

As outlined above, this will take place on Friday 28th June at 2pm. Please come along and help to support the great acts.

Dates for your diary

Year 6 Lightwater Valley Trip.

This will take place on Monday July 1st. A letter will be sent home from Miss Bray about this today.

Transition Day

On Wednesday 3rd July all of our Year 6 pupils will spend the day at the secondary schools they will be attending from September. I know that they will have a great time and that the day will help them to meet lots of new friends and to overcome any nervousness they feel.

On the same day we will be holding our own transition event whereby the children at Copthorne will move up to their new classes with their new teachers for the morning. This helps the children to get to know the staff that they will be working with next year, find out about classroom routines and, most importantly, hear about all the wonderful learning experiences that they have to look forward to next year.

Have a great week everybody.

Mrs Shepherd