I hope you have had a lovely weekend, everyone.  As usual we had an action-packed week in school last week. It is lovely see all our children continuing to work hard  this half-term.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the BETT exhibition down in London. This exhibition gives teachers and school leaders a chance to find out about new ideas for the use of technology in education. There are so many exciting new products and developments out there to help support our children’s learning. I particularly liked the interactive tables for Foundation Stage – children can stand at the table and acess loads of educational activites by just touching the top. Hopefully, we will be able to invest on some of these for our Reception and Nursery classes. The exhibition also included a number of interesting talks about how to use different types of technology to improve pupil progress and attainment so I have come back with lots of ideas.

Saturday too was very exciting for me as my husband surprised me with ticket to Strictly Come Dancing – the Live Show. What a wonderful end to a busy week!

        A Thrilling Match        

Last Wednesday, 30 of our Year 5 and 6 pupils visited Old Trafford in final.  Unfortunately it was not a very good result  for the Manchester United fans as they lost on penalties but all the children and staff who attended enjoyed the game very much and were wonderful ambassadors for our school.  Many thanks to Mr A Khan, Mr Darr, Mr H Khan and Miss Bray for taking and looking after the pupils.

Anti-Bullying Ambassadors

Last Tuesday a group of our children took part in the Diana Award Anti-Bullying Ambassadors training event at Lidget Green Primary School. The children thoroughly enjoyed the day and made new friends with other children from other primary schools exchanging ideas and sharing good practice.  The children have now become anti-bullying ambassadors for Copthorne and I am sure will pass on their ideas and tips to prevent bullying at our school.

Important Notice regarding Year 5 swimming     

Last week I informed you that it was the Year 5 boys’ turn to go swimming from this week.  unfortunately, due circumstances beyond our control, to the boys will now not have swimming lessons until after the February half term.  The girls will continue to have swimming lessons until Thursday 20th February.   I apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

This week

School Meals

As from Monday 27th January, our school meals menu will be changing slightly.  After speaking with Mrs Ramsden, our school Catering Manager, it has been decided we would try a different approach to school lunches.  By making the menu more “child friendly” we are hoping more children will enjoy and try school meals.  Each day will have a different  theme. For example, Monday will be pizza day, Tuesday: spicy chicken day, Wednesday : curry day, Thursday: burger day and Friday: fish day. Baked potatoes and a range of fillings will also be available to choose each day as an alternative and, as usual, there will be loads of lovely salad.  I am sure the children will enjoy the new menu and I am looking forward to hearing everyone’s views.  For more information as to what is on the menu each week, please visit the school website at www.copthorne.ngfl.ac.uk

 Tudor Treat

On Monday 27th January 6 Sycamore will be visiting Shibden Hall as part of the Creative Curriculum theme “Chocolate and Chips”.  During the trip the children will be carrying out a range of workshops all related to life in the Tudor era.  I am sure the children will have a great day and learn lots of interesting facts. I hope that they will tell us loads about this on the Year 6 blog.

 Reception Workshop

Reception staff have arranged for the parents of children in Reception to attend a learning workshop which will be held on Monday 27th January.  The aim of the workshop is to model how our children learn through the variety of areas of provision. Parents , carers and family members will be able to watch adult led sessions which will help to give ideas about ways to support children’s learning at home.  After the workshop Miss Azzopardi and Miss Kneeshaw will lead a short meeting in the hall to discuss how you can support your child’s reading during which, refreshments will be provided.  The workshop will begin at 8.40am until 10.00am. I do hope that as many of you as possible will be able to attend this event ad I look forward to seeing you there.

Dr Who Workshop

On Friday 31st January, half of 4 Beech will be visiting the National Media Museum to take part in a Dr Who workshop, an activity which has been organised by the Family Learning Service.  The workshop will take place between 10:00am to 12:00pm.  The workshops will be based around Doctor Who and Me: Fifty years of Doctor Who.  Parents and children will be able to learn about circuits, electricity and motors in fun, ‘hands-on’ workshops, which will include making a Time Lord torch, a motorised Dalek and the opportunity to take a tour of the exhibition.  These workshops will complement the work our pupils are doing in their science lesson.  As the workshops are run by the Family Learning Service, each child will be accompanied by an adult family member.  Mr A Khan will accompany parents and pupils to the Media Musuem.  This promises to be a very exciting activity and I am sure everyone involved,will have a fantastic time. I will be joining the group for some of the morning and am very excited about it!

Forest Schools

      On Friday 31st January, Year 4 will continue with their Forest School activities as the other half the children from 4 Beech visit St Ives Woods with Mrs Robinson and Mrs Shah.  I know that the children are having a great time learning about the outdoor environment and how we should care for it.  Have a wonderful time everyone!

I hope you have a lovely week. Keep warm!

Mrs Shepherd

Hello everybody and welcome to this week’s blog.  I have just returned from a very exciting week in Portugal along with Mr Lloyd, Miss Frazer and Miss Bray .  This was part of our involvement with the Comenius project.  During the visit we met the staff representing the 9 other countries in the project, visited our link Portuguese school -Colegio Atlantica  – and shared ideas and planned the visits to the remaining 7 countries (Romania, Lithuania, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the Netherlands) some of which will involve Copthorne pupils! There will be more about this exciting news once all the plans have been finalised. We missed you all during our trip but have learnt a lot about education in Portugal, Lisbon (the capital city) and the Portuguese culture as well as getting some great ideas to further develop the work we do at Copthorne.

This week at Copthorne

Multisports Activity

On Monday 20th January Mr H Khan, one of our learning mentors will be taking 8 children from years 1 and 2 to take part in a multisports afternoon at Grange Technology College.   They will work alongside children from other local primary schools.  The activities will involve pupils using skills such as running, catching, jumping, throwing and balancing.  We hope all the pupils enjoy the activities and have fun time whilst getting lots of exercise.

Meeting for Upper KS2 (Years 5 & 6) Parents & Carers

There will be a short meeting on Monday 20th January for Upper KS2 parents and carers.  The meeting will be to discuss areas such as expectations of pupils as regards work and behaviour, homework, end of year tests/SATs (for year 6) as well as supporting your child’s learning at home and encouraging positive behaviour.  Miss Rosindale, our literacy co-ordinator, will also attend the meetings to talk to you about our Raving Readers scheme. The meetings will be held in the school hall at 8.50am and 2.30pm and I look forward to seeing you at one of the meetings.

Diana Award

On Tuesday 21st January a group of our children will be taking part in the Diana Award Anti-Bullying Ambassadors training event at Lidget Green Primary School. The children involved are already part of the Helping Hands Befrienders team at Copthorne.  The children will creatively explore and understand the issues of bullying through interactive sessions.  They will work with other children, exchanging ideas and sharing good practice.  They will gain practical ideas and receive tips on how to stop bullying which will enable them to prevent bullying and ensure everyone feels safe and happy in our school.

Year 2 visit to the National Railway Museum

Year 2 will be visiting the National Railway Museum in York on Wednesday 22nd January.  This visit has been arranged in order to support the work being carried out as part of their creative curriculum theme: Transport.  This is always a very enjoyable and interesting trip and I am sure the children will have lots to tell you when they return.

Exceed Football Tournament

Also on Wednesday 22nd January, Mr A Khan will be taking our year 5 & 6 footballers to Grange Technology College to take part in an Exceed Football tournament.  I am sure as usual they will do our school proud by showing great sportsmanship.We wish them well.

Year 5 Swimming

Just a little reminder that Thursday 23rd January is the last day for year 5 girls to take part in swimming lessons.  From the 30th January it will be the turn of the Year 5 boys. Our girls have thoroughly enjoyed their lessons and have made great progress.

Forest Schools

On Friday 24th January, Year 4 will continue with their Forest School activities as half the children from 4 Beech visit St Ives Woods with Mrs Robinson and Mrs Shah.  I know that the children are having a great time learning about the outdoor environment and how we should care for it.  Have a lovely time everyone!

Dates for your Diary

On Wednesday 12th February we will be holding a bag collection to raise funds for school.  This is an ideal opportunity to clear out your wardrobes and help to raise money for the school at the same time.  Further details will be given nearer the time.

Thank you for reading our blog and I hope you all have a great week.

Mrs Shepherd

Hello everybody and I hope you all had an enjoyable first week back to school.  It was lovely to see everybody looking so happy and rested.  Thank you to all our families for sending your children back to school ready to learn.

Last week got off to a great start with RE Week which was launched with a special assembly about making the new year a MAD and MIB one! We were all encouraged to Make a Difference and Make It Better! During the week, lessons were geared around deepening our pupils’  knowledge and understanding of and respect for world religions. A number of competitions were held and awards presented in the Celebration Assembly on Friday. From speaking to the children it is clear that they have gained a great deal from this special week and that the work done will support our regular, on-going RE curriculum.

This week at Copthorne

Portugal Visit

As mentioned in last week’s blog, on Monday 13th January members of staff from Copthorne will be visiting Portugal as part of our Comenius Project. During the visit they will meet the staff representing the 9 other countries in the project, visit some Portuguese primary schools to share ideas and plan the visits to the remaining 6 countries (Romania, Lithuania, Spain, Greece, Turkey and the Netherlands) some of which will involve Copthorne pupils! There will be more about this exciting news once all the plans have been finalised. Until then we wish our staff a safe and enjoyable journey and look forward to their return.

Junior First Aiders     

Here at Copthorne we aim to provide as many opportunities as possible for our children to lead and, as part of this  – alongside supporting our pupils’ social and moral development – we decided to give our KS2 pupils the chance to become Junior First Aiders. Each of the 60 or so pupils who  expressed an interest were interviewed and this Tuesday, 14th February,  the successful candidates will be undergoing training delivered by a company called ‘Impact First Aid”.  Once trained, the children will be qualified to administer basic first aid during play and lunchtimes. I am sure that our Junior First Aiders will be a great addition to our First Aid Team.

Forest Schools

On Friday 17th January , Year 4 will continue with their Forest School activities as half the children from 4 Beech visit St Ives Woods with Mrs Robinson and Mrs Shah.  I know that the children are having a great time learning about the outdoor environment and how we should care for it. Keep up the good work everyone!

Dates for your Diary

On Wednesday 12th February we will be holding a bag collection to raise funds for school.  This is an ideal opportunity to clear out your wardrobes and help to raise money for the school at the same time.  Further details will be given nearer the time.

I hope you all have a lovely week

Mrs Shepherd

Welcome back and Happy New Year! I am sure that 2014 will see Copthorne continue to go from strength to strength and I am looking forward to welcoming everyone back for the new term ahead.

I do hope that you all had a wonderful holiday. I had a lovely Christmas relaxing with my family and catching up with friends which was great. Thank you so much for all the cards and presents that were given to the staff from the children. We were all very touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness.

Thanks also to everyone who came to see our gorgeous Year 1 children perform their nativity: Whoops a Daisy Angel. Thanks especially to all the staff and children who worked so hard to make the production outstanding. I was so proud of all the children for learning their lines, dances and songs so perfectly and giving such a wonderful performance. It really was a joy to watch.

Fond Farewell

At the end of last term, after working at Copthorne for 9 years, our caretaker – Mr Stan Seaman – made the decision to retire. We wish him a happy and healthy retirement and thank him for the work he has done for our school.

RE Week      

Our first week back is RE Week which will be launched with special assemblies on Monday. During the week we will be exploring a number of world religions, special books, places of worship and festivals to learn about what makes each religion special to its followers. We will discover the beliefs we share and will once again be finding out about the richness and value of religious diversity.

                 Portugal Visit

Next week several members of staff from Copthorne will be visiting Portugal as part of our Comenius Project. During the visit they will meet the staff representing the 9 other countries in the project, visit some Portuguese primary schools to share ideas and plan the visits to the remaining 6 countries (Romania, Lithuania, Spain, Greece, Turkey and the Netherlands) some of which will involve Copthorne pupils! There will be more about this exciting news once all the plans have been finalised. Until then we wish our staff a safe and enjoyable journey and look forward to their return.

Wishing you all a great start to the new year.

Mrs Shepherd