Welcome back to another half term at Copthorne. Thanks to all our families for making sure that all the children arrived happy and ready to learn last Monday morning. As usual we have a very busy few weeks coming up and have lots of exciting activities planned.
This week at Copthorne
KS1 Football Tournament
On Monday 11th November, several of our KS1 pupils will be going to Grange Technology College along with Mr A Khan to compete in a football tournament against the other 6 schools in our Exceed Alliance. We wish them every success and I am sure that, as usual, they will be fantastic ambassadors for our school. Wearing their smart new Copthorne kit should inspire them even more to play to the highest standard.
School Improvement Partnership Visit
Also on Monday we welcome Mr Terry McDermott. Mr McDermott helps us to evaluate how effectively we are continuing to improve our school and advise us on our next steps. I am confident that he will feel, as we do, that Copthorne continues to be outstanding.
Meeting Individual Needs
On Monday, Miss Rosindale (our Literacy Coordinator) and I will be delivering a workshop each as part of Bradford College’s Meeting Individual Needs Conference. Miss Rosindale will be working with delegates to show them how we are using Talk for Writing strategies to raise standards of pupils’ writing at Copthorne and I will be exploring strategies for teachers to use in order to meet the needs of More Able learners in the classroom.
At Copthorne we believe that work like this, which supports other teachers and schools and encourages us to learn from each other, is a very important part of the work we do. We are delighted that, for the second time, we have been invited to contribute to the professional development of existing teachers and the teachers of the future.
If you go down to the woods today…
On Tuesday 12th November, the pupils in 2R will be visiting Hirst Wood as part of their topic for this half term: Bears. We hope that they have a wonderful time with their bears and that the weather stays fine for them. I look forward to hearing all about it on their return. We will post the pictures from the visit on our website as soon as possible.
Eureka Children’s Museum 
On Wednesday 13th November, 1 Oak will be visiting Eureka Science Museum in Halifax. Eureka is a magical place where children play to learn and I am sure the children (and adults) will have a interesting and fun filled day learning more about their current Curriculum theme: Brilliant Bodies
Children In Need
This Friday, 15th November, is Children In Need Day. At Copthorne we will all be dressing in our pyjamas, onesies and dressing gowns to help raise money for this great cause. If children wish to take part we ask that they bring a donation of at least £1.
Also, the theme of this year’s event is Bare Faced – the idea being that everyone adds a paw print to their face either with face paint or using one of the temporary Pudsey transfers. We will have a limited number of these available for children to buy on the day at a cost of £1 each. There will also be other Pudsey Bear activities going on throughout the day such as colouring competitions and bun sales. Look out for the letter that will be sent home with your children during the week which will give more details.
Come on Copthorne – I know we can make this the best Children In Need Day so far!
Reception Assembly
On Friday 15th November at 2.15 pm it will be the turn of our Reception classes to deliver their assembly. The theme will be Bears and will reflect some of the work that is being done as part of the current Creative Curriculum theme. Parents and family members are warmly invited to attend and are asked to be at school by 2.10pm in time for a prompt start.
It is always a pleasure to watch our children deliver their assembles and see how, at such a young age, they are being given such rich opportunities to develop and celebrate their speaking, listening and performance skills.
4 Beech to St Ives
Also on Friday, half of 4 Beech will continue their Forest Schools activities at St Ives Woods. It was wonderful to see them all arriving back to school last Friday wearing the woodland crowns that they had made during the day and with such enormous smiles on their faces. I am sure that they will have equally positive learning experiences this week.
I hope you all have a lovely week.
Mrs Shepherd