Hello everybody and welcome to our final blog for 2013! This week promises to be a very exciting and fun filled week with lots of Christmas activities for staff and children.
Last week at Copthorne was another great one. Our year 4 pupils welcomed a very exciting visitor to their classrooms. Matthew – the Didgeridoo Man – delivered a day long ‘Australia’ workshop to both Year 4 classes.
The children made boomerangs and painted them in the style of traditional aboriginal art. All the children played the didgeridoo, learnt a lot about Austaralia and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I enjoyed listening to the range of interesting sounds that were coming out of their classrooms!
On Friday, 5 Willow enjoyed their visit to the Colour Museum where they discovered some very interesting facts about light and colour. On the same day, 4 Poplar went to Nell Bank to take part in a School’s Linking Project with All Saints Primary school in Ilkey. The children met their link partners for the first time and took part in a range of outdoor team building activities with each other. A great experience for everyone involved.
Also last week, we presented our Star of the Month Awards. During our Celebration Assembly one pupil from each class was rewarded for exceptional learning behaviours and work. Staff working in each class nominated the children they feel have displayed a no excuses, positive attitude. Well done to this month’s award winners.
This week at Copthorne
Attendance Reviews
As you know at Copthorne we are continually working to ensure that every child has the best learning opportunities. In order to make the most of these opportunities, it is vital that children attend school regularly. The national average for primary school attendance is 96% and where a child’s attendance falls below this figure it is likely to adversely affect their education and we would consider this a cause for concern. Consequently, throughout this week, I will be meeting the parents of the children whose attendance is below 90%. Then, immediately after the Christmas holidays, I will be meeting the parents of those children whose attendance is below 95%. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss reasons for absence and to find ways in which we can work together to improve indivudual pupil’s attendance. Thanks to all of you who ensure that our children attend school regularly.
Magical Monday
Monday 16th December is Magical Monday: staff and children can wear a crown or tiara like one of the 3 kings.
Year 5 at the Colour Museum
Also on Monday, 16th December it is 5 Cedar’s turn to visit the Colour Museum. The visit has been arranged in order to support the current Year 5 Creative Curriculum theme. The museum covers the science of light and colour and I am sure that our children will find the day very interesting and informative.
Thackray Medical Museum
The children in Year 2 will be visiting the Thackray Museum on Monday 16th December. This visit has been arranged in order to support the work the children are doing about Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole. The Thackray Medical Museum is a wonderful place to visit and I know that our children will learn a great deal from this experience.
Tinsel Tuesday
On Tuesday 17th December pupils can wear something sparkly e.g. a piece of tinsel. I am sure that the whole school will be full of sparkle.
Wrapping Paper Wednesday
Wednesday 18th December is Wrapping Paper Wednesday and children can wear a paper hat made from wrapping paper. Today we will also be enjoying our Christmas meal and are all throughly looking forward to it.
Football Tournament
A number of our Year 5 and 6 pupils will be taking part in an Exceed Football competion at Grange Technology College this Wednesday, 18th December. We wish them well and I am sure they will be a credit to themselves and to Copthorne. Go team!
Trimmings Thursday
Thursday 19th December is Trimmings Thursday and we will be decorating ourselves with a Christmas bauble or a tree decoration, please avoid those baubles which may shatter!
Whoops a Daisy Angel
Year 1 will be presenting our Nativity Assembly on Thursday 19th December at 9.15 am and 2.15pm. This year’s production is Whoops a Daisy Angel and the children have been working hard to make their performance magical. It would be lovely if as many people as possible could attend either or both of these assemblies to support our children and celebrate their hard work.
Please arrive promptly so that the children are not distracted by too many interruptions.
Year 5 Swimming
There will be no swimming this week for Year 5 pupils as the pool has closed for the Christmas holidays.
Festive Friday
Friday 20th December will be Festive Friday. Children can wear party clothes for our Christmas celebrations. We will also be holding a whole school assembly where staff and children will have our annual Christmas sing-a-long.
A special visitor 
Father Christmas will visit Nursery and Reception children during Thursday and Friday this week so get ready to tell him your Christamas wishes.
I
would like to take this opportunity to wish you all an enjoyable and relaxing holiday and thank you for your continued support in making Copthorne the wonderful place it is. Thank you also for your many Christmas wishes, cards and gifts – once again, we are all overwhelmed by your generosity.
School will open again at the usual time on Monday 6th January 2014. I look forward to seeing you all then and hearing about what our children did during the holidays.
Mrs Shepherd