Welcome to another week at Copthorne.
I would like to begin this week by saying a big thank you to those of you who have posted comments and suggestions on the blog. It is great to know that you find the blog useful and informative and that you think it is a good way of keeping up to date with everything that is happening in our wonderful school.
Last Monday's snow
As I am sure you understand, the decision to close school last Monday was a difficult one but it was taken in order to ensure the safety and well being of our children and staff. Thank you for your care and support in making sure that our children arrived at school safely and on time for the rest of the week in spite of the awful weather. The worst seems to be over now and it is good to see some green grass again as the snow melts.
This week at Copthorne
Teachers of the Future
On Monday and Tuesday (28th and 29th January) we are hosting the interviews for the new Schools Direct programme. Head teachers from the 7 schools in our LAP (Lidget Green, Farnham, Horton Grange, St Oswald's, Princeville, Crossley Hall and, of course, Copthorne) will be interviewing a large number of post-graduate applicants who wish to take up a career in teaching. The successful candidates will each be matched with and given a placement in one of the LAP schools for a year, during which time each school - in partnership with Bradford College - will deliver a teacher training programme. The advantages of the programme for the students is that they will develop the skills, knowledge and attributes required to be an outstanding teacher in a real school setting. The advantage for each school is that we will be fully involved in shaping the teachers of the future. This will allow us to identify potential future members of staff who are familiar with our schools and our community and who will bring new educational ideas and methods to our school.We wish all the candidates every success as they embark on the first steps towards becoming the teachers of the future.
A new prospectus for Copthorne
On Tuesday, 29th January, we will be visited by a photographer from Words and Pictures - the company charged with the production of our exciting new prospectus. Over the past months Words and Pictures have worked with groups of pupils and staff and have reviewed what parents and the community say about Copthorne in order to build up a really clear picture of our school. A large number of our children will be involved in the photo shoot this week: parents have already been informed and their permission given for the photos to be taken. The photographer will be taking pictures of a wide range of activities throughout school. I am sure the children will have a great time and that the finished results will be a true refection of our great school. Some of the photos will also be used to produce canvases for our corridors and a number will appear on our new website which is also in the process of being created. We look forward to seeing the finished results!
Horton Park Lantern Parade
On Thursday 31st January 2013, there will be a very special parade organised by the Friends of Horton Park. The event will include music and a parade of lanterns made by children from some of the local schools. Our own pupils from 5 Willow worked very hard as part of a special day-long Art workshop here at Copthorne to make beautiful willow lanterns which will be lit for and carried in the parade. The children also learnt all about the qualities of willow and why it is such a useful natural material.
The parade marks an important stage in reclaiming the park for the local community. We hope that as many pupils, families and staff will join the parade as possible but particularly those children from 5 Willow who will be carrying their lanterns through the park.
All those families who wish to take part should meet at Ashkam Bryan College at the top of Horton Park at 5pm. The event will finish at 6.30pm. Any children taking part must be accompanied by a parent/carer. I know that Miss Akhtar has already written to the parents of pupils in 5 Willow about this and is looking forward to seeing you all there.
Next Week
Year 6 to the Bradford Royal Infirmary
Don't worry! No one has been hurt! These visits which will take place on Tuesday 5th February and Thursday 7th February. Year 6 will be learning about basic first aid, the work of paramedics and how to avoid accidents and injury.I am sure they will have a very interesting time.Both visits take place during the morning and the children will return to school for lunch.
Maths master class at Bradford Grammar School
4 children from Year 6 will form part of a group of 28 pupils visiting Bradford Grammar School on Tuesday 5th February from 1 to 3pm for what we hope will be the first of a course of Maths master classes. The class will provide further challenge and guidance for those children who are expected to achieve a Level 6 in the SATs in May. I am sure it will be great afternoon for all the children involved and I am sure that, once again, they will be wonderful ambassadors for their schools. I look forward to hearing all about it when they return to school and am getting ready to have my maths skills tested. Thank you to Mr Riley, the Head at Bradford Grammar, for providing our pupils with such a great opportunity.
Have a lovely week everyone.
Mrs Shepherd
Sunday 27 January 2013
Sunday 20 January 2013
Monday 21st January 2013
Hello everyone. I hope you have all managed to keep warm over the weekend.
Although it's cold it is lovely to see our children enjoying playing in the snow, making snowmen and generally having loads of fun.
The snow is also a great opportunity for our children to learn about freezing, melting, insulation and even capacity: I am hoping that a group of children will be going outside today to calculate the amount of snow in our MUGA!
Bad weather closure
At Copthorne it is very unlikely that we will close our school due to bad weather. However, if conditions are such that we do need to take the difficult decision to close the school and/or send children home early then please be assured that you will be informed of this by text message, through both our own website (www.copthorne.ngfl.ac.uk) and Bradford Schools On line (https://bso.bradford.gov.uk) and through local radio stations. For more details about these arrangements please see the Severe Weather Procedures explained in the blog on 3rd December. Please do not telephone the school office to ask if we are closed. Thank you.
This week at Copthorne
Road Safety Week
As explained in last week's blog and in the letter sent home, this week is Road Safety Week. There are lots of interesting and exciting events taking place to help everyone understand the ways in which we can keep our children and community safe when using the roads.The events include 'Teddy Takes a Tumble' - a show for Reception and Nursery Children, and Charlie's Accident - a show for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The week will begin with 20 children, chosen from amongst Year 5 and 6, working with the Council Wardens and police to ticket cars which are illegally stopping or parking outside the school.
The Road Safety Team and police will be holding a Road Safety talk for parents on Tuesday 22nd January at 2.15-3pm in the school hall. I hope as many of our parents and carers as possible will attend so that the children will receive the same messages about Road Safety both at home and at school. I look forward to seeing you there.
Thank you all for your support for what should be an informative week for us all at Copthorne.
Bradford College Student Teachers
Today Mrs Whalley and myself will have the pleasure of providing training for a group of 30 students from Bradford College. The students are all training to be teachers and we will be showing them how we assess our pupils and how this information feeds back into lesson planning.
The training is part of our 'partnership working' with Bradford College which includes the college providing experiences for Copthorne pupils. At some point our Year 6 pupils, for example, will be visiting the College for a very special Science lesson.
Head Teacher Drop-in session
I will be holding another drop-in session for parents/carers between 10 and 11 am on Tuesday 22nd January. If you have ideas about school or concerns you wish to share then please feel free to contact the school office staff who will book an appointment for you during those times. I look forward to seeing you.
4 Poplar to the Industrial Museum
This week it is the turn of 4 Poplar to visit the Industrial Museum to learn more about life as a child during World War 2. I look forward to hearing all about what our children have learnt when they return to school.
Copthorne Stars
Last Thursday, 4 Beech spent the day at the Industrial Museum as part of their Creative Curriculum work on World War 2. Our very excited children set off with their 'gas masks' and spent the day learning about what life was like for children during the war.
Our children were an absolute credit to Copthorne and the staff at the Industrial Museum commented on how wonderfully behaved our pupils were, remarking particularly on their politeness and listening skills. Well done everyone! Thanks to Mrs Van Tol and Miss Shah for organising the trip. I am sure that 4 Poplar will have an equally good time and we equally great ambassadors for our school.
Training for Newly Qualified Teachers
On Wednesday 23rd January from 9-11.45am some of Copthorne's staff will host and deliver a training session for the newly qualified teachers from the 7 schools in our LAP. This session will give these new teachers strategies to use to challenge our more able and talented learners. The training is part of the staff support and development offerered through our LAP.
Next Week at Copthorne
A new prospectus
We are in the process of developing an exciting new school prospectus which will truly reflect what Copthorne is all about and help give prospective parents a clear view of our mission and ethos whilst demonstrating what we can offer for their children. As part of this exciting venture there will be a photographer in school for the official photo shoot for the prospectus on Tuesday 29th January. Children whose photos we plan to take will be sent home with a letter during this week asking for parental permission.We would ask any parent/carer receiving a letter to please complete the reply slip and return it to school by Friday of this week (25th January 2013). Thank you. We will of course be putting our new prospectus in our entrance for everyone to see once it has been completed.
Wishing you all a warm week.
Mrs Shepherd
Although it's cold it is lovely to see our children enjoying playing in the snow, making snowmen and generally having loads of fun.
The snow is also a great opportunity for our children to learn about freezing, melting, insulation and even capacity: I am hoping that a group of children will be going outside today to calculate the amount of snow in our MUGA!
Bad weather closure
At Copthorne it is very unlikely that we will close our school due to bad weather. However, if conditions are such that we do need to take the difficult decision to close the school and/or send children home early then please be assured that you will be informed of this by text message, through both our own website (www.copthorne.ngfl.ac.uk) and Bradford Schools On line (https://bso.bradford.gov.uk) and through local radio stations. For more details about these arrangements please see the Severe Weather Procedures explained in the blog on 3rd December. Please do not telephone the school office to ask if we are closed. Thank you.
This week at Copthorne
Road Safety Week
As explained in last week's blog and in the letter sent home, this week is Road Safety Week. There are lots of interesting and exciting events taking place to help everyone understand the ways in which we can keep our children and community safe when using the roads.The events include 'Teddy Takes a Tumble' - a show for Reception and Nursery Children, and Charlie's Accident - a show for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The week will begin with 20 children, chosen from amongst Year 5 and 6, working with the Council Wardens and police to ticket cars which are illegally stopping or parking outside the school.
The Road Safety Team and police will be holding a Road Safety talk for parents on Tuesday 22nd January at 2.15-3pm in the school hall. I hope as many of our parents and carers as possible will attend so that the children will receive the same messages about Road Safety both at home and at school. I look forward to seeing you there.
Thank you all for your support for what should be an informative week for us all at Copthorne.
Bradford College Student Teachers
Today Mrs Whalley and myself will have the pleasure of providing training for a group of 30 students from Bradford College. The students are all training to be teachers and we will be showing them how we assess our pupils and how this information feeds back into lesson planning.
The training is part of our 'partnership working' with Bradford College which includes the college providing experiences for Copthorne pupils. At some point our Year 6 pupils, for example, will be visiting the College for a very special Science lesson.
Head Teacher Drop-in session
I will be holding another drop-in session for parents/carers between 10 and 11 am on Tuesday 22nd January. If you have ideas about school or concerns you wish to share then please feel free to contact the school office staff who will book an appointment for you during those times. I look forward to seeing you.
4 Poplar to the Industrial Museum
This week it is the turn of 4 Poplar to visit the Industrial Museum to learn more about life as a child during World War 2. I look forward to hearing all about what our children have learnt when they return to school.
Copthorne Stars
Last Thursday, 4 Beech spent the day at the Industrial Museum as part of their Creative Curriculum work on World War 2. Our very excited children set off with their 'gas masks' and spent the day learning about what life was like for children during the war.
Our children were an absolute credit to Copthorne and the staff at the Industrial Museum commented on how wonderfully behaved our pupils were, remarking particularly on their politeness and listening skills. Well done everyone! Thanks to Mrs Van Tol and Miss Shah for organising the trip. I am sure that 4 Poplar will have an equally good time and we equally great ambassadors for our school.
Training for Newly Qualified Teachers
On Wednesday 23rd January from 9-11.45am some of Copthorne's staff will host and deliver a training session for the newly qualified teachers from the 7 schools in our LAP. This session will give these new teachers strategies to use to challenge our more able and talented learners. The training is part of the staff support and development offerered through our LAP.
Next Week at Copthorne
A new prospectus
We are in the process of developing an exciting new school prospectus which will truly reflect what Copthorne is all about and help give prospective parents a clear view of our mission and ethos whilst demonstrating what we can offer for their children. As part of this exciting venture there will be a photographer in school for the official photo shoot for the prospectus on Tuesday 29th January. Children whose photos we plan to take will be sent home with a letter during this week asking for parental permission.We would ask any parent/carer receiving a letter to please complete the reply slip and return it to school by Friday of this week (25th January 2013). Thank you. We will of course be putting our new prospectus in our entrance for everyone to see once it has been completed.
Wishing you all a warm week.
Mrs Shepherd
Sunday 13 January 2013
Monday 14th January
Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas holiday.Welcome back to another exciting term at Copthorne. It was lovely to see the children again last Tuesday They have all returned to school refreshed and ready to work really hard.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the wonderful Christmas cards and thoughtful gifts I received - thank you!
School Dinners
From last Tuesday - 8th January - 3 weeks earlier than originally planned, we started producing and serving our own school lunches. We have started quite simply with baked potatoes and toppings, pasta bakes and - the children's definite favourite - baguette pizzas and, once we have our Assistant Cook in place, we will increase the range of dishes available. Well done and thank you to our catering staff for making the first week such a success.
This week at Copthorne
Year 4 visit the Industrial Museum
Both Year 4 classes will be visiting the Industrial Museum this week (4 Poplar on Tuesday15th and 4 Beech on Thursday 17th). They will be experiencing what life was like for children during World War 2. I am sure that they will have a wonderful time and, as usual, be great ambassadors for Copthorne.
Inter-generational project
This Tuesday,15th February,sees the start of the Inter-generational project at Grange Interlink Centre. For the next 10 weeks 8 of our Year 5 children will be taking part in this project which will involve them spending 2 hours each week working with elderly people from our community. The project aims to encourage generations to share ideas and values so as to strengthen our community and develop mutual respect and tolerance.
Forest School
This Friday, 18th February, sees half of the children in 4 Poplar off to St Ive's Woods for their second day of Forest School. The children will continue to learn woodcraft skills, explore the environment, solve problems and develop teamwork outside. The children will need their packed lunches, warm clothing, a waterproof/winter coat and sensible footwear/wellington boots. It was great to see how excited our children were after last week's visit and I am sure that this Friday's experiences will be just as enjoyable.
Saturday Study Support
This began on Saturday 12th January and will run each Saturday until the Easter holidays. The sessions last from 10am to 12pm each week and are held at Horton Grange Primary School. The aim of the project is to help Year 6 pupils from each of the 7 schools in our LAP (Exceed Alliance) to secure their target levels in the SATs in May. Each Saturday the children are taught by experienced teachers for an hour each of Maths and English.The children are provided with refreshments and the teachers aim to make the learning great fun too. These sessions have been run with great success for the past 2 years and I know that the pupils from Copthorne will enjoy themselves and work their hardest to achieve their targets.
The sessions are also a great opportunity for the children to get to know others from the LAP schools.
School Shoes
In October, I wrote to you all - both in the blog and in a letter sent home with all pupils, explaining the Governing Body's decision that, in line with the school's uniform policy, all children must wear plain black, flat-heeled shoes and that trainers are not permitted -although these will still be required for outdoor PE. Parents/carers were informed that black shoes would have to be worn by all pupils from the start of January 2013.It is now essential, therefore that this rule be followed.Thank you to all parents/carers who have already ensured that the children are wearing black shoes and to all the children who have been reminding parents about this. I would ask that anyone still wearing trainers now change to black shoes immediately. If you feel that weather conditions are such that the children need to wear boots to school then I would be grateful if you could make sure that they have their black shoes or black pumps with them to change into once they arrive at school. Thank you so much for your support in this matter.
Snow days
According to the weather forecast there is a good chance that we will be experiencing snow over the next couple of days and/or weeks. Please ensue that you have read the letter which was sent home before the Christmas holidays or the blog: Monday 3rd December 2012 which gave details of the procedures we will follow when the weather is particularly severe. Thank you.
Dates for your diary
Road Safety Week: 21st to 25th January 2013
During that week we will be carrying out a range of activities aimed at increasing road safety awareness and skills. The planned experiences will involve our children, their families and the community as a whole. Activites include: shows for children and a talk for parents. In addition,a number of pupils will be working with the community police and council wardens to 'ticket' road users breaking the law and putting pupils in danger. A letter will be sent home with pupils during this week giving details of times and dates of activities.
Bag to School: Wednesday 6th February 2013
We are holding a collection of unwanted, clean old clothing, bedding, hand bags, shoes, belts and soft toys. We will receive 50p per kilo we collect. The funds we raise will help us to continue providing the range of wonderful, extra activities for our children. Bag to school will be providing us with bags for you to fill which we will be sending home with the children nearer the time but they also accept black bin liners so, if any of you are having new year clear outs, feel free to start filling bags now. Bags you have filled can be brought into school from Tuesday 29th January until 9am on February 6th. I know that you will support us in this collection and thank you in advance.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club runs from each day from 8-8.30am. At 8.30am the children are sent outside to line up with their classes in the playground where a learning mentor (Mrs Robinson in the front playground and Mr A Khan in the black playground) is on duty. Children in Reception and Nursery are escorted to their classrooms by a member of staff from Breakfast Club.
Have a great week. Here's hoping the snow stays away!
Mrs Shepherd
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the wonderful Christmas cards and thoughtful gifts I received - thank you!
From last Tuesday - 8th January - 3 weeks earlier than originally planned, we started producing and serving our own school lunches. We have started quite simply with baked potatoes and toppings, pasta bakes and - the children's definite favourite - baguette pizzas and, once we have our Assistant Cook in place, we will increase the range of dishes available. Well done and thank you to our catering staff for making the first week such a success.
This week at Copthorne
Year 4 visit the Industrial Museum
Both Year 4 classes will be visiting the Industrial Museum this week (4 Poplar on Tuesday15th and 4 Beech on Thursday 17th). They will be experiencing what life was like for children during World War 2. I am sure that they will have a wonderful time and, as usual, be great ambassadors for Copthorne.
Inter-generational project
This Tuesday,15th February,sees the start of the Inter-generational project at Grange Interlink Centre. For the next 10 weeks 8 of our Year 5 children will be taking part in this project which will involve them spending 2 hours each week working with elderly people from our community. The project aims to encourage generations to share ideas and values so as to strengthen our community and develop mutual respect and tolerance.
Forest School
This Friday, 18th February, sees half of the children in 4 Poplar off to St Ive's Woods for their second day of Forest School. The children will continue to learn woodcraft skills, explore the environment, solve problems and develop teamwork outside. The children will need their packed lunches, warm clothing, a waterproof/winter coat and sensible footwear/wellington boots. It was great to see how excited our children were after last week's visit and I am sure that this Friday's experiences will be just as enjoyable.
Saturday Study Support
This began on Saturday 12th January and will run each Saturday until the Easter holidays. The sessions last from 10am to 12pm each week and are held at Horton Grange Primary School. The aim of the project is to help Year 6 pupils from each of the 7 schools in our LAP (Exceed Alliance) to secure their target levels in the SATs in May. Each Saturday the children are taught by experienced teachers for an hour each of Maths and English.The children are provided with refreshments and the teachers aim to make the learning great fun too. These sessions have been run with great success for the past 2 years and I know that the pupils from Copthorne will enjoy themselves and work their hardest to achieve their targets. The sessions are also a great opportunity for the children to get to know others from the LAP schools.
School Shoes
In October, I wrote to you all - both in the blog and in a letter sent home with all pupils, explaining the Governing Body's decision that, in line with the school's uniform policy, all children must wear plain black, flat-heeled shoes and that trainers are not permitted -although these will still be required for outdoor PE. Parents/carers were informed that black shoes would have to be worn by all pupils from the start of January 2013.It is now essential, therefore that this rule be followed.Thank you to all parents/carers who have already ensured that the children are wearing black shoes and to all the children who have been reminding parents about this. I would ask that anyone still wearing trainers now change to black shoes immediately. If you feel that weather conditions are such that the children need to wear boots to school then I would be grateful if you could make sure that they have their black shoes or black pumps with them to change into once they arrive at school. Thank you so much for your support in this matter.Snow days
Dates for your diary
Road Safety Week: 21st to 25th January 2013
During that week we will be carrying out a range of activities aimed at increasing road safety awareness and skills. The planned experiences will involve our children, their families and the community as a whole. Activites include: shows for children and a talk for parents. In addition,a number of pupils will be working with the community police and council wardens to 'ticket' road users breaking the law and putting pupils in danger. A letter will be sent home with pupils during this week giving details of times and dates of activities.
Bag to School: Wednesday 6th February 2013
We are holding a collection of unwanted, clean old clothing, bedding, hand bags, shoes, belts and soft toys. We will receive 50p per kilo we collect. The funds we raise will help us to continue providing the range of wonderful, extra activities for our children. Bag to school will be providing us with bags for you to fill which we will be sending home with the children nearer the time but they also accept black bin liners so, if any of you are having new year clear outs, feel free to start filling bags now. Bags you have filled can be brought into school from Tuesday 29th January until 9am on February 6th. I know that you will support us in this collection and thank you in advance.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club runs from each day from 8-8.30am. At 8.30am the children are sent outside to line up with their classes in the playground where a learning mentor (Mrs Robinson in the front playground and Mr A Khan in the black playground) is on duty. Children in Reception and Nursery are escorted to their classrooms by a member of staff from Breakfast Club.
Have a great week. Here's hoping the snow stays away!
Mrs Shepherd
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