Dear Parents/Carers,
Well – what a week! Having had the ‘Ofsted’ call on Friday, last week rolled straight into this week with most staff working right across the weekend in preparation for our visitors. On Monday and Tuesday we were interviewing all day and when Wednesday arrived we were relieved to get the process underway. Ofsted inspections are very focused and very gruelling, and rightly so - their role pivotal in supporting school improvement across the country. We have engaged very thoroughly with the process this week to support our own evaluation of where we are at as a school and I thank you for your fantastic support both in returning completed surveys AND an impressive supply of chocolates and biscuits for the staff! I must also take this opportunity to reflect what many of you already know – what a phenomenal bunch of staff we have here at Cookridge. I have been very impressed with the team spirit in the building and the level of dedication every member of staff has shown. No doubt Ofsted will have much advice for ways in which we can improve and I have all the right people alongside me to do what needs to be done... I look forward to sharing our Ofsted news with you as soon as I am able.
In January, Miss Hobson will join Miss Golia to complete our Year 1 teaching team. Miss Hobson is an experienced teacher who brings much strength to her new role in Class 1 and Numeracy Leadership across school. Most importantly, she was very passionate about her desire to work at Cookridge during interview and cannot wait to join us!
This week, we have also appointed our very own Mrs Speak as a second Assistant Head teacher in school. Mrs Speak will coordinate the efforts of a large staff team to further enhance provision for many different pupil groups in school including pupils with special educational needs, children who speak English as an additional language and higher attaining for more able pupils. Mrs Speak will maintain her class teaching commitment but will work in partnership with Mrs Spiers when she returns from maternity leave in December. I am sure that you will join me in celebrating this very significant appointment in school and wish Mrs Speak all the best in her new role.
Please accept my apologies for the cancelled consultations scheduled for this week. I am sure you can appreciate the need to do so, and thank you for your patience. Please MAINTAIN the time and day given to you for this week and use that appointment on Monday 31st October, Tuesday 1st or Wednesday 2nd November. We very much look forward to seeing you then. If, for any reason, you are unable to keep that appointment time, please contact the school office so that we are able to rearrange an appointment for you.
The website
I hope that you have been able to take a look at the new school website and appreciate the earliest phase of our developments there. If you have not already done so, explore the site with your child over the half term holidays and encourage them to leave a short message on the message board. This is a secure area where messages left are approved by staff before publishing, but are still a fun way for your child to leave their message for friends to see once approved. Also be sure to show them where the ‘Learning Zone’ is, and encourage them to play some of the 350 games in the Maths area. I will get on with the Literacy section over half term... ! Go to www.cookridgeprimaryschool.org.uk – and let us know what you think!
Coffee Morning
Last week’s coffee morning was well attended and I am grateful to those parents who are taking the time to chat to us in this informal context. The next coffee morning will be held on Wednesday 23rd November at 9.00am and if you haven’t already managed to come along, please do.
Parent Governors
As we have received two nominations for the Parent Governor vacancy, we will be going to ballot. Ballot papers will be distributed the week after half term and we would urge you to vote for your preferred candidate.
Sports News
Due to field repair work over half-term there will be no football club on the first Monday back (31st October). Due to the training day the following Monday the first football club, depending upon how the pitch has recovered, is on Monday 14th November.
Lost Property
Is mounting up! Please ensure ALL items of clothing are NAMED so that discarded clothes can be returned to their owner, where possible, within the school day. We do not have storage for large amounts of lost property and will need to regularly dispose of a large collection of cardigans, t-shirts and even coats that MUST belong to somebody! During parent consultation evenings, we will display the current lost property in the school hall and ask you to come and see if anything might belong to you. Anything left after Wednesday 2nd November will be donated to a good cause.
Friday 21st October Training Day – school closed
Monday 31st October School reopens after half term
Tuesday 1st November Year 1 Skipton Castle trip
Wednesday 2nd November Class 8 & 9 at Yorkshire Cricket Club
Monday 7th November Training Day – school closed
Tuesday 8th November Class 4 & 5 visiting the Danelaw Centre
Thursday 10th November Friends Annual General Meeting – 6pm
Wednesday 23rd November Coffee morning
Friday 9th December Reception and Year 1 Christmas Concert ‘We Three Kings’ - 2pm
Monday 12th December Friends Christmas Bazarre - 3.50pm to 5pm
Tuesday 13th December Year 4, 5 & 6 Christmas Concert – 2pm and 7pm
Wednesday 14th December Year 2 & 3 Christmas Concert – 2pm
Thursday 15th December Christmas parties – pm
Friday 16th December Christmas Toy Giving Assembly – 9am
Christmas Carols around the tree – 2.30pm
School closes for Christmas holiday
Tuesday 3rd January School reopens after Christmas holiday
Have a wonderful half term break – I know I will!
