Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome back! The term has begun superbly, with the
children bouncing back into the routine despite the cold and windy week we have
had! It is fantastic to be stopped in the corridor, on the playground or over
lunch by children all over school who are excited by their learning, their
achievements and the wonderful things that are going on in their class. On
Wednesday, I was accosted on four different occasions during lunchtime by very
excited super sleuths in Class 2. They were almost certain Miss Golia
had worn a wig and pretended to be Goldilocks, but couldn’t be absolutely
sure – hence their questions... ‘Was Miss Golia in your office during our
literacy?’ They were almost certain they’d seen a bit of
Miss Golia’s hair...?? I thought Andre might pop, such was his excitement. Key
Stage 1’s traditional tales unit has most definitely fired the children up, and
I’m sure that the learning which will happen on the back of sooooooooo much
enthusiasm will be astonishing. Watch this space! Happily, Key Stage 1 is not
the only phase that’s buzzing....
Curriculum 2012
A full copy of the all-new curriculum map is now
available to view on the parent’s page of the school website http://www.cookridgeprimaryschool.org.uk/parents/curriculum.php . Please have a look at the exciting things we
have planned for your child across this year and as they progress through
school. Reception are looking at Food as their science based topic gets
underway, but will also explore knowledge of the world by exploring where our
food comes from, and how food is used in many different celebrations. Lower Key
Stage 2 (Year 3/4)’s topic on India is underway and again the enthusiasm for
the topic is widespread as the children have begun to share what they already
know about India and have even indulged in some Bollywood dancing, which will
be perfected over the coming weeks – if you’re lucky you may even get to see
some! The homework the children have
produced in preparation for this topic is really impressive, and again the
children have proudly shown their learning to their friends, teachers and even
me across the week. Connor Fenton’s shoe box montage was fascinating – well
done you! – and Alfie Palmer’s information booklet just sensational. Thanks to
all parents for their support of home learning – you would know it is worth it
if you could see the pride in your children’s faces as they show their homework
off to the class! In Upper Key Stage 2
(Year 5/6), the children have made a start on their historical exploration of
Inventors and Inventions, through the ages. This fascinating topic promises to
be an intriguing one, and will involve the children’s own suggestions, design
and making of prototype products that should already be on the market….
As part of the innovation of the curriculum, we are
delighted to be in a creative phase which sees us develop a curriculum model
which is current, relevant and fit for the 21st century. As part of
this agenda, we have also introduced E-safety as a core part of our ICT
curriculum, so that not only are the children developing the skills they need
to be competent users of technologies, they are also aware of the risks
associated with this incredible resource so that they are better equipped to
make the right choices, now and well into their future as world wide web users.
Children in LKS2 and UKS2 will be learning about E-Safety this half term using
a carefully selected range of resources which get important messages across –
such as never give your personal details online. Parent and carers can access
more information on the ThinkUKnow website https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/parentsguide/.
Inter Generational Choir
On Tuesday lunchtime, I stumbled upon another
‘something wonderful’ as I made my way down to the lunch hall.. A beautiful
noise emanating from the community room.. About 30 of our children and a group
of older generation choristers sang their hearts out as they continued
rehearsal for the debut performance around Christmas time. ‘Santa Claus is
coming to town’ never sounded so good! Mrs Fletcher has taken Music in her
stride since September, and we are seeing some fantastic development of an
already very strong aspect of our school. Mrs Fletcher has added whole class
samba and steel pans into our UKS2 curriculum, has organised our visiting music
teachers so that we now have full groups AND a waiting list, and of course she
is the founding member of our first ever inter-generational choir. Enormous
thanks to Mrs Fletcher who is filling our school with the sound of music, to
the members of OPAL who are coming along to sing with us each week and finally
to the children of the choir who are freely giving their lunchtimes to nurture
a rare gift! You are stars...
Book Bags.. And Phonics
folders!
I
have been asked by several parents if we are able to source bigger book bags,
now that the children are bringing home their phonics folders each day. The
good news is – yes we can! The bags are produced by the same company as
supplied the original book bag – they do quite a range – priced £5.00. So that
we know roughly how many to order, can I ask parents who wish to order a book
bag to complete the reply slip below and send it into school OR call into the
office and put your name on the waiting list by Friday 16th
November so that we can get them into school and start the trend!
Photographs
Orders
should be returned to the office by 5pm today, Friday 9th
November.
Children in Need 2012 :
“Show your spots – let’s raise lots!”
Next
Friday 16th November is Children in Need day, a day when children
and adults across the UK unite to raise funds to support all kinds of project
and good causes which help all kinds of children. We will be lending our
support to this fantastic event which last year raised 26 million. Next Friday,
please help us make a great day of it by supporting the following:-
First
of all, children can wear their own clothes for the day – preferably something
spotty in keeping with the Children in Need theme! Children wearing their own
clothes are asked for £1.00 – ALL of which will go straight to Children in
Need. Secondly – we will be drawing a gigantic Pudsey Bear in the playground!
As you arrive in the morning, please help your child to place all your
discarded coins in the outline shape. It would be fabulous if we could fill the
entire shape, because coppers or not that will really add up! Thirdly, we
really really want a bun sale – but we can’t do it without you (we only have
one oven in school!). If you are able to contribute buns or biscuits for sale
at first playtime, I’m fairly confident I can supply some customers! Children
should bring no more than 20p to buy buns on the day. Throughout the day,
children will also be doing all kinds of fun activities and we are sure we’ll
have a fun filled day. There will be a wii competition at lunch time and any
children wishing to take part should bring an extra 20p. Thanks in advance for
your support.
Friends of Cookridge – P.T.A.
Next Thursday 15th November is our next
Friends meeting. Much will be decided in relation to our Christmas Fair and now
would be a really good time for you to get involved! Please come along if you
are able..
Pre-school Christmas Fair
Mrs Bird has asked me to make you all
aware of their Christmas Fair – coming very soon! It is on Friday 16th November
from 2-4 pm in the pre-school room. Lots of stalls, bric-a-brac, decorations
made by the children, cards, paper etc, chocolate, fruit cakes, Christmas cake
raffle, games, teddy raffle............loads!!!!!! All welcome.
Donkey Sanctuary Winter Wonderland – Swan Lane Leeds
LS16 8AZ
The Donkey Sanctuary is holding their annual Winter
Wonderland on the 1st and 2nd December. This is a family
event where you can ride the donkeys, take a sleigh ride, browse the stalls and
enjoy good quality home-made refreshments. This is the sanctuary’s biggest fund
raising event of the year and, as well as a good afternoon out, your visit will
support a great resource which children across Leeds – ours included, as we
make frequent visits to the donkeys.
Attendance
Another great week attendance wise with our third
week (out of only 9!) where we have a class with 100% attendance – well done
Class 1: you’re amazing! So far this year, our attendance is the best it has
been for the whole 5 years I have a window on.. We are aiming for 96% on the
year – and I’m really optimistic we will make it. Keep up the great work! |
National Minimum ‘Good’ Expectation
|
Target
2012-13
|
Attendance this week
|
Year to date
|
||||||||
|
95%
|
96%
|
96.9%
|
96.2%
|
||||||||
|
Class attendance figures for this week are:-
|
|||||||||||
|
Rec
|
Class 1
|
Class 2
|
Class 3
|
Class 4
|
Class 5
|
Class 6
|
Class 7
|
Class 8
|
Class 9
|
||
|
A 97.1%
B 95.5%
|
100%
|
94.2%
|
96.4%
|
96.3%
|
98.2%
|
97.1%
|
96.3%
|
97.4%
|
97.2%
|
||
Dates for next term...
Dates for the term ahead are all available to view
on the blog: don’t miss out – check the dates and be sure you know what’s
happening across this term. http://cookridgeprimaryschool.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/thursday-25th-october.html
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mrs Bailey
