Dear
Parents/Carers,
This
week and next, I have the privilege of observing numeracy teaching and learning
in every class across school. This is fantastic in so many ways – it’s a time
to really celebrate the great learning that is happening across school,
recognise the things that we are doing well and identify the next steps in our
developments. I have been very impressed with the learning I have seen so far –
our kids really are working their socks off, rising to the challenges their
talented teachers are setting them every single day. What has really impressed
me this week is how well the new classes have settled, how quickly new
friendships have formed and how the children are embracing collaboration and
paired working. With our emphasis on children helping one another, offering
explanations and not being afraid to ask questions, we now have approximately
30 teachers in every room! Great stuff...
Fancy New Library!
On
Saturday, we are having a beautiful new library installed downstairs. I am very
excited about this addition to our learning environment. With Government cuts
in spending nationwide, there is much in the press about the closure of local
and school based libraries. At Cookridge, we are choosing now as precisely the
right time to invest in reading. A love of books is something I am personally
very passionate about, and this is a commitment that the whole school community
share. In the past 12 months we have invested almost £16,000 in books, and Miss
Fowler worked very hard last year to create a school wide buzz about books. The
library area is going to be a spectacular space.. But GOING to be is a very apt
description.... we need HELP to get
things sorted! If you are able to spare any time on Wednesday 10th
October or Thursday 11th October for a stamping, stickering and
organising frenzy, we would really love to hear from you!
Parent Meetings
This
week’s parent meetings in Key Stage 1, Lower Key Stage 2 and Upper Key Stage 2
have been very well attended. I am very grateful to the staff for opening their
doors to welcome parents directly into the classrooms, and very grateful to you
for turning up! I hope that you found the meetings informative and that the
passion, enthusiasm and commitment of the staff team was evident for all to
see. We hope to run more of these events in the future so watch this space...
We look forward to working in close partnership with you in the year to come.
Homework Woes
As
promised, the first item on our Leadership Meeting agenda this week was
homework! Having listened to the matters raised by some parents, we have agreed
the following amendments to the school wide homework practice:-
Homework will be set on a Wednesday to be
returned to school on a Monday. This allows the flexibility to enable some
children to complete homework in the early evening (keeping their weekend
free!) and some children to complete homework over the weekend (keeping their
evenings free!)
Homework includes reading (little and often –
daily if possible, but just 3 times a week will be subject to school based
rewards!), phonics follow up, a literacy and maths activity each week (one of
which will be game based/practical or discussion based, and one which will
written/recorded.) We will continue to maintain the very popular learning log
tasks on a half termly basis.
Homework club after school on a Wednesday is
available to allow children the time to complete homework and/or access our
growing range of web based learning resources.
The DFE provide guidance for parents on homework matters at the following website. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/SchoolLife/DG_179508 Their guidance is that KS1 (Years 1 and 2) engage in one hour of homework activity a week, LKS2 (Years 3 and 4) one and a half hours per week and UKS2 (Years 5 & 6) 30 minutes per day. We hope that the above diet of homework falls in with these guidelines, provide a range of opportunities for children to reinforce learning at home, and gives children a chance to showcase their talents to their biggest fans: mums, dads, grandmas, granddads...! I would urge any parents who continue to have concerns or experience difficulty motivating their child to get in touch – don’t struggle on in silence.
Parent Survey
We
have received a good number of survey responses back in school this week –
thank you. Surveys should be returned to
the school office by Monday 8th
October. I will collate
all responses and produce a summary report for you in due course.
After school clubs
We
are in the process of sifting through high numbers of applications for the
after school clubs on offer. You should receive a letter early next week
confirming your child’s place in a club. Clubs are due to start during the week
commencing 8th October.
Friends of Cookridge –
P.T.A.
Thank
you to parents who returned the slip expressing an interest in joining the
P.T.A. this year. The majority of responses returned clearly stated 6.30pm as the
preferable time for a meeting. The first meeting of the year will be held on Tuesday 9th October at 6.30pm
and will be held in Funtime. Even if you haven’t returned a slip – don’t let
this deter you.. Come along! We need to start thinking about Christmas!
The
first PTA fundraising event of the year will be a non-uniform day on the final
day of term, Thursday 25th
October. Children can wear their choice of their own clothes and bring £1
to donate to school. There is also a disco penned in for 3.05 (KS1) and 4.15
(KS2) sometime soon!
Sports News
The
Year 3/4 football team have their first ever game this evening with a friendly
match at Horsforth Newlaithes on Friday 28th September. Good luck, guys!
Attendance
Attendance so far this
year is looking good – we are on track to maintain our improving profile which
saw us secure ‘good’ overall for attendance last year for the first time in 5
years. This year – we want better than good and are aiming for 96%..... And so
far we are on track!
National Minimum ‘Good’ Expectation
|
95%
|
Target
2012-13
|
96%
|
Attendance this week
|
96.0%
|
Year to date
|
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
|
|||||||
97.0%
|
98.4%
|
97.7%
|
95.3%
|
98.9%
|
95.0%
|
91.7%
|
91.5%
|
96.9%
|
97.0%
|
|||||||
Have a great weekend,
Mrs Bailey
