Dear
Parents/Carers,
What
a great week in school! Monday saw my first Sports Day at Cookridge, as last
year’s event was cancelled due to poor weather. I thought for one awful moment
on Monday morning, when Reception and KS1 were caught in an impressive shower,
that we may have to call off the afternoon’s event – but the KS2 children’s
pleas reigned supreme and I vowed to go ahead. It was a great call kids – the
event was a great success with any events undertaken, many races run and many
points scored… Well done to all of you. The winning team for both Key Stages
was the Blue team, but will their combined point total be enough to secure the
whole school Sports Day Trophy? Results will be revealed on Monday…
Class Swaps
Tuesday’s
class swaps were very smooth indeed. With the children all settled into their
new classes by 9.05, I wandered through the corridors…. You could have heard a
pin drop as the children clearly set about impressing their new teachers! The
morning was a lot of fun as the children got to know their new classmates
during arts and craft based activities and everyone I spoke to was “happy as
Larry!” Zak Moxon’s response summed it up when he called for his Head teachers
award at 3pm and I asked him how his day had been…. “Perfect..!” he beamed. And
he meant it!
It
was great to see so many parents attend the ‘meet the teacher’ sessions after
school. Thank you for helping your child get excited about the next part of
their journey – whether through presence in school, or talking to them about
it.
Staffing news
This
time of year is always one which marks the coming and going of school based
staff. This year, we bid farewell to Mrs
Pearson, Mrs Brookes, Mrs Hall and Mrs Harrowsmith and on Tuesday Mrs
Hyde added her name to the leavers list by securing a promoted post at
another school. Each of these ladies has a long history with Cookridge, having
accrued around 80 years of dedicated service between them.
Mrs Harrowsmith is
a friend, a school neighbour and a very caring teacher. During her time at
Cookridge, she has taken on many different roles and possesses some real wisdom
and expertise, which she has passed on to many a new teacher on the block. She
is due to become grandma to twins imminently, so I think she may have plenty to
keep her busy in the months and years ahead! Mrs Harrowsmith is possibly one of
the loveliest people you could ever hope to meet, and we have been truly
blessed with her dedication for all of these years.
Mrs Pearson and
Mrs Brookes work as teaching
assistants in school has had a fantastic, positive influence on the lives of
many children all the way through the eighties, nineties and noughties. That’s
a whole lot of kids and a whole lot of progress under their guidance. Both
ladies have been absolutely brilliant teaching assistants, going more than that
extra mile each and every day, and both will be sadly missed by us all.
Mrs Hall has
met and greeted countless parents, staff and visitors during her years in the
office and has answered literally thousands of phone calls, emails and face to
face questions – probably each and every week of her long career – and her
great efficiency in the office will be greatly missed. The smooth operation of
a school office is not easily accomplished, and it is testament to Mrs Hall’s
talent in doing so that I have not had a minutes worry about that side of the
business whilst ever she’s been in charge of proceedings! Not to be left alone,
after 10 years of service as ‘front of house’ Mrs Hyde will also be leaving us in the Summer. During the past two
years, Mrs Hyde has taken on many additional roles and responsibilities and she
has risen to the challenge time and again. This next move allows her to
continue that growth and I am sure she will be brilliant. My personal thanks to
both Mrs Hall and Mrs Hyde – you’ve been an incredible team. Last
week, we appointed Mrs Ann Lucas as School Business Manager. Mrs Lucas will
begin her career with us in September, ably assisted by Miss Lockwood. Farewell
Hall and Hyde, and hello Lucas and Lockwood!
After school clubs
Don’t
forget – after school clubs are released now for a September start. Slips
stating your preferences must be returned to school by Friday 12th July, as we
aim to get allocations made and letters out by the end of the school year. If
you haven’t seen one – call into school and ask for one, as places are limited!
Next
week is the last week of after school sports clubs. This includes all teacher
led and company led clubs. Mr Gamble would like to thank all children, parents
and staff who have attended, supported and run the clubs throughout the year.
FUNTIME BEFORE AND AFTER
SCHOOL CLUB
It
is now more affordable to use Funtime Before and After School Club. At the
recent AGM it was decided that going forward we will waive the current £10
registration fee – that means if you want to use Funtime now or in the future
all you need to do is pop up and fill in the registration form for FREE.
Also
as a SPECIAL OFFER Funtime are also offering a FREE TASTER SESSION which means
your child can attend a session for FREE.
Simply
complete the tear off strip and bring to the office or to Ann Sadler in the
Funtime room to book them in.
Games plea..
If
any parents have any discarded Nintendo DS’s / Wii’s or other game machines –
don’t let them gather dust! Likewise, any board games that you bought that no
one really plays anymore… We can make good use of them as part of Funtime
provision. Let me know if you need me to take them off your hands!
Coffee Morning
Don’t
forget - Wednesday 17th July @ 9am it’s
time for a coffee! Mr Green and Mr Lucas begin work on the Funtime facelift on
Friday, so hopefully you will notice a fresh new look by then.
Don’t
forget the Training Day tomorrow so school is closed to pupils.
Have
a wonderful weekend,
Sam
Bailey
