Chopps Chat
September 2023
Headteacher's Comment
Welcome back!
It's hard to believe that we're already in week 3 of the new term! Given the weather outside, it feels like the Summer is firmly behind us and now a distant memory!
Once again, Summer Camp was a huge success with children enjoying a variety of activities including ball games, cycling, crafts, gymnastics, team games and much, much more. The staff were glowing in their feedback on the behaviour and engagement of those who attended and the adults seem to have as much fun as the children!
The new term has started incredibly well with children getting back into the swing of things with their learning. I have had the pleasure of popping into classrooms and I've seen the children using our amazing VR headsets, the incredible wireless headphones learning all about Ancient Rome, some fabulous Art in Year 1/2 and I've loved spending some time in our fantastic Early Years speaking with the children and watching them make apple crumble using the apples from our site! The Commando Joe sessions have kicked off once more and the teamwork and communication on show has blown us away. There is a real buzz around school at the moment and it's a fabulous place to be.
Last week saw the beginning of some new clubs and also the re-start of some familiar ones. There was a great turn out to cheerleading on Monday and everyone seemed to have a fabulous time. We also returned to Drama club on Wednesday which was once again well supported. In the coming weeks, we hope to have even more clubs starting before school, during lunch times and also after school! Keep your eyes peeled for more details on our Facebook page and also via email and dojo.
We've got so many exciting things planned for the term ahead and we can't wait to share them with you all.
Thanks again for your continued support.
Mr Smith
Car Park
Parent Sessions
Last week we ran 2 parent sessions to introduce the new reading log with Learning with Parents. Many thanks to those who turned up or those who have messaged since. Across the term, we're looking to share some of the amazing things going on in school with some more sessions including: Archery, VR headset, Now Press Play (wireless headphones), Orienteering and many more. See below for dates for when these sessions are planned. We'd love to see as many of you as possible turning up to see how technology and/or physical activity is supporting your child in their learning (as well as getting a chance to have some fun yourself!)
Reading Log
How it works
1) You will receive an email or text from us every week with a weekly reading target.
2) Click on the link in the email to be taken to your child’s reading log – no need for passwords!
3) Leave comments, photos, and audio clips of your child reading for your class teacher.
We've loved seeing some of the amazing snaps of you reading together so far and can't wait to see more.
As an added incentive, we've got an amazing competition running for the next 2 weeks. Each time you complete your reading log, we will put your child's name into the hat with the winner being drawn on Friday 29th September. The winner, and the person who listened to them read, will be taken to 'The Works' to choose a prize each.
You've got to be in it to win it!!
Individual Photographs
Get practicing those smiles!
Uniform
Data Collection Sheets
Admissions
If you have any problems, please contact the admissions team on 01670 624889.
Here is the link. You must register first and then you will get an email back which you then apply through.
Dates for the Diary
- Wednesday 20th September - Individual photographs
- Monday 2nd October 1pm onwards - Family Workshop begins (Details to follow)
- Wednesday 27th September - Parent Archery session 9:00am - 9:45am
- Wednesday 11th October - Parent Orienteering workshop 9:00am - 9:45am
- Wednesday 25th October - Now Press Play Parent workshop
- Wednesday 8th November - Parent VR headset workshop
More dates will be added once confirmed.
Some of the fantastic gymnastics from our amazing Summer Camp!
Some of the fantastic gymnastics from our amazing Summer Camp!
Some of the fantastic gymnastics from our amazing Summer Camp!
Schoolcomms
School Gateway is our communication app available on Android, iOS and the web. It’ll work on phones tablets, laptops and even smart watches.
When you log into the app, each of the services we provide will appear in a list for you to choose from.
We plan to use the app to make it easier to communicate, send messages/reminders, pay for trips and meals, sign up to clubs and much more.
An email will be sent next week with set up details. If you'd prefer a letter with instructions, please call in to the office.
The app is free to download and will become our primary means of communication so please do download and sign up.
Co-op Local Community Fund
The Co-op Local Community Fund supports projects across the UK that members care about. We have been successful in applying to be included as one of their worthwhile causes. You can help us by downloading the Co-op app and selecting Choppington PTFA as a local cause. That means, for every £1 spent in store, 2p is donated to us. Whilst this might seem a small amount, it soon adds up!
Click on this link to become a member.
Attendance
If your child is feeling unwell, we once again listed below the guidelines we follow:
Sickness and Diarrhoea - If your child has been sick or suffered from diarrhoea, they must be absent for 48 hours since the last case.
COVID - Children must isolate for 3 days after a positive lateral flow test or until they begin to test negative. Lateral flow tests are available from most pharmacies and chemists.
Coughs and colds - It's fine to send your child to school with a minor cough or common cold. But if they have a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes.
Encourage your child to throw away any used tissues and to wash their hands regularly.
High temperature
If your child has a high temperature, keep them off school until it goes away.
Chickenpox
If your child has chickenpox, keep them off school until all the spots have crusted over.
This is usually about 5 days after the spots first appeared.
Cold sores
There's no need to keep your child off school if they have a cold sore.
Encourage them not to touch the blister or kiss anyone while they have the cold sore, or to share things like cups and towels.
Conjunctivitis
You don't need to keep your child away from school if they have conjunctivitis.
Do get advice from your pharmacist. Encourage your child not to rub their eyes and to wash their hands regularly.
If you have any queries or questions, you can visit the Government website or speak to a member of the office staff who will assist you.
Online Safety Links
Useful links for online safety.
NSPCC
The NSPCC has this page with tools and advice for how to keep families safe.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
Thinkuknow for parents and carers
CEOP’s Thinkuknow Parents and Carers site features advice to help keep children safe online, and to deal with any problems that crop up.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
Internet Matters
Internet Matters is an industry backed website with internet safety resources for parents.
https://www.internetmatters.org/
Parent Zone
Parent Zone has lots of articles, videos and advice for parents looking to support their children online.
YoungMinds
The YoungMinds parents helpline is for anyone who is concerned about the wellbeing of a child or young person.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline-and-webchat
Click CEOP
If you have been a victim of online abuse or you're worried about somebody else, you can report it to CEOP securely
https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/
Childline
If you are being bullied, or you are not ready to make a report to CEOP, you can talk to Childline anonymously online or on the phone - No worry is too big or too small.
Be Internet Awesome
The Be Internet Awesome Family Guide gives families the tools and resources to learn about online safety and citizenship at home.
https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_us/
Safer Internet Centre
UK Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of three leading charities with a mission to make the internet a better place for children and young people.
Polite Reminders
We also ask you to be mindful of the language used on the playground. We have lots of children on the playgrounds both in the morning and at pick up times.
About us
Email: admin@choppington.northumberland.sch.uk
Website: www.choppington.northumberland.sch.uk
Location: Choppington Primary School, Eastgate, Scotland Gate, Choppington, UK
Phone: 01670 823197
Facebook: facebook.com/@ChoppingtonPrimarySchool
Twitter: @choppingtonps