Chopps Chat
February 2024
Headteacher's Comment
It is hard to believe that we are already into February and approaching the end of the 1st half term of 2024. This half term marks the half way point in the school year and it seems as though time is flying as always!
There have been a number of additions this term in our offer including a number of new extra curricular clubs. We now have lunch time clubs each day, pre-school clubs on 2 days with NUFC foundation and an incredible 6 clubs after school too! As always, they're all free to join and promote our school values. The children have thrived in the sessions and have made great progress. A list of all the clubs on offer are shown further down in the newsletter. We're also excited to announce that we will be offering an amazing cycling programme with our EYFS and KS1 children and you, their parents, on a Saturday morning to develop skills and confidence on 2 wheels. More information to follow....
We've also had some brilliant trips out too. Year 5/6 headed to the Centre for Life and followed up with a 'We are Scientists' workshop which was well received. Years 1&2 and 3&4 also explored the local area as part of our current topic.
Several weeks ago, we also welcomed some of the team behind the fantastic 'Learning with Parents' programme who filmed some of our children for their videos which will support thousands of children across the country with their Maths homework. They were keen to share with us the following:
'I just wanted to reiterate my thanks to you all for hosting our filming. We had a really successful few days; we filmed 37 films and worked with nearly 40 children.
The children were brilliant - so confident and engaged - and really polite. They were, without exception, a pleasure to work with and a credit to the school.'
What amazing feedback!
This week, we've welcomed Bikeability into school who have worked with our Y4,5 & 6 children assessing and extending their skills. We've loved seeing our young cyclists growing in confidence and devleoping their understanding of how to stay safe whilst cycling.
By the time this newsletter is shared, we hope that many of you will have enjoyed coming in to school to help with the final stages of your child's Design Technology projects. We know how important it is for you to know how your children are getting on in school and what they are making or doing! Continuing to strengthen the partnership between school and home remains one of our key priorities for the year ahead and beyond.
The coming terms promise to be just as busy so keep your eyes peeled to ensure you do not miss a thing!
Thank you for your continued support, as always.
Mr Smith
Extra Curricular Clubs
Below is a list of extra-curricular clubs currently on offer. We hope to see as many of you attending as possible!
Lunch Time After School
Monday - Lunch Time - Judo/Music After School - Cheerleading
Tuesday - Lunch Time - VR club After School - Basketball
Wednesday - Lunch Time - Now Press Play After School - Drama / Acro
Thursday - Lunch Time - VR club After School - Free play/ Dodgeball
Friday - Lunch Time - Art club After School - Chess
Sign up forms for after school clubs are shown on our school Facebook page. If there are any issues with signing up, please contact the office and they will support.
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 childβs reading log β 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. For each week you and your child read 3 times together, they earn a visit to the 'Chopp Shop' where they can exchange their stars for some gifts!
Attendance
π²On Your Bike!π²
The dates and Year groups for these sessions are as follows:
KS1 and Reception children and parent:
2nd March; 9th March; 16th March; 23rd March; 20th April; 27th April.
KS2 children and parent:
1st June; 8th June; 15th June; 22nd June; 29th June; 6th July
The Google form to sign up will be added to the schools social media page and emailed on Monday 26th February. There will be a reserve list for those who are not in the first 8 to reply.
Citizen's Advice Appointments
π£ We are thrilled to announce that our school is now working in partnership with Citizens Advice to offer guidance and support to families on a wide range of issues. πͺπΌ
π Citizens Advice is a trusted and highly respected organization that provides free advice and assistance to people facing various challenges in their lives. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience in areas such as housing, finances, family matters, and more. π π°π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦
π We understand that life can sometimes be overwhelming, and we want to ensure that our school community has access to the support they need. By collaborating with Citizens Advice, we are proud to offer all interested parents the opportunity to seek expert guidance and advice. π©ββοΈπΌπ‘
π To schedule an appointment, all you need to do is contact our school office, and our dedicated team will assist you in arranging either face-to-face or phone appointments with Citizens Advice. We want to make this as convenient as possible for you! ποΈπ±
π We genuinely care about the welfare of our students and their families, and this collaboration is just another way we can provide ongoing support to our school community. Together, we can overcome any challenges and thrive! ππͺ
π Don't hesitate to reach out if you believe Citizens Advice can help you or if you have any questions. We're here for you every step of the way! π€π
Packed Lunches
We have noticed recently that some packed lunches being sent in with children contain a number of items which are unhealthy but also unsuitable. Items such as cans or bottles of fizzy pop and/or fruit shoots are not permitted. All children are offered water or milk at lunchtime and throughout the day. Also, items such as lollipops, bags of sweets and any product including nuts such as chocolate and hazelnut spread are also not permitted. Below is an image of foods which are suitable. Please remember that we offer a healthy and nutritious hot school lunch every day. Our current menu's can be found on the school website.
Dates for the Diary
- Friday 16th February - End of Half term.
- Monday 26th February - School resumes after half term
- Thursday 7th March - World Book Day (More information to follow) Please note, this will NOT involve children dressing up.
- Friday 8th March - PTFA Non-uniform day (Donations of chocolates/smellies etc for tombola welcomed)
- Monday 11th March - Gymnastics competition at Ashington Leisure Centre
- Monday 25th March - Last day for Decorate an Egg competition entries.
- Wednesday 27th March - PTFA Coffee Afternoon and Easter Egg Hunt @ 2pm
- Thursday 28th March - Last day of term with school closing at 1:30pm
- Monday 15th April - School resumes
- Monday 13th May - Thursday 16th May Year 6 SATs week
- Friday 24th May - School training day (School closed to pupils)
Safeguarding
At Choppington Primary, we take the safety and well-being of our students as our utmost priority. Our designated safeguarding lead is Mr. Smith, with Mrs. Broderick and Mr. Donaghy serving as the deputy safeguarding leads. Together, they ensure that robust safeguarding measures are in place and that our school remains a secure and nurturing environment for all our children.
Safeguarding encompasses all aspects of student welfare, from protection against physical and emotional harm to promoting their overall well-being. It extends beyond the school premises to include online safety and safeguarding during educational trips or activities. We believe that an effective safeguarding system is built upon a partnership between the school and parents, wherein both parties play a vital role.
By working together, we create an environment that encourages children to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. When home and school collaborate effectively, we can identify and address any concerns promptly, ensuring that our students feel safe and supported at all times.
We understand that parents are a valuable source of knowledge about their child's well-being and personal circumstances. Therefore, we encourage you to inform the school of any significant changes or issues that may impact your child's welfare. It is important to remember that even the smallest concern should be brought to our attention, as it allows us to provide the appropriate support.
If you have any concerns or worries, we urge you to reach out to the school immediately. Our staff members, from class teachers to support staff, are always ready to listen and work in partnership with you to find solutions that best meet the needs of your child.
Moreover, we request your cooperation in adhering to the school's policies and procedures relating to safeguarding. These guidelines are in place to ensure the well-being of all children and to maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment. By familiarising yourself with these policies, you can actively contribute to our collective efforts to safeguard our students.
We truly believe that the collaboration between school and home is a key factor in a child's educational journey. By forging a strong partnership, we can provide the best possible educational experience while ensuring the safety and well-being of our students.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to working together with you and continuing to provide a high-quality education for your child.
Car Park
Uniform
Schoolcomms
School Gateway is our communication app available on Android, iOS and the web. Itβll 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.
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
CEOPβs 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