Chorlton Park News

News for Week ending 7th September

Welcome back to Chorlton Park Primary School. we hope everyone enjoyed the break and are looking forward to an exciting new year. The priorities for 2007/08 are: Improving Writing, Improving assessment procedures, Improving pupil learning skills and improving the school site. Over the next few months we will be letting you know what steps we will be taking to make these improvements and more about how children and parents can work with us to achieve them.

As you will have noticed we have been busy during the long summer break. You will probably notice that some areas have only been upgraded on one face of the building, Year 5 and the Kitchen block. Time and financial constraints aways limit how far we can go in our attempts to improve the children's learning environment so we took the decision to make the maximum impact we could, in the time available, for the children. We have improved ventilation in Year 6 by upgrading the existing windows, refurbished the hall and the main corridor ( year 1 and 2), replaced the old doors on the ICT suite so that we can let more natural light into the room, provided more secure cycle storage, replaced the side gates so that we can keep vehicles out of play areas in school time, enclosed the Reception play area for improved safety and improved the exterior of the kitchen building. We are well aware that we need to do more but have made a positive start which we intend to be the start of many such projects in the years to come.

We are pleased to let you know that the School Council's request for a chiller for packed lunches has been met and these have been installed this week. There is limited space in the chillers and in order to fit in all the lunch boxes it is essential all packed lunches come to school in a medium sized lunch box. Please do not bring packed lunches in bags. Please come in to see the chillers in the junior hall so that you can get an idea of the size of lunchbox that will easily fit in.

More work on the perimeter fence will take pace in stages this year and we are hoping to get the first stage underway during the Autumn term.

We have seen lots of really positive, thoughtful behaviour in the playground this week. This has contributed towards a really happy atmosphere at break times and lunchtimes which is so important for the children, especially during their first week back at school. We are really keen to continue this encouraging start and will be making sure there are no rough games, no play fighting and no put downs (using words to hurt others). All staff will be working to stop anti-social behaviour which will not be tolerated in any area of the school day. we hope you will work with us, particularly in getting children to show respect to others.

If you are a parent with children aged 2 - 8 this Parent Survival Course may be for you. Being a parent is not always easy and school will be running a course for 11 weeks starting on Tuesday 25th September for 9.15 to 11.15am. If you would like to attend please contact Mrs Blackett in Year 2 or Diane Scallon on 07968 087892 for more information.

Please remember to bring PE Kits back into school. This should consist of shorts (black), t shirts (white - not  football tops) and tracksuit top and trousers for cold days. PE Kit is an essential requirement from Reception to Year 6 and needs to be kept in school during term times. Each class has several spare sets and children who don't bring the required kit will be supplied with one so that children don't miss out on any PE sessions.

Just a reminder that the sports wear on PPA days does not include jeans or other casual wear. Sports wear is suitable for the activities the children are involved in on PPA days and the only reason for relaxing the dress code on these days.

We will no longer be selling breadsticks to children in Years 3 to 6. Please can you send children in these year groups with a piece of fruit for break times. One of the first jobs for the School Council this year will be to look into break time snacks. We will keep you informed of any developments.

Finally can we welcome our new Staff this term: Ms J Sands (Bursar), Mrs K Holden Sim (SENCO), Ms H Scott (Y1 Teacher), Miss J Etchells (Y3 Teacher), Miss K Palmer (Foundation) and Miss M Wilson (Foundation).

News for week ending 6th July

The school sports days will be 12th July for Foundation Stage and Yr1 and 13th July for Years 2-6, weather permitting. If there is a need to change these arrangements we will keep you updated via the school website.

Mrs Bullivant will be leaving to take early retirement this summer after starting at this school 31 years ago! We wish her a long and happy retirement and would like to thank her for the many years of service given to Chorlton Park and its children. Miss Altaf will leave Oak Nursery to begin a job nearer to her new home. Mrs Chell will start her maternity leave - we will give you details when the new baby arrives. Mrs Bux, also form Oak Nursery, will move on to new challenges and Ms Wallis from Y6 will begin a new teaching post at Mauldeth Road Primary. Finally, Mrs Barnes will also leave her post as School Bursar. We wish all our leavers well and hope that they enjoy the many new challenges that await them.

If you can help at the Fair by bringing in donations of Toys, Books, Bric-a-brac, videos, raffle prizes or edibles of any kind it is not too late!! Just bring them to school by 11.00am  at the latest on Saturday 7th July and we will use them to raise funds for your child's school. Thank you in advance for your support.

High School Musical - what a success!! Well done to every one who choreographed, directed, took part, sold tickets and performed - it was super. We hope you all enjoyed as much as we did!

Will all pupils please return Library books by Friday 13th July at the latest. Any parents of Y6 children who would like to donate a book to the library in their child's name are asked to send book tokens so as to avoid the duplication of books.

Year Assembly on Thursday 12th July will commemorate the Bicentenary of the Abolition of Slavery. Parents welcome.

"Thank you to all the parents and staff who sponsored me for my open water swim in the Lake District. I swam 10km across Buttermere, Crummock Water,Windermere and Coniston and have raised over £1,000 for Christie Hospital's Breast Cancer Unit. Thank you again!"  - Lizzie Wray.

The annual Y6 leaver's Disco will take place on Wednesday 18th July from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Parents should collect children promptly at 9.00pm. The Y6 Awards Assembly will be on Thursday 19th July in the Gym at 9.15am. Parents welcome.

Ariana Yakas was selected as a finalist for the Governor of the Year awards and was highly commended for all her hard work on behalf of Chorlton Park.. This prestigious event was held at the Lowry and was presented by Diane Oxbury of the BBC. Well done Ariana, it is always nice to have some recognition for your efforts.

Central Manchester City Learning Centre at Trinity High School are offering free courses to children from years 4 to 6 during August. You child should have brought home the details of these courses and they should be booked directly with the CLC and not with school.

The workshops which were scheduled for Y5 to work with staff from the Royal Exchange will now take place on Monday 9th July and Tuesday 17th July.

An update on the matters discussed at the Head Teacher and Chair of governors meeting held on 28th June can be found here.

News for week ending 22nd June

As you are aware this week Chorlton Park gained a GOLD HEALTHY SCHOOLS AWARD !!   The feedback from the panel noted that our children talked animatedly and with knowledge about healthy schools issues. They also noted good behaviour in and around school. The following observations were made: the healthy schools ethos is embedded in our school agenda, the curriculum is broad and widely diverse, our classroom displays reflect high quality work, the quality of teaching and learning about healthy schools issues is high and they were favourably impressed by the work done during One Life Live It Well week. We are very proud of this recognition of the hard work of our pupils, staff and the extended school community.

Mr Watson and Katy Spencer, (our Chair of Governors), will be holding a drop-in meeting on 28th June at 9.15am in the Infant Hall. There will be feedback from the parent questionnaires and an outline of the actions we intend to make in response to the suggestions that were made. Come along and share your views and ideas, refreshments provided.

The PTA still need volunteers to man the stalls at the Summer Fair. If you an help to look after a stall, even for just an hour, please contact Ros Fox on 07946 377 586. They also need old toys, books and videos, second hand uniform (clean and in good condition), plants, tombola and raffle prizes and cakes. Any donations, apart from cakes, should be brought into school in the week commencing 2nd July. Cakes should be brought either on Friday 6th July or on the morning of the Fair. A big thank you to everyone who has volunteered so far.

We need your recipes for the Funky Fresh Food Book 2. The deadline has been extended to Friday 6th July. Please submit to markandgisele@talk21.com

Belated congratulations to those who ran the 10k race for the PTA. If you have any outstanding sponsor money please bring it to the school office. Cheques should be made payable to "Friends of Chorlton Park".

Four of our Y4 boys belong to a local junior football team, the Hough End Griffins, that are doing very well. The Team won the Thunder Cup and the Fair Play Cup recently, both of which involved beating tough competition form long established teams. Well done to Jay Robinson, Dominik Williams, Louis Crabbe and Harry Roger. We are very proud of your achievements.

Fitness factory will be running a summer holiday activity scheme form Monday 23rd to Friday 27th July at St Thomas Aquinas High School. For details please contact Sue Codling on 07708 065 430.

News for week ending 15th June

We are now well underway with our latest attendance drive which will finish at the end of June. There will be prizes awarded at a special assembly - remember you have to be in it to win it!

Mr Watson and Katy Spencer, (our Chair of Governors), will be holding a drop-in meeting on 28th June at 9.15am in the Infant Hall. There will be feedback from the parent questionnaires and an outline of the actions we intend to make in response to the suggestions that were made. Come along and share your views and ideas, refreshments provided.

The PTA have raised around £2000 to spend on playground equipment. We want to come up with some ideas of how to spend this money. Please take some time to discuss this with your child and pass any ideas on to your child's class representative, this week if possible, who will pass them on to the PTA and also to Mr Watson and the Governors.

On Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th June some of the Royal Exchange Staff will be in school for a series of Drama workshops for Y5 children. I am sure that they will really enjoy the opportunity.

Do you have any unwanted children's magazines and comics as the PTA would like to use the illustrations for the badge making stall. They would also like your unwanted uniform items - only clean garments in good condition please. Donations to the school office please.

There will be a free open access summer play scheme for 8 - 14 year olds at Buckthorn House on Nell Lane from Monday 30th July to Friday 24th August from 10.00am to 12.00md and 1.00 to 3.30pm. It will be run by Manchester Play Scheme ( part of the City Council) and will offer  wide variety of activities. For further details please ring Imelda Mountfield on 0161 274 6503.

COSH currently have morning vacancies. If you are interested please ring Andrea or Julie on 881 0100.

If any parents have any unwanted clothing which will fit children in Nursery  and Reception Classes we are desperate for spares. Younger children often have accidents or spill things and we need your clean cast offs, particularly underwear and socks.

If you have space for an Early Learning Centre climbing frame with slide and extensions then one of our mums, Sally, has one she no longer needs. The new owners must collect - for details ring 860 5722.

News for week ending 8th June

We are now well underway with our latest attendance drive which will finish at the end of June. There will be prizes awarded at a special assembly - remember you have to be in it to win it!

Chorlton Park is now affiliated to the Specialist Schools Trust in recognition of the work we are doing in information technology and creativity.

Mr Watson and Katy Spencer, (our Chair of Governors), will be holding a drop-in meeting on 28th June at 9.15am in the Infant Hall. There will be feedback from the parent questionnaires and an outline of the actions we intend to make in response to the suggestions that were made. Come along and share your views and ideas, refreshments provided.

Anyone who would like to take a look at the Reception Art Club presentation can find it on our website. Please encourage your friends and family to take a look.

Well done to: Owen Simmons 2HD who won the Frank Lampard shirt, Holly Howarth 2AB who won the rugby ball and William Suarez 5LW who won Michael Carrick's boots! The PTA raised £246 for school so a big thank you to everyone.

Mr Woods ran a guitar club for children in Years 3 & 4 last year. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, it has not been able to organise it for this academic year. Hopefully it will be up and running next year for children in years 4 & 5.

Why not encourage your children to enter the writing competition for children from years 1 - 6. They should produce an independently written piece about "A Day To Remember" of no more than 1000 words which will entertain readers and impress the judges. Good presentation and possibly illustrations will enhance entries. Entries should be returned to class teachers by 3.30pm on Friday 29th June. There will be a prize for each phase. Further details are available on the school Blogs.

Is your child talented and enthusiastic about sport? If so there are still a few places available at Talent Camp - a specialist sport academy for keen and enthusiastic young sports people. Talent Camp meets on Thursdays from 5.30 to 6.30pm at Barlow High School in Didsbury. For prices, more detail or a free taster session please ring Pat Callaghan on 07834 723 765.

The PTA have raised around £2000 to spend on playground equipment. We want to come up with some ideas of how to spend this money. Please take some time to discuss this with your child and pass any ideas on to your child's class representative, this week if possible, who will pass them on to the PTA and also to Mr Watson and the Governors.

News for week ending 18th May

Attendance - This week our children achieved an overall percentage of only 93%. Next month (June) there will be another chance to win attendance prizes. It is very important that we build on the work done so far by parents, children and staff to improve our attendance figures.

Please don't forget to vote for Chorlton Park's Joseph Choir Between Monday 21st and Thursday 24th May (see posts below)

Sporting Prizes of the Year :

Chelsea Football Shirt worn by Frank Lampard / Football Boots worn by Michael Carrick / Rugby Ball used by Jason Robinson

To win one of these fantastic prizes all you have to do is bring £1 into school during "One Life Live It Well" week and choose your lucky square.

Next week sees the start of One Life Live It Well Week when we will be concentrating on social, emotional and healthy issues. We hope that as many of you as possible will be able to join us throughout the week at the various activities. If you have not signed up for any worskhops just pop along on the day to see if there is any space for you to join in. If you have not already signed up for a school lunch we are sorry to say that it is now too late! If you have any plants for the plant swap on Monday please bring them at any time on Monday and leave them in the office or bring them along at 3.20pm. On Friday there will be a Fair Trade Coffee Morning when you will be able to see what has been happening in school all week. Check the link on the school website for more details of what is happening in school during the week.

Worryingly, a number of parents have been accessing school at break times without reporting to the office first. It is essential that we are aware of who is on the premises at all times! Please report to the office before entering the school premises.

We have an overflowing lost property box of unlabelled clothing. If your child has lost an item of clothing at school please take a look  to see if  you can recover your missing items. More importantly, please label your children's clothing, preferably with an indelible marker, and ask the children to make sure that uniform and coats go home at the end of each day. Thanks for your support.

There will be a new gymnastics club for children from years 2,3 and 4. The sessions will be on Tuesday after school from the 5th June - 3.20 to 5.00pm. Letters giving full information have been sent home today and parents who require further information can contact Pat Callaghan on 07834 723 765 or look at the website www.talentcamp.co.uk

Some of our children will be visiting the Blue Box Theatre at Chorlton High School next week as part of Chorlton Art's Festival.

Manchester 10k Run - It's that time of year again! If you would like to lend your support to the PTA runners on Sunday morning ( from 10.15am) you could go to the half-way point outside Old Trafford Football Ground, or closer to the finish along Chester Road. Runners are welcne afterwards at Tampopo in Albert Square. Any sponsor money should be sent to the office in an envelope marked "PTA 10k". Good Luck to all the entrants.

Next Tuesday (22nd May) will be the last Year 1 Story Club of the school year. We are marking the occasion with a picnic and stories in the Dome. Please come along at 3.30pm asn bring a rug and some picnic food to share.

A brief reminder that the Sponsored Walk is on Friday, May 25th. Funds raised will be used to improve school grounds, especially the play equipment.

Yet again, the BBC have been unable to cope with the amount of traffic on the “Search For a Joseph Choir” website. Here are the new instructions:

We have received a phenomenal number of visitors which has led to problems accessing the audition room. For this reason rating is being disabled, and will recommence on Monday 21st May. This will allow us time to carry out the necessary work in order to ensure that all visitors can access the audition room.

The final 20 will now be announced on Friday 25th May, with the winner announced on Tuesday, 29th

So please vote for us next week at www.josephchoirsearch.co.uk/choirs/1383 !!!!!!!!!

New for week ending 11th May

A girl's bike has been found on the corner of Brookfield Road and Sandy Lane. Th front wheel is flat and the back wheel is buckled, but otherwise it is fine! If you think this bike may belong to your child please ring 860 4581.

Our One Life week is approaching fast and we have lots of exciting activities and events planned. Hopefully you will have received a letter informing you of what is taking place during the course of the week - a timetable of events can be found displayed in each phase around school. If you would like to come and join us at any of the workshops after school you will be most welcome, they are all free and open to adults and children alike. On Tuesday 22nd May our cook would like to invite you to come and enjoy a school lunch. If you would like to join us, please fill and return the slip on the letter we sent you, it needs to be returned by Friday 18th May at the latest. We are looking forward to a really great week and hope that as many of you as possible will be able to share it with us.

Sporting Prizes of the Year :

Chelsea Football Shirt worn by Frank Lampard / Football Boots worn by Michael Carrick / Rugby Ball used by Jason Robinson

To win one of these fantastic prizes all you have to do is bring £1 into school during "One Life Live It Well" week and choose your lucky square.

Our annual Sponsored Walk will take place on Friday 25th May. Please support us in every way you can, by sponsoring your child, helping on the day, baking cakes and, most importantly, come along an support the children as they walk around the park.

The Reception Classes will be  visiting Blackpool Zoo on Wednesday 23rd May. Pupils must arrive promptly on the day. They will need suitable shoes for walking, a light-weight shower proof coat and all packed lunches should be in carrier bags rather than bulky lunch boxes. School pick up at 3.20pm as normal.

Staff v Pupils Football Match - the staff managed to hang on to their unbroken winning run with a 4-3 win on penalties, despite the children playing very well. Mr Gavin scored the winning penalty - we are waiting for transfer enquiries!

BBC "Search for a Joseph Choir" competition

We have finally managed to upload the school choir clip after traumas on Friday, so we have entered the "Search For a Joseph Choir" at last!  Rating choirs will start again on Tuesday 14th May for a whole week so please, please log on to www.josephchoirsearch.co.uk on Tuesday or after, Look for Chorlton Park Primary School, and rate us with a 5!!!! The ratings will be open until 21st May so you have a whole week to rate us!

News for week ending 4th May

We would like to inform you that Mr Tom Greene and Ms Elissa Georges were married last weekend. I am sure that you will join the rest of the staff in wishing them well for the future.

This year's SATs tests will begin on Monday 14th May. Please try to get your child to school on time and if possible avoid school time appointments. If you have a hospital appointment which cannot be re-scheduled please see your child's teacher as soon as possible. The Y6 tests last for one week up to 18th May. KS1 test are at a gentler pace and last for some weeks up to 22nd June.

As part of the Y4 Humanities topic - Improving our Environment - children will be designing their ideal park. To help with their plans Y4 will be visiting Chorlton park during the next couple of weeks.

Ann Carney, one of our parents, completed the London Marathon in less than 5 hours. Well done Ann!

We hope that all our families who are taking part in the Chorlton Fun Run on Bank Holiday Monday have a safe an enjoyable time. Two of our new children, Jake and Holly (4BH and 2AB) will be taking part - what a good way to get to know your new school mates.

One of our children attended the first MEND session at Moss Side Leisure Centre and thoroughly enjoyed the family session. If you would like more information please ring 0161 205 4796.

Our annual sponsored walk will take place on Friday 25th May. Please support us in every way you can, by sponsoring your child, helping on the day, baking cakes and most importantly, come along and support the children as they walk around the park.

The Reception Classes will be visiting Blackpool Zoo on Wednesday 23rd May in support of topic work on discovery. Pupils must arrive promptly on the day and they will need suitable shoes for walking and a light weight shower coat. All packed lunches should be in carrier bags rather than bulky lunch boxes. The children will be back at school for the usual pick-up time of 3.20pm.

WANTED!- Boys and Girl who are in Years 3 or 4. Didsbury netball club is looking for new members for its teams. It is a great way of keeping fit, competing against other teams and having FUN! Interested? Contact Lenny Lewis on 862 9805, 07738092920, or shezandlen@hotmail.com