Corsham Primary School Parent Portal - Corsham Primary School Newsletter

Welcome to our February edition

Message from the Headteachers ...

Image of the Corsham Primary Dragon

As temperatures continue to drop, pupils and staff are making the most of the crisp, sunny days across the school sites. Forest School sessions remain in full swing, with Mrs. Griffin leading an expanding range of outdoor challenges and activities which pupils are embracing with enthusiasm. (See article below.)

We are sad to be saying goodbye to Mrs Heidi Martin, our Pears Teaching Assistant, who has secured a new role at The Corsham School. We wish Mrs Martin all the best in her new role.

A busy month lies ahead. Assemblies will take place for Years 2 and 6 at Pound Pill, and for Years 1 and 2 at Broadwood (dates and times listed below). Families are also invited to the school’s Open Day on 23rd February, offering an opportunity to discuss pupils’ learning and progress.

The PTA will be holding a non-uniform day on 12 February, just before half-term begins. Please note that Friday 13 February is a designated Teacher Training Day.

Following recent difficulties some parents experienced when ordering school lunches via Arbor, the school extends thanks for your patience. Families are reminded that lunches must be ordered in advance; placing orders at the start of the holiday will ensure everything is ready for the beginning of Term 4. We appreciate your continued support.

News from Forest School

This term has been quite a challenge; term 3 is always the wettest and coldest. With all the rain, came the mud; this only means better weather is to come. A huge thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who have braved the elements in support of our children, thank you.

The focus for this term’s sessions has been woodland maintenance and supporting our local winter wildlife. The eldest children have worked so hard, either cutting up wood to be dried and stored for use on our fire pit or spreading woodchips to make safer pathways or to prevent further erosion. At Pound Pill, storm Amy brought down a large branch of a beloved Ash tree, so there the children harvested this wood using a bow saw with a wooden saw-horse to cut logs and used secateurs for kindling. At Broadwood, the children cut up deadwood that wasn’t suitable for shelter-building. On both sites we were very lucky to have wood chips donated by foresters working nearby. Physically active, to keep us warm, we’ve made improvements to our woodlands and have a sustainable supply of firewood for September.

The youngest children have investigated invertebrates living within our woodland and noticed a difference to what had been discovered last summer. We found mostly earthworms, slugs and woodlice. We did spot some hibernating ladybirds too. We have supported our wild birds, making seeded fat balls and sticking seeds onto twigs, both very messy tasks but appreciated by the many Robins and Blue Tits we have seen.

After all the hard work, it was time for warmed apple juice and apple slices coated in sugar and cinnamon toasted and shared around the fire. Our tasty treat before a bit of woodland exploration time.

Mrs Griffin, Forest School Practitioner

Attendance

Corsham Primary School supports the principles, practice and procedures outlined in the recently updated DfE School Attendance document. We believe pupils can only take full advantage of their education by regular and punctual attendance at school to ensure continuity of learning.

January attendance across both sites was 94%

Unauthorised absences across both sites was 1.2%

Number of late arrivals across both sites was 1%

If you need to report your child's absence, please telephone and leave a message on the office answerphone giving the reason for absence. This is important for our daily registers which must reflect accurately, why a child is not in school. Also, if your child will not be attending school due to a planned event, please request a Leave of Absence form from the school office or find one at the bottom of our home page on the website.

Children's News - please click here to read about all the wonderful achievements that have been brought to our attention recently. Well done everyone!

Congratulations to Evander M and Evelyn T, who have both received a Peacock Award for achieving 6 merit cards.

Congratulations to Dexter S, Charlie W, Yusuf K, Lyla A, Gage O-T, Emma S, Orla D, George R, Hudson K, Violet L, Betty P, Ned O, Ted B, Abigail M, and Caleb M, who have had their names entered into the Golden Book for achieving 9 merit cards.

Congratulations to Poppy R, Georgia T, Jeffery P, Ava R, Alfred B, Mason G, Poppy G-B, Sophia U, Alfie C, Stephanie H, Rose H, Abbey C, Imogen R, Cohen C-R, Rupert G, Joshua B, Faye L, Henry S, Beth D, Navaeh N, Persephone S, Rocco S, Jasmine S, Anna N, Clara G, Leo D, Lily F and Xander J, who have all received an achievement pen for achieving 12 merit cards.

Congratulations to Hugo L, Megan C, Edward R, Owen D, Xavier S, Seb L, Maya S, Albie W, Verity C, Rukas P, Harry W, Freya B and Nuraiz S, who have been entered onto the roll of honour for completing 15 merit cards.

Congratulations to Mia C, Harmony C and Theo P, who have received a golden badge of merit for completing 18 merit cards.

Diary Dates

Forest School Session 1/2F

9:00am – 12:00pm

02
February

Forest School Session Apples

9:30am – 12:00pm

03
February

Forest School Session Pears

9:30am – 12:00pm

04
February

Forest School Session Strawberries