Pupil Opportunity: Christmas Makers’ Market

Parent Niki Edwards (Josie’s mum in Year 5) is organising a Christmas Makers’ Market for children to take part in and sell their home made products to the community.

If you and your child would like to participate you will need to:

  • arrange for your child to make some products at home to sell (Gifts or sweet treats)
  • contact Niki to sign up who is co-ordinating the event.

Niki’s email: nicolarobynne@gmail.com

Next week-EYFS Nursery Rhyme Week

EYFS will be celebrating World Nursery Rhyme Week.

Experts in literacy and child development discovered that if a child knows eight nursery rhymes by heart by the time they are four years old, they are usually among the best readers and spellers in their class by the time they are in Year 3.  Learning rhymes and rhythm will really help children’s communication and language skills too!   It is one of the best things you can do at home with your child.

Can you sing these rhymes at home together this week?

We’ll be singing a different rhyme each day linked to a fun activity!

We have cookery and a bake sale on Monday,  a Ukulele singing session on Tuesday, an outing to feed the ducks on Wednesday (The Quarry), a yoga session on Thursday and Gardening on Friday.  Phew!  It’s going to be a great week!

What’s on next week

Anti-bullying week

EYFS Nursery Rhyme Week

Monday

Odd socks Day for Anti-bullying Week

EYFS Cake sale after school 50p each

Tuesday

Year 2 Trip to Enginuity (please pay £16.20 if you are able to and complete the packed lunch order form)

Badgers Parent Evening

Wednesday

Parents Evening 4:00 – 7:00pm

Thursday

Yr 2 Rabbit’s Career Trip to Pizza Express (£7.90 to be paid via Arbor)

Parents Evening 4:00 – 7:00pm

Community Zumba Coming Soon!

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉
Many of you will know Mrs. Stewart, our lovely Teaching Assistant – and we’re thrilled to share that she is now a qualified Zumba Instructor! 💃✨

To celebrate, she will be offering 2 FREE Zumba taster sessions for our community! Come along, enjoy the music and try something new in a friendly and relaxed environment.  Perfect for beginners or those who have tried Zumba before.

Starting January, she will be offering weekly, pay-as-you-go (£5) Zumba classes on Monday evening at 6:00pm for anyone who would like to keep the energy going! 🎶🔥

Let’s dance in the new year together! 💚

🍕✨ Year 2 Pizza Chefs in Action! ✨🍕

Year 2 stepped into the world of hospitality as part of Careers Week — and became real pizza chefs for the day! 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

They started kneading the dough and hard work came together to make something delicious. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow as they explored what it’s like to work in a busy kitchen environment. ❤️

A huge thank you to Pizza Express for welcoming us  🌍

School Council attend Remembrance Service

🌺 Remembrance Ceremony at Longden Cemetery War Graves

Today our KS2 School Councillors represented Coleham at the Remembrance Ceremony at Longden Cemetery War Graves. We were honoured to stand alongside the Mayor, members of the Royal British Legion, service veterans, Priory School and Shrewsbury Colleges Group in paying our respects. 🎖️

We had the privilege of speaking with Terry and Terry, two veterans who told us of their time serving in the Navy and values it instilled.⚓

We also took time to walk among the war graves, noticing the different armed services and the many nationalities laid to rest there — including German, Polish, Italian and Australian soldiers.  Because when the war is over, there are no sides; all that remains is humility ❤️

This year, we are partnering with Friends of Longden Cemetery, so we can explore this wonderful area on our doorstep, full of history and nature.  More news coming soon…

Lest we forget. 🌹

Cheering for Pudsey Bear 🐻

Today we gave BBC Shropshire’s Adam & Claire the biggest cheer as they passed through school on their 25-mile three-legged walk for the BBC’s 1000 Mile Challenge, raising money for Children in Need! 💛🐻

With just 11 minutes’ notice before going live on air, the whole school sprang into action — pens down, coats on, OUT WE WENT!

We certainly gave them a cheering squad!  The pupils were very excited to receive a surprise visit from Pudsey Bear himself!

#ChildrenInNeed #BBCShropshire

Music Concert

We love exposing our children to live musical opportunities! Thank you to Shropshire Music Service for treating us to a whole school concert and a variety of songs from rock to pop for us to sing along too. The children’s favourite was definitely K-Pop🎸🎷🎹🥁

 

Next week – Anti- Bullying Week

We’re proud to be taking part in Anti-Bullying Week 2025 This year’s theme is “Power for Good”, encouraging children and young people to speak up safely and support one another to help stop bullying.

To kick off the week, we’ll be celebrating Odd Socks Day on Monday 10th November. Pupils and staff are invited to wear odd socks to school to celebrate what makes us all unique. It’s a fun and simple way to start conversations about individuality, kindness, and inclusion.

Anti-Bullying Week Power for Good - cover photo

Inspiring our staff: Major Scotty Mills

Our staff were inspired by Major Scotty Mills — a highly decorated commander of The Royal Marines.

With 32 years of service, four war zones, and leadership that shaped 6,500 UK commandos, Major Mills told us how the Marines spirit of Courage, Determination, Unselfishness and Cheerfulness especially in the face of adversity shaped his life and how the Marine Corps create a culture of teamwork and belonging.

He’s even trained England’s rugby and football teams — and today, he inspired ours too. 💪

All schools need great teams so we really enjoyed his perspective.

#3-18Educationtrustconference

Listen to his motivational story below.

3-18 Education Trust Conference

🤝 Coleham Staff  joined the 600 teachers, support staff, and governors from across our Trust for a day of inspiration, learning and connection.  It is so important that we keep growing as professionals because if we invest in ourselves , we ultimately invest in a better education for our children.
💡 From Major Scotty Mill’s powerful keynote on the Royal Marines Commando values to inspire a team, to Simon Johnson’s insights on Generative AI in education, and 20 CPD workshops.
Closing the conference was the Trust People Award ceremony, celebrating the remarkable contributions of staff.  Congratulations to all our staff who were nominated: Miss Harris, Miss Othen, Miss Heap, Miss Lewis, Miss Armstrong, Mrs Caldwell, Mrs Cotton and Our Year 6 Teachers & TA team: Mrs Morgan, Miss Featherston, Mrs Lord and Miss Dovey!

Governor Visit

We welcomed Governor Jenny Noel-Storr for a school visit this week.

Jenny met with our Writing Lead, Mrs Stennett, and Reading Consultant, John Murray, to review the development of our writing curriculum which has been focused on ‘reading to write’ and writing with purpose to present, publish and perform to a real audience.

 

 

Jenny had lunch with the children and met with a school panel to chat about food choices.  They came up with some good ideas and subtle changes as well as some additions they thought everyone would enjoy.

School Meals: The Big Bean Boost

🎉 The Big Bean Boost – let’s power up with beans!
The Big Bean Boost, campaign run by Veg Power and partners, is all about helping families and children discover how beans, lentils and pulses can be simple, fun and super-helpful in everyday meals.

What’s going on:

  • There are colourful, friendly “bean loving monsters” who gain incredible “powers” when they eat beans.

  • A “Mission Pack” will be sent home for tips on making beans part of meals in easy, realistic steps.

  • Stickers at school lunchtimes when children eat beans/pulses.
  • Tips for families to add beans and pulses to their meals at home without creating new recipes.

  • Competition-win a family board game bundle HERE

Why love Beans/Pulses?

  • Beans/pulses are affordable and filling — good for families who want tasty meals on a budget.

  • Introducing beans/pulses early helps children develop more varied tastes and healthier eating patterns.

On next week’s menu

Next Wednesday Cottage Pie is on the menu.  Did you know that we blend hidden vegetables into many meals which the children can’t see?  The Cottage Pie contains onions, peppers and lentils!

SEND Meet and Chat Drop In for Parents/Carers

The Autum Meet and Chat SEND sessions start this month for parent carers of a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?

Parent Carers can join an informal drop-in session where they can ask questions, get advice, and explore the support available to them within Shropshire. Speak to a range of professionals who can help with:

 

  • Education, health, and Care Plans (EHCPs)
  • School support and advocacy
  • Health and Wellbeing for children with SEND
  • Social care and family support
  • Mental health and emotional wellbeing
  • Advice for navigating SEND challenges

Each session will have different professionals available, but parent carers are encouraged to come along, have a chat, and find the help they need!

Where?

The Lantern
Meadow Farm Drive,
Shrewsbury
SY1 4NG

When? 13th November 10.00-12:00

Computer Challenge Champs 🏆

What an incredible day at the HLC School Coding Challenge! 💻✨
Our brilliant Year 6 teams showed amazing creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork throughout the competition. We’re so proud that one Coleham team won the Warm-Up Challenge, and another went on to win the Overall Competition! 🏆

A huge well done to all our young coders — your hard work and enthusiasm truly shone through. The future of tech looks bright! 🌟

Year 5 go to LONDON!

Our Year 5 pupils spent an incredible day in London on a fascinating Westminster Tour where they were joined by Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley, and even watched a debate in the House of Commons and House of Lords! This was followed by an exciting ride on the London Eye 🎡✨

Discovering famous landmarks like Big Ben and touring Houses of Parliament, the children were full of enthusiasm and brilliant questions. The London Eye was a spectacular highlight — smiles, excitement and wonder as we enjoyed breathtaking views across the city!

A huge well done to all our pupils for their energy throughout what was a very long day. 🌟 This day is one for the memory bank for sure!

Thank you to our amazing staff and helpers for making the day safe, educational and fun. Learning beyond the classroom truly creates memories that last a lifetime! 📚🚌❤️

School Lunchathon House Competition – A Taste of Team Spirit!

🍴🏆 What a feast of talent! This week saw the exciting finale of our School Lunchathon House Competition, and what a delicious journey it has been! Every child across the school rose to the challenge by creating their own recipe. The top main and dessert from each House were cooked by our amazing kitchen team, and Mr Hughes and the staff judges had the VERY tasty job of judging! So proud of our short-listed pupils—creativity never tasted so good! 👏👨‍🍳👩‍🍳

And the winners are:

1st 100 House pts Greyfriars

2nd 75 House points Quarry

Joint 3rd 50 House points Darwin & Severn

After School Clubs

Clubs for next half term run from Tuesday 4th November and will run up to and including Thursday 18th December. 

Clubs have been released so please see what might be available.

Please have a look at the Club Schedule HERE

Please visit Arbor to book clubs run by our staff.  ( If Arbor won’t let you progress to payment it means that the club spaces are full) We also offer clubs run by external providers, new for next half term is Art Club held at Bloom Studio in Coleham.  A walk down service will be offered for the children attending.

We will also have lots of Christmas events next half term including after school movie nights.

Music Club welcome Weebert’s World

Music Club welcomed the return of Weebert the Robot and friends with creators Andy and Lorraine Laverton of Weebert’s World to tell their new story of robots, time travel and dinosaurs. The children provided dramatic SFX, songs and raps to accompany the story and ended with practising sums on their whistling robots! Well done Robosaurus Band – junk modelling and singing – you did brilliantly!

Find out more on:

https://weebertsworld.com/

 

Coming up soon

Tues 4th November to Friday 7th November: Careers Week

Thursday 6th November: Owls’ Trip to Pizza Express (£7.90 cost)

Monday 10th-Friday 15th November: EYFS Nursery Rhyme Week

Monday 10th-Friday 15th November:  Parent/Carer Evenings (available to book on Arbor)

Thursday 13th November: Rabbits’ Trip to Pizza Express (£7.90 cost)

 

Piano Lessons

Mrs Langford, Shropshire Music Service piano teacher at Coleham, has a small amount of remaining spaces available on a Wednesday during the school day for anyone from Y2 onwards who would like to learn piano. If interested, please ring Shropshire Music Service on 01743 874145.  Please note that that parents pay the Shropshire Music Service Direct for their child’s music tuition.

Headteacher Message

Dear Parents and Carers, 

I’m writing this last weekly message after a very busy, full and fun half-term, in my office on a Thursday night waiting for the Year 5 coach from London to arrive.  It’s always a bit spooky being in school alone on an evening, but it’s a nice time to reflect on the hustle and bustle of the school day and count the wonderful things that have happened over the past half-term.

This week has been no exception to the busyness: as well as a trip to the big city, there’s been a dance show, musical robots, a guide dog learning the ropes in a school, a legion of Romans in the school AND a trip to Chester!  So much going on, and I’m left feeling really lucky to be part of such an amazing place full of opportunity and wonder where our chidren get to experience so much.

A huge thankyou must go to the brilliant team of staff who go above and beyond every day to make that all happen, AND to all of you for your support.  We felt that support last Friday at our very-well attended quiz night where we raised well over £400 for the school – THANK YOU!

Remember that we are off for two weeks so we can all have a proper recharge, ready for the run up to Christmas whic promises to be even more full!

Have a super weekend, and a super break with your families.

Tom Larkham

Headteacher

The Minions light up the stage!

We always love to celebrate the Arts, and Miss Cox’s Dance Troupe reminded us what talent and practice can achieve. Performing at A Night at the Movies at The Edge Theatre in Much Wenlock, the children delivered a humorous movie medley mash-up.  The complex routine was rehearsed in just 5 weeks! 🎬✨
Dressed as playful Minions, they filled the stage with joy, rhythm and confidence. A fantastic  performance—well done dancers and to Miss Cox: the best Dance Teacher around! 🌟     

After School Club Information Letter

Dear Parents and Carers,

We would like to take this opportunity to share some important information about our After School Club, along with a few exciting new developments. This update includes key reminders to help everything run smoothly for our children, parents, and staff.

✨ Themed Activity Nights

We’re delighted to introduce new themed evenings:

  • Thursday: Chef Night
    Children will prepare, and create a delicious, healthy buffet for everyone to share.
  • Friday: Sports Night
    Our Sports Coach, Mr. Halford, will lead exciting games, team challenges, and energetic activities.

✨School Events ✨ – When there are ticketed events happening after school, such as Discos or Movie Nights and your child would normally attend After School Club, your child will be given free access.  You will not need to buy an event ticket or let Miss Nash know that your child wants to go.  The relevant children will be taken along if they wish to go and Parent/Carers may collect at the end of the event, or at the normal After School Club collection times.

📩 Communication & Contact Details

For all general communication regarding After School Club, please email:

wraparound@col.318education.co.uk

Miss Nash will check emails every Monday morning and will respond to wraparound admin and messages about extra places, resignations, and waiting lists weekly. Please be aware of these response times.  For any urgent concerns, please speak with Miss Nash at pick up or email admin@col.318eduaction.co.uk where your message will be dealt with.

📞 Emergency Contact
Our emergency mobile number is: 07828 026506
This number is for collection emergencies only and must not be used for general enquiries.

 

⏰ Collection Times & Procedure

Children can be collected at the following times:

  • 4:30pm
  • 5:00pm
  • 5:30pm onwards (final collection at 5.45pm prompt)

 

Please arrive promptly at your chosen collection time. Miss Nash will greet parents/carers at the main front door and will radio through for your child to come out safely.

After School Club staff finish work at 5.45pm and the school is locked at 5.45pm.  In the event you are late, your child will be looked after by a Senior Leader.

 

💳 Payments & Accounts

Each child has a set number of weekly sessions. All sessions are charged regardless of attendance or absence to secure staffing and your child’s place.

✅ Key reminders:

  • Payments must be made in advance.
  • Accounts must remain in credit at all times.
  • Debtor reminder letters are sent out regularly.
  • If a debt builds up, care will need to be suspended the following week until payment is received. We will always notify you in advance if this becomes necessary.

Thank you for your continued support. We are really looking forward to another term at After School Club!

Warm regards,
Miss Nash and the After School Club Team

Coleham helps Guide Dog in Training

We welcomed Laura, a Guide Dog Trainer, and her trainee guide dog Rosie to school.  Rosie is in training for a very special future partner—a teacher—and so visiting a school was an important step in his development.

To help Laura and Rosie gain confidence in a school environment, we supported them through familiarisation sessions during key transition times. From morning drop-off to breaktime bustle, Rosie experienced the real rhythm of school life—calmly, patiently, and with his tail gently wagging throughout!

Thank you to Mrs Unwin, Emilia, Noelle and Freddie, who were chosen as our official School Ambassadors for the day. They did a fantastic job looking after Laura and Paws, posing questions, and giving a full school tour. They demonstrated maturity, kindness, and curiosity.

It was an inspiring visit- one that reminded us of the partnership between humans and animals, and how teamwork, patience and training can change lives.

First week back to school-Careers Week

Careers week is back and we are excited to see a constant flurry of exciting professions visiting us!

EYFS will be exploring jobs through play with a Little City visit.  Year 2 and Year 5 will be visiting Hickory’s Smokehouse and Pizza Express for careers themed trips around hospitality.

Thursday is an optional dress up day for anyone wishing to come dressed in a job related outfit.  (no pressure school uniform is fine too!)

Secondary School Application DEADLINE

Secondary Application deadline – 31 October 2025

The closing date for secondary applications is 31 October 2025 which falls in the half-term holidays. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible but before the deadline date. This will ensure that if you encounter any problems, you can be supported/helped and to submit your application on time. There is no grace period for late applications. The link for the website is – Transferring to secondary school | Shropshire Council

 The School Admissions Team strongly encourage parents to make use of their four preferences.  Please see the Parents’ Guide to Education in Shropshire Booklet for further information.  The link to the document is Parents’ guide to education | Shropshire Council

 If you have already made an application and wish to add additional preferences/ change the order of preference, please contact school-admissions@shropshire.gov.uk

Soil Investigation

When Turtles class were soil scientists. We gathered soil samples from the woodland area to test them for texture and composition and recorded our findings methodically.

Quentin Blake style sketching

Year 4 pupils have been exploring the playful, energetic illustration style of Quentin Blake — the legendary artist behind many of Roald Dahl’s stories. We looked closely at how Blake uses expressive line work, dynamic movement, and playful ink sketches to bring characters to life.

After studying his techniques, the children experimented with:

🖋 Loose, flowing pen lines
🧭 Building character through posture and expression
🎨 Light watercolour washes for colour

The result? Beautiful, character-filled sketches bursting with personality! 💛

“A drawing is simply a line going for a walk.” – Paul Klee

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