SCHOOL SHOES

With a new school year, school shoes are on the top of many people’s shopping lists.  If you have recently bought new shoes, please drop off your old ones (if they still have wear in them) at the Drop & Swap Trolley in the office foyer.

If you need a bigger size, please help yourself to anything at the Drop & Swap station.

Additionally, anyone who needs any support with school uniform, for any reason, please drop us an email or speak in confidence to a member of the office staff and we will be able to support you as best we can.

Attendance at Coleham School is excellent.  To further help support school and families, the 3-18 Education Trust have developed a new policy on attendance, which brings a couple of important changes to procedures for reporting absences.

• Absences should be communicated to school by 9:30am on each day of absence.
• Please avoid leaving a phone message; instead inform school of the absence, and the reason, via email at: absence@col.318education.co.uk
• The reason for the absence should be specific – please give some details as we cannot record generic reasons such as ‘ill’.
• Because school is required by law to account for the whereabouts of every child when school is open as soon as possible in the school day, the school office will call you if we have not been informed of the absence, or the reason is not detailed.

There are other changes, including reasons for granting term-time leave, and we will soon write to you about this separately.

SCHOOL STREET (Greyfriars Rd)

• Greyfriar’s Rd outside school remains CLOSED to traffic from 8:30-9:00am and 3:00-3:30pm. This provides a safer, cleaner environment for families to congregate and drop off/collect children at school.
• By law, when the road is closed, only residents’ vehicles and emergency vehicles are allowed to use the road for access purposes. Deliveries to the local businesses are usually timed, but their vehicles will be escorted along the road if needed.
• Please DO NOT park outside school before the road is closed unless you are able to wait for the road to reopen. Please make sure that anyone else dropping off or collecting your children (grandparents, family friends etc.) are aware of this.  School staff will be outside monitoring the road and may ask you to wait.
• The school office can provide passes allowing you 30 mins free at St Julian’s car park, and ASDA remains free.
• Please do not block Salter’s Lane for the sake of our neighbours.
• Please remind your children to be aware that vehicles may be moving in the road, despite the closure, and to never run out into the road assuming it is safe before looking.

ROAD WORKS (Longden Coleham)

You will be aware that there are significant road works being undertaken on Longden Coleham.  Traffic is only currently flowing towards Coleham Head, so please bear this in mind when planning your journey to school.

Parents are able to claim a free 30min pass for St Julian’s Car Park (across the Greyfriars Bridge) and are also able to park for free at ASDA.

Nothing has changed from last year for each year group, but your child will most likely be lining up before school in a different spot, and be collected from a different spot, than they were last year!

All children and families can enter through any gate of their choosing, but each year group has an allocated area for drop off and collection.  Please be aware that your children’s drop off point may be different to their collection point.

DROP OFF (8:40am – 8:50am)

EYFS: Children do not line up.  They are greeted at their class’ gate by their teachers and enter the classroom independently, supported by staff members in the same way as they did on taster days.  You can enter across the field or through the main entrance if you have a pushchair or cannot use the stairs.

Year 1: Children line up in their classes on the Key Stage 1 playground (adjacent to Longden Coleham) by the blue canopy.

Year 2: Children line up in their classes on the Key Stage 1 playground outside the Year 2 classrooms.

Year 3: Children line up in their classes on the lower Key Stage 2 playground (playground adjacent to the car park) in front of the kitchen.

Year 4: Children line up in their classes outside the front of school to the right of the main entrance (towards Longden Coleham)

Year 5: Children line up in their classes on the Key Stage 2 lower playground where the picnic benches are located.

Year 6: Children line up in their classes outside the front of school to the left of the main entrance (towards Belle Vue)

COLLECTION

Please note the time of collection for your child’s year group.

EYFS (3:10pm): Children are released to their known adults on the playground outside the EYFS classes.

Year 1 (3:10pm): Children are released to their known adults on the Key Stage 1 playground by the blue canopy.

Year 2 (3:10pm): Children are released to known adults on the Key Stage 2 playground.  This playground is on the other side of the school hall from where they are dropped off in the mornings.

Year 3 (3:20pm): Children are released to known adults on the Key Stage 1 playground from the yellow brick wall.

Year 4 (3:20pm): Children are released to known adults on the lower Key Stage 2 playground from the yellow brick kitchen wall.

Year 5 (3:20pm): Children are released to known adults on the upper Key Stage 2 playground (netball court) from the green fence.

Year 6 (3:20pm): Year 6 children may walk home alone – we will in due course send out a forms link to collect parental consent for this.   Those being collected will be released from the upper Key Stage 2 playground (netball court).

Please make sure that children are collected by a known adult.  We cannot release children to persons under the age of 18.  If you are unsure, please speak to the school office.

School reopens for the Autumn Term on Tuesday 5th September for all children.  Nothing has changed from last year for each year group, but it is worth reminding yourselves of the various times gates are open and closed.

TIMINGS

Our school day is from 8:50am to 3:10pm (for EYFS and Years 1 & 2), and 8:50am to 3:20pm (for Years 3 to 6).

• 7:45am: Breakfast Club Arrival Time for those with spaces.
• 8:30am: Greyfriars Rd is closed to traffic.  Please do not attempt to drive past the cones or drop off at the cones.  If you are parked before the road is closed, you will need to wait until 9:00am when the road is reopened to leave.
• 8:30am: The corner gate (opposite the butcher’s) will be open at 8:30am for the Daily Dash ONLY.  Children must be supervised during the daily Dash.
• 8:40am: The remaining gates will be opened at 8:40am for drop off.  Children will be supervised by members of staff from 8:40am.  There is no need to stay beyond 8:40am, but you are more than welcome if you wish to wait.
• 8:50am: Teachers will bring their classes into the school building at 8:50am.  Please ensure that your child is dropped off by 8:50am as this is when our day begins.  Please be aware of the continuing road closure (School Street scheme) outside school.
• 8:55am: The school gates will begin to be closed.  If you arrive late (after your class has gone inside) you must enter through the main entrance through the office.  Children are able to sign in themselves with staff assistance.
• 9:00am: Greyfriars Rd is reopened to traffic.

Mrs Hilbert is outside the main front doors each morning if you have any enquiries for the School Office team.

• 3:00pm: Greyfriars Rd is closed for the end of the school day and school gates are opened.
• 3:10pm: EYFS, Years 1 & 2 are released.
• 3:20pm: Year 3 to 6 are released.
• 3:30pm: Greyfriars Rd is reopened to traffic and school gates are locked for the safety of after school clubs.
• 4:30pm, 5:00pm and 5:30pm onwards are pick up times for After School Club.  Children must be collected by 5:45pm.

Please clear the school site a soon as you are able so we can safely lock up.  After school clubs need to have the site secure for their safety.

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that you are all having a lovely summer break and are enjoying the last few days of the holiday.

We are really looking forward to welcoming the children back to school next week and have been working hard getting the classrooms ready for the children.  Hopefully everyone is very excited about starting in their new classes and we extend a special welcome to all our new EYFS children and their families, especially those families joining the Coleham School community for the first time.

This newsletter has some important information and reminders for the start of term about: school day timings; drop off and collection locations; the school street scheme; drop & swap; new attendance procedures and PE days.  Please take some time to have a read through and remind yourself of anything you need.

I and the whole school staff look forward seeing you all and welcoming you back to school on Tuesday 5th September.

Have a great rest of the week!

Yours sincerely,

Tom Larkham

Headteacher

PE Days for each year group are as follows:

EYFS: Thursdays and Fridays

Year 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Year 2: Tuesday and Thursdays

Year 3 (Turtles): Tuesdays and Thursdays

Year 3 (Starfish): Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Year 4: Mondays and Wednesdays

Year 5: Wednesdays and Fridays

Year 6: Mondays and Fridays

These days are listed on the school website in the classroom pages.

As always, Children will wear their PE Kit to school on PE Days.

Please note that these days are subject to change.  If the days change, your child’s teachers will be in touch via Class Dojo.

ParentPay will be closing and payments and communications will be made via Arbor from September 2023.

We will transfer any ParentPay credit/debit balances to Arbor.

Please do not worry about making payment for School Meals at this time or during the holidays.  Your child will still be able to receive a school meal when we return in September and payment can be made later when the system is up and running.  To have a school meal, your child simply lets their Class Teacher know if they would like a dinner or packed lunch during the morning register.

We know that Arbor is a really great system for schools and parents but there may be a few teething issues during the first few weeks-please bear with us!  The office staff will resolve any administration enquiries promptly but our absolute priority during the first week is making sure that children and families return to school happy and comfortable.

Miss Harris has done a fantastic job being Deputy Headteacher for 2 days a week this year and she moves back into classroom next year as Badgers Class Teacher and EYFS Leader.  We are very pleased to announce that alongside these roles, Miss Harris will also be Assistant Headteacher at Coleham School supporting Mr Larkham and Miss Turner.  Congratulations Miss Harris!

Monday 17th July-Transition Afternoon in new classes

Tuesday 18th July

EYFS Mad Hatters Tea Party

Yr 3 Egyptian Day

Wednesday 19th July-Ms Jones Celebration Day

Thursday 20th July- Yr 6 Leavers Party

Friday 21st July- Last Day of School

Dear Parents/Carers,

Our penultimate week of the summer term has been another active one with lots going on around school.

On Tuesday, the children in Years 3, 4 and 5 enjoyed watching and taking part in The School Food Roadshow, arranged by our Caterers Academy.  The interactive show saw two teachers (Mrs Munns and Miss Jones) in a cook off, while the children voted on their favourite.  Great fun was had by all and we hope to see them back in school again next year.

In addition, a number of trips have gone out this week.  Year 2 enjoyed a trip to the Shrewsbury Museum and Year 5 enjoyed shelter building at Nesscliffe.  Our Year 3 children also enjoyed performing their recorders to their parents this week.  They have thoroughly enjoyed their music lessons with Mrs Porrett this year and performed beautifully for their parents this week.

This afternoon, we watched the Year 6 Leavers Assembly which was a special performance for year 6 staff and families, every single child shone!    Earlier in the week, the Year 6 children received their SATs results and I cannot tell you how proud I am of each and every child in the year group.  They have all worked incredibly hard to achieve their potential but, more importantly, they are genuinely lovely young people and we will miss them very much next year.

We are all looking forward to next week, our final week of the summer term.  We have lots planned, including another transition session for the children on Monday, allowing each class to meet their new teachers once again.

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend.

Kind regards,

Claire Jones

Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers,

The week started with our usual transition day, where all our children visited their new classrooms and met their new teachers.  Many of our Year 6 children also visited their new secondary schools.  Overall, the day was a huge success and we have another transition afternoon planned before the end of term to ensure that the children get to know their new teacher and feel excited about joining their new class next year.

On Tuesday night, we also hosted our annual Showcase Concert and this year the children were incredible.  The Year 5 choir wowed us with a number of songs while many of our children showcased their talents playing instruments from the violin to the drums.  A huge thank you to Mrs Porrett and Mrs Hilbert for organising this lovely event.

Sport has been high on the agenda this week at Coleham and the Year ¾ children thoroughly enjoyed their sports day on Wednesday afternoon – thank you to all of you who attended, we hope that you enjoyed the event.  I was especially impressed to see so many of you taking part in the parent race – I hope there weren’t any strained muscles!

Last night, Coleham took a team to the Area Athletics, competing in various track and field events against 12 local schools.  I am delighted to announce that Coleham came 2^nd overall!  What an achievement!  A fantastic evening of athletics and I am told that the children worked hard, were wonderful role models and exhibited excellent behaviour.  A huge thank you to Miss Lewis for organising this events and accompanying the children to the event.

Next week, we have lots to look forward to including the Year 6 Leavers Assembly.  I hope that you all have a relaxing weekend.

Kind regards,

Claire Jones

Headteacher

Monday 10th July

School Reports issued

Cricket Coaching Sessions for whole school-PE kits please

Tuesday 11th July

Swimming Yr 6 Giraffes

Wednesday 12th July

Yr 5 Nesscliffe Trip

Swimming Yr 6 Elephants

Yr 3 Recorder Concert

September Social Planning Meeting

Friday 14th July

Yr 6 Leavers Assembly

Monday 3rd July- Whole School Transition Day

Tuesday 4th July- Music Showcase Concert

Wednesday 5th July – Elephants Swimming

Wednesday 5th July- Yr 3/4 Sports Day

Thursday 6th July- Yr 4 Tudor Museum Trip

(please make payment for the Year 4 Trip over the weekend, thank you)

No swimming for Giraffes this week-this will take place on Tuesday 18th July.

Dear Parents/Carers

Another busy week has flown by here at Coleham and it has been action-packed as ever!

Thank you to all of you who attended Sports Day this week and apologies to the Year 3 and 4 parents/carers for postponing Sports Day.  We are very much hoping for better weather next week and are aiming to run the Year 3 and 4 Sports Day next Wednesday at 1:30pm.  We hope that many of you will be able to join us.  Well done to those children who competed this week.

It was lovely this week to welcome our new reception cohort into school to meet their new teachers and visit their classrooms.  The children in the rest of the school will visit their new classrooms and meet their new teachers next Monday (3^rd July) during our transition day.  This will take place during the day , so there are no changes to dropping off or picking up. If you have any concerns at all regarding next year, please do contact the school office or your child’s class teacher.  We are always happy to help and have been talking to the children in classes and in assembly about change and how it is important to embrace change and be positive.   Of course, some children will find the changes afoot difficult but our well planned transition events will support the children to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.

In addition to Sports Day and Transition Day, we also have a number of trips and sporting events going on next week.  A number of our children will be competing next week in Area Sports at London Road and we have our Showcase Music concert next week too, which many children are really looking forward to. I hope to see many of you at this annual event.

In the meantime, I hope that you all have a relaxing weekend.

Kind regards,

Claire Jones

Headteacher

Thank you to parents for registering with the Arbor App.

From September we will be using Arbor for all payments and so you will pay for clubs, trips, wraparound care and meals using this app.

Our ParentPay account will be closed down.  We will be transferring all balances (debits/credits) from Parentpay on the last day of term and transferring these across to Arbor.

We use Arbor as our pupil data system in school and so you can also view your child’s attendance and change your contact details directly via the app.

Dear Parents & Carers,

I hope you have all had a wonderful week.  The Headteacher swap earlier this week was a great success – I very much enjoyed meeting the families, children and staff at Much Wenlock, and Ms Lovecy, the Headteacher of St Martin’s had a useful time here.  She delivered the week’s assembly, taught some lessons and spent a lot of time in and out of all the classes getting to know everyone.  She was full of praise about our wonderful school and commented on friendly everyone has been – thank you to everyone who made her feel welcome!

The end of term is fast approaching, but there is so much more to fit in!  All sports days are next week (please see above for more details) and we have lots of transition events to look forward to.

Have a lovely weekend!

Tom Larkham

Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers,

Another end to the week means that the end of term is fast approaching!  We have had another busy week of sport, with the year 6 girls doing brilliantly in their football competition, and preparation for sports days which are coming up in the week of the 26^th

Next week, I won’t be in school on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as I will be taking part in the 3-18 Education Trust’s ‘Head Swap’.  This is a great opportunity for the Trust’s Headteachers to learn what they can from practice in other schools in the Trust, and I will be spending those three days at Much Wenlock Primary School.  Replacing me here at Coleham will be Ms Lovecy, who is the Headteacher of St Martin’s School near Oswestry.  She is very keen to learn about our school community, so please do say hello if you spot her on the playground in the mornings!  Whilst I am in Much Wenlock, Ms Jones will still be here at Coleham.

Also – don’t forget to get you quiz teams booked in for Friday night!

Have a lovely weekend and stay cool in the heat!

Mr Larkham

Headteacher

Tuesday 20th June- Giraffes Swimming

Wednesday 21st-Elephants Swimming

Thursday 22nd June-Yr 5 Dance Festival @ Shrewsbury High School

Friday 23rd June- Community Quiz Night

Sun Safety

Now that Summer Term is here please make sure your children come to school wearing sun cream and with a sun hat and water bottle.  They spend a lot of time outside during the day for some lessons and also at breaks, lunch and PE.

Water Safety

With the summer weather and riverside location we have been sent some water safety advice to share with families.

#stay safe

Sunday 11th June 9:00-11:00am- Community Allotment Project

Tuesday 13th June-EYFS Assembly for Parents/Carers

Tuesday 13th June-Swimming Yr 6 Giraffes

Wednesday 14th June-Yr 6 Swimming Elephants

Also don’t forget to save these these diary dates below:

EYFS/KS1 Sports Day

Yr 3/4 Sports Day

Yr 5/6 Sports Day

Musical Showcase Concert

YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR SCHOOL EVENTS ON OUR WEBSITE-VISIT THE CALENDAR IN THE PARENTS AREA.

Dear Parents & Carers,

Here we are again at the end of an incredibly busy Summer 1 half-term!  Everyone will hopefully have some sunshine for a very well-deserved break.  We’ve had concerts, special days, two lots of SATs and the plant and craft fair to name just a few things!  The plant & craft fair was a wonderfully attended event and it looked like everyone had a wonderful time.  Watch the celebration video below if you haven’t already seen it. Thank you to all the parents, community members and members of school staff that gave up most of their Saturday to help make the event so successful – events such as these really make our community stronger!  A huge thanks and round of applause needs to go to Miss Othen who organised the whole thing whilst spinning a million other plates!

As well as all of those wonderful things, we have been busy this half-term getting things ready for next September.  After half-term, we will be able to communicate class and teacher allocations for 2023-24, so watch this space!

All that remains is to say a big well done to all the children who have worked so incredibly hard this half term – enjoy your break and stay safe!

Tom Larkham

Headteacher

Tuesday-Giraffes Swimming

Tuesday-NEW Reception Children Open Classrooms Event

Wednesday-Elephants Swimming

Year 6 Bikeability Sessions

Friday – Year 3 Trip to Liverpool

HELP US GAIN NEW SPORT EQUIPMENT FOR SCHOOL

Monday 22nd May- Yr 6 visit Crucial Crew

Don’t forget to pay for this trip over the weekend please.

Monday 22nd May-PE kits for Yr 5 Embrace Sport Session

Tuesday 23rd May-Yr 6 Giraffes Swimming

Tuesday 23rd May-New Reception Parents Information Evening

Wednesday 24th May-Yr 6 Elephants swimming

Thursday 25th May- RE festival Shavuot with lunch menu

Friday 26th May-SCHOOL CLOSED PD DAY FOLLOWED BY HALF TERM

Dear parents & carers,

Here we are on Friday again in some glorious weather!  Another short week, but there’s been an awful lot of work packed in from Year 6.  All the Year 6 children have shown their resilience, hard work and excellent attitudes this week by being incredibly conscientious in their SATs tests.  They have been very keen to do their best, whatever the outcomes, and they haven definitely put everything in to, showing real Coleham spirit!  A huge thanks also goes to Mr Edwards, Mrs Morgan and their team for administering and organising everything so that the week ran as smoothly as possible.

Year 3 have enjoyed an excellent choral day at Shrewsbury High School where they were fantastic!  They had to work hard to learn some new songs and sing with others in a huge choir: many of you were able to go and see their final performance, which is wonderful for the children.  Some Year 5 children also visited SHS for a ‘Techathon’ for afternoon of problem solving to really test their skills!

And finally, this afternoon, the whole school took part in a diversity afternoon where the children explored each other’s differences to learn that ‘We Are All Wonders!’

Have a great weekend, and don’t forget that Monday is not a bank holiday this week!