News

This week our children achieved an overall percentage of 96% (Nursery not included). 

Message from the Police

The police were outside school twice this week and have found a high number of cars parked or stopped on the yellow zig-zag lines outside school.  This is clearly a risk to our young people which is why the yellow zig-zags are there to protect our children.  Please show you care and park elsewhere.

Due to the high numbers found this week the police will be returning over the rest of the term and issuing tickets.

Chorlton Schools’ Quiz

On Tuesday 4 children from Chorlton Park competed in a quiz against 5 other Chorlton schools.

Milad Mossanen-Parsi, Louis Hadoke, Manik Mehta and Cynog Williams from years 6 down to 3 were picked to represent Chorlton Park.  There were 8 teams in total competing and Chorlton Park came second.  The team displayed incredible general knowledge skills, for example recognised the flag of Sri Lanka, knew which monument was built in Trafalgar Square in 1843 (Nelson’s Column). Well done to the team.

School Meal Menu for next week – Week 6.

Year Three Roman Soldier Day
On Friday 12th February Year Three will be having a day in the life of a Roman soldier. We would love children to dress up as though they were members of the Roman Army. The day will include training drills, shield practice and other army activities! 

Alex Williams

Alex, ex Man City goal keeper and ex-governor for Chorlton Park came into school on Wednesday to give a talk about the power of sport and aspiring to be what you want to be and not giving up on your goals.  Jamiel, 5MW, asked him what team he supported and his answer was City, true to his roots, as he grew up in Moss Side.

Nursery News

Next Friday Nursery are holding a leaving party for Miss Wilson, all the children are invited to come in dressed up as Miss Wilson for the day!  We are having a party in the afternoon. 

Message from Miss Wilson

Thank you to all the children I have had in my class over the past 3 years, who have made my time at Chorlton Park really special and thank you and good bye to all the parents and staff.  I will be leaving on Friday 12^th and will keep in touch with school whilst I am on my travels around Australia.

School Dinners

We have been listening to pupils’ ideas and opinions about school dinners and one of the concerns was not having a choice when your class is on the last lunch sittings.  We are now piloting a pre-order system with Years 5 & 6 which is due to start after half term.  If this is successful we will start to roll it out across school.  We will keep you up to date with progress.

This Newsletter is available on the website     www.chorltonpark.manchester.sch.uk

This week our children achieved an overall percentage of 96% (Nursery not included). 

Chorlton Primary Schools Fundraise Together for Children of Haiti 

School councillors from Chorlton Park and 6 other Chorlton Primary Schools, handed over a cheque for £6069 (of which £1340.97 was raised by Chorlton Park) to help the children of Haiti affected by the recent  devastating earthquake. We would like to thank children and their families for their kindness and generosity.

New Governors for Chorlton Park

Congratulations to our new parent governor; Ian Devine, and the two staff governors; Ms Wray and Ms Potter.  The current governing body are looking forward to working with you and welcome you to the team.

Children’s Magazines

Year 6 would like any donations of old children’s magazines for the classroom.

Well done to Muiz Ahmed in 6RH who sent up a cartoon drawing to Match Magazine for their Gallery Page and it appears in the current edition.  If you want to see the picture check out the Year 6 Blog.

Year 5 Homework
Thank you very much to all the parents that turned up to the homework forum, it was great to hear your ideas and comments, we will get back to you shortly after the half term break with news about how homework will be run.

Nursery News

Next week’s material of the week is cloth. We will be thinking about who makes our clothes and how they are made. If you have interesting pieces of cloth please bring them along.

Stay and Play week will take place on Tuesday 9^th Feb, Wednesday 10^th Feb, Thursday 11^th Feb and Friday 12^th Feb. Parents are invited to participate in activities with their child from 8.50 to 10.30. There are sign up sheets in each Nursery. It is a wonderful opportunity for you to experience your child’s morning and to observe them in the classroom. The children are settling well into their new classes.

Please remember that book bags need to be returned to school on a Monday.

Have a lovely weekend, the Nursery staff.

Internet Use

Parents will be aware that computers are a major part of learning at Chorlton Park, but also that technology can be abused.

We have a good filtering system that allows us to link a name to actions. Recently we were able to track and identify a pupil that left an unpleasant comment on our school blog. This also allowed us to exonerate pupils that were not involved. We want to remind all of our children that they are responsible for what they do if on their mobile phone, e mail or online. 

Unfortunately our systems do not protect children at home. The growth of social networking such as Facebook and Twitter and internet enabled mobile phones has meant that the online community is accessible. We would advise parents regularly check on their child’s internet activities.

We have run short workshops on internet safety use and will be willing to run another course if it is required.

Attendance

Parents will be aware from previous letters that we are focusing on pupils with persistent absence (attendance below

80%). We are pleased to say that there has been a significant improvement. Our parent support advisers are doing a fine job in motivating families and children to have good levels of attendance.

The local authority is supporting schools to reduce absence with attendance sweeps. During a sweep, a team will visit all homes where a child is absent on the day of the sweep. There has already been 1 sweep and we expect there will be more in the future.

Y6 Football
Year 6 boys will be taking part in an FA cup style competition with the first fixture this Monday at St. Bedes, come along and cheer us on….Kick off is 3pm!! 

Clubs

We’ve organised some fantastic after-school clubs for this term.

All of them offer great opportunities for our children to be active,

musical and to learn new skills. For more information and to

book a place just pop in to the school office.

Tues

Netball Club, Y2-6

3.30-4.30

In Gym - £4 per session (PFC)

Drumming, Y1-6

Infant Hall

£3 per session

Wed

Spanish Club, Reception –Y6

Infant Hall / Music Studio

£3 per session

Thur

Multi Sport, Reception – Y6

£3 per session (PFC)

Mela

We still haven’t had any volunteers to help organise the Mela Evening.

 It would be such a shame if we can’t hold this fantastic event this year.

If you think you can spare a bit of time to help with this celebration

of Asian culture, do get in touch with us via the school office.

School Meal Menu for next week will be week 4.

This week our children achieved an overall percentage of 95 % (Nursery not included). 

Year 5 Maths Workshops for Parents

Please come to these sessions to find out what your children should be doing at this age and how your can help your child improve Maths.

Year 5 The Power of Sport

Alex Williams MBE is coming to talk to Year 5 to talk to children about the Power of Sport.  This is part of our Big Question Topic – What is Freedom.  He is coming to challenge and inspire our children about how sport can be used for positive change and how it can unite people.

COSH AGM

The next COSH AGM meeting is on 10^th February at 6pm, room to be confirmed.

Thank you for all the children who made gowns for the Blue Peter Send – A – Smile Appeal.  We have collected 40 gowns.  If you still have a gown at home, Currys are collecting until the end of January.

Save the Children

Just to update you …. We raised £251.50 for Save the Children in our Christmas assemblies.

THANK YOU

The School Council have decided to use half to buy things from the Wish List and give the remainder to the relief effort for Haiti.

As a school we are going to buy the following:
40 chickens  £29
2 packs of plumpy nuts £14
First aid kit for a clinic  £80
Set of school textbooks  £12
Seeds £11

We will add the money that we collect on Friday as part of Hats for Haiti.

Flora Vouchers

It’s that time of year again! Flora are collecting vouchers for their cooking with schools scheme. Last year we raised lots of money and bought some brilliant equipment for Cooking Club. This year we hope to do even better and buy some new equipment for cooking across the school.

If you have any vouchers (Found inside promotional tubs of Flora) please drop them into the school office, pass them onto Miss Etchells or register them yourself on the website www.cookingwithschools.com.

Thank you in advance for all your support let’s hope we can make this the best year yet and get all of Chorlton Park cooking! Search for the school on the website to view our progress.

Whalley Range – Football

The Girls Football played two matches at Whalley Range last night, and although they did not win they did display excellent sportsmanship and made the school extremely proud.

Year 2 Parents Blogging Club

We still have some spaces in the Blogging Club for parents to come and learn how to blog with their children, from 3.30 to 4.00.  No need to book.

Year 2 Theatre Trip

Year 2 went to Grimm Tales this week.  They really enjoyed the performance (if a little late back to school) and are taking inspiration in their work in school, please come into the class rooms over the next few weeks to look at our progress on the story boxes.

1SL Assembly

Tres bien to 1SL for their class assembly and thank you to parents for coming to share with us on Thursday.

Personal Development & Wellbeing

% of responses

Achievement, Standards, Teaching & Learning

% of responses

Strongly agree

Strongly agree/ agree

Leadership & Management

% of responses

Strongly agree

Strongly agree/ agree

Care, Guidance & Support

* answered if parent/ carer’s child has special educational needs

Strongly agree

Strongly agree/ agree

This week our children achieved an overall percentage of 93 % (Nursery not included). 

Parent Partnership

We are constantly looking at ways in which we work together with our parent/carers and school community and would like to thank you for the committed, enthusiastic support that we regularly receive.

To further improve these already strong links I would like to ask for some volunteers to join a school working party looking at how we can continue to improve the work we do together. This would involve meeting once a half term during the school day, as well as being able to offer ideas and opinions on what we need to do to improve systems we have in school already.

To get involved in this group please email mblackburn@chorltonpark.manchester.sch.uk or call into school and speak with me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mrs Blackburn  Year 4.

Milk Deadline

The deadline for ordering milk was today, Friday 15^th.  If you have just ordered milk from January your child will receive it from Monday 18^th.

School Dinners this term are £90 for the term or £45 up to half term.  The school menu for next week is week 2. 

Parent and Carers Questionnaire

All the data from the recent questionnaires has been collated and we’ve received some really useful feedback, which will help us keep improving the school (please see the report attached).  We were pleased that the vast majority of responses were very positive. For example:

“It is a friendly, welcoming and inclusive school. The teachers, deputies and headteacher always make time to talk to you”

“There is a good social and ethnic mix which prepares children well for life”

“Despite being so big there is a strong sense of cohesion and togetherness”

However, we will not be complacent and we do realise that improvement is a continuous process. The senior leadership team and our governing body will be discussing areas for improvement highlighted in the questionnaire responses, for example homework, and we will keep you updated.  Thank you to all the parents and carers who responded and our PSAs Ian and Sharon for their hard work.

Netball Club – Thursday cancelled because of Girls Football at Whalley Range.

Privacy Notice

You will all have received a copy of the most recent privacy notice, sent home today.

This Newsletter is available on the website     www.chorltonpark.manchester.sch.uk

This week our children achieved an overall percentage of 94% (Nursery not included). 

 We are outstanding!

It is official, Chorlton Park is outstanding.  We have now received confirmation from Ofsted that your school has achieved the outstanding grade from its recent inspection.  A copy of the report will be sent out early today.

Thank you. 

Well done to the staff, pupils and governors and thank you to parents for your support.  Please join us at the start of the day on Friday 18^th as we celebrate our fantastic report. As parents enter school the school’s brass ensemble and the choir will be performing on stage in the dining hall.  The foundation will also be singing in classes.  There will be mince pies and refreshments for parents to enjoy.

Musical Achievement

Robert Evans 5HW took part in the annual charity concert held by the Kalinka Balalaika Orchestra at the Royal Northern College of Music on Friday 4th Dec. Robert is the youngest member of the orchestra. Mr Billington also made a special guest appearance playing an unusual woodwind instrument called the zhuleika.

Parent Survey

Thank you to all the parents and carers who returned the survey.  We have had some lovely compliments and really helpful ideas for improvements.  Due to microphone problems at the Winter Fair the prize draw took place in assembly to day and the children who won the vouchers were: Sam in Oak, Aalaa in Year 1 and Lily in Year 4, please come to the office to claim your voucher  

Year 5 Victorian Day

Thank you to all the parents to going to so much trouble with the costumes and coming to the assembly and that you took on some of the issues on hygiene and good home management!  The children had a wonderful day in character.

Panto

Yesterday the younger children watched the Aladdin, the Oak Nursery children said:“it was really scary but it was good”, “there was a big blue Genie but he was not real,  it was a costume”.

Young Voices

Mrs Habershon and Mrs Millington would like to say a huge thank-you and well done to all the children who took part in the Young Voices Concert at the MEN Arena on Tuesday.  You were brilliant.  DVDs will be available from the Young Voices website.

Congratulations to the Choir

The Choir sang at Alexandra Lodge Care Centre on Thursday. They behaved really well on the long walk to and from the care home and sang beautifully in the care home. The residents were very appreciative and said that we had made their Christmas for them. We would also like to thank all parents who gave up their time to help us during the visit. Their help was much appreciated. Choir has now finished until the first week back.

Nursery News

The final colour of the week for this year is white.

Our Christmas Party will take place on Wednesday 16^th December. We welcome donations of food and juice or water. Please remember that all food and drink must be suitable for vegetarians. If you wish to send part clothes for your child to change into, bring then in a bag clearly labeled with your child’s name.

Christmas Dinner will be on Tuesday 15^th December. 

Christmas Tree

The school Christmas tree is available on Friday 18^th December if you want to put a bid in for it, this will go to school fund , please come to the office and let us know.

School Dinners will be on Week One Menu this week, but Tuesday is Christmas Dinner.

This week our children achieved an overall percentage of 94% (Nursery not included). 

We are outstanding!

It is official, Chorlton Park is outstanding.  We have now received confirmation from Ofsted that your school has achieved the outstanding grade from its recent inspection.  A copy of the report will be sent out early today.

Thank you. 

Well done to the staff, pupils and governors and thank you to parents for your support.  Please join us at the start of the day on Friday 18^th as we celebrate our fantastic report. As parents enter school the school’s brass ensemble and the choir will be performing on stage in the dining hall.  The foundation will also be singing in classes.  There will be mince pies and refreshments for parents to enjoy.

Musical Achievement

Robert Evans 5HW took part in the annual charity concert held by the Kalinka Balalaika Orchestra at the Royal Northern College of Music on Friday 4th Dec. Robert is the youngest member of the orchestra. Mr Billington also made a special guest appearance playing an unusual woodwind instrument called the zhuleika.

Parent Survey

Thank you to all the parents and carers who returned the survey.  We have had some lovely compliments and really helpful ideas for improvements.  Due to microphone problems at the Winter Fair the prize draw took place in assembly to day and the children who won the vouchers were: Sam in Oak, Aalaa in Year 1 and Lily in Year 4, please come to the office to claim your voucher.

Year 3/4 and 5/6 Football.

Congratulations to year 3 /4 & 4/5 who competed at the Whalley Range football tournament, they performed extremely well and the years 3/4 won their match.

This is the last newsletter for the year so we wish you all a relaxing break.

Year 5 Victorian Day

Thank you to all the parents to going to so much trouble with the costumes and coming to the assembly and that you took on some of the issues on hygiene and good home management!  The children had a wonderful day in character.

Panto

Yesterday the younger children watched the Aladdin, the Oak Nursery children said:“it was really scary but it was good”, “there was a big blue Genie but he was not real,  it was a costume”.

Young Voices

Mrs Habershon and Mrs Millington would like to say a huge thank-you and well done to all the children who took part in the Young Voices Concert at the MEN Arena on Tuesday.  You were brilliant.  DVDs will be available from the Young Voices website.

Congratulations to the Choir

The Choir sang at Alexandra Lodge Care Centre on Thursday. They behaved really well on the long walk to and from the care home and sang beautifully in the care home. The residents were very appreciative and said that we had made their Christmas for them. We would also like to thank all parents who gave up their time to help us during the visit. Their help was much appreciated. Choir has now finished until the first week back.

Nursery News

The final colour of the week for this year is white.

Our Christmas Party will take place on Wednesday 16^th December. We welcome donations of food and juice or water. Please remember that all food and drink must be suitable for vegetarians. If you wish to send part clothes for your child to change into, bring then in a bag clearly labeled with your child’s name.

Christmas Dinner will be on Tuesday 15^th December. 

Christmas Tree

The school Christmas tree is available on Friday 18^th December if you want to put a bid in for it, this will go to school fund , please come to the office and let us know.

School Dinners will be on Week One Menu this week, but Tuesday is Christmas Dinner.

This Newsletter is available on the website     www.chorltonpark.manchester.sch.uk

This week our children achieved an overall percentage of 88% (Nursery not included). 

Parent Survey

Thanks for everyone who completed the Parent Survey by the deadline.  We will be drawing the prizes at the Winter Fair.  If you still have not returned your survey we would still like to receive it, if you hand it in at the office we can still include your input and comments.

Christmas Assemblies for Charity

During the week beginning 14^th December we will be having our Christmas assemblies. This year the School Council have decided that they would like to take a collection for Save The Children at the end of each assembly and then buy a selection of Gifts for Life, eg mosquito nets, water kits, equipment for school. We hope that you will be able to join us.

Year 5 Home school Computer Project

The Vye Notebook Project has been very successful in 5MW.  We will be asking parents for feedback this week.  After Christmas the computers will be sent home with children in 5HW.  We will let you know the dates for the parents meetings shortly.

Research Project YR 6

The university of Manchester are currently conducting research on parents’ experience of secondary school choice and would like to interview you.

They can do this at a time and place of your choice and all interviews will be anonymous and kept confidential.

If you are interested contact Bridget Byrne or Carla De Tona at bridget.byrne@manchester.ac.uk (0161 275 2503)

carla.detona@manchester.ac.uk (07564054629)

Parking outside school

We have been informed that some of our parents are parking in front of the shops opposite school, taking up spaces for their customers. Can you please park away from school to keep your children safe. Parking is prohibited on the zig zag lines in front of school.

Good News

You may have heard that Jean who works in the kitchen was knocked down by a car on her way to work a few weeks ago.  Whilst she is still poorly she is now home from hospital and on the mend.  We wish her a speedy recovery.

School Dinners will be on Week Three Menu this week.

Young Voices

The children in the Young Voices Choir have been very busy rehearsing for their concert at the MEN Arena on Tuesday 8^th.  We would leave school at 1.30 pm and return back to school after the concert at approximately 10pm.  Don’t forget to wear a white t-shirt with your normal grey or black trousers / skirt and to bring a packed tea (healthy!) to eat at the Arena.  Good luck to all those involved.

Improving Communication

We are always looking for ways to improve communication, we have so far a mobile texting service, e-mails, newsletter, website and school blogs.  Could you please make sure we have your up to date mobiles and e-mail addresses at the office.

Choir News

We have been invited to sing at the Alexandra Care Centre to entertain the residents with our repertoire of Christmas songs and carols.  We will be going next Thursday 10^th Dec morning and are looking forward to this.

Choir will not have any after school choir practices on Thursday 10^th or 17^th December.

We will meet again on the first Thursday in the new term (January).

This Newsletter is available on the website     www.chorltonpark.manchester.sch.uk

This week our children achieved an overall percentage of 95% (Nursery not included). 

OFSTED Inspection

The inspection last week was successful.  The children were extremely well behaved and keen for the school to be seen in the best possible light. The positive feedback we received from the Inspectors reflects the whole school community.

The report will come out later in December and copies will go home to all parents.

Thanks to all Pupils, Parents, Staff and Governors for your valued contribution to the School!

Year 5 Victorian Day

Wednesday 9^th December, to end our Big Question topic we cordially invite parents to come to the dining hall at 9.15 am for an official clean hand inspection.

Please help your child to design and wear a Victorian costume on the day.  Don’t forget clean hands and handkerchiefs.

Year 6 Cross Country Finals

On Tuesday 17^th November Roshaun Williams, Josiah Davies and Hari Sangar represented Chorlton Park in Manchester Cross Country Finals.

Parent Survey

The Parent Survey came out this week, please complete it and return it to the school office or in book bags by Friday the 4^th December.

Those parents who complete the Parent Survey and hand it in to the office by 4^th December will be put into a prize draw for vouchers for a family trip to the cinema or bowling or ice skating.  There will be 3 sets of family vouchers in total which will be picked at assembly the week commencing the 8^th December, remember to include your name / child’s name / class to be in with a chance.  Good Luck.

The newsletter has come out on Monday this week instead of last week’s Friday edition.  This is because Friday was Eid.  We hope our children enjoyed their celebrations on Friday.

Winter Fair

Mr Almond and Mrs Gilmore are collecting for the raffle.  They are looking for donations of; wine; biscuits; sweets; cakes; posh nibbles; Christmas themed food; new toys; new books; toiletries; fair-trade goods; baskets for raffle prizes.

Raffle day -If you have anything to donate please bring them in to the school office.

6RH Winter Fair

It is the winter fair on 5^th December and 6RH are running a stall called the teddy tombola. If you could contribute any unwanted teddy bears use would be very grateful.

Please send any unwanted teddy bears to 6RH or the office.

Children in Need

This year the school raised £649 which is almost a 20% increase in what was raised last year.  Well done to all the sleepy-heads who came in to school in pyjamas.

The year 6 girls raised over £20 on their cake stall.

Nursery News

Eid Mubarak!

Our colour next week is yellow.

We have been very proud of the children and parents and ourselves this week.  Thank you all for your support and enthusiasm, and happy, smiling faces in the mornings this week.

Please remember to sign up for Parent / teacher meetings if your child is due to move out of nursery in January.

Our Nativity performance will take place on Tuesday 8^th December.

School Dinners will be on Week Two Menu this week.

This Newsletter is available on the website     www.chorltonpark.manchester.sch.uk

This week our children achieved an overall percentage of 94% (Nursery not included). 

Safety

Dogs on the school site

We have noticed that some parents are bringing dogs on to the school grounds. We are sure that these pets are well trained but unfortunately we cannot allow dogs on the school premises.

Riding cycles

A pupil was nearly knocked down by a Parent riding a bicycle. Please dismount when on the playground.

Parent Survey

The Parent Survey came out this week, please complete it and return it to the school office or in book bags by Friday the 4^th December.

Those parents who complete the Parent Survey and hand it in to the office by 4^th December will be put into a prize draw for vouchers for a family trip to the cinema or bowling or ice skating.  There will be 3 sets of family vouchers in total which will be picked at assembly the week commencing the 8^th December, remember to include your name / child’s name / class to be in with a chance.  Good Luck.

Eid Mubarak

Wishing you all a happy Eid Ul Addha.

Enjoy your celebrations, from all the staff at Chorlton Park.

School Dinners will be on Week One Menu next week.

Chorlton Park is selected as a feature ICT school by Specialist School and Academy Trust

15 school leaders visited our school on Thursday to see our curriculum and how we use ICT and multimedia to inspire learning.

The day started with a class assembly by 2JS and a tour of school (have a look on the blog). Then there were visits to ICT lessons and presentations by our staff about our work.

Mr Sutton, (Geography and ICT), Miss Davies (using Macs to create rainforest presentations), Mrs Scannali (using professional art packages).

We also talked about our developments the big question (Ms Habershon) and links with parents (Mrs Blackburn).

Presentations;

Mr Woods – the use of net books in year 5

Miss Keeley – ICT in early years

Ms Wray and Miss Humphreys issues based curriculum

Mr Sloan on blogging

and much more.

The visitors were very excited about what they saw and were inspired. They were particularly pleased with the behaviour, and politeness of our children.

Thanks to all the staff and our special helpers Roshaun, Eve, Milad and Grace who were extremely professional guides for visitors for the day.

Punctuality and attendance

Thanks to everyone that is making an effort. Please make sure that your child is in school by 9.00am.

Holidays

We will not be able to authorise any absence for pupils with attendance below 90%. Please check with school before tickets are booked to avoid school action.

Winter Fair

Mr Almond and Mrs Gilmore are collecting for the raffle.  They are looking for donations of; wine; biscuits; sweets; cakes; posh nibbles; Christmas themed food; new toys; new books; toiletries; fair-trade goods; baskets for raffle prizes.

 Raffle day -If you have anything to donate please bring them in on 27^th Nov. 

Nursery News

Thank you to every one for wearing pyjamas and the donations.

Please can parents who received play bags return the CDs next week.

Next week we will be having a stripy table.

6RH Winter Fair

It is the winter fair on 5^th December and 6RH are running a stall called the teddy tombola. If you could contribute any unwanted teddy bears use would be very grateful.

Please send any unwanted teddy bears to 6RH or the office.

This Newsletter is available on the website     www.chorltonpark.manchester.sch.uk