Cherry Orchard Primary Academy Newsletter
November 2021 - Issue 3
Embedded Files
Principal's Welcome
Principal's Welcome
As you will be aware we have had a very busy start to the new term with our important visitors in school last week. The children, as always, did us proud and many of them were involved in conversations with inspectors about our school and their learning. We have now moved straight on to Christmas preparations and we have lots planned! To ensure Christmas events are communicated clearly, we have included a '12 Days of Festive Fun' section at the end of this newsletter and this has links to information about each of the planned events.
Julie Forsythe - Principal
COPA OFSTED Inspection!
COPA OFSTED Inspection!
Our long awaiting OFSTED inspection took place last week as many parents will be aware. We are extremely proud of our Cherry Community and were pleased to finally have the opportunity to showcase our children and their learning. Thank you to all our parents who took the time to complete the survey and for your supportive comments, we look forward to sharing the final report with you once it is published, this should be within 28 days of the inspection.
School News & Updates
School News & Updates
New 'Upcoming Events' Notifications on the School Website
New 'Upcoming Events' Notifications on the School Website
You will already be aware that we have updated the website with a new button on the front page entitled 'Upcoming Events', which is in the top right hand corner adjacent to the 'contact us' button'. We just wanted to remind you that you will be able to see a calendar of events planned for the each term, as well as information on each event as it is updated. This will also give advance warning of events scheduled in brief and further details will be added as they become available. You can select to view this in event order or opt for a monthly calendar view. We hope this will be helpful for parents who need to plan ahead.
KS1/KS2 Class Dojo Parent Communications
KS1/KS2 Class Dojo Parent Communications
You will also be aware that we have now moved over to ClassDojo as our main method of communication between home/family. Although the Parents Contact Book has been kept open for a short while as an overlap, this will be deleted shortly. Our IT Lead has introduced this easy to use app - which you can download on any device, tablet, laptop or phone - across the school, with the exception of EYFS where Tapestry is regularly used and is working well.
ClassDojo is an educational technology company which connects primary school teachers, students and families through communication features, including an easy way to communicate with teachers. DoJo points are already currently used in the classroom to reward good behaviour and compliment the IB learner profiles, and families at home will be able to see what Dojo points their child receives. You can read more about this on this link.
If you have not received your link to create an account with Class Dojo and download the app, to communicate with teachers - or you are having difficulty organising this, please speak to your child's class teacher or contact the office for help.
Parents Consultations
Parents Consultations
Parent consultations via the School Cloud were rescheduled to this week due to our OFSTED visit, but were hugely successful with over 93% take up over the two days. Parents in Bonsai Class who were not able to attend on Thursday have had their appointments rescheduled for next Thursday, where Miss Sandhu will be available to speak to you. We have copied over the same appointment times, but if you are not able to keep to the same appointment times, please let the office know and we will make an alternative appointment.
Individual Pupil Photos rescheduled
Individual Pupil Photos rescheduled
You will know that school photos were cancelled due to our photographer being taken ill and were then rescheduled due to our OFSTED visit. These have been rescheduled to November 22nd and will take place in the same manner all day. Again if students have PE that day, they will need to come into school in their school uniform and bring their PE kit to change into.
School tie Appeal!
School tie Appeal!
We appeal again to parents to please provide your child with a school tie. We are very proud of our school uniform and ties are an essential part of Cherry Orchard's school uniform policy. They are on sale either from Brigade - our uniform supplies - or from the school office at a cost of £5.
We appeal again to parents to please provide your child with a school tie. We are very proud of our school uniform and ties are an essential part of Cherry Orchard's school uniform policy. They are on sale either from Brigade - our uniform supplies - or from the school office at a cost of £5.
Your child will receive a green uniform slip if they are wearing incorrect items of school uniform.
Your child will receive a green uniform slip if they are wearing incorrect items of school uniform.
Principal Gold Tie Awards
Principal Gold Tie Awards
There was a delay to our return to our incentive of promoting smart school uniform by resuming the Principal's Gold Tie Award on Fridays, but this will resume as soon as possible.
Children displaying smart and correct items of school uniform will be awarded a golden tie by the Principal to wear for the following week; an elastic one for Infants and a clip on one for Juniors.
These will be washed/rotated in between for hygiene reasons and be awarded at our Celebration Assembly on Friday morning by Mrs. Forsythe - our School Principal.
T2 Walk in Wednesday
T2 Walk in Wednesday
Sadly our T1 Walk in Wednesday was canceled due to concern over rising levels of COVID, but we are committed to resuming these as and when restrictions allow. Term 2 WIW is due to take place on the same day as the PTA Christmas Fair so we will be reviewing a start time, in consultation with the PTA, to allow for parents to come into school to view classrooms and children's' work.
KS2 are also taking part in their Christmas Carol Service outside to open up the Fair. Further details will be added to the website calendar once agreed.
Attendance for school age pupils
Attendance for school age pupils
We felt it was inappropriate to issue 100% Attendance Certificates to children for Term 1 due to the amount of children and families isolating with symptoms of COVID in the last ten days of the term. However we continue to monitor attendance and hold regular parent meetings for children who have persistent absence. Class attendance is celebrated each week and for the w/e 19 November, Maple Class for KS1 and Olive Class for KS2 displayed the highest attendance levels. Well done to all the children in these year groups - they will get an extra 5 minutes playtime today!
Please be reminded any leave of absence requested during term time will not be authorised and may be subject to a penalty notice. This must be applied for in writing and is at the discretion of the Principal.
w/e 19.11.21 - KS1 Best Attenders
w/e 19.11.21 - KS1 Best Attenders
Well done to Rosewood Class
w/e 19.11.21 - KS2 Best Attenders
w/e 19.11.21 - KS2 Best Attenders
Well done to Olive Class
Sign up to Get Active in Ebbsfleet today!
Sign up to Get Active in Ebbsfleet today!
Sign up to Get ActiviEarn better points by logging your walking, running or cycling activities on the Better points app. Redeem your points for High Street vouchers or donate to local charities. Download the free app to get started
Ebbsfleet Church support Families in Need!
Ebbsfleet Church support Families in Need!
Please support our local Church by donating luxury items to make up Christmas Hampers for those struggling this Christmas.
COPA Year 5 & 6 Football Teams
COPA Year 5 & 6 Football Teams
Our selected Boys and Girls Football Team practice every Monday after school in readiness for the next Football tournament. Mr. Outram takes this team practice session and only selected team members attend.
On Fridays, we now have Dartford Football Coaches in place to deliver football coaching to students from year 1 to 6 and they will be spotting any new talent to add to the team by liaising with Mr. Outram.
For students who do not currently attend Football Coaching on Monday or Fridays, Mr. Outram has kindly offered to 'trial' as a one-off students from Years 5 & 6 who wish to try out for the team. Please ask your child to give their name to Mr. Outram so he knows who to expect.
After this session, your child will be informed if they have been selected to join the team.
Watch out for Santa Claus on tour in our community!
Watch out for Santa Claus on tour in our community!
Be sure to be out on Castle Hill on Monday 20th December to see a very special guest drive by in his vintage fire engine - coming past Castle Hill Community Centre and Cherry Orchard Primary Academy at 1:30pm.
Wrap up warm and enjoy the visit - Santa has promised a gift for every child he meets!
See this link to find our when he will stop in a place near you!
Sponsored by Dartford Borough Council.
Children In Need Fundraising at COPA
Children In Need Fundraising at COPA
Our Fundraising page via Just Giving is open and currently stands at just short of £500. The children had great fun wearing their yellow, spotty or Pudsey related costumes on Friday to take part in the varied fun activities planned by the teachers.
In the evening - the PTA held their rescheduled Discos with great success to top off the day of fun activities! This was very well supported and it was great to see the children dancing and laughing together - after the tricky past year.
Not to be outdone - Nursery joined in the 'Pudsey Fun' Cherry Pips style, by icing Pudsey biscuits, making Pudseys with playdoh as well as lots of other spotty dotty activities.
Primary Years Programme IB Learner Profiles
Primary Years Programme IB Learner Profiles
Each Tuesday, pupils will be reflecting on different attributes of our Learner Profile and thinking about how these can be demonstrated and nurtured through our learning at school and at home. At the end of the week, teachers will choose a child from each class that has demonstrated the attribute in a particular way and present them with a certificate to take home. Last week we were all great at being knowledgeable - lets see who the teachers spotted being great carers!
KS1 Caring w/e 19.11.21
KS1 Caring w/e 19.11.21
KS2 Caring w/e 19.11.21
KS2 Caring w/e 19.11.21
IB Primary Years Programme
IB Primary Years Programme
Cherry Orchard Primary Academy is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, delivering the curriculum through the Primary Years Programme. To help you as valued members of our learning community, we are introducing words and phrases that we may use when communicating how we approach the curriculum at our academy. (See previous newsletters for 'Agency' and 'Key Concepts'.)
This week, we wanted to introduce you to our Learner Profile attributes and what these mean in the school learning environment at COPA.
The Learner Profile attributes describe the characteristics that we would want our pupils to develop by the time they move onto secondary education, and into adult life. Looking at these attributes, I am sure you can see that each of these are fundamental in approaching life in an ever changing, global community. Indeed, by developing these attributes, pupils at COPA will become, what we refer to as, 'Internationally Minded'.
Throughout their time with us at COPA, your child will have opportunities to develop these attributes through the design and delivery of the curriculum. We refer to these during our learning time, in the classroom and around the school. Our pupils focus on an attribute each week to understand what it means to them in their lives and in the lives of others in the school, local, national or global community; pupils who have demonstrated this attribute during the week are chosen by their teachers to receive a certificate to take home. We also celebrate these through our Class Dojo system, so that you, as parents and carers, can join us in praising the development of these attributes.
National Online Safety
National Online Safety
We are a fully certified NOS School!
A message to all parents who children have recently joined Cherry Orchard. Please sign up yet for a National Online Safety account by clicking on our unique school link here.
You will be able to access up to date online safety information and watch a range of free, informative webinars. You will also be able to find out all of the important safety information regarding apps like TikTok as well as teaching your child to look out for 'fake news' and other important, topical current events. We encourage all parents to sign up, accounts are free and apps on android and IOS are also available.
Remember to always encourage your child to play in a shared family space, where you can supervise their activity as this is the best way to ensure their safety.
COPA walk-through Art Exhibition
COPA walk-through Art Exhibition
w/b 22nd - 26th November
w/b 22nd - 26th November
A reminder that after school during the week beginning 22 November, we will be holding our Art Exhibition to show case all the wonderful pieces of artwork that were made, during Arty Party week, by our children at COPA! Times for each year group are shown on the website calendar here and Years 1 & 2 will be kickstarting off the week! Please enter via the main school office to view the showcased work - where Miss Goosani, our Art Lead will be on hand to answer your questions. Some Year 6 helpers will also be around to hand out leaflets to explain the work undertaken and we invite you to sip on a glass of fizz whilst you walk around.
COPA's Twelve Days of Festive Christmas Fun!
COPA's Twelve Days of Festive Christmas Fun!
PTA Events
PTA Events
The PTA have arranged a number of school events over the past few weeks such as the amazing christmas card designs and the school discos to name a few! They continue to work really hard to fundraise on behalf of your children. Please help them by supporting their events for the rest of the term and beyond. Get in touch on cherryorchardpta@hotmail.com
PTA Coffee Morning
PTA Coffee Morning
Thursday/Friday 2nd/3rd December
Please join the PTA at drop off who will be meeting in the hall for a Christmas Coffee Morning and a natter! Buy your Christmas Decoration for £2 and enter the competition for the best Christmas Decoration!
Wednesday 8th December
Volunteers from the PTA will be based in the Rotunda Building all day to facilitate children who wish to buy a surprise present for Mum or Dad. Teachers will accompany the children in class groups to purchase wrapped presents for £2, £3 or £4.
Please don't forget to also bring along a bottle for the tombola stall for the Fair!
Wednesday 15th December
Our Big Christmas Fair organised by the PTA will take place inside and outside the school hall from 3pm. Raffle tickets are on sale now and a competition underway for the class who sells the most raffle tickets to win a free Science Workshop Day in the New Year!
Lots of stalls, eateries, entertainment and of course Santa Claus will be flying in on his sleigh for the night!
Extended Schools News & Information
Extended Schools News & Information
Registration Links
Registration Links
Registration for TERM 3 will open for bookings next week and remain open until Monday 6 December. Please see below link for booking terms and conditions,
Lunch Clubs & Quiet Area
Lunch Clubs & Quiet Area
Miss Peacock is currently heading up the team for lunchtime clubs but our new quiet area has been put on temporary hold because the PTA have very kindly agreed to fund this, meaning this will be a much bigger project than we originally anticipated - but is sure to be magnificent once finished.
Advance Notice Changes
Advance Notice Changes
With effect from Term 3 - the price for our After School Provision will increase from £9 to £10.
We are also working with Olive Dining to review the light snacks currently offered, with the intention of introducing some hot food options into the menu.
ASP / BC Bookings for TERM 3
ASP / BC Bookings for TERM 3
Booking for Term 3 Breakfast Club and ASP will open next week. Please check the website here to book online. Please contact Cherry Finance or Extended Schools if you have not received your invoice but first double check your junk mail or spam folder. You will not be able to book for Term 3 if you have an outstanding amount, so please get in touch if you have not received your invoice. Once invoices are issued, there can be no further changes because we have high numbers wishing to access these services.
KS1 ASP Setting / Pick Up
KS1 ASP Setting / Pick Up
Due to staff sickness, we have had to juggle KS1 pick ups from the Nursery exit as well as the main Reception entrance. during the first two weeks of term. This has now been resolved and we are back up to full staffing; therefore with effect from next week, all KS1 children will be with Miss Scales in the main school hall and pick up will always be via the main school reception.
KS1 Breakfast Club
KS1 Breakfast Club
KS1 Breakfast Club will continue to operate from Cherry Pips in the usual manner.
After School Activity Clubs
After School Activity Clubs
Please note Registration for Activity Clubs will open for Term 3 w/b 29th November on the school website.
COPA Minibus
COPA Minibus
Our first minibus has arrived, as promised, on time and was delivered to Cherry Orchard on 30 September.
We hope to be able to offer this at a reasonable cost for parents who require transport into school in the mornings. Please register your interest here so that we can gauge the feasibility of offering this ready for the start of Term 3 and we will get back to you with further details.
Reminders
Reminders
A reminder that there will be no FOOTBALL or STREET DANCE Clubs on the last week of term - Friday 17th December (No After School Provision either) . School closed at 1:30.
Reception parents are required to wait on the correct side of the EYFS gate at pick up, opposite their child's classroom, so that teachers can see children being greeted by their adult.
IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION
IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION
Click on the buttons below to view term dates and upcoming events which will be updated regularly
Cherry Orchard Facebook Group!
Cherry Orchard Facebook Group!
Join the Cherry Orchard family on Facebook and keep up to date with latest news, events and information quickly.
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