Free School Meals:

As hard times hit all families, we advise everyone to check if they are eligible for free school meals. Please click the link or contact the office for help:  https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Revised Retail Park Consultation:

Have your say on the refreshed plans for the former Central Retail Park site on Great Ancoats Street. Please check your emails for greater details, but the link to the consultation (which is open until 14th February) is here: 

www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations

There are also drop-in events at Hallé St Peter’s (40 Blossom St, Ancoats, M4 6BF) on Tuesday 17 January 2023 and will be open from 12pm – 2:30 pm and 5pm – 7pm.

Time to Talk:

Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. Happening every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives. We know the more conversations we have, the better life is for everyone. Talking about mental health isn’t always easy, but a conversation has the power to change lives. 

Come along for tea, coffee, cake and a time to unwind and chat with other parents. Open to all parents at 9am on Wednesday 1st February. 

Homework:

We hope that the increased information about what your child will be taught this half term, plus additional activities to complete for spellings, maths, reading and writing will be useful. Check homework books tonight – we will also send everything out electronically.  

Celebrating our pupils:

We have only had one assembly this week – so fewer postcards! Congratulations to Eleanor, Oluwafifehanmi, Evie and Alacko.

Music appreciation:

Our pupils listened to and learned about the world famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year Concert.

Term dates

The following list gives an outline of the term’s events. They are not set in stone! New additions or alterations are bold. Greater details will be given as appropriate nearer the time.

Wednesday 4th January 2023	Spring Term begins for all pupilsWe return to Week A
Friday 6th January	Year 5 classes start ‘Project Chameleon’, which is a 10-week program delivered by ex-Police Officer trainers. Our pupils will learn about different aspects of law and crime, helping them to make positive choices going forward. This complements many different aspects of our curriculum.
Monday 9th January	Week B
Monday 9th January	Athletics team to participate in the finals of the MCR event – having been really successful in the heats held just before we finished for Christmas. Best of luck, team!
Thursday 12th January	Year 4 swimming lessons Spring term block starts
Friday 13th January	Miss Bevan’s class will start their block of squash coaching (week B). Pupils should come to school in their PE kits when it is their squash session.  Week A – Miss Otu’s class have their sessions Week B – Miss Bevan’s class have their sessions
Monday 16th January	Week A
Thursday 19th JanuaryThursday 26th JanuaryThursday 2nd February	Money Zone sessions for Years 4, 5 and 6 run by Metro Bank. Session one: focus on budgetingSession two: focus on savingSession three: focus on banking
Friday 3rd February	Our singers and musicians have been invited to perform at a concert at the newly opened Co-op Academy Belle Vue. More details of performers will be given nearer the time.
Monday 23rd January	Week B
Friday 27th January	Co-op Young Leaders Training Day – our pupils who take on a leadership role will work with a trainer focusing on teamwork, problem solving and developing their initiative and confidence.
Monday 30th January	Week A
Wednesday 1st February	Time to Talk DayTime to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest conversation about mental health and takes place in February 2023. Conversations have the power to change lives, helping to create supportive communities where we can talk openly about mental health and feel empowered to seek help when we need it. Look out for further information above.
Friday 3rd March	Choir and Musicians performing at the grand opening of Co-op Academy Belle Vue.
Monday 6th February	Week B
Monday 13th February	Week A
Friday 17th February	Finish for half term
Monday 27th February	Week BTerms starts for all pupils
Thursday 3rd March	World Book Day – more details to follow
Friday 3rd March	Our choir has been invited to perform at a concert at the Science and Industry Museum. More details of performers will be given nearer the time.
Monday 6th March	Week A
Monday 6th March	Book Fair this week
Monday 13th March	Week B
Monday 20th March	Week A
Monday 27th March	Week B
Tuesday 28th March	Parents Evening (phone calls an option) We will operate a new electronic sign-up system. We will send out log-on details well ahead of time to ensure everyone can access the booking system.
Thursday 30th March	Parents Evening (phone calls an option)We will operate a new electronic sign-up system. We will send out log-on details well ahead of time to ensure everyone can access the booking system.
Friday 31st March	Finish for the Easter holidays
Monday 17th April	Week A
Monday 17th April	Pupils back in school

Forest School MONDAY 9/1/23 – 3JM16/2/23 – 4LB23/1/23 – 4AO30/1/23 – 2AO6/2/23 – 1MO13/2/23 – TBC

Forest School FRIDAY6/1/23 – 3FC13/1/23 – 5LB20/1/23 – 6CH27/1/23 – 2JJ3/2/23 – 1H10/2/23 – 5IP17/2/23 – TBC

Notes Children should come to school on Forest School days in the appropriate clothing and footwear. As the winter approaches, a warm waterproof coat is essential as the children go out in any weather.  Please refer to letters previously sent home or ask your child’s teacher for clarification.

As always, contact me any time: tabitha.smith@coopacademies.co.uk

Thinking ahead: These are the term dates for 2023/24. They will be published on our website.

Term Dates 2023/24

Training Day nos. 1&2 (no pupils in school): Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th September 2023

School opens for pupils: Wednesday 6th September 2023

Half term holiday

School closes: Friday 20th October 2023

Training day no. 3 (no pupils in school): Monday 30th October

School opens for pupils: Tuesday 31st October 2023

Christmas holiday

School closes: Friday 15th December 2023 

Training day no. 4 (no pupils in school): Tuesday 2nd January 2024

School opens for pupils: Wednesday 3rd January 2024

Half term holiday

School closes: Friday 16th February 2024

School opens: Monday 26th February 2024

Easter holidays

School closes: Thursday 28th March 2024

School opens: Monday 15th April 2024

Bank holiday: School closed Monday 6th May 2024 

Half term holiday

School closes: Friday 24th May 2024

Training day no. 5 (no pupils in school): Monday 3rd June 2024

School opens for pupils: Tuesday 4th June 2024

Summer holidays

School closes: Wednesday 24th July 2024 closes at 1pm