Welcome newsletter from Miss McNamara
Posted 8th September 2023
Welcome from Miss McNamara
I am delighted to be writing my first Friday letter to you, as Headteacher of Coppice Valley. I feel both privileged and excited to be building upon the leadership of Mrs Meadus and I look forward to getting to know the individual families that make up Coppice Valley.
I bring leadership experience from another Red Kite school - Oatlands Junior School - where I have been the Deputy Headteacher for five years, as well as leadership experience from a primary school in Stockport. As a teacher, school leader and parent, I believe that all children should have access to an excellent and inspirational curriculum.
The first week of school has been a joy. I have really enjoyed getting know the children, speaking with parents and carers before and after school and sharing the children's excitement as they catch-up with their friends after the summer. Next week, we welcome our new Reception cohort into school, following the home-visits by staff this week. Please do come and say hello if we haven't yet had chance to meet; I look forward to working with the full school community to ensure the continued success of Coppice Valley.
Family Breakfast
We have our first Family Breakfast on Tuesday 12th September.
We welcome you to the school hall from 8:15pm-8:45am for a chance to chat to staff, meet other parents and enjoy a continental breakfast.
Please then take your child out to their classroom door, as usual.
New Starters 2024
I am pleased to be offering tours of the school for parents of pupils who will start school in September 2024. Please call the office on 01423 563760 or email office@cvps.rklt.co.uk, to book.
We will not have an 'Open Day', as I will be continuing with personalised tours. Please pass on our details to anyone you know who may be looking for a school place for September 2024.
School Lunches
As you have previously been informed, there will be an increase to £2.60 per child, per school lunch. We understand that the current cost of living is a financial strain on many families. We urge you to complete a Free School Meal form, even if your child is in Reception-Year 2, as this may entitle you to free school meals in Years 3-6, as well as further financial support with other school costs. The Admin team are pleased to offer support with any application.
Emotional Development
North Yorkshire NHS Service have released new online courses to help parents to support their children's emotional development. Please see the attached flyer for more information and use the code NYFAMILIES for free access.
Parking
A gentle reminder that parents and carers must not stop on the yellow lines outside school, even briefly, to drop off children. Keeping the front of the school clear of parked or resting vehicles ensures the safety of children who are crossing the road into school.
BAS
After the October half-term, BAS will run from within school instead of the outside cabin. Please be reassured that the offer will remain exactly the same. We will update you shortly with where to drop off and pick up your child.
Girls' Football
Future Lioness is a Girls' Football Player Development Centre for ages 8-14 years (School Years 4-11). The training sessions are held weekly at Harrogate Grammar School, run by qualified, experienced and professional coaches. Please see the attached flyer for more session details.
RAAC
You may have seen recent media coverage regarding Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) and its use in educational settings. RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete; because it is weaker than regular concrete, concerns have been raised about its long-term durability. Department for Education (DfE) has recently changed its guidance to education settings on the management of RAAC to take a more precautionary approach and as a result areas in affected spaces will be vacated.
We are not affected by this decision as we do not have RAAC in any of our buildings and therefore they will continue to function as normal. We understand that parents may want to understand more about the support to educational settings to manage RAAC safely. You can read more through the article published by the DfE on the Education Hub.
Kind regards,
Hannah McNamara
Headteacher
