Girls' Football Team
The girls football team represented the school really brilliantly this half term. Although they only played 3 out of their four matches (as one team did not turn up!!) they showed amazing fighting spirit, resilience and great teamwork. Thank you to Mrs Hannaford for training the team.
Eco Council News
Our eco council have been very busy this half term. Not only have they completed an audit to identify areas for improvement, but they have started an energy-saving mission in school. They encouraged families to take part in 'Cut your carbon month' in November and started a 'soft plastics' recycling scheme in school. At the end of November they carried out a 'litter pick' on Foster's field in Gunnislake. I look forward to what they will implement in the Spring term and beyond.
Staff Departures (and arrivals)
We are sad to say goodbye to Mrs Sam Gates, from the nursery and Miss Ellie Cunningham, from breakfast club and Year 6. Both are valued and well-respected members of our Copper Valley family and both will be sadly missed. Sam and Ellie are leaving to take up positions in our neighbouring school of Copper Fields. I am sure that you join me in wishing them the very best for the future. We hope that they will visit us often.
I am pleased to welcome Mrs Emma Deacon to Copper Valley. She will be joining us in the Nursery as Mrs Gate's replacement. I know that you will welcome her warmly to the school. She is no stranger as she is also a parent. Mrs Birkenshaw will be the year 6 teaching assistant, certainly for the immediate future.
Christmas Activities
It has, once again, been an incredibly busy build up to the Christmas holidays. Out Year 1 and Year 2 classes delighted audiences with two brilliant performances of 'Shine star, shine'. The Year 1 class also enjoyed a festive outing to the theatre to see Father Christmas.
A huge audience of families and locals were entertained at the Rifle Volunteer by some amazing singing from the pupils. They treated the audience to a selection of carols and Christmas songs. Thank you to Miss Owen for rehearsing them and to Mrs Trapp for conducting them on the day.
Many families enjoyed 'Breakfast with Santa' on Sunday 14th December. A big thank you to all staff who helped to make this such a happy and successful event, particularly Mrs Wright who coordinated the whole thing. Of course, thanks to Santa himself for giving up his Sunday morning at his busiest time of the year.
The fun continued during the last week of term with an excellent rendition of 'Wiggly Nativity' by the Reception children. Families attending really enjoyed it and the 'wriggling' raised many laughs.
Christmas jumper and dinner day was a great success. Thank you to Bex, our cook, who was ably assisted by Jaye to create a delicious lunch- some children went back for thirds! Thank you also to Mrs Wood and Mrs Penhorwood who gave up a few hours of their retirement time to help out.
Finally, we rounded off the term with a beautiful Christingle. Thank you to all of you who attended, what a magical way to finish!
Finally, I would like to thank you all for your continued support of the school. It is a pleasure to work with your wonderful children and watch them grow and develop. I also want to thank the amazing team of dedicated people who teach and care for all the pupils. I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you a very happy 2026.
