2025 Autumn #15

A Wonderful Week at Coalbrookdale

What a truly wonderful week we have had in school, full of festive joy, kindness and memorable moments.

I would like to say a huge thank you to the children in our choir who sang so beautifully at Little Wenlock Village Hall last Sunday. The children did incredibly well performing in front of the public and certainly helped to spread Christmas cheer throughout the community. Thank you also to the parents and carers who supported their children to attend this event at the weekend. Your support is greatly appreciated.

I would also like to thank all the parents who attended the coffee morning on Monday. It was a valuable opportunity to spend time together, share thoughts and strengthen our partnership and we truly appreciate these opportunities to work closely with parents.

We also enjoyed a fantastic Christmas Dinner Day on Wednesday. Mrs Brownhill and Mrs Cooper did an amazing job preparing a delicious Christmas dinner for the whole school. I was incredibly proud to hear so many children the following day taking the time to thank the kitchen staff for their hard work and the lovely meal they had prepared. A wonderful example of our school values in action!

Thank you to everyone who supported Christmas Jumper Day. The money (£145.00) raised will be donated to Save the Children, demonstrating great compassion and generosity from our school community.

Our afternoon today was made even more exciting with a surprise visit from Santa and Mrs Claus, who visited every class and brought a gift for every child. I would like to express a huge thank you to the Friends of Coalbrookdale for organising and preparing such a magical experience for the children. It is certainly a memory they will treasure for many years to come.

Alongside all this festive fun, we have also had a busy week completing end-of-term assessments. These are important in helping teachers identify priorities and next steps for learning in the spring term.

I would also like to say a big thank you to the parents and carers in Reception who attended the handwriting workshop on Thursday morning. This was another valuable opportunity for us to work together to support children with the foundations of their learning.

We have another busy and exciting week ahead. Please do take a moment to check the key events in the diary below, including the Reception and Year 1 Nativity Play and the Year 2 Christingle.

Finally, I would like to remind parents and carers that you are all warmly invited to join us on Thursday 18^th July at Holy Trinity Church for our Christmas Service, led by the children in Key Stage 2. The service will begin at 2:00pm and we would love to see you there.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. It is a pleasure to share such special moments with our wonderful school community as we approach the end of term.

Mrs M Dhaliwal
Headteacher

Farewell

We would like to take this opportunity to wish Mrs Cooper all the very best in her retirement as she leaves us next Friday. She has been an integral part of the Coalbrookdale School community for over 30 years — first as a parent and later as a valued member of staff. Her dedication and contribution have left a lasting impact, and she will be greatly missed.

Parking on Dale End

We have been contacted by local residents regarding parking on Dale End.  Parents have been parked illegally at the bus stop, on the double yellow/zig-zag lines and in front of dropped kerbs.

Please be considerate and park safely and legally. Parents are reminded that free car parking permits are available from Telford & Wrekin Council to park in either Dale End or Wharfage car parks at school drop-off times.

Art / DT Display

This term the children have been working on art and DT projects.  Next Thursday (18 December) parents will be able to see the children’s final pieces on display in the school hall at the end of the day.

After School Clubs – The Embrace Group – Spring Term

Mondays (12 January – 23 March 2026) – KS1 Football Fundamentals Afterschool Club

Our KS1 Football Fundamentals Afterschool Club is designed to introduce young children to the core skills of football in a fun, engaging, and supportive environment. Pupils will develop key fundamentals such as dribbling, passing, shooting, balance, coordination, and basic teamwork. Sessions are delivered through age-appropriate games and activities that focus on building confidence, improving physical literacy, and encouraging an enjoyment of being active.

The aim of the club is to help children develop essential movement and ball skills while having fun and learning the importance of working together.

Tuesdays (6 January – 24 March 2026) – KS2 Football Afterschool Club

Our KS2 Football Afterschool Club provides pupils with the opportunity to develop their football skills in a fun, structured, and inclusive environment. Sessions focus on improving key technical skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, defending, and ball control, while also introducing tactical concepts like positioning, teamwork, and game awareness.

Through engaging drills and small-sided games, children will build confidence, develop their fitness, and enhance their understanding of the sport. The aim is to support players of all abilities to progress, enjoy the game, and develop a positive attitude towards sport and physical activity.

Wednesdays (7 January – 25 March 2026) – KS1 Gymnastics Afterschool Club

Our KS1 Gymnastics Afterschool Club introduces children to the basic skills of gymnastics in a safe, fun, and supportive environment. Sessions focus on developing key fundamentals such as balance, coordination, jumping, rolling, climbing, and body control. Children learn through engaging stations and movement-based games that build confidence and encourage creativity.

The aim of the club is to help pupils improve their physical literacy, develop core strength and flexibility, and enjoy being active while learning new skills.

If you would like to, or are considering, booking a place for your child in one of Embrace’s after-school clubs, please follow the link below to create your profile/book on to a club.

👉 https://embrace.ipalbookings.com

Please don’t hesitate to contact Embrace at info@theembracegroup.co.uk if you have any questions or experience any issues. They will be happy to help.

Parish News – Christingle, Carol & Christmas Services

14 December:

St Luke’s, Ironbridge:  Family Worship & Christingle @ 11.00am

St Lawrence, Little Wenlock:  United Prayer & Praise @ 4.30pm

21 December:

St Luke’s, Ironbridge:  Carol Service@ 11.00am

Holy Trinity, Coalbrookdale:  Carol Service @ 2.00pm

St Lawrence, Little Wenlock:  Carol Service @ 4.00pm

Christmas Eve, 24 December:

St Luke’s, Ironbridge:  Crib Service @ 5.00pm

Holy Trinity, Coalbrookdale:  Holy Communion @ 11.00pm

Christmas Day, 25 December:

St Lawrence, Little Wenlock:  Christmas Celebration @ 9.30am

Holy Trinity, Coalbrookdale:  Christmas Celebration @ 11.00am

St Luke’s, Ironbridge:  Christmas Celebration @ 11.00am

28 December:

St Luke’s, Ironbridge:  Prayer & Praise/JAM @ 11.00am

Christmas Services at St Luke’s Ironbridge: all welcome

St Luke’s Church would like to welcome children and families to come to any or all of our Christmas services. The theme overall this year is of Joy.

Christingle Service

This Sunday 14th December will see our Christingle Family Service, starting at 11am.

Everything will be ready for us all to enjoy making these lovely symbols of Advent, with oranges, candles and sweets. The Christmas Trees around the church will provide extra sparkle.

We will be singing songs as we think about the orange as a symbol of the world, and as we think about the Christ Child represented by the candles.

Here are the readings and songs

Readings:

1st Reading Isaiah 35:1-10

Matthew 11:2-11

Songs:

1. The Christingle begins with an Orange
2. Thine forever, God of love hymn 673
3. Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising hymn 201
4. He’s got the whole world hymn 819
5. You shall go out with joy hymn 766

Carol Service

There will be a carol service to which we warmly invite you on 21st December, again starting at 11am, which will conclude with refreshments.

Crib Service

This year’s service aimed at the younger ones, which we hope the older ones will enjoy as well, will be at 5pm on Christmas Eve.

Please bring along your cuddly toys, especially if they are animals and birds from the Bible: we will be thinking of the roles that animals and birds played that very first Christmas. And yes that does include little donkeys, and ‘Little Donkey’ is just one of the carols we will be singing.

Blessings and glad tidings of joy to all, from everyone at St Luke’s this Christmas.

Moments Matter – Attendance Counts

Highest class attendance for week ending 5 December:  Year 1

Most improved class attendance from the previous week:  Year 1

Community News – Coalbrookdale Scouts

Coalbrookdale Scouts are looking for volunteers.  Please see below for more details.

Family Christmas Bike Ride at Telford Town Park

There is a free Christmas themed, family glow ride on the 18 December (6pm -7pm) being held in Telford Town Park.

It’s completely free to attend – people are asked to book a ticket via the link below for all attending, so that organisers know how many to expect on the night.

Telford Bike Hub Christmas Glow Ride

Bike hire is available at the discounted price of £3 per hire – bookable by emailing thebikehub@telford.gov.uk