THIS weeks school report features Cedars Primary School in Blackburn.

Read on to find out about National Tea Day celebrations, new headteacher Mrs Truman and the success of the girls football team!

A celebration of tea and love of reading

CHILDREN, teachers, parents and a very special guest all enjoyed a fun-filled day brimming with all things tea when they celebrated National Tea Day last week. 

With a goal of improving the reading skills of students, staff at the school organised a themed day linking together tea and reading.

As well as a day full of activities and events, each class in the school was given a tea chest with a special book inside. 

Lancashire Telegraph:

Thanks to the imagination and creativity of school librarian Laura Woods, the chests were filled with goodies that related to the book that class was given.

Speaking about the day, Ms Woods said: “It was such a glorious day.
“The sun was shining and we were able to take some activities outside to enjoy the great weather.

“Each year group was given a different book, such as Mrs Spider’s Tea Party, Tea with Milk and The Tea Party in the Woods.

“Each book had to link back to the theme of tea.”

The day started with parents invited into the hall to enjoy a breakfast of tea and toast.

The children then spent the day celebrating the joy of the nation’s favourite hot drink through the medium of reading and books.

Lessons were taught with a tea theme and at lunchtime the whole school enjoyed a Peter Rabbit-themed tea party out in the sun.

After lunch the children waited in anticipation as the head boy, Sulayman Asvat and head girl, Alisha Hayat, went to collect a very special guest from reception. 

The highlight of the day for many was when the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Cllr Colin Rigby, came to visit. 

Lancashire Telegraph:

The mayor was taken on a behind-the-scenes tour with headteacher Mrs Truman and the head boy and girl.

He was then invited into the library for a special afternoon tea with a selection of star readers from across different year groups (see ‘star pupil’ section). 

Ms Woods said: “We had a lot planned for the children already but we felt that a visit from the mayor would make the day even more special.”

Speaking about the organisation involved with putting on a day that was enjoyed by all, Ms Woods said: “I think I enjoyed it just as much as the children.

“The thrill of seeing all of the children enjoying themselves is what really makes it worth it.

“It was great to have the mayor there and to incorporate National Tea Day with reading.”

Even when the school day ended, the fun didn’t.

Parents were invited to the school in the afternoon to enjoy a bake sale. 

Speaking about the day, Mrs Truman, head teacher at the school said:

“Today has been extra special as we have all celebrated National Tea Day. Thank you to the parents that joined us.”

Teacher Profile: Head teacher Nicola Truman

FEATURING as this week’s teacher profile is the head teacher of Cedars Primary School, Nicola Truman. 

Put forward by fellow members of staff, Mrs Truman took up the post of head teacher at the school last September after moving back to Blackburn from Liverpool. 

Mrs Truman joined the school at a very exciting time of change as what is now known as just Cedars Primary school was previously split across two schools, lower and upper.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Speaking about what it’s been like to join the school she said: “It was really exciting to join the school at such a time of change. 

“I’ve spent the year really getting to know the children and parents and this is something I’ve really enjoyed.

“For me it was a really brilliant opportunity to move the school forward.”

Mrs Truman joined the school after spending 13 years teaching at a primary school in Liverpool.

Prior to that she had studied teaching with music at university. 

Looking back over the last year and forward to future years, she said: “Almost coming to the end of my first year in the post, I look forward over the next year to making more positive changes.

“For the future I want to further improve the standard of the school and increase our community involvement with more guest speakers, events and trips.”

With May fast approaching and year six pupils across the country preparing to sit their SATs, Ms Truman had some warm words of encouragement for the pupils. 

She said: “Year six children have worked so hard for their exams.

“It’s important that they make sure the spend the weekend previous to their exams relaxing, having fun and resting so they’re ready.”

Sports Stars: Girls' team on the ball in stunning rise to success

Lancashire Telegraph:

A MAJOR achievement for Cedars Primary School over the past year has been the massive success of their girls’ football team.

Set up two years ago, the team has been built from the ground up, with many of their players having never played the game before.

Fast forward two years and they have made a name for themselves in and around East Lancashire. 

Winners of the Blackburn School Games in 2017, the success of the team has inspired many more girls to pick up a ball and learn the sport.

Sports teacher at the school, Tom Baron, said how teamwork and dedication was the key to their success. 

He said: “The development from some of the players has been incredible.
“This showed at the Blackburn School Games which were held at St Bede’s High School.

“The team shone through the league games and the knockout stages and managed to not only win the tournament, but win the biggest trophy the school has ever won.”

After that, the team progressed to the Lancashire finals where they came up against a rival team from Blackpool. At this stage the girls reached the semi-final.

Mr Baron added: “Due to the success the team was having it attracted more players for this current season and two of the team have been called to play for the town team.”

Star Pupils

IN KEEPING with the reading theme that has been flowing through their school this week, staff have chosen to recognise children who have excelled in literacy-related activities. 

Lancashire Telegraph:

With so many children at the school doing well with their reading, Cedars Primary have chosen eight pupils to represent their ‘star pupil’.

All these students have a love of reading and have played an active role in the school’s reading challenge. 

Pictured above from left to right from the left are Fatima Tariq, Jawad Arshid, Abdullah Asjed, Ismail Adam, Aminah Ullah, Rayyan Asghar, Mariham Farhan and Toniha Tayyibah Alom.

Well done to everyone who has been mentioned as reading is an important skill and good vocabulary will help future careers. Well done!