Cannon Park Primary School is now part of the Mental Health in Schools (MHST) Team, which is an NHS service that has been introduced as part of the national plans to expand mental health services for children, young people and their families within the education setting. For more information, please click here https://cwrise.com/mhst/
Our current priority in working with MHST is to find ways to better support our families regarding mental health. Good mental health in school is important for everyone. To help us better understand how you find support in our school, we would be grateful if you could complete the questionnaire on the link below. https://forms.office.com/e/vSptiwgRk3?origin=lprLink
Please come and speak to Mrs Smith if you have any questions.
Welcome to the first #FridayLibraryRecommendations of 2025. By this point in January, 88% of people have already given up on their New Year’s Resolutions, so I have chosen two books that are about making one small change, that if you stick to, will lead to a much bigger one over time.
First, I have chosen the utterly brilliant The Couch Potato by Jory John and Pete Oswald, a hilarious and heartwarming picture book that tackles a modern dilemma we can all relate to: the struggle of finding balance between screen time and outdoor play.
Couch Potato is a lovable and comically lazy character who prefers lounging on the couch, surrounded by snacks, gadgets, and the glow of the TV screen. He lives a very comfortable life from his favourite spot on the sofa where modern technology takes care of his every need. But when a new gadget arrives and causes a power cut, Couch Potato ventures Outside, and discovers there is far more to life than just being comfortable.
Vibrant and lively illustrations accompany the witty and engaging writing. It’s a delightful reminder that, while screens are here to stay, there’s a whole world beyond them waiting to be discovered. The Couch Potato will leave you smiling – and maybe even stepping outside for some fresh air!
My next choice is something to bring a smile to your face every day of the year, while improving your general knowledge – Happy Days: 365 Facts to Brighten Every Day of the Year by Emily Coxhead, the creator of The Happy News, is an uplifting treasure trove that celebrates the delightful wonders of the world in a way that will captivate both young readers and the young at heart. With a gentle mix of whimsical animal facts, heartwarming human stories, and uplifting statistics, this book feels like a daily dose of positivity and joy.
The facts are wonderfully diverse, showing that acts of kindness and goodness come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. Visually, the book is a feast for the eyes. Emily Coxhead’s vibrant, colorful illustrations breathe life into each page, complementing the joyful tone of the stories.
This collection doesn’t just aim to inform but to inspire. The message is clear: the world is full of beauty, kindness, and joy, and we can all contribute to making it a better place. The simple truths in this book remind us that even small acts of love and compassion can have a big impact. It’s a feel-good read for any time of day, whether you’re starting your morning with a smile or winding down before bed.
This is a book to dip into whenever you need a reminder of the goodness in the world. A true celebration of the little joys in life!
For my last Friday Library Recommendations of 2024, I’ve chosen the theme Christmas Mysteries… These are the books that will keep you guessing as they twist and turn through the pages.
I’m starting with a book that is sure to become a Christmas classic – Santa’s First Christmas by Mac Barnett and Sydney Smith – which answers the question, how did Santa celebrate for the first time?
We all know that Santa makes everyone’s dreams come true every Christmas, but it turns out that he needs a little help getting into the holiday spirit himself. Instead of letting Santa get right back to work after he returns home to the North Pole on Christmas morning, his loyal elves want to make sure he experiences the same Christmas cheer he provides for others. With the perfect tree, lots of delicious treats, and, of course, presents, Santa experiences the magic of Christmas for the very first time.
For our older children, I’ve chosen Murder At Wintertide by Fleur Hitchcock, who has written another belting murder mystery to keep you pinned to the edge of your seat.
George and his family are celebrating Christmas by the sea. But when a body washes up on the beach, George can’t stop thinking about the strange lights he saw on the cliff top… Neither can his cousin, Isla. Together, they follow the clues, and as they draw nearer to the truth, they step further into danger. On land, or at sea, someone is desperate to stop them, whatever it takes. And that someone may be closer to home than they realise…
And finally, for armchair sleuths of all ages, grab yourself a pencil and see if you can solve Hartigan Browne’s Festive Cluedle: The Case Of Rudolph’s Revenge.
Team up with world famous private investigator Hartigan Browne and crack the case by solving 80 fun brain-busting Christmas puzzles. Unravel this funny festive Twelve Days of Christmas themed treasure hunt mystery set at Mistlehurst Hall, if you can…
Use your detective skills to discover: * which bird is hiding in the family tree? * what the dancing ladies in the hall clock are hiding? * how faithful hound Monsieur Phideaux can help your investigation?
Packed full of codes to crack, evidence to evaluate, clues to unravel and maps to navigate, Cluedle – The Case of Rudolph’s Revenge is puzzling fun for the whole family.
It’s December and the Countdown to Christmas is well on it’s way, so I’ve picked books that will see us from now until Christmas Day.
My first choice is Countdown To Christmas: 24 Magical Stories by Alexandra Stewart, illustrated by Freya Hartas – a beautiful gift treasury of twenty-four of the most beloved classic stories, poems and songs from all around the world that love to be shared in the countdown to Christmas.
Ride on the Snow Queen’s sleigh, discover the elves secretly making shoes in the night, learn about the first ever Christmas in space and enjoy a new Christmas story every night as you count your way down to the big day. With stories beautifully retold by Alexandra Stewart and gloriously illustrated by Freya Hartas, Countdown to Christmas is the perfect early stocking filler to help little ones feel the magic of Christmas.
For older readers, I’ve picked the brilliant sequel to Stepfather Christmas – The Biggest Christmas Secret Ever by LD Lapinski – a heart-warming and hilarious Christmas countdown advent story told in 25 chapters.
OK so your mum’s partner, Nick, has a big bushy beard, a thick red coat, a team of reindeer and just happens to be really busy around Christmas Eve… what could that mean?!
Harper and Will’s lives are already full of festive wonder, but baby sister Yula is about to bring a whole new meaning to the magic of Christmas. Indoor snowflakes, naughty gingerbread biscuits and reindeer running wild spell Christmas chaos! And with the Elf and Safety Department on the lookout for any unexplained festive magic, it’s up to their family keep the biggest Christmas secret ever…
And finally, the last date to post your letters to Father Christmas is December 13th, so I’ve picked Letters From The North Pole by Annie Atkins, illustrated by Fia Tobing – a charming read aloud, perfect for curling up with at Christmas time.
Five children from all around the world write to Santa Claus with ideas for Christmas gifts and are amazed when he writes back! Discover five letters from Santa that children can pull out and read, each accompanied by a blueprint for their gift made by the elves in Santa’s Workshop. In each letter the hidden world of the North Pole is revealed, from how reindeer can sleep standing up to what snacks Santa would like left out on Christmas Eve and how he gets round the world so quickly. But will the gifts the children have requested be made in time?
