Headteacher Newsletter: Issue 9
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER: ISSUE 9
School Vision Statement
After our productive Vision Day on 4th October, which was made up of all staff and governors, the pupils interviewed parents and members of the local community. This has resulted in all stakeholders of the school being represented to update our Vision Statement.
A working party met in December at the end of last term to collate the information. As a result we now have Core Values for the school which will be displayed in our entrance hall and on our website. The values are attached for your information. The children have their own version in the form of our Clavering Code.
As well as the Core Values and Clavering Code, actions have also been discussed to follow up the ideas that were explored during the day. Most are associated with our outside area.
Thank you to Clare Southall for organising and leading a productive Vision Day and to Jane Chetcuti for designing the Core Values with the Vision Working Party.
Family Sports Hall Athletics
On Wednesday 29th January a team of 20 entered the Newport Family Sports Hall Athletics competition at NFGS. The children had been training hard with Mr. Dyce during their P.E. lessons, and their efforts certainly paid off. Clavering won both the competition for track and field events for both the boys and girls teams; they will now go forward to the Uttlesford Partnership event next Wednesday at Forest Hall School. Mrs. Lipscomb and Mrs. Martin accompanied the children and were very impressed with how the children were such a credit to the school. Many thanks to Zak and Elliot’s mums for their support.
School bus
Thank you to the Parent Forum representatives for sending through parental feedback regarding our current school bus provision. I met with a representative from NCS minibus services this week (who currently provide our transport) and shared the feedback I received. This information has also been emailed to him. He seemed keen to digest this information more fully and look into possible ways of meeting, if possible, your requests. He will be getting back to me in the near future with possible outcomes. I have asked for ideas, if approved, to be implemented as soon as possible so that we have further support in place, as well as our Travel Plan, for when the parking restrictions are activated along Stortford Road. I will keep you informed. We haven’t been informed of when the parking restrictions will be activated and have stressed that the pavement needs to be widened between the school and the Fox and Hounds pub before this starts.
Parent Forum and new school menu
Our Parent Forum met last week to discuss the school dinner menu with Sally Gilder (Catering Manager) and Linda Docking (Deputy Catering Manager). We have a new menu following feedback from pupils (School Council) and parents (Parent Forum). As you are aware the menu also has to comply with County Guidelines. The menu will be launched next week (3rd February) and after half term we are planning on inviting parents to have lunch with the children. More details will follow in due course. A copy of the new menu has already been circulated and has also been placed on our website.
At the same time as promoting a new menu we would also like to focus on healthy packed lunch boxes. The Change4Life site has some ideas for you to explore –
PACKED LUNCHES OR SCHOOL DINNERS?
These days, school dinners are probably healthier than most packed lunches. But if you want to make a packed lunch, we’ve got some great ideas for you. Just choose a week from the list below, and in no time you’ll have delicious lunchbox ideas for all the family.
Take the lunchbox list with you when you shop – it will help you avoid reaching for tempting, less healthy foods, and it could save you time and money too!”
Please follow this link for more information
http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/healthy-lunchbox-picnic.aspx
Please see below for an update to our Parent Forum representatives:
- Year R Sarah Holmes and Victoria Collier
- Year 1 Rosie Mackenzie and Jemma Macfadyen
- Year 2 Kym Elliston and Jane Chetcuti
- Year 3 Lucy Hill and Jacqueline Berglund
- Year 4 Sonja Phipps and Elaine Moloney
- Year 5 Sophie Chalk and Wendy Berrett
- Year 6 Jane Hartley and Victoria Cooke
Mrs Pinch
Sara Pinch is sadly leaving us on 7th February after working with us for five years as a Midday Assistant, Learning Support Assistant and more recently a Kitchen Assistant. We wish her well in her new position. We would like to welcome Jayne Coy as our new Kitchen Assistant.
Parking enforcement increased outside school
Please be aware that enforcement of the parking outside of school at start and finish times is increasing.
From the end of January the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) will be using a ‘Park Safe’ patrol vehicle at schools and other sites across Uttlesford district.
We all want our children and others using the streets to be safe. Parking where it is not allowed can be dangerous as well as inconsiderate.
Parents parking for any amount of time on no-stopping restrictions, including school pedestrian crossings and zig-zag markings, risk receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
If you drive to the school, please think about where you will park and do not park where it is not allowed.
The NEPP is introducing the Park Safe patrol car following numerous requests from parents and schools to tackle bad parking by the minority and improve safety for all. The car will be clearly branded and highly visible to motorists.
For more information visit www.parkingpartnership.org, alternatively contact the NEPP by email or call 01206 282316
Writing competition for children to enter
BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Chris Evans has launched his children’s story writing competition 500 WORDS for 2014. This is a competition for children to enter on an individual basis. Please follow the link below –
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/500-words-2014.html
Children should submit their stories via the entry form on the 500 WORDS website at bbc.co.uk/500words.The competition closes at 7pm on Wednesday 26 Februar
Saffron Walden County High School Easter 2014 Multi Sports Activity Week Years 4, 5, 6 & 7
Monday 7th April – Friday 11th April 2014
Activities include: Football, Hockey, Rounders, Tag Rugby, Trampolining, Belly Rounders, Dodgeball, Athletics, Basketball, Fitness, Cricket.
Equipment
Your child will need to bring the following to each day:
- A packed lunch.
- Small amount of money for snack shop.
- Sun hat and sun cream if necessary.
- Change of clothing (and footwear).
- Plenty of drink!!!
- Any medication (with instructions of use).
Staff
All leaders are experienced professionally qualified PE teachers who are First Aid trained and CRB checked.
Any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via email: ; ; ;
Prices Daily Rate (9am-4pm) £20 Weekly Rate (9am-4pm) £100
Bad weather and snow patrol
In the event of severe weather conditions and possible school closure a notice will be placed on the school website. BBC Essex and Heart FM will also publish the names of CLOSED schools on their websites at www.bbc.co.uk/essex and www.heartessex.co.uk. Please take a look at the websites or listen to the radio stations if there is a likelihood of closure due to bad weather.
A path will be cleared to enable you to gain access to the school but care does still need to be taken.
We are looking for volunteers to help us clear the school in the event of snow. If you think you could be available at short notice please contact the school office and they will add you to our ‘Snow Patrol’ list. We are looking for people who could be called the morning of the severe weather to meet with Ron Docking, our handyman, to help him clear the snow. Please bring any useful spades or shovels with you. Thank you
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending January 17th
Reception: Matilda Course – for fabulous spelling and writing all on her own
Year One: Rose Denyer – for reading so many books and finishing all activities in Bug Club.
Year Two: Katie Benbow – her excellent understanding of rounding numbers to the nearest ten
Year Three: Freddie Wardle – an excellent performance in the swimming gala
Year Four: Charlotte Green – mixing shades of paint to create a dramatic effect.
Year Five: Joseph Berrett – his amazing fast breaststroke in the relay race
Year Six: Georgia Spicer – for demonstrating excellent ICT skills
Week ending January 24th
Reception: Leo Smith – for working enthusiastically with brilliant ideas for the dragon. Great team work.
Year One: Phoebe Windsor – for enthusiastic learning in school and smiling throughout a very wet Forest School.
Year Two: Maddie Bunce – for working hard during number time and using a number line.
Year Three: Hannah Chalk – for super maths work this week, both adding and subtracting
Year Four: Thomas Livesey – for writing a long, interesting and well structured story
Year Five: Leonard Evers – for his brilliant story in big writing ‘The Wild Cat’.
Year Six: Samuel Miles – for sensible and mature contribution to the Playleader meeting
Didn’t Go Unnoticed Award
John Cornwall – for helping the Midday Assistants and Playleaders – clearing away the equipment
Jasmine Henchie – for helping the Midday Assistants and Playleaders – clearing away the equipment
The Tidiest Classroom of the Week!
Our cleaners are judging the tidiest classroom each week. The winners are announced in assembly on a Friday. The class that has won the most times at the end of a term will be awarded an afternoon with an activity of their choice or an extra playtime.
Winners:
Week beginning –
13.1.14 Class Reception
20.1.14 Class Five
Ooo000ooO
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
6th January Spring Term starts
10th January Non-uniform day – House Cup Winners: Ludgate
17th January Sharing Assembly – an invitation for Class 6 parents 2.45 pm start
3rd – 6th February German students visiting us
14th February School Council event – ‘Dress as a Celebrity Day’ – money raiser
17th – 21st February Half Term
27th February Friends of Clavering ‘Clothes Swap’ event
14th March Sharing Assembly – an invitation for Class 3 parents 2.45 pm start
15th March Friends of Clavering – Quiz Night
18th March Parent Consultations 3.30 – 5.30 pm
19th March Parent Consultations 5 – 7pm
28th March Sharing Assembly – an invitation for Class 1 parents 2.45 pm start
31st March School Council ‘Spring Fayre’ to raise money for Juliana
REMINDERS:
There are still swimming monies outstanding and we have now received all invoices for payment for the autumn term. In order to settle these as soon as possible, we would be grateful if you could send in your child’s swimming fees if you haven’t already done so. Thank you very much to those parents who have already paid.
Dinner Money for the spring term is £126.00 or £63.00 for the half term, £10.50 per week, £2.10 per day. Dinner money should be sent in on a Monday morning for the week in a named envelope. Please note if a lunch is ordered but not taken, it must be cancelled before 11.00 am to avoid charge.
For health and safety reasons please can we ask children not to ride on scooters up the school drive/path. Thank you.
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a good weekend.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
