Headteacher Newsletter: Issue 4
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER: ISSUE 4
We hope you all had an enjoyable half term. We would like to welcome Christian Kelly who joined class 3 just before half term. We would also like to welcome two new Midday Assistants to our team Ms Sarah Holmes and Mrs Natasha Carter.
School Menu – hot option only
As you are aware, as per a letter that was sent out prior to half term, we are no longer able to offer a cold option with our school menu due to the revised food standards and the changes to the government statutory requirements. A couple of parents have asked us if we would be able to offer jacket potatoes each day to add more choice to the hot option available. We have liaised with our County Schools Meals Advisor about this and unfortunately this is not an option we can explore. The New Food Standards state that across a week a school menu needs to be balanced to meet the government standards for school food. There are restrictions placed within the standards as to what can and cannot be served – these include the number of times per week certain foods can be offered.
We try to review our menu regularly with the children to include preferences where we can at the same time as meet the statutory guidance. There will be times when a child does not want what is being offered on that day but we are hoping that they will want to try new things over time. Our school menu offers good quality home cooked meals with ingredients sourced locally where possible and contain a range of dishes that will assist with developing children’s eating habits/choices. It is viewed that when children are placed with their peers, as well as encouraged by their parents, they are often more willing to try new foods.
Clavering Poppy Display
Inspired by the wonderful poppy display at the Tower of London, we have been producing our own ceramic poppies to produce a display in our Friendship Garden in time for Remembrance Day next week. Weather permitting, we aim to pass our minute’s silence in contemplation of the poppies and what they represent.
The children have worked hard to produce their poppies and they are so effective that we have decided to offer them for sale, in a similar fashion to those displayed in London, with funds raised going to the Royal British Legion. We are able to offer one poppy per family, initially; if you would like to purchase a poppy, please send in a donation (we suggest £5 per poppy but of course you are very welcome to offer more in aid of this worthy charity) in a clearly marked envelope labelled RBL Poppy Donation and the children will bring your poppy home to you.
KS2 Cross Country Event
Well done to all the children in KS2 who attended the cross country event at Joyce Frankland Academy on Wednesday, competing against seven other local schools. Several of our children won their races overall or came in as runners up and we look forward to hearing the shortlist for the semi-finals; Clavering always performs well in these events and we are very proud to have been so well represented by all the children once again.
Well done in particular to all of our medalists: Thomas Dyster, William Crabb, Georgie Collett, Millie Denyer, Freddie Wardle, Thomas Livesey, Luke Townsend, Elliott Wood, Thomas Berrett and Daisy Collett.
Y3 and Y4 trip to Colchester Castle Museum
To support their topic of the Romans, classes 3 and 4 went to Colchester Castle Museum on October 14th. During the course of the day, each class had the opportunity to engage with interactive museum exhibits in the galleries. The simulated chariot race was very popular! The classes also completed the challenge of building a Celtic roundhouse, a Roman villa and identifying and sorting Roman artefacts.
The castle is built on the site of the Roman Temple of Claudius. The children walked down the many steps into the vaults to learn more about Boudicca’s revolt against the Romans and the burning of the Temple by the Celts.
The children had a very interesting and educational trip. Thank you to all parents helpers who accompanied the classes.
Year 3 visit the Fry Gallery
Year 3 spent a most informative and enjoyable morning at the Fry Gallery in Saffron Walden, looking at the works of local artists and in particular looking at the current exhibition of ecclesiastical paintings and prints. Following our visit to Clavering Church, we have been inspired by these paintings to produce our own images of churches, using wax resist and mixed media to show texture and pattern. The children now know lots about the gallery and the work displayed inside, so hopefully when it reopens in the spring they will be able to take their families along for a visit too.
Year 6 Bikeability
Year 6 spent the last four days before half term taking part in the bikeability course. All of the children enjoyed their week and achieved either level 1 or level 2 awards. This is a very valuable skill to ensure their safety on the roads and we are very grateful to Mrs Palmer and Mrs Wright.
Friends of Clavering School Disco
The children had an enjoyable time at the school disco just before half term. The costumes were very entertaining and the children enjoyed the music. Thank you to Chris Rixon for running the disco throughout the evening and to the Friends of Clavering for all their hard work organising the event, especially Amanda Crabb and Rachel Betts.
Book Week Dressing Up Winners!
Well done to the following children for winning the Book Week dressing up as their favourite book characters –
Reception Henry Wyatt Gilbert the Shark
Year 1 Scarlett Hilton-Keech Winnie the Witch’s cat
Year 2 Hannah Smith Elf from The Elves and the Shoemaker
Year 3 Amelie Windsor The BFG
Year 4 Emer O’Keeffe The Crow from Super Worm
Year 5 Thomas Livesey The Hobbit
Year 6 Maddie Dudley-Scales The Ace of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland
Playleader Hat Fundraising
Year 6 organised a quiz for each class and baked cookies to fundraise for their playleader hats. Everyone had great fun and they can now all be clearly identified in the playground in their new red hats.
Football Tournament
On Wednesday 15th October, the year 6 girls and and two year 5 girls took part in a goal scoring football match, held at Herberts Farm playing fields. In our first match we were positioned strongly, however we lost 1-0 to Rickling. In our second match the same thing happened, causing a low chance in making the semi-finals. Then, finally, in our third match, but not the last, a thrashed victory came to us with a great score of 3-1. Even though we were getting tired, we still tried our hardest to score one more goal in our final match. We succeeded but very closely in the last 10 minutes a joint goal was scored. Everybody had a great day and were glad to come 5th place out of 10.
By Maddie Dudley-Scales & Daisy Collett
The boys played four matches. After a loss in the first game we won and drew the next two matches with Ziggy scoring a total of 4 goals, well supported by other members of the team. Then we went on to lose the play off in extra time 1-0 to come 4th overall. Great play!
Girls Football Match
The girl’s football team played a match against Birchanger girl’s football team on Wednesday after school. The game started and the teams were fairly even. The first goal was scored by Hollie Buckley of Clavering followed quickly by another by Daisy Collett. Birchanger then scored a goal making the score 2-1 to Clavering. There was some good football played and the girls were passing brilliantly, all the girls took it in turns to play in the match. Georgia Carter was in goal for the first half and saved three goals in a row! Birchanger then scored another goal, followed by another from Daisy making the half-time score 3-2 to Clavering.
Our goalie for the second half was Hannah Moloney who made some really good saves. Birchanger then scored another two goals but Clavering came back and gained another two both scored by Holly Buckley. The final score was 5-4 to Clavering. Matt the football coach was very proud of the girls and said they played really well. We have arranged a return match with Birchanger for the Spring term.
By Georgia and Daisy Year 6
Boys Football Match Against Newport Primary
The boys football team went to Newport on Thursday after school. The game started well for Clavering and after a couple of minutes Joseph scored our first goal. The play continued but we were stronger than Newport and Joseph then scored another goal! The boys played really well and there were some fantastic passes which continued throughout the match. Max then made a brilliant cross to Ziggy who made a volley straight into the net, our third goal. The score at half-time was 3 – 0 to Clavering. The second half started and there was another Clavering goal by James followed by a goal from Newport. Newport then had a free kick and scored a goal into the bottom corner of the net. The final score was 4 – 2 to Clavering. Ralph the coach was very proud of all the boys they played exceptionally well especially Lawrence who was in goal and made some fantastic saves. This result was especially amazing due to the fact that the boys shared football boots!!!
By Elliot, Joseph, Ziggy and Max
Snow Patrol
It’s getting to that time of year again – if you would like to volunteer your services to help Mr Docking to clear the school grounds in the event of snow, please let the office know so that we can compile a list of names. We are very grateful for any offers of help, so that school can, where possible, remain open.
Clavering Junior Book Exchange
Clavering School pupils are being invited to take part in an exciting new venture aimed at encouraging children to enjoy books. The Clavering Junior Book Exchange will be launched on Thursday 20th November at 11 am. A group of children from the school will be attending the opening of the new facility at the Clavering Information Box (the redundant Skeins Way telephone box). After the opening, they will be able to tell the other children about it at the school assembly. The Parish Council has refurbished the box so it looks very smart, and the Phone Box Group has been busy collecting local information which will be available on the top shelves of the Box. The lower shelves will house new or good-as-new children’s books in the age range preschool to 11. The idea is for children to come and choose a book they’d like to read, but in return they must replace it with another book, preferably one they recommend others to read! In this way the stock of the mini-library will be constantly replenished – but it does rely on regular usage and on trusting everyone to ‘take a book and give a book’. Those participating at the beginning will get a special bookmark to use. We have got some excellent books to start off with and would welcome donations of any more, right through the age range. The book exchange is being organised by Davinia Skinner who lives at Birches opposite the box and would welcome donations of books in advance of the opening – see her at the Clavering Pre-School or email
You are invited to the
OPENING OF THE
CLAVERING INFORMATION BOX
& JUNIOR BOOK EXCHANGE
(in Skeins Way phone box)
Thursday 20 November
11 am
Followed by refreshments at Piercewebbs, Pelham Road
Please come and support your new community facility!
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending October 10th
Reception James Fuller – for trying hard with his writing
Year One Leo Smith – for wonderful maths (finding number bonds)
Year Two Sam Macfadyen – his brilliant measuring skills in maths and for helping others
Year Three Katie Benbow – for immaculate manners and always putting in 100% effort into her work
Year Four Ben Smith – for being a knowledgeable and enthusiastic Bookworm!
Year Five Charlotte Smith – for making the effort to learn her times tables really well
Year Six Sophie Eldrett – for excellent persuasive writing as an Ancient Greek
Week ending October 17th
Reception Rafferty Joseph – for really trying hard to do his best
Year One Niamh O’Keeffe – for showing an excellent understanding of finding 1 less
Year Two Rose Denyer – for her outstanding fraction work in maths
Year Three Maisey Dillon – for a really systematic and thorough approach to some tricky maths
Year Four Emily Berglund – for improved concentration and focus on her work
Year Five Lizzie Bohannon – for her positive attitude towards all her learning
Year Six George Oakes – for an excellent piece of writing in role as an Ancient Greek slave
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception:
Aiden Prizeman – for working really hard to write his name
correctly and neatly
Max Kellett – for brilliant listening and asking really thoughtful
questions
Year One:
Isabelle Down – for working independently to achieve her best
work.
Timothy Kacar for working independently to achieve his best
work.
Year Two:
Millie Smith – for excellent story writing
Maya Parker – for excellent story writing
Year Three:
Thomas Dyster – for showing a consistently positive and
resilient attitude to all his learning
Katie Benbow for showing a consistently positive and
resilient attitude to all her learning
Year Four:
Molly Hood – for writing powerfully descriptive diary entries to
show different perspectives on Boudicca’s revolt
Max Sanderson – for writing powerfully descriptive diary entries to show different perspectives on Boudicca’s revolt
Year Five:
James Fanthorpe – for his excellent start to Year 5. He tries his
best in every lesson.
Charlotte Smith – for trying really hard in maths, learning her
times tables and being positive even though she finds this area
tricky
Year Six:
Maddie Dudley-Scales – for a conscientious approach to all
areas of her work, constantly striving to improve and achieve her
best
Joseph Berrett – for demonstrating a keen understanding of our
topic of life for the Ancient Greeks
‘IT DIDN’T GO UNNOTICED’ AWARD
5.11.14: Cameron Bower – for helping other children and Midday Assistants at lunchtimes
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 –
8.9.14: Year 6
15.9.14: Year 2
22.9.14: Year 5
29.9.14: Year 3
13.10.14: Year 1
20.10.14: Year 2
Ooo000ooO
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
September 3rd Staff inset day
September 4th Autumn term starts for children
September 12th Non-uniform day for the most house points last term – Ludgate
September 18th Meet the Teacher evening (7 – 7.30 even classes. 7.30 – 8pm odd classes)
September 22nd – 26th Friendship Week
September 24th School Improvement Evening for staff and governors
September 26th Language Day/MacMillan Coffee Morning
October 2nd – 9th Book Fair
October 3rd Non-uniform day for Sports Day winners – Wymarc
October 6th – 10th Book Week
October 7th Visiting Poet Paul Cookson
October 9th School Council Conference
October 16th School photographs
October 22nd School Disco
October 24th Staff inset day – school closed
October 27th – 31st Half term
November 11th Bag 2 School
November 14th Sharing assembly – invitation for class 5 parents to attend
November 20th Film Night 3.30pm – 5pm
November 21st Sharing assembly – invitation for class 2 parents to attend
November 25th and 26th Parent consultations
November 26th Non-uniform day- for bottles and chocolates for the Fayre
December 2nd Flu Immunisation
December 3rd Book Bus
December 4th Tray Day 3.15 – 4.00pm
December 5th Christmas Fayre
December 6th Spirit of Christmas for school choir – pm
December 10th KS2 dress rehearsal am
December 10th KS1 dress rehearsal pm
December 11th KS1 performance pm
December 11th KS2 performance eve
December 11th Reception Nativity play am
December 15th Christmas Shopping Morning
December 17th Christmas lunch
December 19th Term ends for Christmas – 3.15 pm
January 5th Spring term starts
SPORTING EVENTS
1.10.14 Girls Football Training Newport 10 – 12
8.10.14 Years 3 and 4 Multi-skills Newport 1.15 – 2.45
15.10.14 Football Tournament Herberts Farm
Yr6 Boys 9.30 – 12.15 Girls 1 – 3
22.10.14 Dodgeball Training Newport Yr6 1 – 3.30
5.11.14 Family Cross Country Newport Yr3,4,5 and 6 9.30 – 10.30
12.11.14 Basketball Stansted 10 – 12.30
17.11.14 Ks1 Cross Country Clavering 9.30 – 10.30
REMINDERS:
Swimming for this term is for year 2 and 3 on Mondays. Please make sure your payments are up to date, the cost is £4.00 per week, £52.00 per term. Please make cheques payable to Clavering Primary School.
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a good weekend
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher