Headteacher Newsletter: Issue 4
Headteacher Newsletter: Issue 4 22.10.15
New Parent Governor
Following our recent Parent Governor election, I am delighted to announce that Mr Ross McNaughton will be taking up this role. We are looking forward to him joining our team.
Speed watch
On Wednesday 14th October PC Duncan and Clare from Uttlesford road safety team came to school and discussed with Class 5 why keeping to the speed limit when driving is important. The class then went in small groups to measure at what speed motorists were travelling along Stortford Road. Two drivers were going over 35miles per hour and were stopped by PC Duncan. The children were then given the opportunity to ask the motorists questions about why they were speeding and what the consequences of speeding could be. Both motorists answered the children’s questions and were very apologetic for speeding. Afterwards, in Class 5, the children discussed the motorists’ responses and reasons for speeding with PC Duncan and Clare. Class 5 found the experience very informative and enjoyed taking turns to use the speed gun.
Class 4 Walk
Although the morning of the walk was wet, Class 4’s spirits were not dampened! Dressed for the weather, and with great stamina, the children walked for approximately two hours along footpaths and bridleways, noticing signs of autumn across the fields and in the hedgerows. Despite the rain, the walk was enjoyable and the children are looking forward to extending it next term!
Years 3 & 4 Multi-Skills at Joyce Frankland Academy
Last Wednesday, Years 3 and 4 enjoyed a very active and enjoyable afternoon at the Multi-Skills Festival at the Joyce Frankland Academy. Along with children from other local primary schools, they practised skills such as throwing and catching and developed their general agility in small sided games situations.
Year 3 Church Visit
As part of our RE learning, Year 3 visited the church of St Mary and St Clements, interviewing the vicar, Rev Davies, about her role in the community and learning about the history and main features of the church. A good morning was had by all and we left the church knowing much more about its interesting past.
Harvest
On Friday 16th October, the whole school gathered for a special harvest assembly. The key message was giving thanks for the food we have and thinking of those less fortunate. Each class contributed to the assembly through art, songs, prayers and poems. We sang our favourite harvest songs and the choir sang brilliantly for their first performance. Thank you very much for your generous food donations. These will be taken to a local food bank during half-term.
Bikeability
Year 6 have been out and about on their bikes training for their level 1 and 2 bike ability awards. They spent the first two hours learning about cycle safety and working on skills of control on the playground. This resulted in level 1 qualification. They then ventured out into Clavering for three further two hour sessions out on the roads leading to achievement of level 2. Thank you to Lisa Wright and Julie Palmer for all their hard work with the class.
Friends of Clavering Halloween Disco
The children will be enjoying a Halloween themed school disco tonight run by the Friends of Clavering Committee. I would like to thank all of the parents that have helped by supporting the event and attending the disco. A special thank you to Amanda Crabb and Rachel Betts for organising the event.
Plants
As some of you may have noticed, work has started on the school gardens. At the far end of the playing field, backing on to gardens in Skeins Way, the heap of rubble has gone, the ground has been cleared and a hedge put in. Bringing together ideas from the whole school community, we are now ready to put in place the first couple of projects. This will be a quiet place of reflection with benches at the top, leading into a Reading Circle – a new outdoor classroom. This will be planted up with trees, kindly donated from The Tree Council, during National Tree Planting Week at the end of November.
Can you help us? We need the following plants for the flowerbeds. If you have any spare, could you pot them up over the half term and bring them into school, please.
Astrantia major, Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart), Aquilegia, Anemone x hybria ‘Honorine Jobert’ (white), Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’, Ajuga reptans (bugle), Persicaria bistorta ‘Superba’ (common bistort), Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’, Geum ‘Mrs Bradshaw’, Crocosmia ‘Star of East’, Heuchera (purple), Lychnis Coronaria (either white or pink).
Any help will be gratefully received. Thank you.
Sonja Phipps
School Admissions – Primary and Secondary – Apply Now!!
To apply quickly and easily for primary and secondary school places go online to www.essex.gov.uk/admissions
For secondary applications – (children in year 6) apply between 1 September 2015 to 31 October 2015
For primary applications – (child born between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012) apply between 9 November 2015 to 15 January 2016
An opportunity to raise funds for Clavering Primary School when shopping online:
To raise funds for Clavering Primary School before shopping online –
- please click on easyfundraising.org.uk
- then click on Friends of Clavering Primary School.
Every purchase through many websites (including Amazon and John Lewis) raises a percentage for the school.
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending October 9th
Reception Barnaby Philip – for trying really hard and being able to write ‘S’
Year One Joe Davies – for fantastic computer skills
Year Two Timothy Kacar – for using interesting words and adjectives in his story writing
Year Three Roisin Kirkham – for excellent expression responding to adverbs in her play performance
Year Four Amelie Windsor – for her expressive acting skills
Year Five Imogen Kocher – for her excellent computing skills
Year Six Alice Donker – for being a brilliant buddy and engaging the whole of Reception class with her story telling
Week ending October 16th
Reception Lacey Deane – for fantastic number hunting
Year One Ted Rotheram – for being a super friend
Year Two Bobby Mitchell – for settling in really well into her new school
Year Three Felix Phipps – for excellent effort with his reading challenges
Year Four William Crabb – for his positive attitude to work and for being a responsible class member
Year Five Caoimhe Kirkham – her excellent homework on our solar system and planets
Year Six Tom Hawkins – for a conscientious and thorough approach to his work
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception:
James Elphick – for practising really hard to improve his handwriting
Nathan Cowler – for practising really hard to improve his handwriting
Year One:
Rosie Cooper – for super progress in reading
Abigail Van Rooijen – for super progress in reading
Year Two:
Jude Dunn – for always trying his best and showing good listening
Lucy Carter – for never giving up, even when she finds her work tricky, and always smiling
Year Three:
Maya Parker – for consistent effort and focus on giving her personal best
Bella Birch – for always making sure her work is neat, accurate and thoughtful
Year Four:
Isabella Budden – for writing a fable using a story structure and story language whilst making the moral clear
Petra Joseph – – for writing a fable using a story structure and story language whilst making the moral clear
Year Five:
Isaac Bamford – for his excellent progress in maths, especially his mental maths skills
Caoimhe Kirkham – for her positive attitude and putting 100% effort into her work
Year Six:
Beth Parker – for her conscientious approach to all her work resulting in an excellent start to year 6
Luke Townsend – for showing resilience in maths when tackling new challenges resulting in excellent progress and achievement so far
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
23rd October Non pupil day – INSET – Consortium Conference
13th November Sharing Assembly – an invitation for Year 6 parents
17th November Bag2School
20th November Sharing Assembly – an invitation for Year 3 parents
27th November Sharing Assembly – an invitation for Year 2 parents
2nd December Parent Consultations 3.30 – 5.30pm
3rd December Parent Consultations 5 – 7pm
4th December Christmas Fayre
8th December Tray Day – 3.15 – 4.00 pm
9th December KS2 Dress Rehearsal am, KS1 Dress Rehearsal pm.
10th December Reception Nativity am, KS1 performance pm, KS2 performance Eve
14th December Christmas Shopping Morning
16th December Christmas Lunch
16th December Cross Country event am.
18th December End of term
4th January Spring Term begins
REMINDERS:
- Please ensure children bring in coats now that the weather is getting colder
- Swimming for this term is for year 2 and 3 on Mondays. Please make sure your payments are up to date, the cost is £5.00 per week, £65.00 per term. Please make cheques payable to Clavering Primary School.
- Please note during periods of transition eg primary to secondary, pupils should not be taken out of school to look around schools. Secondary school tours during the school day are meant for parents only. Taster days or entrance tests are an exception to this. If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment
Have an enjoyable half term
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher