Headteacher Newsletter: Issue 19
Headteacher Newsletter: Issue 19 1.7.16
Staff Changes
I am sad to inform you that Mrs Gill Ford will be taking early retirement at the end of this term.
I am sure you will agree she will be greatly missed by us all and has been a tremendous asset to the school over the last 23 years. As well as being an excellent class teacher, Mrs Ford has also been Acting Headteacher of the school and more recently our Deputy Headteacher. Mrs Ford has led the choir for a number of years as well as a variety of musical events.
We wish her well in her next adventure and look forward to her joining us in September as a regular supply teacher!!
To replace Mrs Ford’s leadership position, I am delighted to announce that Mrs Annabelle Hall and Mrs Lynn Lipscomb will be Assistant Headteachers from September.
I also want to welcome Miss Sarah Turner who will be joining us from September, who I am sure will become an asset to the team.
Mrs Barbara Perry will be reducing her hours from September and earlier this week we recruited Mrs Claire Abrahams to cover this role. We are looking forward to working with her in the new term.
Ms Crosby will still be our Inclusion Manager/SENCO but to support this role we have further developed a team of staff to enhance our provision.
Class Structure from September 2016
Please see our class structure below for September.
We would like to welcome Miss Turner and Mrs Abrahams to our team. Miss Turner will be teaching in Class Five and Mrs Abrahams a Learning Support Assistant in Class Three and Class One as indicated below –
| Year group | Class teacher | Learning Support Assistant |
| Reception | Mrs Course | Mrs Berrett |
| Class One (Year One) | Mrs Langan | Mrs Thomas, Mrs Abrahams , Mrs Carline |
| Class Two (Year Two) | Mrs Rudkin and Miss Sabin | Mrs Carline, Mrs Prentice |
| Class Three (Year Three) | Mrs Hall | Mrs Perry, Mrs Abrahams |
| Class Four (Year Four) | Ms Crosby (Mrs Shoard is unlikely to return) | Mrs Abusham |
| Class Five (Year Five) | Miss Turner | Mrs Martin, Mrs Sullivan |
| Class Six (Year Six) | Mrs Lipscomb | Mrs Martin |
Kingswood Residential
On Sunday 19th June, Year 6 went on a residential trip to Kingswood, West Runton, Norfolk. We stayed for three nights, coming back on Wednesday. Over the course of the trip, Year 6 took part in many activities, with six sessions per day. Some of our favourite activities included the pool party, the zip-wire, the leap of faith and caving, not to mention going to the beach for an afternoon of rock-pooling, sandcastle building, games and ice-creams.
For the zip-wire and the leap of faith, we had to wear harnesses and helmets to keep us safe. It was incredible being up so high! We were separated into groups for sleeping with up to eight people in a room! Although the mattresses were lumpy, we were exhausted after taking part in so many activities and from going to bed at ten o’clock, so we didn’t mind. The food at Kingswood was amazing and we all enjoyed it! In our free time, we were allowed to borrow a ball from quest services, but we had to give them something of ours in return. When we wanted our item back, we had to give the ball back as well.
We could also go spend our pocket money in the gift shop, bearing in mind we had to save some for ice-creams at the beach. In the gift shop we could buy everything from teddy bears, to torches, to sweets. We had to spend carefully as we only had a maximum of £5. At the end of the trip, we boarded a luxury coach to go home (the seats tipped back), and Lewiss, who was our team leader for the trip, came to say goodbye. He even gave us a green wristband to remind us of him and the trip to Kingswood. After we’d said a final goodbye and thankyou to Lewiss, we set off for home. A lot of people slept on the way back; we were exhausted after having so much fun!
When we finally arrived back at school (half an hour after we were meant to) all our parents were cheering; they were very pleased to see us! We were pleased to see them too, but a little glum, for we had all enjoyed Kingswood so much. We would really love to go again, for we had an excellent time!
By Beth Parker
Hobby Week
The children thoroughly enjoyed an informative and fun Hobby Week this week.
The children were visited by several parents, who shared information through presentations and practical activities related to their hobbies. The topics were varied and were presented across all the age groups. Themes such as ‘Running Beavers’ from a Scout leader, ‘Athletics and Bobsleigh’ by a parent that took part in the Olympics, ‘Collecting Costumes’ from a parent that runs a costume shop and brought in costumes for the children to try on, ‘Cake Decorating’ from our Catering Manager when the children decorated cakes, ‘Something Crafty’ from a parent who enjoys art and craft activities and ran a practical session, ‘Mountain Marathons’ from two parents that are keen on mountain biking and who brought in their bikes, ‘Archaeology’ presented by two parents, ‘Motorsport’ by two parents who brought in two of their cars and racing outfits, ‘Rugby Coaching’ from a parent who is a rugby specialist.
As well as learning about different hobbies to extend their own interests the children also developed their speaking and listening skills.
This is our fourth year running a themed week developed through our Parent Forum. Previous years have been Professional Weeks and a Global Week.
We would like to thank all the parents that helped to organise and support this event.
Reception Induction Morning for Parents and Pre-school visiting Reception
We were delighted to meet our new Reception parents for September 2016 during our Induction morning last week. It was an informative and productive event. Parents were introduced to many members of staff, governors and members of the Friends of Clavering as well as our School Nurse. Many thanks to the Friends of Clavering team who gave up their morning to run the refreshments and sell second-hand uniform.
We are already preparing for our new Reception Class in September with lots of activities to help make the transition smoother.
The older children from Pre-school have visited Reception class and stayed for lunch. They have also had some shared story times at the end of the day and it is super to see the current Reception Class setting a good example to their younger friends.
All of next year’s Reception Class will be spending part of the morning in school together on Friday 13th July so that they are familiar with their new surroundings before the big day in September!
Year 6 and Reception Buddies visit Forest School
The Year 6 buddies joined Reception class in the wood last Friday, so we were the Busy Badgers and the Magic Millipedes! We found a quiet place and listened to the beautiful sounds around us. The children were challenged to make something with their buddy. There was some amazing teamwork and creations – swings, a zip wire, assault course and even a bird hide! We shared snack time together at the log circle and then the Year 6’s supported us all the way back to school on our first walk back. Thank you to Year 6 – what a special time we had together.
Crucial Crew
Year 6 went to St Marks for Crucial Crew last Thursday. They enjoyed a number of very valuable workshops learning about drugs and alcohol, economic awareness, road safety, first aid and mental health. A very worthwhile afternoon.
Year 6 Class Walk
On Wednesday 29th June, Year 6 went on a class walk around Clavering. On the walk we took cameras to take pictures for work we are doing in Geography about our local area.
We took our first turn up towards the shop and took a turn through a small overgrown pathway, the trees were grabbing you like hands and you never knew if you were going to get caught. Throughout the walk we were surrounded by fields of barley and corn that people occasionally fell in (by accident of course), and also jungles of nettles.
When we were rounding the end of the walk we had the annual class photo. Apparently we did the walk in the fastest record time out of all the previous classes. Overall we enjoyed the walk and we will remember it as one of the really memorable things in Year 6.
By William Downham
Sports Day – advanced warning
Sports Day is taking place on Tuesday 19th July, 10 – 12. All parents are welcome.
Clavering Horticultural Society – Rose Show
Children from Clavering Primary School took part in the Rose Show colouring and photographic competition. The judges informed us that the entries from the children under 7 were well supported, with many beautifully coloured pictures of a rose.
Colouring competition:
1st Isabelle Down
2nd Abigail Van Rooijen
3rd Olivia Abrahams
Photograph competition:
1st place was a child from another school
2nd Lily Betts
3rd Ted Betts
Sun Protection
Please can you ensure that on sunny days your child brings a hat to wear at break-times and lunch-times. Wide-brimmed or legionnaires hats, which have a cloth attached on the back to give additional protection to the neck, are perfectly acceptable. Sunglasses are not allowed and sun lotion (long lasting waterproof sunscreen with a high protection factor and high UVA protection) should be applied just before the children come to school. This should last until after school and overcomes the need for pupils to bring in lotion.
Lost Property
A large amount of lost property is collecting. If your child has lost any clothing please could you have a look through the collection to see if any of it belongs to you. It will be displayed in the main entrance during the last week of term. After this time it will need to be re-cycled.
Lateness
School starts at 8.50 a.m.
We have noticed several children that are consistently arriving late for school – ‘late’ is defined by not being within the school gates by 8.50 a.m.
Please make every effort to be at school on time and if you know that your journey will be disrupted by road works, do allow time for this. Thank you.
Footwear
In the interest of safety, as well as appearance, pupils should wear suitable footwear for school. Shoes should fasten securely and be plain black and low heeled with enclosed toes. Boots, sandals, sling backs and trainers are not appropriate for school. Trainers can be worn for PE.
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 www.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 June 17th
Reception Chloe Pemberton – for super sentence writing all on her own
Year One Ted Betts – for using shape well in his Paul Klee castle picture
Year Two Abigail – for wonderful similes and synonyms in creative writing
Year Three All of Class 3 – for their amazing effort learning the Year 3 spelling words for our Spelling Bee
Year Four Sam Prentice – for completing all of the Year 4 Reading Challenges to a high standard
Year Five Izzy Palmer – for her thoughtful letter on push/pull factors of urbanisation
Year Six Beth Parker – for excellence in Science
Mrs Martin – for all her help in Year 6 this week, helping with the Enterprise Challenges
Week ending June 24th
Reception Poppy McNaughton – for her very sensible attitude and for encouraging her friends
Year One All of Class 1 – for their fantastic understanding of how to undo a number sentence
Year Two Lucy Carter – for trying very hard with her writing and for being a lovely kind member of Year 2
Year Three Imogen Allen – for settling in so well into Year 3
Year Four William Crabb – for his detailed watercolour painting of Audley End
Year Five Isaac Bamford – for his detailed storyboard of the Tempest
Year Six Alice Donker – for being sensitive to everybody’s needs
‘IT DIDN’T GO UNNOTICED’ AWARD
Joseph Lawless for helping the Middays and Playleaders in the playground – 5 post it notes!!
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.
Week beginning:
18.4.16 Year 2
25.4.16 Year R
2.5.16 Year 6
9.5.16 Year 4
16.5.16 Year 5
23.5.16 Year 3
6.6.16 Year 1
13.6.16 Year 4
20.6.16 Year 2
27.6.16 Year R
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
29th June – 1st July Year 5 residential to St. Marks
1st July Sharing assembly – an invitation for Reception Class parents
8th July Induction morning for Year 6 pupils at SWCHS and JFAN
9th July Friends of Clavering Cricket Match Clavering vs Chrishall
11th July Induction morning for Year 6 pupils at SWCHS
13th July Extended Tray Day 3.15 – 4.30pm
13th and 14th July Archaeological Dig
13th July Class Swap (11 – 12)
15th July School Fete Summer Garden Party
18th July Play Leader Celebration Day out (to be confirmed)
21st July Leavers’ Assembly 1.45pm
21st July Church Service
22nd July Break up for the summer 3.15 pm
SPORTING EVENTS
8th July Year 2 Talent Camp 2 children from Year 2
19th July Sports Day (10-12)
REMINDERS
- Please remember do NOT park at the shop for school events (eg class assemblies, school plays, Tray Day and Sports Day) only for drop off and pick up. The Fox and Hounds are more than happy to accommodate parking at all times. Parking at the shop prevents customers from accessing the shop. Please also be mindful of where you park along Stortford Road outside the imposed restrictions. We have had cars parked opposite the school drive which has made crossing the road and access for the school buses very difficult
- Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers
We are collecting the Active Kids vouchers from Sainsbury’s. If you shop in Sainsbury’s, we would be very grateful if your children could bring any vouchers into school.
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a good weekend.
Rosalind Allsop Headteacher
