Headteacher Newsletter: Issue 16
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 16 26.5.17
Congratulations
Congratulations to Matt and Amy Snelling! The couple were married on Friday 12th May.
Reception Class trip to Shrepreth Animal Park
On Thursday 18th May Acorn Class visited Shepreth Wildlife Park to support their learning about Minibeasts. We had a fantastic day and were very lucky with the weather! We had an education session in the Discovery Centre where we learned the features of insects including a fun song. George dressed as an insect with the six legs coming out of his thorax! We all then held a number of giant minibeasts – a spiky stick insect from Papua New Guinea, a hissing cockroach, a giant Millipede and giant African Land Snails. We also saw a corn snake and some rabbits!
After our lunch we walked around the park seeing more insects in the tropical house – tarantulas, busy ants, a scorpion and some very well camouflaged stick insects. We loved viewing the tiger from the bridge and having the bats flying past our heads in the nocturnal house! The children were all brilliant, as were our wonderful parent helpers. Thank you for making it such a memorable day for the children.
Wider Opportunities – ukuleles
The children in KS2 had their first ukulele lesson with Mr Gray this week using a brand new set of instruments. The children thought it was great fun and are looking forward to learning more in their next session.
Cross Country
Although a little later than planned, the Clavering Cross Country Event took place on the lovely sunny Friday afternoon of 12th May. All the children (including Miss Turner) enjoyed running around the school field at an extremely fast pace. The Reception children were helped by their Year 6 buddies whilst the other classes cheered and shouted encouragement. All the children tried incredibly fast and need to be applauded for their efforts.
A special well done to
Gold | Silver | Bronze | |
Reception | Chloe | Louisa | Luella |
George | Patrick | Ethan | |
Year 1 | Chloe S | Chloe P | Holly |
James | Beau | Joseph and Conor | |
Year 2 | Alice | Amber | India |
Olly | Ted B | Max | |
Year 3 | Tilly | Matilda | Niamh |
Olly | Freddie | Tom | |
Year 4 | Seraphina | Grace | Rose |
Patrick | Oscar | Ben | |
Year 5 | Grace | Georgie | Isabella |
Will | Thomas | Edward | |
Year 6 | Millie | Izzy | Imogen |
Freddie | Ruben | Isaac |
Year 6 Kwik Cricket Tournament
Year 6 enjoyed a beautiful day in the sunshine at Saffron Walden Cricket Club on Wednesday this week for the Family Kwik Cricket tournament. The boys’ and girls’ teams each played 3 very close matches against neighbouring school with the girls coming 2nd in their group and the boys 4th. Well done to all who played and thank you to Mr Snelling for coming along to umpire.
Year 6 ‘Gold’ Cake Sale
Thank you to all who supported Year 6 last week with their golden themed cake and juice sale. They raised enough funds to buy the script and licence for their leavers’ celebration afternoon production ‘Gold’. They are now looking forward to getting on with rehearsals next half term.
Expansion of Clavering Primary School
As a follow up to the letter that was distributed at the beginning of May. We are writing to inform you that Clavering Primary School has been in discussion with Essex County Council over the past few months, looking at the potential to expand the school in response to an increasing demand for primary places. The governing body sees this as a positive opportunity for the school and has accepted that expansion needs to take place.
The reason for the expansion is to meet the extra demand for school places in the area. Projected pupil numbers, supplied by the Local Authority show a sharp rise over the next few years and as such, these children need to be accommodated within their local schools.
Clavering will expand from a capacity of 175 to a capacity of 210 places over a period of 7 years. The school will admit 5 extra pupils in Foundation Stage every year and will grow organically until the school reaches its full capacity of 210 pupils.
The first formal intake of 30 children (1 form entry) being from September 2018.
The County Council has indicated that capital funding would be available to support the expansion of the school so that it can provide extra classroom space where needed to accommodate the extra pupils. The building project would be delivered by Essex County Council.
If you have any queries then please contact me via the School Office
Sun Protection
At last the sunny weather has arrived! Please can you ensure that on sunny days your child brings a hat to wear at breaktimes and lunchtimes. 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.
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.
Ooo000ooO
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
26th May Sharing Assembly, an invitation to Reception parents 2.45pm
26th May Break up for half term
5th June INSET DAY
6th June Return to school after half term
9th June Induction morning for new Reception Parents
12th June Phonics Assessment Week
15th June Crucial Crew for Year 6
18th – 21st June Year 6 residential to Kingswood
20th June Trip years 3 and 4 St Marks
22nd June Fun Run
28th June Tray Day 3.15 – 4.15pm
30th June Sharing Assembly, an invitation to Year 3 parents 2.45pm
6th July Sharing Assembly, an invitation to Year 5 parents 2.45pm (Thursday)
7th July School Fete
10th July Induction Day for children transferring to JFAN and SWCHS
11th July Parent Consultations 3.30 – 5.30pm
12th July Parent Consultations 5 – 7pm
12th July Sports Day
13th July Year 5 outdoor pursuits day
17th July Play Leader Celebration Day out
19th July ‘Class Swap’ (11 – 12)
20th July Leavers’ Assembly 1.45pm
20th July Church Service am TBC
21st July Break up for the summer 3.15 pm
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending May 19th
Reception Amelia – showing great interest and handling so many minibeasts on our trip
Year One James – fantastic time telling
Year Two Rosie – writing an excellent poem in the style of Spike Milligan
Year Three Tom – his positive attitude towards his Maths
Year Four Keira – always being a kind and caring member of our class
Year Five Annie – good description and use of similes in her writing
Year Six Lavinia – excellent work in history looking at Churchill’s speeches
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception:
Joshua – for becoming a very independent writer
Louisa – for becoming a very independent writer
Year One:
James – for taking great care with the presentation of his work and writing in a neat cursive style
Chloe S – for taking great care with the presentation of his work and writing in a neat cursive style
Year Two:
Henry – for working hard on joining his handwriting
Sophia – for great listening and use of new learning in her work
Year Three:
Jude – for his positive attitude and effort to improve his Maths
Olly – for the improvement in his Reading and understanding of the text read
Year Four:
Hannah – producing beautifully presented work
Maya – imaginative creative writing and perseverance
Year Five:
Patrick – for excellent effort and progress in Reading comprehension
Maddie – for consistent effort and thought with Reading Challenges as well as general good attitude towards learning
Year Six:
Emer – for excellent progress and achievements in writing: always a pleasure to read.
Izzy – for consistent effort and enthusiasm in her approach to all aspects of her work
‘IT DIDN’T GO UNNOTICED’ AWARD
Reception Class – Aaron, Ashton, Hadley, Aurelia, Joshua, George and Emma for helping the Midday Assistants and Playleaders without being asked.
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.
Spring Term Winners: Class Four
Week ending –
28th April – Class 3
5th May – Reception
12th May – Class 6
REMINDERS:
- Please do not park at the school to pick up after school clubs
- Healthy and Safety notice regarding the wearing of earrings during PEWe have been informed by Essex that The Primary Code states that all jewellery is to be removed for PE lessons and taping over earrings is not allowed. This means that if pupils cannot take their earrings out they will have to sit out of PE until a time that they can be removed. Schools have to comply with this guidance.If your child is about to have their ears pierced it is advisable for it to take place over the summer so that the earrings can be removed for PE ready for the start of the Autumn term.
- Please ensure that all children always have their PE kit in school.
- Volunteers – if you are interested in volunteering or helping in the school please liaise with your child’s class teacher
- 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.
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a good weekend.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher