Headteacher Newsletter Issue 11
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 11: 2.3.18
Well Being Week
The children have had a fun and informative week this week under the theme of Well Being. They have had visits from members of the local community as well as external providers. Topics explored were: Buddhist meditation, The Alexander Technique, dog walking, Boot Camp, gardening, Christianity, horticulture, yoga, pottery, music, The World Healing Project, ‘Pound Fit – a drumming based class, Mindfulness, craft.
Thank you so much to all the visitors and to our Parent Forum for making the week possible. A special thank you needs to go to Jane Chetcuti, one of our parents, for sourcing the external contacts.
World Book Day
Well done to children and parents for some very creative costumes as World Book Day was celebrated in school by several ‘Gangsta Grannys’, ‘Where’s Wallys’, many members from Hogworts School of Wizarding and even a ‘War Horse’. The children shared their favourite authors and books in class and Year 6 especially enjoyed reading their favourite stories to their buddies in Reception class. Year 1 children and their ‘friends in 5’ also enjoyed hot chocolate and stories together.
Talent Camp
Congratulations to Will C and Georgie C in Year 6 who successfully took part in trials earlier this term and, as a result, have been invited to attend a sports talent camp in May.
Hockey
Year 6 entered two teams into the Primary Schools’ hockey tournament last week. Ten teams took part. Our green team came 3rd overall. They won 4 of their 5 matches, just narrowly losing in the semi-finals 0-1 to St Thomas More, the tournament winners. Our blue team also performed well, winning 3 of their 5 matches and finishing 5th.
A Big Thankyou
We would like to thank James and Natasha Carter, Liz and Dan Carter, Charlie Balaam and Grant Anderson, plus their children and not forgetting the amazing Mr Docking, for clearing the school site. It was incredibly kind of them all. We are very lucky to have such a kind and supportive community.
Attendance Policy update.
The Essex County Council Penalty Notice Code of Conduct was updated with a minor change, to include reference to lateness. The criteria now reads:
Penalty notices for irregular school attendance /leave of absence
Penalty notices may be issued where there has been at least 10 sessions (2 sessions make up a day) of unauthorised absence during the previous ten school weeks. This includes unauthorised late arrivals, which count as unauthorised absence for the whole session.
In addition to the above criteria, due to the importance of pupils settling into school at the commencement of the school year, penalty notices may also be issued if there have been at least 6 consecutive sessions of unauthorised leave of absence during the first two weeks of September due to a term-time holiday.
Our school policy has been updated to reflect this change. The full document is on our website
Snow Patrol
It’s 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.
Bad weather
In the event of severe weather conditions and possible school closure a notice will be placed on the school website.
Parents will be notified via our school website or the Essex County Council on the ‘Emergency School Closures’ page: https://www.essex.gov.uk/education-schools/schools/dates/pages/emergency-school-closures.aspx
Please note that when the school is open in bad weather a path will be cleared to enable you to gain access to the school but care does still need to be taken.
Communication Chain
Just as a reminder, in order for the communication chain to be effective it is important that phone calls are made as opposed to emails or texts, in order to ensure contact is made. Normally the chain will be activated the morning of the school closure as the decision is made on the day, unless in exceptional circumstances we know of the need in advance. We will try to open where possible, hence the decision being made at the last minute, once we can assess the school site. We will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible, but as you are aware it takes some time for the communication to pass through.
Facebook can be used as a supplementary means of communication if requested to do so by a member of the leadership team but this is not part of the school process. ParentMail, the Communication Chain, the school website and the Essex link above are the school notifications.
Thank you again for your support with this process.
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.
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
26th February – 2nd March Well Being Week
26th February – 2nd March Book Week
7th March Parent Consultations 3.30 – 6 pm
8th March Parent Consultations 5 – 7.30pm
10th March Friends of Clavering Quiz Night
15th March Friends of Clavering Film Night
23rd March Sharing Assembly – an invitation for Class 3 parents, 2.45 pm start
26th March School Council Spring Fayre
27th March Tray Day 3.15 – 4pm
28th March Church
28th March Friends of Clavering Easter Fayre
29th March Friends of Clavering Easter Egg Hunt
29th March End of term
16th April INSET – School closed to the pupils
17th April Summer Term starts
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending February 9th
Reception George S – knowing that a fire needs air to start
Year One Wilf – lovely story writing in English
Year Two Martha – brilliant work in Maths – super halving
Year Three Milana – her improved spelling and handwriting
Year Four Lucy – completing her work with enthusiasm and determination
Year Five Phoebe – detailed well thought out work in Art
Year Six Molly – excellent grammar and punctuation work
Week ending February 23rd
Reception Darcie – brilliant number writing and putting her coat on by herself
Year One Lola – great Maths work on money
Year Two Charlie U – fantastic doubling and halving
Year Three Charlie B – putting in extra effort and completing the 500 words story
Year Four Jude – excellent effort in French
Year Five Grace – great effort and understanding of fractions, especially when solving an investigation
Year Six Will C – excellent strategic thinking in our hockey matches
Autumn Term 2017 Art Awards
The Clavering Art prize is awarded each term to a representative from Early Years, Key Stage One, Lower Key Stage Two (Years 3 and 4) and Upper Key Stage Two (Years 5 and 6) in recognition of outstanding work in Art. The winning pieces are displayed in the entrance hall.
Winner Runner Up
Reception: Elliott William E
Key Stage One: Phoenix Emma
Lower Key Stage Two: Amber Niamh
Upper Key Stage Two: Molly Georgie
IT DIDN’T GO UNNOTICED’ AWARD
Jack (Class 4) – for helping the Midday Assistants and Playleaders. Jack was given 5 Good News Post It Notes – thank you
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:
Autumn Term 2017 – Class 6
Week beginning:
8.1.18 – Year 4
22.1.18 – Year 5
5.2.18 – Year R
19.2.18 – Year 2
REMINDERS:
Dinner money for this half term is £59.40 or £123.20 for the whole of the spring term (to Easter). The cost of a meal is £2.20 a day, £11.00 for a week. Dinner money should be sent in to school on a Monday in your child’s Friday Folder and should be in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and amount enclosed written on the front. Cheques should be made 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