Headteacher Newsletter Issue 17
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 17: 15.6.18
Induction Morning for new Reception parents
On Thursday 7th June we welcomed the parents of our new Reception children due to start in September. They were introduced to members of staff and other key people in the school. It was lovely to see some familiar faces and to meet our new families.
Thank you to everyone who spoke and supported this event.
‘Relax Kids’ sessions
On Wednesday afternoon Mrs Birch took Class 3 for a ‘Relaxed Kids’ session. She explained how the brain works with the help of three puppets; a meerkat, an owl and an elephant. Then Class 3 did some fun activities and breathing exercises aimed at helping them to relax so that they were readier to learn. All the children agreed that they felt more relaxed at the end of the session and that they had really enjoyed the activities. Mrs Birch will be doing a session this half term with Classes 4.5.and 6. Thank you to Mrs Birch for giving up her time to introduce ‘Relaxed Kids’, I am sure the other classes will find it a positive experience too.
Cricket Coaching
We are very fortunate this half term to once again have a visiting cricket coach as part of the Chance to Shine project. Jack Ormesby from Saffron Walden Cricket Club is with us every Monday morning and this year the coaching has been extended to include all of the children in Key Stage 2.
Year 6 Rounders Event
Year 6 enjoyed a day at JFAN last Wednesday competing in the annual Partnership rounders tournament. This is a very large event attended by 9 local primary schools entering a total of 22 teams. The children played very well competing in a total of 15 matches with our two teams finishing joint 2nd and 4th in their respective groups. It is worthy of note that as well as improving their strategies and scores as the day progressed, the excellent behaviour and sportsmanship of both teams were commented upon by several members of staff from other schools.
Bedazzle dance show
Last month, some of the Clavering School Bedazzlers went to the Rhodes Centre in Bishops Stortford to perform a show. Our teacher Lisa, who accompanied us, had taught us some dances with the theme of movies and musicals. We performed dances to music from The Greatest Showman and The Jungle Book. We had a lovely time.
By Millie and Bella – Year 5
Reception Class visit Shepreth
On Wednesday 13th June, Reception class visited Shepreth Wildlife Park to support their learning about minibeasts. We had a hands on session where we learned about habitats. We were allowed to hold or touch a number of insects which was great fun. Then we enjoyed walking around the park and seeing the animals. The bats had just been fed so they all flew around our heads!
“I loved seeing the tiger asleep – we were up so close.” George S.
“I liked holding the minibeasts. It was exciting.” Oscar.
“I loved holding the cockroach, it was soft”. Florence
E-safety message – Live streaming: responding to the risks (National Crime Agency/CEOP)
Live streaming is a popular feature of lots apps and platforms. By understanding the risks of live streaming, we can help children stay safe when they are online. ThinkUKnow has produced a guide to help parents understand why live-streaming is so popular, and how to keep children safe.
You can find the article here: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/live-streaming-responding-to-the-risks/
The number of unauthorised absences is increasing. This is a concern and needs to be reduced. The DFE have proven that each day a child misses school it has a negative effect on their academic performance
Guidance from the Local Authority:
Leave of absence may only be granted by a person authorised in that behalf by the proprietor of the school. As from 1st September 2013, the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 amended Regulation 7 to prohibit the proprietor of a maintained school from granting leave of absence to a pupil, except where an advance application has been made by the parent with whom the pupil normally resides, and the proprietor considers that there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application.
Taking your child out of school during term time could be detrimental to your child’s educational progress. A pupil who takes 10 days absence will only attain 94.7% attendance in the year. 10 days absence also means the pupil will miss 50 hours of education.
There is no entitlement to parents to take their child out of school during term time, however, you may apply to the school for leave of absence if you believe there are exceptional circumstances.
If the absence is not authorised and the holiday is taken, the case will be referred to the Education Welfare Service who may issue a Penalty Notice for £120 (or £60 if paid within 21 days) to each parent for each child taken out of school.
DfE “The link between absence and attainment at KS2 – 2013/14 academic year”
The analysis of the link between overall absence and attainment when taking prior attainment and pupil characteristics into account showed that, for each KS2 and KS4 measure, overall absence had a statistically significant negative link to attainment – i.e. every extra day missed was associated with a lower attainment outcome
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 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.
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
11th June Phonics Assessment Week
13th June Reception visit to Shepreth
13th June Archaeology years 5 and 6 with Cambridge University Students
15th June Sharing Assembly, an invitation to Reception parents 2.45pm
17th – 20th June Year 6 residential to Kingswood
22nd June Sharing Assembly, an invitation to Year 4 parents 2.45pm
26th June School Photographs
27th June Years 3 and 4 Egyptian Day
28th June Crucial Crew for Year 6
29th June Sharing Assembly, an invitation to Year 1 parents 2.45pm
5th July Year 5 outdoor pursuits day –by coach am
6th July Friends of Clavering School Fete
9th July Induction Day at JFAN and SWCHS for year 6 pupils
10th July Tray Day 3.15 – 4.15pm
11th July Parent Consultations 3.30 – 6pm
12th July Parent Consultations 5 – 7.30pm
12th July Sports Day 10 – 12
17th July ‘Class Swap’ (11 – 12)
19th July Leavers’ Assembly 1.45pm
20th July Break up for the summer 3.15 pm
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending May 25th
Reception Max – writing his own version of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ independently.
Year One Chloe – not giving up when faced with challenges this week.
Year Two Beau – demonstrating good concentration skills
Year Three Rosie – for her imaginative Kennings
Year Four Matilda – an excellent start to her book ‘Fortunately Unfortunately’
Year Five Bella – great detail and thought when creating an Indian design in Art
Year Six Sam – representing the school so well at cricket and being an excellent buddy
Week ending June 8th
Reception Cooper – for helping the class get into alphabetical order
Year One Hadley – for writing some super questions in English this week
Year Two Jack – great Maths work today
Year Three Joe – for the improved presentation of his work
Year Four Freddie – for the continuous effort with his presentation
Year Five Finley – for brilliant curiosity and engagement in all lessons
Year Six Charlotte – being an excellent 2nd post in rounders – catching every ball!
Edward – for consistently good fielding at rounders. An asset to the team.
IT DIDN’T GO UNNOTICED’ AWARD
Year Two, especially Lincoln, Rory, Jack, Daisy, Lacey, Olivia and Ethan, for helping the Midday Assistants and Playleaders.
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: Spring Term 2018: Class 2
Week beginning:
16.4.18 Year One
23.4.18 Year Three
30.4.18 Year Five
14.5.18 Year Six
21.5.18 Year Reception
4.6.18 Year Six
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
