Headteacher Newsletter Issue 15
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 15: 10.5.19
Reading Dog
We are delighted to inform you that we have registered for the Pets As Therapy READ 2 DOGS programme, which is designed to give pupils opportunities to increase their confidence and enjoyment in reading. We have space for a small number of pupils to participate and in due course we will be contacting the parents of these pupils to seek permission before the sessions begin.
Each child will have a weekly session of 15 minutes, reading to a Pets As Therapy registered Dog, under the close supervision of the PAT Dog’s owner and a member of the school staff. These dogs are specially registered dogs who normally visit in hospitals, hospices, care homes etc. They will remain on the lead and under control at all times. A member of school staff will lead the sessions and will be present throughout.
READ 2 DOGS gives children a private opportunity to practise and enjoy reading, away from their peers, to an audience that will enjoy the experience as much as your child does. This will be a special time for your child as they read their chosen book to the PAT Dog, as well as having a chance to get to know the dog as the weeks progress. At the end of the course a special certificate will be awarded to all children taking part.
Our dog is Maisie, the Golden Retriever. The whole school will be introduced to Maisie and Mrs Kimberley, her owner, before the sessions start.
If your child has any allergies that we need to be aware of, then please contact the School Office.
Cross Country competition
Year 6 girls cross country team went to Hadleigh Park last week to compete in the Essex county finals. They were racing against 140 girls from all over the county who had all qualified following two earlier rounds, which started with of all the Year 6 girls in Essex competing earlier in the year – an amazing achievement in itself.
In the individual event Seraphina won a silver medal finishing in second place. Our team also came in second place overall and will be awarded their silver medals next week.
We are very proud of all the girls and their dedication in training, determination and team work supporting one another towards this achievement. Well done.
Parent Forum
A Parent Forum meeting took place this week. We finalised our ECO week plans. Speakers have been organised, through representatives, who the children will meet during the week before half term.
We discussed the schools’ future plans around getting a Reading Dog, Mindfulness provision and how online payments were being received.
E-safety – Fortnite
Please can we remind you about the e-safety messages around the game Fortnite. A number of our pupils seem to be accessing it.
Fortnite is an online game and is not suitable for children under 12 years old based on the content. A number of primary age children are accessing it. It has a PEGI rating of 12.
Please note this PEGI rating only takes into account the content in the game and not the contact element, where players may be exposed to swearing and offensive language from strangers in voice or on-screen text chat.
Online Payments
All children received a letter and joining instructions at the end of last term for online dinner payments. If you require a further copy, which will have a replacement code, please request from Mrs Carline. There is also a link on the dinner money section of the school website with instructions for payment.
Attendance Policy
The ESSEX CODE OF CONDUCT PENALTY NOTICES FOR PARENTS document has been updated recently and this information is part of our Attendance Policy. Parent need to be made aware of these changes. This document forms part of Annex A within our policy, which we have attached with this newsletter for your information. The full policy is on our website and can be accessed via this link:
http://www.clavering.essex.sch.uk/attendance-policy/
Key Rings
Please can we support the children limiting the number of key rings on their bags to just one key ring. Some children have many key rings on their bags that make them very bulky for the cloakrooms. Children are also getting upset if they fall off or get lost. Thank you for your support with this.
Sharing Assemblies – an invitation!
We would like to invite our parents to attend one of your child’s Sharing Assemblies. The assemblies take place in the hall on a Friday afternoon and start at 2.45pm. Listed below are dates when your child’s class will be taking part in a Sharing Assembly. Please join us on this date:
Summer Term:
Class Reception 21st June
Class 1 5th July
Class 5 12th July
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.
Please note that lateness is recorded on a per pupil basis.
Thank you.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
23rd April Summer Term starts
26th April Non-uniform day for Wales – Spring Term House Point Winners
30th April Year 6 Sats and Residential Meeting for Parents 3.15pm
6th May Bank holiday
13th – 17th May May SATs week for Year 6
14th May Bag2School
20th – 24th May Eco Week
27th – 31st May Break up for half term
3rd June INSET Day
4th June Return to school after half term
7th June Induction morning for new Reception Parents
10th June Phonics Assessment Week
16th – 19th June Year 6 residential to Kingswood
21st June Sharing Assembly – invitation for Year Reception parents to attend 2.45pm
26th June Road Safety for years Reception and 5
27th June Crucial Crew for Year 6
28th June Years 1 and 2 Kentwell Hall
5th July Sharing Assembly – invitation for Year 1 parents to attend 2.45pm
8th July Year 5 visit Harlow Outdoors Centre
10th July Sports Day
12th July Sharing Assembly – invitation for Year 5 parents to attend 2.45pm
15th July Tray Day 3.15 – 4.15pm
15th July Class Swap
16th July Parent Consultations 3.30 – 6pm
18th July Parent Consultations 5 – 7.30pm
18th July Leavers’ Assembly 1.45pm
22nd July Play Leader Celebration Day out
23rd July Church Service am
23rd July Break up for the summer 3.15 pm
24th July INSET Day
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending April 26th
Reception Danny – great counting and trying hard all week
Year One Florence – always having a positive attitude to her learning
Year Two Amelia – her positive attitude towards her Maths
Year Three Daisy – her great effort with fractions in Maths
Year Four Claudia – trying hard to improve her handwriting
Year Five Mia – for excellent focus in her learning
Year Six Summer – for her conscientious and determined approach to her learning
Week ending May 3rd
Reception Tommie – for his enthusiasm about growing beans and measuring
Year One Cooper – for excellent effort with his work all week and having lovely manners
Year Two Katie – good effort in her reading and understanding of the text
Year Three Tommy – for good understanding of the functions of different parts of plants
Year Four Harry – for working hard during Science (classifying animals)
Year Five Freddie – for demonstrating great listening skills and applying this to his learning
Year Six Jake – for excellent effort and progress in Maths. Very good manners, commented on by several
members of staff
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:
Week beginning:
29.4.19 Year Reception
IT DIDN’T GO UNNOTICED’ AWARD
Elizabeth (year 4), Alice (year 4) and Toben (Rec) – “For helping sad people. Good job” – from the Playleaders
REMINDERS:
- DINNER MONEY is £2.20 per day. If you wish to pay up until May half term, the amount will be £50.60 or £129.80 for the whole summer term.
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment
Have a good weekend
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher