Headteacher Newsletter Issue 9
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 9: 31.1.20
E-safety
Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend the pertinent e-safety training last week. This is an annual event, but the first time we were able to host it at Clavering.
The children in years 3 – 6 had workshops, led by the two Johns, which were during the day. Then there was a staff session after school followed by an event for parents.
We shared the day with Manuden primary school, which supported the costings.
The online world is changing on a regular basis, so it is vital that we are kept up to date and work together to keep our children safe. As the two Johns stated, we prepare our children for events like crossing the road and swimming, but we should also do the same for the virtual world that the children are exposed to.
The two Johns have a website with useful resources, along with the other examples that are on our school website.
Here is the link to their website, which also has a resource section.
I do urge you to attend this annual date as the face to face event gives you far more information.
https://www.esafetytraining.org/
Vision
As you are aware we had a very successful Vision Day last term. Since then a working party has met which has resulted in an action plan for the school and updated Vision Statements for the adults and the children. These will be displayed around the school.
Chinese New Year
Years 3 and 5 very much enjoyed their talk from Mr Warr about Chinese New Year. The children were incredulous at his ability to write and read Chinese symbols and enjoyed identifying the creatures within the symbols. We learnt lots about the customs and history behind Chinese New Year celebrations and send Mr Warr a big ‘thank you’.
Golf – Years 5 and 6
Years 5 and 6 have enjoyed two sessions of golf in school with Sarah from Saffron Walden golf club. They learned to putt and chip and played games to practise skills. We are really excited to have been invited to the golf club for a further session and are looking forward to going later this term.
Talent Camp – Year 6
Six year 6 pupils attended talent trials at JFAN last week. They took part in a range of field and track athletics events alongside children from a number of local primary schools. If selected they will go on to a 3 day talent camp in May. Good luck to Freddie, Hermione, Harry, Ollie, Kitty and Tom.
Tag Rugby Year 6
On Wednesday 29th January, Year 6 took part in a tag rugby tournament at JFAN. We entered a blue B team and a green A team. Both teams did really well, with the A team winning all matches and blue losing only one. Both teams made it to their pool final, each playing the A and B teams from Great Chesterford. Unfortunately both teams lost but for the green team it had to go to sudden death and sadly Great Chesterford scored first.
We all had a great morning and the A team are looking forward to the Uttlesford finals which they have qualified for at Carver Barracks in March.
Harry, Ollie, Jack
Hockey, Year 6 – A Super Win For Clavering’s First Match
All the action took place on JFAN’s newly laid astro turf; Clavering v RAB. We got off to a strong attacking start with everyone working hard leading to the first goal scored by Hermione. Play continued with great passing and defence work. Ollie’s goalie skills kept RAB off the score sheet.
A second Clavering goal knocked in by Freddie gave a comfortable lead with only 5 minutes to go. RAB were unable to get to our goal all thanks to good team play so the game ended 2-0 to Clavering. Rotations went smoothly so everyone got a fair playing time thanks to the coach Mrs Barker. At the end of the game everyone was happy with their first win.
Jamie and Hermione
Parent Forum
A Parent Forum meeting took place yesterday. We discussed the outcome of our Vision Day last term, the new statement for the adults and children as well as the action plan. The ideas and contacts for Professional Week were shared and we are excited to say we have a lot of volunteers and a wide range of professions for the children to learn about. We also discussed the excellent e-safety session last week and how important the messages are. The new draft Behaviour policy was looked at and discussed, before it is formally approved. We are also going to start a new buddy system for new parents via the forum. It was a very informative meeting. Thank you to our representatives for supporting this event.
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:
Spring Term:
Class 6 7th February 2020
Class 4 20th March 2020
Year 3 27th March 2020
Summer Term:
Class Reception date to be arranged
Class 1 date to be arranged
Class 2 date to be arranged
Class 5 date to be arranged
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.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
7th February Sharing Assembly – an invitation for Class 6 parents 2.45 pm start
12th February Friends of Clavering Valentine Disco
17th – 21st February Half Term
2nd – 6th March Professional Week
31st March Church
4th March Parent Consultations 3.30 – 6 pm
5th March Parent Consultations 5 – 7.30pm
20th March Sharing Assembly – an invitation for Class 4 parents 2.45 pm start
27th March Sharing Assembly – an invitation for Class 3 parents 2.45 pm start
30th March School Council Spring Fayre
30th March Tray Day 3.15 – 4pm
31st March Church
3rd April End of term
20th April Summer Term starts
May Day 2020 Bank Holiday Change
Following the announcement by the Government that, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the May Day bank holiday in 2020 will now be Friday 8th May 2020, instead of Monday 4th May 2020.
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK –
Week ending January 17th
Year R Christopher – for lovely independent writing
Year One Hadley – for super use of contraction words
Year Two Harry F – for great Maths and phonics work
Year Three Louisa – for good Maths especially multiplying
Year Four Charlie W – for getting full marks for his spelling and Maths
Year Five Lani – for fabulous work in Maths
Year Six Ollie – for hard work and commitment all week.
Week ending January 24th
Year R Dougray – for great effort writing a caption
Year One Elliott – for facing new challenges and being a super friend
Year Two Camden – for a positive attitude to all learning especially writing and Maths
Year Three Taylor – for great improvement and effort in his reading
Year Four Ethan – for trying to improve his English work
Year Five Olly – for showing great focus in class and having excellent listening skills
Year Six Esme – for excellent effort, progress and achievement in Maths
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 –
13.1.20 – year 3
27.1.20 – year Reception
‘IT DIDN’T GO UNNOTICED’ AWARD
Anna and Aurelia – for picking up the coats in the dinner hall and hanging them up without being asked.
REMINDERS:
- DINNER MONEY – School dinners must be paid for in advance. Now that payment is on-line, please check your KS2 child’s account regularly to ensure it is in credit. Dinners cost £2.20 per day, £11.00 per week, £66 for the first half of Spring Term, £132 for the whole of the Spring Term. If you have registered for an account, to make a payment, log into scopay.com.
- SWIMMING – Year 2 will have a term of swimming instruction in the Spring term. If your child is fit to attend school then they are fit to go swimming, unless a medical note is provided. Swimming will commence Monday 13th January for 11 weeks. A voluntary contribution, which covers the cost of the swimming teaching and transport is £70.00 Please make cheques payable to Clavering Primary School.
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment
Wishing you a good weekend
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher