FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER  ISSUE 17:                            18.6.21

I hope you had a wonderful half-term break and had an opportunity to relax, catch up with friends and family, and enjoy some of the beautiful weather.

We would like to welcome the Forrest family that have joined class 5 and the Peters family that have joined class 1.

We are looking forward to our second half of the summer term.  We are still seeking advice and waiting for any further updates re changes to our current restrictions, which at present could affect events such as Sports Day.  We will update you as soon as we hear.  Within our current COVID restrictions and protective measures we are having lunches in the dinner hall within our partner bubbles on a rota basis.  The children are really enjoying this change.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Although numbers remain relatively low, there are cases of the Delta variant, first identified in India, in Essex. We know that this variant is more easily transmitted than others, so it’s vital that we all remain vigilant at this time and that we are cautious about making changes to safety measures, such as mixing bubbles. Ensuring we continue to adhere to the system of control (hands, face, space and good ventilation) will reduce risk of viral transmission. Therefore, we request that you continue to remain socially distanced on the playground and wear a face covering unless exempt. Adhering to the staggered drop off/collection times and having only one adult attend per family reduces the number of adults on site, which is key. It is imperative that we all play our part to reduce the risk of infection and the requirement of imposing self-isolation for whole-class groups.

JFAN PE visit

Last Wednesday morning, Years 4 and 6 had a visit from Mrs Dunlop from JFAN. She worked with both classes on their rounders skills, practicing underarm bowling throws, overarm fielding throws and correct batting technique. She also recapped the correct rules of the game before the classes moved on to matches to practice their skills. Both classes greatly enjoyed their lessons in the sunshine!

Transition visits

Transition visits have started for year 6 within COVID restrictions.  Members of staff from SWCHS, JFAN and BSHS have visited.

National Thank a Teacher Day

The National Teaching Awards have shared with us the following –

National Thank a Teacher Day is coming up on 23 June 2021. This is a day when we encourage the whole country to come together in celebration of the amazing work that schools, colleges, teachers, lecturers, and support staff do every day.

Pupils can enter the celebrity judged #howwillyousaythankyou competitions. Please note that entries close on Wednesday 23 June 2021.

Participants can win:

• A creative writing competition judged by Sir Michael Morpurgo
• A baking competition judged by Nadiya Hussain.
• A drawing competition judged by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler.

Pupils, parents, and colleagues can send a FREE limited-edition Axel Scheffler e-card – with a special thank you being read out by secret celebrities on the day. The school with the most cards will be announced on the day – entries close at midnight on 22nd June.

We would encourage all our families to contribute to say thank you to our amazing staff.

COVID symptoms and ACTION – a reminder

To confirm, children are to stay off school if they are unwell with any virus, unless mild.  If they or a household member develops or has symptoms of a high temperature, persistent cough or loss of taste/smell then they must have a COVID test.   Whilst waiting for the test results, all household members must isolate.  The class bubble does not have to at this stage but siblings in school do.  Please keep the school informed if any of your household has any of the three symptoms and of any test results.  It is vital we all work together on this to keep everyone safe.

Part of the COVID Support Grant:

• Essex Essential Living Fund

Households struggling to pay food, fuel, or water bills and for other essential household goods such as fridges or cookers can apply for an emergency grant from Essex Essential Living Fund (EELF).

Anyone can apply but EELF will advise on eligibility and what you could get.

Apply online or call 0300 7900124 between 8:45am – 5:00pm

• Essex Family Wellbeing Service

On behalf of Essex County Council and the NHS, Virgin Care and Barnardo’s provide a range of child and family services throughout Essex that are free at the point of delivery.

https://www.essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/

Attendance

Even though national restrictions are easing it is very important that holidays are not taken during term time.  These requests will not and cannot be authorised.  The Local Authority have increased their monitoring process and related paperwork for schools in response to this.

Summer Holidays

If you are going abroad for a holiday in the summer, please include any potential quarantine restrictions into your plans. All children are expected to be back for the start of the term in September and absences through quarantining or holidays will not be authorised and may incur a fine.

Uniform Reminders

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of our uniform policy:

• Jewellery should not be worn (except earrings) this includes friendship bracelets
• As we approach the end of the school year, parents are not expected to buy new uniform until September, but ideally PE kit should be the Clavering PE kit or at least blue
• When wearing school uniform plain black trainers with black laces are fine for school shoes but not coloured ones

Free School Meals Funding

You can register for Free Schools Meals Funding if you meet the criteria below.

If you have a child in Key Stage One and are receiving the free meal, which is part of the universal offer, you could be missing out on this additional funding for the school, which will support your child with their learning, if you meet the criteria below.  You have to apply for this funding.    If you think you meet the criteria below then please follow the guidance below and contact the school office.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

Sun Protection 

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 (unless for a medical reason) 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.

Lost Property

Can parents please make sure jumpers and coats are named as we cannot keep lost property during this climate.

Mobile Phones

This is a gentle reminder not to use mobile phones whilst on the school site.  This is part of our safe guarding policy for all of our children.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

25^th June                            Reception September 2021 Induction Morning – format to be confirmed

29^th June                             School Photos

w/b 5^th July                       Friends of Clavering Obstacle Challenge – in PE lessons

6^th July                                Sports Day – format to be confirmed

7^th July                                Parent Evenings – times and format to be confirmed

7^th July                                Bag2School

8^th July                                Parent Evening – times and format to be confirmed

w/b 12^th July                     Friends of Clavering Obstacle Challenge – in PE lessons

12^th July                              Year 5 Harlow Outdoors trip

14^th July                              Year 6 Harlow Outdoors trip

16^th July                              Friends of Clavering Non-uniform day and ice pops

20^th July                              Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly

21^st July                               Break up for the summer

ACHIEVEMENTS

STAR OF THE WEEK

Week ending May 28^th     

Reception            Isaac – for writing an outstanding letter to the giant

Year One             Esmee – for her wonderful learning attitude responding positively to feedback

Year Two             Danny – for not giving up with his Maths this week

Year Three          Theo – for excellent recall in French and for a great non chronological report in Science

Year Four             Taylor – for great perseverance and effort in all his work especially reading

Year Five              Charlie W – for his wonderful Maths work this week

Year Six                Aiden – for his thoughtful responses and questions in PSHE

Week ending June 11^th   

Reception            Fraser – for his great 3D knowledge and for excellent alphabet writing

Year One             Eve – for improving her focus and working really hard, particularly in Maths

Year Two             Rory – for being a kind and supportive friend

Year Three          Ava – for excellent effort in Maths and English this week

Year Four             Liam – for great understanding of word classes and new vocabulary

Year Five              Alex – for being a kind, sensitive and thoughtful member of the class

Year Six                Brooke – for her excellent poem on Black Lives Matter

Claudia – for her excellent poem on Black Lives Matter

Have a good weekend and thank you for your support.

Best wishes

Rosalind Allsop

Headteacher