Headteacher Newsletter Issue 19
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 19: 16.7.21
This will be the last letter of the term with only 3 days left until the summer holidays begin. It has been a challenging year for all of us, especially this last fortnight, but it has proved to us what a strong team we have across the school community wanting the best for the children in our care. Thank you for all your support. It has been very challenging following the Government guidance and Essex Track and Track instructions over the last fortnight, especially when the messages outside of the school setting are so different. No one wants to send children home, to disrupt their learning or cause them to miss out on key school events, but keeping everyone safe is fundamental which is why the official guidance and advice is in place. I am sure you will want to join me in thanking the staff for their hard work and commitment during this time.
After reading all the reports, it would appear that all the children have progressed well across the school and have enjoyed their learning.
We wish Year 6 well as they leave to attend their secondary schools in September. Unfortunately it has been an unusual end to their time at Clavering Primary School, but we have worked hard trying to make it as special as we can. I am looking forward to watching their play, which is to be part of their Leavers’ Assembly next week. The children have worked incredibly hard with Mrs Hall, Mrs Martin and Mrs Elliston putting this together. It was a challenge especially with many of the main parts isolating during rehearsals. Sadly, year 6 parents will not be able to attend due to the significant rise in cases recently alongside the Director of Health’s statement to schools that mixing should be avoided for the rest of this term. However, we will send parents a recording of the event. We wish the Year 6 children every success for the future and we also want to thank the parents for their support especially the parents that will be leaving us at the end of this term.
Next week is a fun packed week, even though it is short. We will be having our Class Swap event on Monday. Class 5, who are isolating, will meet their new teacher remotely and year 5 staff that are isolating will meet their new class via Teams also. Our rescheduled Sports Day is planned for Tuesday with Year 6 Leavers’ assembly in the afternoon.
Staffing
We would like to welcome Charlotte Neal and Nicola McIntyre to the team who will joining us from September as Learning Support Assistants.
Harlow Outdoors trip for Year 6 and other activities
Year 6 are enjoying their last few days at Clavering Primary School. The children have been practising lots for their leavers’ show which they will perform on Tuesday 20th July. Around rehearsals, we have also had different fun activities. On Monday 12th July Year 6 watched a film with popcorn, drinks and sweets (kindly provided by Mrs Martin and Mrs Elliston) and in the afternoon played water balloon games and had a water pistol showdown! On Tuesday 13th July was the Sponsored Fun Run – Y6 ran around the field for 30 minutes to raise money for bee friendly plants in the orchard bed. Well done Ted B who managed an impressive 25 laps! On Wednesday 14th July we went on our trip to Harlow Outdoor Centre where the children tried canoeing and stand up paddle boarding in the morning and in the afternoon they worked together in teams to build a raft. Afterwards, they had a race to see which raft was built the best. Luckily the weather was dry and sunny and it was a fantastic day enjoyed by everyone. Next week Year 6 will be performing their play Cinderella and creating their bee friendly flower beds. A very busy last few days.
Harlow Outdoors trip for year 5
Year 5 had a wonderful day on the water on Monday; the rain held off and we were only soaked by river water. We were really proud of how well the children listened and worked together in their teams (even the Centre staff commented on this) and are delighted to have been able to give them such a fun day to round off the year. We hope great memories were made by all.
Active Essex
Active Essex have established a new award to recognise excellence in the delivery of physical activity, school sport and physical education in Key Stage 1. We are absolutely delighted to be early recipients of this award. Congratulations to Mrs Tokeley, our PE lead, and all the staff.
Congratulation to the Kitchen Team
The kitchen had their annual unannounced food safety inspection yesterday and once again achieved a 5 star rating.
Thank you
We would like to thank Ross Murray for fogging the school over the last two weekends to support us in keeping the school open. Thank you to Ron Docking for opening up and helping Ross.
Friends of Clavering – Thank you
A huge thank you to Anna Gawthorpe and Tracy Pemberton, along with their team for all their hard work this year raising money for the school. It is has not been easy working around the COVID restrictions but we found alternatives. It is greatly appreciated as it makes a considerable difference to what we can provide for the pupils. The Friends of Clavering contribute a large proportion of the funds that are needed to support the teaching and learning within the school. With their help we are now able to replace our outside learning space with a new revamped decking area and we will be purchasing new laptops/ipads. Thank you to all the parents who have supported the events throughout the year. We are extremely fortunate to have such an active and supportive team.
Friends of Clavering Obstacle Challenge and Ice pops
The children have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in an obstacle challenge over the last two weeks in the bubbles. They have recorded their best times and these will be shared with the committee to award the winners. Today was a fun non uniform day which ended with an ice pop from the Friends of Clavering.
Questionnaires
Thank you to all the parents, staff and pupils for filling out our annual questionnaires. We are in the process of collating and analysing the findings which, as before, will inform our School Improvement Plan for next year. We will share these with you next term.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As you are aware we have now had 11 cases in school over the last two weeks! We have isolated three class bubbles. We are working very hard to strengthen our protective measures so that we can keep the school open and avoid isolating further class bubbles. As advised by the Director of Public Health and the Local Authority, we are reducing non-essential mixing until the end of term and following the instructions that Essex Track and Trace give us each time.
Just as a reminder, it is vital therefore that you continue to support us in this process. Please ensure that a PCR test is carried out if anyone in your household has any of the three COVID symptoms of a high temperature, persistent cough or loss of taste/smell. Do not use a Lateral Flow test as an alternative and please book a test online instead of the postal version. The latter takes a few days which in the meantime is potentially allowing the virus to spread more quickly before bubbles are notified to isolate. Households must isolate whilst household members are waiting for test results and/or have symptoms.
Please inform the school straight away if anyone has symptoms and of any test results. This includes further members of the household that become positive whilst isolating due to another positive case. It is vital we hear immediately so that we can act accordingly in a timely fashion.
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.
Step 4
Coronavirus (COVID-19): last week, schools received ‘Schools COVID-19 Operational Guidance’ which explains the actions schools should take to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) as the country moves to Step 4 of the roadmap. The document notes that as COVID-19 becomes a virus that we learn to live with, there is now an imperative to reduce the disruption to children’s education. In terms of operational arrangements, we will no longer be required to keep children in consistent groups (‘bubbles’). Therefore, as from September, we will not be implementing staggered drop off/collection times or be required to keep pupils separate at breaktimes and lunchtimes. As a result, all children will be able to enter school as from 8:45am and will go straight into class. We have changed the time from 8.40 to 8.45 as we would like the children to go straight into the classroom as they arrive, instead of the playground, ready for an 8.50 start. The feedback we have had from parents and staff is that this worked well this year and we would like it to continue. The children will be collected at 3:15pm. The children that travel by bus or go to Willows will be collected by staff from their classrooms as we all found this a successful approach which we want to continue. School meals will now be able to take place in the hall, which is great news.
In terms of control measures, we will continue to:
- Ensure good hygiene for everyone.
- Maintain appropriate cleaning regimes.
- Keep occupied spaces well ventilated.
- Follow public health advice on testing, self-isolation and managing confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Please see the link to the parent guidance below –
We are all, very much, looking forward to returning to our normal way of operating and embracing all that the new academic year has to offer.
Track and Trace at the beginning of the Summer holidays
As was the procedure for previous holidays, we need to hear of any COVID symptoms that have materialised within 48 hours after being in school and subsequent notification of a positive test result, from one of our members of the school community that have been on site – staff or pupils
If anyone has COVID symptoms during these 48 hours they MUST get a test and notify the school via the admin address immediately . The results related to the symptoms during these two days may take a few days to come through. When they do, the school must be informed immediately and we will then work with Essex Track and Trace and notify contacts.
If we do have any positive cases linked to the 48 hour window we will inform all contacts, staff and pupils, via email. Contacts will then need to isolate for 10 days. If they get symptoms during these 10 days they must get a test.
Please see below further information from the DFE –
We recommend all schools ensure staff, parents and carers are aware of the following information and relevant arrangements regarding positive cases in the holidays:
| · Where a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being in school, the school should not be contacted. Parents and carers should follow contact tracing instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace.
· If a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in school, the school is asked to assist in identifying close contacts and advising self-isolation, as the individual may have been infectious whilst in school. |
Class Structure September 2021
| Year group | Class teacher | Learning Support Assistant |
| Reception | Mrs Course | Mrs Berrett |
| Class One (Year One) | Mrs Carlisle | Mrs Abrahams
PPA Mrs Webb and Mr Dyce |
| Class Two (Year Two) | Miss Hagger | Mrs Abrahams
Mrs Pemberton PPA Mrs Webb and Mr Dyce |
| Class Three (Year Three) | Miss Morton | Mrs Bond
Mrs Elliston PPA Mrs Webb and Mr Snelling |
| Class Four (Year Four)
|
Mrs Tokeley | Mrs Bond
Mrs Elliston PPA Mrs Webb and Mr Snelling |
| Class Five (Year Five)
|
Mrs Rudkin and Miss Sabin | Mrs McIntyre
Mrs Neal PPA Mrs Broadbent and Mr Dyce |
| Class Six (Year Six)
|
Mrs Hall | Mrs Martin
Mrs Elliston Mrs Neal DHT cover Ms Crosby PPA Mrs Broadbent and Mr Dyce |
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.
Lateness
We have noticed several children that are consistently arriving late for school – ‘late’ is defined by not being within the school gates by your staggered time which is no later, for the last group, than 9 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 and late marks do equate to unauthorised absence.
Thank you.
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.
Activities for children
Government has launched a campaign to promote leisure activities for children and families this summer. The campaign highlights a range of activities and opportunities for families, children and young people such as exploring a local museum or discovering a National Cycling Network Trail. The guide can be found here –
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rediscover-summer
Essex Wellbeing Service and Essential Living Fund
The Essex Wellbeing Service will be providing navigators to help families find the right support at the right time. This is an early intervention offer to support families over the summer holiday period:
- Families can use this directly
- There are promotional materials available to share this vital information with families.
The Essential Living Fund is also available for families who need emergency help with heating, water, food, bills and other essential household items.
To access the Essex Wellbeing Service navigators, phone 0300 303 9988.
For the Essential Living Fund families can call 0300 7900 124. Please share this with your families.
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
Dinner Money Debts As we approach the end of the school year, please can you check that all Dinner Money debts are paid off before the end of term. Thank you.
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.
SWIMMING
We are looking to resume swimming in the Spring Term.
CLUBS
Clubs will commence the week beginning 9th September unless otherwise stated and a full programme is outlined below. We will be looking to extend this offer during the Autumn term:
MUSIC TUITION
Claire Harland will continue with piano lessons in the autumn term.
CLUBS AUTUMN TERM
After School Clubs will start the week commencing 6th September unless stated.
| Monday | Year Group |
| Football Club | Year 6 3.15 – 4.15 |
| Tennis Club Starting Monday 13th September TBC |
Years 1 – 6 3.15 – 4.15 |
| STING Drama Club TBC | Years 1 – 6 |
| Tuesday | |
| Football Club | Year 5 3.15 – 4.15 |
| Fitness Club | Year 3 3.15 – 4.15 |
| Wednesday | |
| Football club | Year 2 3.15 – 4.15 |
| Fitness club | Year 1 3.15 – 4.15 |
| Netball club Club starting after half term |
Year 5 & 6 3:15 – 4.15
|
| Thursday | |
| Football club | Year 4 3.15 – 4.15 |
| Glass Decorating Art Class – Starting after half term TBC | Year 1 & 2 3.15 – 4.15 |
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
16th July Friends of Clavering Non-uniform day and ice pops
20th July Sports Day
20th July Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly
21st July Break up for the summer
1st September INSET school closed to pupils
2nd September Autumn Term begins
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending July 2nd
Reception Buddy – for always thinking of others and being so kind
Year One Logan – for working really hard and writing a beautiful poem
Year Two Mollie – for great effort when learning to tell the time
Year Three Rosie-Ann – for always working hard in all subjects
Year Four Matilde – for great descriptive writing, use of similes and metaphors and responding well to feedback
Year Five Daisy – for a great travel writing report
Year Six George – for great expression at Town Crier in Cinderella
Week ending July 9th
Reception Jaxon – for great progress in writing and number formation
Year One Phoebe R – for her continued outstanding hard work and effort
Year Two Ethan – for being a kind friend
Greta – for consistently giving 100% in all areas of learning
Year Three All of class 3 – for being engaging and hard-working during home schooling
Year Four Joshua – for a great adventure story and brilliant effort with his handwriting
Year Five All of class 5 – for being such a wonderful, energetic, hard-working and happy class. We are proud of you
Year Six Elizabeth – for learning all her lines and saying them with great characterisation.
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception
Willa – for her excellent progress in Maths
Isaac – for outstanding progress in all areas of the curriculum
Year One
Kitty – for making great progress in Maths. Kitty has worked hard to develop sound
mathematical connections and is now able to successfully problem solve and explain her
method with well thought out reasoning
Tilly P – for excellent progress in writing. Tilly has worked hard to develop her writing style into
beautifully joined handwriting. She also writes thoughtful pieces with very accurate spelling and well-structured sentences
Year Two
Sebastian – for a great improvement in his spelling and the presentation of his work.
Ruby – for fantastic effort with her writing
Year Three
Rio – amazing progress and attitude in all areas of the curriculum
William – always putting 100% effort into all class work including presentation.
Year Four
Sidney – great enthusiasm for reading and fantastic improvement in fluency
Taylor -super effort and improvement in fluency of reading
Year Five
Olivia M – for consistent great effort throughout the term
Jack – for consistent great effort throughout the term
Year Six
Max – for great focus and a positive attitude towards all his learning this year
Abigail – for always trying to do her best work.
We wish you a great summer and thank you for your support.
Best wishes
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
