Headteacher Newsletter Issue 4
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 4: 21.10.21
Harvest Assembly
On Wednesday 13th October, we came together as a whole school to celebrate harvest festival. The hall was decorated with straw and grain kindly donated from the Balaam family and all the generous food donations were on display.
The children sang very enthusiastically three songs that they had been practising with Mrs Tokeley and Miss Crosby – Conkers, The Harvest Samba and our favourite Paintbox Song.
Each class had prepared and shared some work related to harvest:
Reception Class showed their scarecrows and Autumn tree paintings and then we watched a video of the class performing an apple poem and singing a harvest song.
Class 1 painted and read out a harvest food alphabet. They did brilliantly as some of the letters were tricky to find foods for!
Class 2 learned and performed a wonderful harvest poem.
Class 3 wrote about different foods using wonderful descriptive language.
Class 4 read out lovely harvest poems they had written.
Class 5 had produced some superb tonal art-work using different Autumn colour palettes.
Class 6 closed the service with some beautifully written and thoughtful prayers.
Thank you to all the children, staff and parents for contributing to this special celebration and an enormous thank you to all those families who donated food for the Uttlesford Food Bank in Saffron Walden.
Cross Country
Yesterday children from Years 1-6 travelled to Chrishall Primary School to take part in a cross-country competition hosted by the Uttlesford School Sports Partnership. Children from KS1 ran brilliantly with Archie in Class 1 finishing in first place and Eve in class 2 finishing 2nd in their races. The success continued in the KS2 races with Polly in Class 3 finishing in first place, Tommy in Class 4 finishing in first, Ellie in Class 4 finishing 2nd, William in Class 5 finishing 1st and Jake in class 6 finishing 3rd. KS2 children then had their top scores collated with the top four schools going through to the next round of competition. Out of the nine other schools competing Clavering came in the top four in every year group with the Year 5 and 6 girls runners finishing in 1st place and the Year 3 girls and Year 5 and 6 boys coming in 2nd overall. This means that the top boys and girls from each KS2 class will go through to the next round of competition. Everyone enjoyed their morning and gave great effort in their races.
Bikeability
This week some of Year 6 have had a two -day Bikeability course Level 1 and 2. There were two groups of 9 this week and then another group of 9 in November. Over the two days they learnt the skills needed to ride their bikes safely on the road. Despite, some wet and windy weather the groups have really enjoyed the experience and felt they had learnt a lot about being safe on the road. Well done Year 6!
Christmas boxes
A big thank you to everyone who gave an item for the Christmas boxes. We had lots of donations. The boxes will be taken to the Roman Catholic Church in Stansted where, in half term, a lorry will collect them and take all the Christmas boxes to children in Eastern Europe. Thank you all!
School Council
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS – week commencing 1.11.21
| Monday | |
| Football Club | Year 6 3.15-4.15 |
| Tennis Club | Year 1- 6 3.15 – 4.15 |
| STING Drama Club | Year 1 – 6 3.15 -4.15 |
| Tuesday | |
| Football Club | Year 5 3.15 – 4.15 |
| Fitness Club | Year 2 3.15 – 4.15 |
| Wednesday | |
| Mindkindness | Year 3-6 3.15 – 4.15 |
| Football club | Year 3 3.15-4.15 |
| Fitness club | Year 1 3.15 – 4.15 |
| Netball club | Year 5/6 3.15 – 4.15 TBC |
| Thursday | |
| Football club | Year 4 3.15-4.15 |
| Art Club – glass decorating | Jan 2022 – due to work commitments |
| Friday | |
| Boys’ and Girls’Hockey | Years 5 and 6 at JFAN |
E-safety training
Last week the children, staff and parents attended sessions led by the Two Johns on e-safety. We all heard the latest safety messages in order to keep us as safe as possible online. We hope you found the parent session informative.
A few parents have asked us for a recording of the parent session. We have been in touch with the Two Johns and they have sent us a link to the recording on You Tube but is it ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL SUNDAY 7TH NOVEMBER 2021. They also “ask that it is not downloaded or copied as the material is constantly changing and may not be correct”
You tube Link for parents’ session – https://youtu.be/k9Huu3xNLRM
Squid Game
We thought you might be interested in these articles which explains the concerns around children accessing the Netflix show Squid Game. We would really encourage you to set your pa-rental controls on Netflix. Whilst not wanting to draw attention to it, we also want to share the information.
These are vital messages for all parents so if you have not heard this session as yet, then I recommend that you do so.
Sharing Assemblies – an invitation to Parents
We will be resuming our Sharing Assemblies for Parents from this term. As before, it will be our usual Friday Sharing Assembly with an invitation to parents from a particular class as outlined below . The assembly is at 2.45 until 3.15pm
Autumn Term
Year 6 5th November
Spring Term
Year 2 date to be confirmed
Year 5 date to be confirmed
Summer Term
Year 1 date to be confirmed
Reception date to be confirmed
Year 3 date to be confirmed
Year 4 date to be confirmed
Sickness
The school office should be notified on the first day of each absence before registration at 9.00am and this should be followed up in writing on the day of return.
If your child has been vomiting or had an upset stomach a 48 hour leave of absence from the last episode is required. For guidance on other illnesses please contact the School Office or refer to the document on the website in the ‘Attendance’ section – “Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings”.
Lateness
School starts at 8.50 a.m. We have noticed several children 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.
COVID
Restrictions and protective measures have been reduced but it is vital that we are still vigilant and recognising and acting on COVID symptoms.
The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
If anyone has any of the COVID symptoms, no matter how mild, they must stay at home and take a PCR test. If the results are positive then they must isolate for 10 days. If they have symptoms they must isolate whilst waiting for the test results. If anyone has a positive result on any test they must isolate.
Please inform the school if anyone in the household has COVID symptoms.
Protective measures in school
We have had two cases in school but fortunately, due to timings and vigilance, there have been no contacts in school on these occasions. In order to manage the current climate and enable us to continue with whole school activities and having visitors in school, it is vital that we work together. We are putting extra measures in place around the official guidance to enable us to continue with the whole school way of working.
All visitors coming into the school will be asked to wear a mask and take a Lateral Flow Test (LFT), prior to visiting. They will sign a document to declare:
- that they have not travelled or transited through any of the countries or areas as per government guidance/restrictions
- that they do not have any symptoms
- that they have not been asked to self-isolate by NHS Track and Trace
- that they do not have anyone at home with symptoms or a positive COVID result
We would also like to see the negative LFT result – emailed photograph.
If we do have contacts (pupils or staff only) in the school setting then we ask that they do NOT come back to school until their PCR test is negative, despite the guidance, and that they take LFTs for the 10 day contact period. Staff will also be asked to wear a mask when they are not teaching or eating.
As per the guidance, all staff will continue to take Lateral Flow Tests twice a week. Ventilation, strong hygiene and cleaning routines will be in place. These measures will be increased if the virus rate increases.
PCR test can be arranged online by following this link: Get a free PCR test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). If you cannot use the online service, call 119. Lines are open 7am to 11pm.
In order to decrease the testing time please opt for a face-to-face test as opposed to a postal option.
You can access a free LFT in a number of ways, including at the local LFT site in your district, by collecting a home LFT kit from a test site, or by ordering a home test kit online. More information about these options can be found here: Regular Rapid Lateral Flow Coronavirus (Covid-19) Tests.
School Admissions – Primary and Secondary – Apply Now!!
To apply quickly and easily for primary and secondary school places go online to https://www.essex.gov.uk/admissions-to-essex-schools-for-the-next-school-year
Secondary school places for September 2022
From 10 September 2021 you can apply online for your child’s school place https://www.essex.gov.uk/apply-for-a-secondary-school-place
You must submit an application by the national closing date of 31 October 2021. Applications received after this date will be considered late and you may reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred school.
Primary and junior school places for September 2022
From 8 November 2021 you can apply online for your child’s school place https://www.essex.gov.uk/apply-for-a-primary-school-place
You must submit an application by the national closing date of 15 January 2022. Applications received after this date are considered late and will reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred schools.
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
Ooo000ooO
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
18.10.21 – 21.10.21 Bikeability for year 6
20.10.21 Cross Country Event years 1 – 6 (am)
22.10.21 INSET Day – school closed to pupils
1.11.21 – 5.11.21 Friendship Week
3.11.21 Dodgeball years 3 and 4 (pm)
5.11.21 Sharing Assembly – invitation for year 6 parents – 2.45pm
5.11.21 Friends of Clavering Pumpkin Competition
11.11.21 Friends of Clavering Neon Disco
11.11.21 Year 6 and School Council attend the village Remembrance
15.11.21 – 16.11.21 Bikeability
15.11.21 Odd Sock Day Anti Bullying Week
17.11.21 Dodgeball years 5 and 6 (pm)
17.11.21 Parents Evening
18.11.21 Parents Evening
19.11.21 Children in Need
1.12.21 Sports Hall Athletics years 3 and 4
6.12.21 Tray Day
13.12.21 Friends of Clavering Christmas Shopping Morning
14.12.21 KS2 Dress Rehearsal (for pupils) am, KS1 Dress Rehearsal pm and KS2 Evening Performance for Parents of years 3 and 4
15.12.21 Church Service
15.12.21 Christmas Lunch
16.12.21 Reception Nativity am, KS1 Performance pm and KS2 Evening Performance for Parents of years 5 and 6
17.12.21 Last day of term
4.1.22 INSET day – school closed to pupils
5.1.22 New Spring term begins
INSET Dates for the academic year 2022 – 2023
Schools allocate five non-pupil days for staff training:
Thursday 1st September 2022
Friday 2nd September 2022
Friday 21st October 2022
Monday 17th April 2023
Monday 5th June 2023
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending October 8th
Reception Jakob – for being a super phonic sound spotter and finding our new sounds everywhere
Year One Bailey – for working really hard in phonics to improve her sounding out and use of the correct sound when writing
Year Two Eve – for fantastic focus on her learning this week
Year Three Alexa – for an excellent attitude to learning and helping others
Year Four Martha – for great contributions to class discussions, always trying her hardest and great ideas for her Harvest poem
Year Five Liam – for great engagement in class this week
Year Six Olivia A – for being a kind and helpful friend to her Reception buddy
Week ending October 8th
Reception Cruz – for his excellent phonics, reading and writing
Year One Willa – for her wonderful writing and use of scientific words when creating a leaflet about the body
Year Two Evie – for her brilliant projection of her voice when reading the class poem in assembly
Year Three Elliott – for being an amazing role model and producing ideas in PSHE
Year Four Camden – for his mature, sensible and thoughtful ideas in PSHE
Year Five Brian – for using excellent expression and intonation when performing a poem
Year Six Jack – for his excellent work on shape this week
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception
Jakob – for excellent progress in phonics and handwriting
Frankie-Mae for her outstanding reading
Year One
Wilbur – for his excellent learning attitude and progress particularly with his writing and his problem solving skills in Maths.
Isobel – for her improved self-confidence and self-belief helping her to improve her independent writing skills and maths skills.
Year Two
Matilda W – for fantastic effort with her reading.
Isabella P – for lots of effort and hard work to improve her phonics.
Year Three
Lenny – for consistent effort and improvement particularly in writing.
Esme – for working hard to complete work independently with improved presentation.
Year Four:
Morgan -great effort and enthusiasm with his reading and writing.
Max S-for great understanding and effort particularly in maths.
Year Five
Amelia – for consistent focus and effort across the curriculum, always giving her best.
Sidney – for great focus and effort to give his best in all his subjects
Year Six
Maisie – for developing independence and resilience when facing a challenge
Henry – for always trying to do his best work.
WRITER OF THE WEEK
| w/e 8/10/21 | R – Nell – using her sounds to help her write
1 – Alfie – attempting to independently write his own sentences 2 – Minty – excellent independent writing 3 – Lenny – for amazing effort with handwriting 4 – Rowan – amazing effort with his fable and harvest poem 5 – Amelia – thoughtful letter writing 6 – Holly – thoughtful WW1 poem |
| w/e 15/10/21 | R – Scarlett – for great formation of the letter M
1 – Seren – for great narrative writing 2 – Tilly – for trying really hard to use a correct pencil grip 3 – Darcey B – for great Science writing 4 – Teddy – for a great harvest poem 5 – Wilf – for using questions effectively to develop understanding of a character 6 – Rory for his thoughtful Harvest prayer |
KITCHEN AWARD
Each week the kitchen team present an award to the class or individual for good manners –
4.10.21 Class One – for exceptional manners
11.10.21 Kayleigh – for always saying thank you
18.10.21 Eve – for great manners
THE IT DIDN’T GO UNNOTICED AWARD
11.10.21 Theo – for giving up his play equipment so that someone else could enjoy it
Look out for our next edition of ‘Friday Focus’ after half-term:
The fortnightly Friday Focus is a chance for every class at Clavering to share their learning with the Clavering School community. It is a great opportunity to find out what each year group has been up to and engage in conversations around learning.
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a good half term.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
