Headteacher Newsletter Issue 4
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 4: 10.11.23
KS2 Cross Country
Clavering had a fantastic time at cross country on 18th October. We competed against many other local schools. The races were split by year group and gender. All runners tried their best and we are extremely proud of how supportive the children were to their peers.
Here are a few notable results:
| Year 3 Girls | Year 3 Boys | Year 4 Girls | Year 5 Girls | Year 5 Boys | Year 6 Girls | Year 6 Boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Emily | 1st Frankie | 1st Eve | 1st Polly | 3rd Lenny | 4th Ava | 3rd William |
| 3rd Evie | 4th Alexa | |||||
| 4th Lottie |
Friendship Week
Last week, the whole school took part in our annual Friendship Week where we enjoyed spending time with children from our house groups. Our activities for the week included writing friendship acrostic poems and creating friendship quilts using collage in art. We also voted for our house captains, took part in eco-friendly activities which included reading the book, ‘Under The Sea Cleaning Spree’ and we also enjoyed playing games with our peers.
Year 3 and 4 Multi-Skills Event
On Wednesday, Years 3 and 4 took part in a multi-skills event at Joyce Frankland. We worked in teams to complete 8 stations which included relays, ball skills and balancing skills. We really enjoyed working with the Year 10 pupils who guided us through each activity. The Year 4s and 3s worked extremely well together encouraging and cooperating with their teammates and everyone was resilient in having a go at every activity. Well done everyone!
Heads of School
The Heads of School have met with me a few times this term to discuss their role. They have represented the school extremely well during recent events – the Open Morning for potential new parents and MacMillan Coffee Morning. They wrote and delivered a speech during the MacMillan Coffee Morning. They have also led tours around the school for visitors.
They are now meeting with each class with key questions to see what areas they can focus on to help the leadership team further develop the school.
They already are an asset to the team.
FOC Scary Hair day
The children thoroughly enjoyed having scary hair on Halloween. Thank you to the Friends of Clavering for organising this event and to all the parents that produced the amazing hair styles!
Governor Focus Day
On October 16th we welcomed all our governors and Linda Robinson, from the NGA, into the school for a whole school monitoring day. They spent time in a number of classes, met with children and subject leaders to discuss our priority areas linked to school development. Everyone enjoyed the day and found it very informative.
New governors
We are delighted to welcome two new governors to the team – Chris Peters, a co-opted governor, and Nick Briggs, a parent governor. We are looking forward to working with them.
Staffing
Sadly, we will be saying goodbye to Mrs Lawless and Mrs Skinner this week as they will be starting new ventures. Mrs Lawless has been a Midday Assistant and Learning Support Assistant in Reception class. Mrs Skinner has been a Midday Assistant and Learning Support Assistant in Year One. We wish them well for the future and would like to thank them for their hard work.
We would like to welcome Mrs Whyman and Mrs Draper. They will both join the Learning Support Assistant team.
School Admissions – Primary – Apply Now!!
To apply quickly and easily for primary school places go online to https://www.essex.gov.uk/admissions-to-essex-schools-for-the-next-school-year
Primary (Reception) places for September 2024
From 6 November 2023 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 2024. Applications received after this date are considered late and will reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred schools. Please note even if a parent already has a sibling at the school, you still need to apply if you have a child due to start Reception next September.
Application for leave of absence for term time holidays
Guidance from the Local Authority:
“Leave of absence may only be granted by a person authorised in that behalf by the proprietor of the school. As from 1st September 2013, the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 amended Regulation 7 to prohibit the proprietor of a maintained school from granting leave of absence to a pupil, except where an advance application has been made by the parent with whom the pupil normally resides, and the proprietor considers that there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application.
Taking your child out of school during term time could be detrimental to your child’s educational progress. There is no entitlement to parents to take their child out of school during term time, however, you may apply to the school for leave of absence if you believe there are exceptional circumstances.
If the absence is not authorised and the holiday is taken, the case will be referred to the Education Welfare Service who may issue a Penalty Notice for £120 (or £60 if paid within 21 days) to each parent for each child taken out of school.”
Please note occasional days for birthdays and treats cannot be authorised and cheaper prices cannot be considered to be a valid reason. No leave of absence will be granted during our assessment weeks or the first week of the Autumn term. Medical appointments, if at all possible should be made outside school hours. Siblings of children attending medical appointments should remain in school.
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
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.
Ooo000ooO
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
14.11.23 Flu Vaccine
16.11.23 Friends of Clavering School Disco KS1 5pm-6pm KS2 6pm -7pm
17.11.23 Class 4 Sharing Assembly 2.45
27.11.23 School Photos
27.11.23 – 1.12.23 Bikeability for Year 6
2.12.23 School Choir Spirit of Christmas event
5.12.23 Bag2School
13.12.23 KS1 dress rehearsal am, KS2 dress rehearsal, KS2 evening performance yrs 5 and 6 parents
14.12.23 Reception Nativity am, KS1 performance pm, KS2 evening performance yrs 3 and 4
parents
15.12.23 Tray Day
18.12.23 Friends of Clavering Christmas Shopping Morning
19.12.23 Christmas Lunch and entertainment
20.12.23 End of term
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 13th October
Reception Oscar – fro great enthusiasm in phonics
Year One Griff – for being a very helpful member of Class One
Year Two Lucas – for fantastic effort, enthusiasm and resilience in all of his learning
Year Three Delilah – for fantastic perseverance and effort in French this week
Year Four Lottie – for being such a kind friend and thinking of others before herself
Year Five Carrie – for consistently trying her best in everything she does and being a great team player
Year Six Morgan – for a positive attitude to learning and always being polite and helpful
Week ending 3rd November
Reception Olivia – for her fantastic firework print
Year One Quincey-Beau – for showing great enthusiasm towards all her learning and for always giving us a smile
Year Two Jakob – for great enthusiasm, engagement and understanding in his learning, especially Science
Year Three Wilbur – for fantastic listening and contributions during PE
Year Four Beebee – for being extremely kind and supportive to the younger children throughout Friendship Week
Year Five Tilly – for an excellent description in your alternative ‘Highwayman’ ending
Year Six Jack – for focused and thoughtful work in Religious Education: Peace and Conflict.
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception
Grace H – for fantastic number work
Alex – for excellent progress in reading
Year 1
Sydni: – always tries her best in everything that she does and is a great role model to others.
Freddie:- fantastic learner, works so hard especially with his writing and reading.
Year 2
Marnie – for fantastic progress in reading fluency and comprehension.
Laura – for great effort and understanding in maths.
Year 3
Elizabeth – for great progress in English and always being ready to learn.
Buddy – for settling into Year 3 well and making progress in all areas.
Year 4
Kitty – for being a supportive friend and always putting other people’s needs before her own.
Matilda – for showing such enthusiasm in her learning especially on our recent trip to Audley End.
Year 5
Penny – for great focus and effort in class
Ollie – for great focus and effort in class
Year 6
Max H – for a positive start to year 6 and working more independently in maths and writing
Morgan – always working hard and making progress in maths and writing
Cartoon Attitude Learning Awards
We have our super-hero learning behaviours, which the children created in their house groups during a Friendship Week. This term the children worked hard on resilience, championed by ‘Resileroo’ Two children from each class were nominated for a special award and will enjoy a hot chocolate treat with Miss Allsop.
Reception Matthew and Jack
Class 1 Naomi and Quincey
Class 2 Eva and Lucas
Class 3 Bodhi and Willa
Class 4 Cheyanna and Alastair
Class 5 Ruby and Ella
Class 6 Theo & Ava
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a good weekend.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
