FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER  ISSUE 9:                            1.3.24

We would like to welcome some new families that have joined us – Berner in Reception, Galas in classes Reception and year 1, Ridgway in year 5, Harwood in year 2, Lewis in year 3, Catlin in years 2 and 4 and  Riley in year 2.

Friends of Clavering Pancake Flip

The children had a fantastic time flipping pancakes before half term and raised a lot of sponsorship money. Thank you to the parents and family members for sponsoring and well done to the children.  Here are the winners for each class.  They received prizes in assembly –

RECEPTION

Boy: Miles (16 flips)

Girl: Grace (17)

YEAR 1

Boy: Alex R (24)

Girl: Juliet (20)

YEAR 2

Boy: Cruz (27)

Girl: Thea (24)

YEAR 3

Boy: Alfie (27)

Girl: Lila (22)

YEAR 4

Boy: Benjamin (32)

Girl: Phoenix (25)

 

YEAR 5

Boy: Ollie (49)

Girl: Jemima (36)

YEAR 6: 

Boy: Ilia (53 – overall best of the day! He did say he’d practiced for 3 hours the night before!!)

Girl: Ava (35)

A big thank you to the Friends of Clavering and to the helpers that ran the event on the day –

Jenny, Laura, Anna Green, Holli T and Hollie G.

 Dance Festival for Year 3

Class Three had a fantastic time at the Dance Festival. After school on Tuesday, we met up at County High School. We were dressed in our costumes ready to perform on the ‘big stage’. We took our seats and watched some of the other schools perform! We then had our turn on stage. We performed our street dance routine to the song ‘Never be Alone’ by Becky Hill. Everyone danced their socks off and all teachers and parents were extremely proud! Here are some comments the children wrote.

“I enjoyed the Dance Festival because it was a once in a lifetime experience and I loved watching the other schools!” Archie.

“I enjoyed the Dance Festival because it was such a good feeling when we did it in front of so many people!” Isaac.

“It was so exciting, they said our name and I was even more excited. We all did amazingly, it was great watching other schools!” Delilah

Cross Country Final

Some of our children in KS2 went to Carver Barracks on Wednesday, 28^th February, for the cross country event.  It was very windy but they all had a great time.  We are very proud of all our runners and congratulations to Frankie N for getting through to the final to be held in Southend.

Friends of Clavering Neon Disco

Thank you to the Friends of Clavering for a fun packed disco this week.  The children thoroughly enjoyed the Neon theme and having fun with their friends.

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, 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 the school 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.

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 our children.

Ooo000ooO

 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY  

26.1.24                         Sharing Assembly – Year 6 parents invited – 2.45pm

31.1.24                         Year 4 Tag rugby

6.2.24                           Reception class trip to Stansted

7.2.24                           KS1 multi-skills Festival

13.2.24                         Friends of Clavering sponsored pancake flip

19.2.24 – 23.2.24          Half Term

28.2.24                         Cross country final pm KS2

29.2.24                         Friends of Clavering Neon Disco

5.3.24                           Parents Evening

6.3.24                           Gym/Dance Show KS2

7.3.24                           Parents Evening

7.3.24                           World Book Day

8.3.24                           Sharing Assembly – Year 2 parents invited – 2.45pm

15.3.24                         Tray Day

21.3.24                         The Two Johns E-safety Sessions – children, staff and parents (8 – 9.30) online

28.3.24                         Friends of Clavering Easter Egg Hunt

28.3.24                         Last day of term

15.4.24                         INSET Day – school closed pupils

16.4.24                         Summer term begins

ACHIEVEMENTS

STAR OF THE WEEK 16.2.24

Reception         Henry – for enthusiastic reading

Year One          Peter – for demonstrating great focus and enthusiasm during PE lessons

Year Two         Alfie – for fantastic effort with reading

Year Three       Lila – for always trying her best, having a positive attitude and fantastic effort with her homework

Year Four         Eve – for her excellent effort improving her handwriting and presentation

Year Five          Sebastian – for excellent scientific understanding of forces and motion

Year Six           Camden – for fantastic Maths coordinates in the four quadrants

WRITER OF THE WEEK

R: Matthew for improved name writing

1:  Harrison for super descriptive sentences about an imaginary stick

2:  Esther for a fantastic effort writing expanded noun phrases

3:  Jaxon for a fantastic advert

4:  Beebee for trying really hard to improve her handwriting

5:  George for an excellent effort writing independently

6:  Rosie for a great non-chronological science report

HEADTEACHER’S AWARD

For children who have achieved their personal best:

Reception:

Arthur – for outstanding progress in reading

Nella – for brilliant phonics

Year One:       

Bertie – for being such a thoughtful and kind class member who always wants to learn and do his best.

Chantelle – for showing great enthusiasm towards her learning and for always working really hard.

Year Two:

Lucas- for great improvement in reading and writing

Luna- for great progress in writing and increased confidence in maths

Year Three:

Caleb – for a great improvement in his handwriting and presentation

Frankie – for making a great effort with the accuracy of his work

Year Four:

Hattie – for excellent presentation and concentration in our science lessons.

Tilly P – for trying super hard with all maths activities this term

Year Five:

Greta – for excellent mature contributions across the curriculum

Poppy – for great focus and effort in all subject areas

Year Six:

Darcie – for making fantastic progress with independent writing in English

Luke – for making consistent progress in reading, writing and maths.

Cartoon Attitude Learning Awards

We have our super hero learning behaviours, which the children created.  This half term the children worked hard on independence, championed by “Indi-panda”.  Two children from each class were nominated for a special award and will enjoy a hot chocolate treat with Miss Allsop.

Reception:        Max T and Orla

Class 1:            Felix and Fabian

Class 2:            Alice and Oscar

Class 3:            Kyle and Fraser C

Class 4:            Phoenix and Esmee

Class 5:            Carrie and Evie

Class 6:            Oscar and Bella

The It Didn’t Go Unnoticed Award

14.2.24 Luna (year 2) for being a great friend and looking after one of our new pupils so well.

If you have any questions at any time, please feel free to make an appointment.

Have a good weekend

Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher