Headteacher Newsletter Issue 4
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 4: 24.10.24
I cannot believe we are at half term already. We are really pleased to see how settled the children are, especially the new Reception children. We are looking forward to Miss Ullmann returning from her maternity cover after half term to teach class 3 on a Monday to Thursday, with Mrs Webb teaching on the Friday. Ms Crosby will be teaching in year 5 with Mrs Rudkin. We wish you all a happy and enjoyable half term. Please note that tomorrow, Friday, is an INSET day so the school will be closed to pupils.
New School Access
The plans to develop our new school access are developing well. The intercom, lighting and signs are to be put in place over half term. This should all be complete in time for us to officially open the access the week beginning Monday 11th November. We will confirm nearer the time.
Harvest
Last week we celebrated harvest with a special assembly that the whole school attended. Each class presented some work connected to the themes of Autumn, Harvest and thinking of others. It was a lovely range of work – songs, poems and art work. We also sang two favourite songs – Conkers and Harvest Samba in two parts!!! It was fantastic.
The harvest donations were on display which we are really grateful for. Uttlesford food bank came to collect the donations. We were also very fortunate to have our new vicar Rev. Gary Fleming joining us for this celebration. He enjoyed it very much and thought the children were fantastic. He is looking forward to visiting us again after half-term.
Dodgeball
The whole of year 6 were very lucky to attend this year’s dodgeball competition. We entered four teams in three divisions. The children had many games to play against lots of schools and very much enjoyed the experience. One of our teams came joint first in their division, another two teams came second and fourth in the same division and the other team placed third. We were very proud of all the effort the children put into their playing and for showing their team skills. A huge thank you to Mr Snelling for coaching the children prior to the event and Mrs Martin & Mrs Clutterbuck for supporting the class in the competition. Well done Class 6!
NSPCC – Speak Out Stay Safe
Miss Morton led assemblies for Reception, KS1 and KS2 for the NSPCC ‘Speak Out, Stay Safe’ campaign. The children learnt about their rights to be safe and to be heard if they have worries, who their trusted adults are at school and out of school and how Childline can support them as well. The children listened carefully to the important messages that were being delivered but also contributed to discussions throughout the assembly.
Cross Country
Last week, some of the children from across KS2 took part in a cross country event at Chrishall Primary School. The children ran fantastically and came away with some great results including some medals!
In class 3, Laura and Liza came 1st and 4th respectively while Henry C and Ollie came 5th and 6th this sees them through to the next round as well as the remaining top 6 boys for the class, Jacob, Alfie, Rollo and Eddie! The class 4 boys did exceptionally well with 6 of them placing in the top 10! Frankie achieved 1st place, Max 2nd, Fraser C 6th, Archie 7th , Thomas 8th and Hugo 9th and they too will attend the second round alongside Luca from year 5 who finished in 7th and the top 6 Year 5 girls Elise, Phoebe R, Hattie and Amelia who all finished in the top 20 and Evie and Lottie who came in 1st and 6th.
In Year 6, there was equal success as the top 6 girls and boys all finished within the first 15: Alexa in 2nd, Jemima in 5th, Ruby in 7th, Elsa 8th, Amelia 10th and Tilly 14th, while the boys saw Lenny 1st, Ollie 2nd, Elliott 4th. Toben 8th, George 10th and Frankie 12th.
All of the children ran brilliantly showing great determination and stamina, they represented the school amazingly and everybody that took part should be very proud of themselves.
Parent Consultations
Thank you to all the parents that attended the Parent Evenings this week. We hope you found them informative.
Dinner Money – pre-ordering meals
From 4th November, you will be required to order your child’s lunches in advance. Advanced ordering will help our school kitchen budget more effectively, enabling correct quantities of food to be ordered ahead of time, resulting in less waste. For those parents who pay for their child’s meals, this new system should also help with the management of their Scopay account. Meals will need to be ordered a minimum of 1 week in advance. If a change to a meal choice is required, the cut-off time will be 8am on that morning. If a child has an authorised absence, eg sickness, you will not be charged for that meal if you have pre-paid.
For parents of children in Key Stage 2 who pay for meals, you will need to ensure there is enough credit in their Scopay account to pay for the meals you wish to order. The system will notify you if there is not enough credit to proceed.
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 and could add up to an ‘unauthorised’ absence.
Thank you.
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 2025
From 12 September 2024 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 2024. 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 (Reception) places for September 2025
From 4 November 2024 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 2025. 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
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
22nd October Parent Evening
23rd October Parent Evening
23rd October Yr5/6 Dodgeball pm
25th October INSET day – school closed to pupils
28th Oct – 1st Nov Half term
4th Nov – 8th Nov Friendship Week
6th November Tag Rugby Yr 5/6
7th November Friends of Clavering School Disco
7th November Open morning
15th November Children in Need
13th November Parent Forum
13th November Dodgeball Yr3/4
20th November Multiskills Yr 3/4
27th November Sports Hall Athletics Yr 3/4
26th November School Photos
2nd December Tray Day 3.20 – 4.20pm
2nd December Second-hand uniform sale 3.20-4.20
7th December Spirit of Christmas
11th December KS2 evening performance yrs 5 and 6 parents
12th December Reception Nativity am, KS1 performance pm, KS2 evening performance yrs 3 and 4 parents
16th December Year 5 Parliament trip
18th December Christmas Shopping Morning
19th December Christmas Lunch
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 11th October 2024
Reception Charlotte – for brilliant changing for PE and super ideas in the lessons
Year One Olivia – for always showing her best listening and for trying hard to keep it up
Year Two Quincey-Beau – for always giving her best effort in all of her learning
Year Three Liza – for producing amazing sentences in her written work in English
Year Four Seren – for great confidence and effort in all areas, especially PE this week
Year Five Christopher – for always being so helpful and his excellent attitude towards his learning and work
Year Six Ruby – for fantastic column method for subtraction
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 18th October 2024
Reception Indie – for brilliant phonics and reading
Year One Ariella – fantastic creative work in our computing lessons. Your Opie style portrait is excellent
Year Two George – for great use of concrete resources in Maths and good understanding in topic
Year Three Jakob – for amazing swimming and excelling in all areas of the curriculum
Year Four Buddy – for a huge improvement with his handwriting and creative ideas in English
Year Five Dougray – for some lovely adverbial additions to simple sentences
Year Six Elsa – for always being thoughtful and considerate of others – a kind and caring friend
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception
Rose – great progress with reading
Wilf – Super progress in writing
Year One
Orla – She has been grasping Maths concepts quickly. She is always keen to do more!
Miles – He is becoming more confident and fluent in his reading.
Year Two
Peter- Great improvement in the pace and content of his writing.
Fabian- Great progress in maths and always giving 100%
Year Three
Ollie – for excellent focus and participation in all curriculum areas.
Laura – for excellent focus and effort, especially with reading challenges.
Year Four
Bodhi- for improved independence in his Maths work.
Archie- a great improvement in the application of his spelling knowledge.
Year Five
Phoebe S – great attitude to learning and self-improvement
Kitty – great attitude to learning and self-improvement
Year Six
Penny – for always trying her best and making great progress in writing and maths.
Oscar – for completing all work set, helping younger children and coming into school positively.
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 “Resilieroo”. Two children from each class were nominated for a special award and will enjoy a hot chocolate treat with Miss Allsop.
Reception: Monty and Nephele
Class 1: Edward and Ezzie
Class 2: Sydni and Evy
Class 3: Jakob and Eva
Class 4: Fraser B and Lila
Class 5: Cheyanna and Dougray
Class 6: Toben & Ruby
If you have any questions at any time, then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a great half term.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher