FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER  ISSUE 6:                            29.11.24

Staffing
We are sad to announce that Mrs Gilbertson has retired, after being working at the school since 1985. We wish her well and would like to thank her for her hard work and commitment over the years. We are looking forward to celebrating her time with us in the new year.
Mrs Coy will also be leaving us at the end of term, to explore a new venture focusing more on her amazing cake baking. We are very sad that she will be leaving as she has been an excellent Catering Manager and has been working at the school for 12 years. We wish her well with her new role.
Ms O’Brien, our current Deputy Catering Manager, is taking over this role and we are currently looking to recruit a new Deputy Catering Manager.
We would like to welcome Mrs Gowar who has joined us as a Learning Support Assistant, supporting 1:1 children.

Ancient Egyptian Day
Class three have just enjoyed a fantastic Ancient Egyptian Day! We all came into school dressed in our costumes and we chose our Egyptian names for the day. As we entered the hall, we took part in a range of activities to give us a better understanding of the reign of Arkhenaten. Some of the activities included using clay to make amulets and canopic jars as well as tomb painting. In the afternoon, we worked in groups to rehearse our roles on the Royal Court and we then performed at the festival and enjoyed some refreshments.

Sports Hall Athletics – Years 3 and 4
Some members of Classes 3 and 4 have been through ‘squad training’ with Mr Snelling to prepare for the Sports Hall Athletics event. This week these children went to JFAN to participate in the competition. Firstly, we completed the field events including javelin, speed bounce, 5 strides and many more. After this, we all sat down to watch the track events which included different relay, hurdle and obstacle races. Team Clavering were amazing and we ended up as the overall winners of the competition. This means we have qualified for the final (against different schools) early next year!

Multiskills – Years 3 and 4
Classes 3 and 4 had a great time at multi-skills. We were placed into groups of 12 and sent to our first activity. The Year 10 children at JFAN explained what we needed to do and helped us; we thought they were fantastic teachers! We completed sporting activities such as speed bounce, hockey dribbling, throwing & catching, noughts & crosses and many more! We had a fantastic time, and all learnt many new skills.

Tag Rugby Final
Last Thursday, some of Year 5 & 6 went to Carver Barracks for the Tag Rugby finals for Uttlesford. It was very cold and windy. We won some games, we drew some games and we lost some games. We had lots of fun, even though we were freezing. There were 20 schools who participated. We were very proud of ourselves.
Elsa & Lenny

E-safety messages from The Two Johns
This week we listened to pertinent e-safety messages from The Two Johns. Pupils attended sessions during the day, staff after school and parents in the evening.
Thank you to everyone that attended as it is vital we are aware of these messages so that we can all work together to keep our children safe.

Reception trip to Audley End
Reception class had a wonderfully crisp and festive visit to Audley End to visit Father Christmas. What excitement on the coach and then boarding the little steam train. We loved the dancing elves and talking to Mrs Christmas as we waited in anticipation for Santa. He gave us all a wonderful gift. Then we found the special letterbox to post our brilliantly written letters. We also enjoyed a play in the playground.
We are enormously proud of how well the children represented Clavering School.

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 places go online to https://www.essex.gov.uk/admissions-to-essex-schools-for-the-next-school-year

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

27th November         Sports Hall Athletics Yr 3/4
26th November        School Photos
2nd December          Tray Day 3.20 – 4pm
2nd December          Second-hand uniform sale 3.20-4.20
7th December           Spirit of Christmas
11th December         KS2 evening performance 6-7pm – yrs 5 and 6 parents
12th December        Reception Nativity 10am, KS1 performance 2pm, KS2 evening performance 6-7pm yrs 3 and 4 parents
16th December        Year 5 Parliament trip
18th December        Christmas Shopping Morning
19th December        Christmas Lunch
20th December       End of term
6th January             INSET day – school closed to pupils
7th January             Spring Term begins

ACHIEVEMENTS

STAR OF THE WEEK

Week ending 15th November
Reception Dylan – his creative balancing in PE
Year One Maisie – trying hard to share her ideas during discussions
Year Two Sydni – great perseverance and effort in Maths learning column method with exchange
Year Three Tilly – always giving up her time to be there for others and putting a smile on their face
Year Four Elizabeth – fantastic engagement with our Victorians topic and super effort with her handwriting
Year Five Jake – for making a big effort with improving presentation
Year Six Penny – for always having a positive hardworking attitude to all learning

STAR OF THE WEEK

Week ending 22nd November 2024

Reception Mollie – for fabulous reading and for being the kindest friend
Year One Oscar – for giving it his all when singing and doing the actions for our Christmas production
Year Two Freya – for fantastic effort understanding of column addition and subtraction
Year Three Marnie – for showing excellent sportsmanship at our multi-skills event
Year Four Bailey – for fantastic effort and independence when working on column subtraction, with more than 1 exchange
Year Five Cheyanna – for persevering and making super progress in our music lessons
Year Six Greta – for fantastic progress with adding and subtracting mixed fractions

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

Have a great weekend.

Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher