Headteacher Newsletter Issue 7
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 7: 20.12.24
As we approach the end of term I would like to thank you all for your support and wish you a very happy Christmas. We have had a fun packed lead up to Christmas, including a naughty elf that has been up to mischief around the school.
Year 5 trip to Parliament
Year 5 had a fantastic day out when we went to London. We went to the British Museum, where we saw the Elgin (Parthenon) marbles, some Egyptian mummies and a Picasso Exhibition. We had lunch at the museum.
We then got back on the coach and went to Parliament. There was a bit of a wait before we were allowed in. As we were waiting, two officers from the Metropolitan police happened to come along. We had a good chat with them and asked many questions! They very kindly said we could have a photo with them.
After that, we went to Parliament and visited the House of Commons and the House of Lords, followed by a workshop in the Education centre. It was very interesting.
Finally, we travelled home. This was a really long journey but we got to see lots of famous buildings, including The London Eye and the Tower of London.
Dodgeball Final
The first tournament was a family tournament which we won overall, by winning 8 out of 8 games, coming first. We were then entered into the sports partnership tournament and came 12th out of 16. Overall we came 12th out of the 60 teams that entered.
Christmas Productions
We have had a wonderful week of Christmas plays. The Key Stage One performance ‘Fleece Force – An Arresting Nativity’ took place during the afternoon of 12th December. The children were fantastic. All the children managed to learn a lot of lines for the speaking parts and words for the songs.
During the morning, Reception class performed a wonderful Nativity for their parents, called The Twinkly Nativity. It was a great success and the children impressed everyone with all the songs and actions that they had remembered.
KS2 performed ‘Bethlehem the Musical’ over two evenings. It was an amazing performance. All year groups had a significant role within the play with a mixture of speaking parts and dances. Year 6 had the larger speaking parts, but all children in KS2 this year had the option of a speaking part if they wanted it. The acting flowed beautifully, especially during the second performance and the songs were sung extremely well. Several personal bests were achieved, as children put themselves forward for many challenging roles. We were very proud of them. It was a huge production. We are now ready for the West End!!
Well done to all the children for taking part in the Christmas plays and a big thank you to all the staff, for all their hard work across all the plays. A special thank you to Miss Morton for all the extra work she put in behind the scenes out of hours. Thank you too for all your generous donations. The money will go towards the cost of the play licences and a donation to the Food Bank.
The school productions will be available to buy on a DVD early next term.
Spirit of Christmas
The school choir took part in the Spirit of Christmas event in Saffron Walden last weekend, after a practice session at our local church. The children sang beautifully, both as a school and with all the choirs in attendance. A huge thank you to Laura Thomas, for her hard work preparing the school choir, and to Mrs Course, who looked after the children during the event.
Tray Day
Thank you for attending our Tray Day. We hope you enjoyed looking at your child’s work with them.
Thank you Friends of Clavering
Thank you to the Friends of Clavering for an excellent Christmas shopping morning this week and our Christmas entertainment with Calamity Clown. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and have perfect presents for their family!
Staffing
As you are aware Jayne Coy, our Catering Manager is leaving us today after 12 years. We wish her well with her cake business. Jo White will be joining us as our new Deputy Catering Manager, alongside Sarah O’Brien who will be our Catering Manager, Angela Davies and Natasha Gilderwood. We are looking forward to working with our new team.
Clare Archer is leaving her Learning Support Assistant role at the end of this term. We would like to thank her for her support. Holli Thomas will be joining the team in this role after Christmas. We are looking forward to welcoming her.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Miss Morton for passing her NPQSL (National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership). NPQs requires a great deal of intensive study, attendance at various seminars and an assessment. The research has also informed school practice.
The Winter Reading Challenge is Back at Essex Libraries for Early Years and Primary Schools
This year, the theme is dragons, and children will complete a range of fun, interactive, literacy-boosting activities to earn stickers! Plus, they can enter the big prize draw for some amazing prizes. Children can sign up in any Essex Library, any time between Thursday 2 January 2025 and Saturday 22 February 2025. More information can be found on the Essex Libraries website, or you can access the digital promotion pack for schools.
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, in order 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 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.
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.
CLUBS SPRING TERM – 2025
After School Clubs will start the week commencing 6th January unless stated.
| MONDAY | YEAR GROUPS |
| Football Club (13.1.25) | Yrs 4-6 |
| Cookery Club (13.1.25) | Yrs 5 & 6 |
| Drama Club STING (13.1.25) | Yrs 1-6 |
| TUESDAY | |
| Football Club | Yrs 1-3 |
| Fitness Club | Yrs 1-4 |
| Golf Club | Yrs 4-6 |
| WEDNESDAY | |
| Tag Rugby Club | Yrs 3-6 |
| Choir | Yrs 2-6 |
| THURSDAY | |
| Dodgeball Club | Yrs 4-6 |
| Tennis Club | Yrs R–3 |
MUSIC TUITION
Mrs Thomas will continue with piano lessons in January, starting the week of the 6th January.
SWIMMING
Swimming lessons will commence on Monday 13th January for Year 5. All year groups from years 1 – 6 will have the opportunity to swim this year. There will be a block of approximately 6 sessions for each class.
Best Decorated Classroom Competition
All the classes have worked hard over the last two weeks decorating their classrooms with their own decorations. There has been great team work, feature walls and rooms filled with colour. The winners received a cake, made by Mrs Coy, which they enjoyed during the day. A huge well done to Class 2 who were the worthy winners.
Ooo000ooO
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
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
21st January Magistrate – Year 6
22nd January Tag Rugby Yr4 am
29th January Sports Hall Athletics Yrs5/6 pm
3rd February O2 Young Voices
5th February KS1 Multi Skills pm
7th February NSPCC Number Day
W/B 10th February Professional Week
12th February Yrs3/4 Sports Hall Athletics (poss yrs 5/6) am
W/B 17th February Half Term
25th February Safer Internet Day
26th February Cross Country KS2 pm
6th March World Book Day
18th March Dance Festival 4.15 – 6pm
19th March Dance Festival 4.15 – 6pm
20th March Governor Focus Morning
24th March Tray Day
28th March Sharing Assembly – Year 2 parents invited
2nd April Parent Evening
3rd April Parent Evening
4th April End of term
22nd April INSET Day
23rd April Summer Term begins
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 29th November
Reception Ted – for his brilliant work in gymnastics
Year One Darcey – for trying and working hard in Maths, especially contributing during lessons
Year Two Harrison – for fantastic understanding in English and Science
Year Three Annabelle – for growing in confidence in Maths by using dienes to support her addition work
Year Four Willa – for fantastic effort with her William Morris print and always having a positive attitude to learning
Year Five Amelia – for making a huge effort with presentation
Year Six Romeo – for a positive attitude to all learning and brilliant work with fractions, decimals and percentages
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 6th December
Reception Noah – working very hard on our Nativity
Year One Sonny – for his excellent acting skills in the Fleece Force
Year Two Griff – for fantastic work in Geography and great effort during rehearsals
Year Three Alfie – for using lots of creative ideas and adjectives in his character description
Year Four Jacob – for fantastic effort during play rehearsals
Year Five Esmee – for super note taking about the Elgin Marbles
Year Six Toben – for fantastic DT template design – very careful measuring
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 13th December
Reception Hudson – for his brilliant performance in the Twinkly Nativity
Year One Alex – for his efforts in his writing. You are using and applying your phonics well and trying hard with your handwriting
Year Two Michaela – for fantastic effort and enthusiasm in our KS1 performance
Year Three Henry – for his enthusiasm and commitment to his role in our play
Year Four Caleb – for being a fantastic understudy and learning three parts in the play, as well as amazing acting in his role
Year Five Yan – for excellent work using the computers
Year Six Jemima – for always working hard, being kind and helpful to everyone
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception:
Edward – excellent progress in reading.
Elliott – excellent progress in reading.
Year One:
Bramwell – for being such a fantastic learner and showing so much curiosity.
Ivy – for being a great role model and learner.
Year Two:
Harrison- great improvement in the content of his writing.
George – great improvement in the fluency of his reading.
Year Three:
Jude for taking ownership of his work and for sharing new discoveries with the class.
Liza for tackling all her learning with enthusiasm and courage.
Year Four:
Isaac – for having an open-minded attitude towards challenges in Maths.
Fraser B – for great effort and improvement in all subjects.
Year Five:
Phoenix H – for working so hard on presentation.
Phoebe S – for great focus and effort in all areas of the curriculum.
Year Six:
Carrie – for consistent hard work, amazing development of writing and consistent progress in maths.
Tommie – a positive attitude to learning and brilliant progress in maths.
Cartoon Attitude Learning Awards
We have our super hero learning behaviours, which the children created. This half term the children worked hard on cooperation, championed by “Co-octopus”. Two children from each class were nominated for a special award and will enjoy a hot chocolate treat with Miss Allsop.
Reception: Mollie and Hudson
Class 1: Grace and Alex
Class 2: Griff and Alex S
Class 3: Nell and Oscar
Class 4: Thomas and Jasmine
Class 5: Beebee and Phoebe R
Class 6: Alexa and Maya
If you have any questions at any time, please feel free to make an appointment.
Please note that the first day of the Spring term is an INSET day and closed to pupils, so the new term starts on Tuesday 7th January.
Wishing you all a lovely Christmas.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
