Headteacher Newsletter Issue 9
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 9: 31.1.25
We have some happy news to share with you as Mrs Tokeley is expecting a baby! She will be commencing her maternity leave during the second half of the summer term. Mrs Clutterbuck, one of our regular supply teachers, will be teaching Class 2 during this time. Mrs Bond will also be returning after February half term, following a school placement, and will resume teaching the class as part of her SKITT programme. They are both looking forward to this opportunity.
Magistrate visit – Year 6
On Tuesday 21st January, Class 6 were very fortunate to have a visit from the local Magistrate, Elaine. Elaine explained about her role as a magistrate and the differences between the two main courts in England: magistrate and crown. The children listened carefully, asked sensible questions and contributed to discussions. The class found out many interesting facts and how a criminal record can affect your future.
Tag Rugby – Year 4
On 22nd January, Class 4 participated in a tag rugby tournament at JFAN school last week. We were split into 3 teams. The A team were in the A group and the B and C teams were in the B group. Each team played 4 or 5 matches. Clavering demonstrated fantastic sportsmanship and all played fantastically! We ended up winning group A and coming 1st and 2nd in the B group! The A team have qualified for the next round in March. A big well done to everyone who participated and good luck at the next round!
Reception trip to Aerozone
Reception Class had a wonderful trip to Aerozone at Stansted Airport on Wednesday 29th January. They were an absolute credit to the school. The children learned the history of the airport and asked lots of great questions. We had a visit from the airport fire crew, including a truck. All the children sat in the cabin and got to spray water from the hose. From the viewing platform we could see the whole airport and control tower and saw lots of planes landing and taking off. We even saw a government plane and learned what happened when Taylor Swift took off from Stansted!!!
Inside Aerozone there were great activities including role play and dressing up, investigations, planes to make and lots of interaction.
A huge thank you to Amelia Berner who joined us for the day and to all our parent helpers too.
“The best day ever.”
Year 6 Sports Hall Athletics
On Wednesday 29th January, Class 6 went to JFAN for Sports Hall Athletics. The children competed in field and track events, with many of our pupils winning their individual events. The children worked hard, supported one another and cheered the successes of not just our class, but other schools too. The children were fantastic role models and they had a brilliant time! Out of the six schools competing, we came an amazing third place. A big thank you to Mrs Martin, Mrs Clutterbuck and Mrs Hall for coming with us to the event and supporting the children through all the different competitions.
Visit from Head of PE at JFAN
On Wednesday 29th January, Class 2 had a visit from Mrs Dunlop, Head of PE at JFAN, and our ‘School Games Organiser’. She worked with the children on their throwing and catching skills particularly those relating to netball. The children practiced their shoulder, chest, bounce and overhead passes and their footwork, focusing on how to land and pivot. They were then sorted into teams and practiced these skills in friendly matches against each other. The children showed fantastic enthusiasm and worked hard on their skills. They thoroughly enjoyed their sessions!
Year 6 Residential
As you may be aware, we have had to change our Year 6 residential due to Kingswood going into administration. We are pleased to announce that we have now secured our residential with PGL for the same dates (15th-18th June). Instead of being at West Runton we will be staying at Bawdsey Manor, on the Suffolk coast. PGL have kept to their word and honoured the price we agreed with Kingswood – no extra cost to parents or the school. Please continue to make payments if you have not paid in full already.
Food hygiene award
We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded a five star rating for food hygiene in our kitchen. This was renewed yesterday, after a formal inspection against the required hygiene standards. Congratulations to the kitchen team
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.
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
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
14th February Friends of Clavering ‘Wear What You LOVE day’
W/B 17th February Half Term
25th February Safer Internet Day
26th February Cross Country KS2 pm
4th March Friends of Clavering Pancake Flip
6th March World Book Day
18th March Dance Festival 4.15 – 6pm
19th March Dance Festival 4.15 – 6pm
20th March Friends of Clavering disco
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
INSET days 2025 – 2026
The INSET days for the next academic year have now been agreed and approved. There are five in total. These are days set aside for staff training and are non-pupil days –
- Monday 1st September 2025
- Friday 24th October 2025
- Monday 13th April 2026
- Monday 1st June 2026
- Monday 20th July 2026
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 17th January
Reception Monty – for great effort in blending sounds for his reading
Year One Grace A – for working hard to create a fantastic colour wheel by mixing different colours
Year Two Fred – for always working hard and making good choices
Year Three Rollo – for using great persuasive language to advertise his exciting new shoes
Year Four Hugo – for fantastic extra effort to learn his time tables
Year Five Alfie – for his super effort researching information about the solar system
Year Six Frankie – for helping others in Maths and showing kindness to all children
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 24th January
Reception Heath – for putting extra effort into his letter formation
Year One Ivy – for using bossy verbs and adjectives in her instruction writing
Year Two Alex R – for great resilience and effort in Maths
Year Three Joshua – for showing lots of enthusiasm and for pushing himself in all areas of his learning
Year Four Bodhi – for great effort with his handwriting, having a positive attitude and being a fantastic rugby player
Year Five Luca – for a super monologue and autobiography
Year Six Jemima – for always challenging herself in Maths, being kind and helpful to everyone
If you have any questions at any time, please feel free to make an appointment.
Wishing you all a good weekend.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher