Headteacher Newsletter Issue 10
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 10: 14.2.25
Today the children are enjoying taking part in Wear What you Love Day. Thank you to the Friends of Clavering for organising this.
Professional Week
We have had an excellent Professional Week this week. Thank you so much to all our speakers. The children had an amazing time and it was such a pleasure to witness the support for this event. Thank you to the Parent Forum for finding our speakers. The children were fortunate to hear from – a music supervisor, pilots, care in the community, classical musicians, magazine editor, sport data broadcaster, toy industry, formula one driver, weather presenter, rally driver (with his car!), veterinary, clinical researcher, employment solicitor, police, engineering specializing in human factors, charity work and a scientist working on a cancer drug.
O2 Young Voices
What a magical day – 40 children from Year 2 to 6 descended on the 02 Arena in London for the Young Voices Concert 2025. Nothing quite compares to the sound of children singing! The children were absolute superstars as were the adult helpers. The children sang a multitude of songs and medleys alongside the Urban Striders dance crew, Tommy Blaize from Strictly, MC Gramma, Dancing Dave and many more. There was a special tribute to Bob Marley and piece written by Jacob Collier. What a special opportunity for us all! A huge thank you to Mrs Thomas and Miss O’Brien for preparing the choir and to Mrs Snelling and all you wonderful adult helpers who did not stop dancing and singing throughout!!! Would you do it again? Milly (Y6) – “100%”
Year 6 CPR
On the last two Tuesdays, Class 6 had the amazing opportunity to learn the important life skills of CPR from our amazing specially trained guests – Glenis & Gerry. Half of Class 6 took part in their training one week and the other the following. The children were fantastic learners and exceptional role models. They have shared their learning through their PSHE work.
KS1 Multi-Skills
Last Wednesday, Classes 1 and 2 visited JFAN to take part in a multi-skills festival which was run by the Uttlesford School Sports Partnership. They worked on skills used across the PE curriculum on a carousel of activities which included: bouncing a tennis ball against a wall and catching it, dribbling with a hockey stick, shuttle runs through a hoop and bowling balls at cricket stumps among others. The children had a great afternoon practicing their skills!
Year 3 and 4 Sports Hall Athletics
This week, the qualifying members of classes 3 and 4 competed in the Sports Hall Athletics final. We started by competing in the field events such as javelin, long jump and speed bounce. After that, we competed in the track events varying from obstacle races to relay races. The children were fantastic and everyone represented the school really well! We finished in 4th place out of all schools from every qualifying round. Well done Clavering!
Heads of School
Our Heads of School have worked hard recently leading an assembly, making and delivering ‘idea’ boxes and collating responses from all the pupils re lunchtimes. The Heads of School will be sharing the findings with the children and governors after half term, with a plan of action to follow.
Congratulations
Congratulations to our amazing staff members that have completed and attained NPQ qualifications. Miss Morton, as you are aware, attained an NPQ at the end of last term – NPQSL (National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership). We now have heard that our other three members have also passed –
Miss Hagger NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture
Mrs Rudkin NPQ in Leading Literacy
Mrs Course NPQ in Leading Teaching
NPQs requires a great deal of intensive study, attendance at various seminars and an assessment. The research has also informed school practice. This is an amazing achievement.
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
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 Governor Focus Morning
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
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception:
George S – fantastic progress in independent writing and reading
Rory – outstanding progress in reading
Year One:
Arthur – he always tries hard to use and spell more adventurous and exciting words in his
writing.
Nella – in Maths, she is grasping concepts well and using and applying her knowledge and understanding to show her potential as an able Mathematician.
Year Two:
Amelia – great effort, working hard to improve her writing.
Freya – excellent work trying to improve her letter formation and writing.
Year Three:
Lunetta – showing excellent resilience when tackling challenging maths problems.
Cruz – always showing kindness and respect towards his classmates.
Year Four:
Frankie – fantastic effort with his writing and taking on advice to improve.
Bailey – amazing effort and independence in all areas.
Year Five:
Amelia G – super effort with presentation
Luca – successfully developing his own voice in creative writing
Year Six:
Lenny – fantastic progress in writing; applying and understanding grammatical terms.
Evie – consistent progress in all areas of the curriculum and contributing positively to lessons.
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: Rory and Charlotte
Class 1: Sophie and Monty
Class 2: Alex R and Elis
Class 3: Esther and Eddie
Class 4: Astrid and Wilbur
Class 5: Elise and Christopher
Class 6: Tilly and Elliott
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 31st January
Reception George – excellent independent writing, always trying to write more
Year One Orla – fantastic writing. Always using all the features we have been learning in your writing
Year Two Naomi – always working hard, having a positive attitude and a smile on her face
Year Three Laura – challenging herself on TTRS and moving up the school leader board
Year Four Eleanor – a great explanation of the rules of multiplication using key words factors and product
Year Five Hattie – for excellent letter writing about life on the Titanic
Year Six George – for showing true sportsmanship at indoor athletics
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 7th February
Reception Rory – for excellent writing about our trip and super balancing in PE
Year One Louie – trying very hard to use and apply his phonics in his writing
Year Two Bertie – for great effort with his ‘Black Hat’ story
Year Three Luna – for showing excellent cooperative skills on PE and in computers
Year Four Hugo – for his hard work and great enthusiasm for his work all week
Year Five Beebee – for always working hard in ALL areas of the curriculum and being a super lovely
person
Year Six Sebastian – for brilliant contributions to discussions for the balanced argument
If you have any questions at any time, please feel free to make an appointment.
Wishing you all a good half term
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
