Headteacher Newsletter Issue 5
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 5: 14.11.25
We would like to welcome two new families to the school – the Corps family to Reception and Year One and the Palmer family to year 5.
| Years 5 and 6 Tag Rugby
Well done to all the children who took part in the Tag Rugby competition this week – the children played five matches, winning four games overall. Twelve teams competed in the competition and Clavering placed third which means they progress to the next round. Thank you to Mr Snelling for training the squad, to Mrs Yildiz for organising the event, Miss Ullmann, Mrs Neal and Mr Anderson for supporting the children (and refereeing!) at the matches.
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SEN Coffee Morning for parents
On Tuesday 25th November 9 – 10, we will be holding our first SEN Coffee Morning for parents. This will be an opportunity to meet with our SENCO and other parents. This first meeting also includes our Mental Health Specialist Teacher.
Football Final
On Tuesday, selected children from year 5 and 6 went to Billericay Football Ground to play in the Essex finals. The Clavering squad battled extremely hard and made us all proud. The children should be proud of their contribution to this competition; we’ve never qualified for the final before. A big THANK YOU to Ben Brown for donating a brand new football kit to the school.
Years 1 and 2 History Workshops
| Year 1 and Year 2 both had a fantastic morning on Wednesday participating in ‘Perform’ History workshops. Year 1 travelled back to 1666 in a Great Fire of London workshop. They learnt about key characters of Thomas Farriner, Samuel Pepys, King Charles II and Sir Christopher Wren and enjoyed a variety of different acting activities. Year 2 travelled back in time to 1605 in a Gunpowder Plot workshop. They learnt about the events that occurred in the run up to the 5th November and split into groups to rehearse acting out the keys events before sharing the timeline ‘freeze frames’ in chronological order.
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Years 3 and 4 Dodgeball
Our mixed Year 3 and 4 dodgeball teams had a great afternoon competing in a tournament against four other schools. The children showed fantastic teamwork, determination and sportsmanship throughout every match.
We are incredibly proud to share that one of our teams came first overall, earning a well-deserved place in the next round of the competition. All of our other teams also performed brilliantly, placing within the tournament and representing our school with pride.
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Friends of Clavering School Disco
Thank you to the members of the Friends of Clavering and the Chair Jenny Hemsley for organising our school disco. The children had a great time.
Children in Need
Thank you to everyone for your generous donations for Children in Need. It was wonderful to see the children in their yellow and spotty accessories and hearing about other fundraising events they are taking part in over the weekend. We will let you know how much money was raised.
Remembrance Day
On the 11th November, our Key Stage 2 School Council representatives attended the Clavering Memorial Service along with Year 6 which was attended by Reverend Gary and members of the public. Our Year 6s had the privilege of reading the poem ‘Flanders Fields’ as well as reading through the names of the victims of both World Wars who were residents of Clavering. They did a fantastic job, and all the children had the opportunity at the end of the service to speak to veterans about their experiences and the children shared what they had been learning about in school. The rest of the children took part in a two minute silence back at school.
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IMPORTANT Two John’s e-safety session
Thank you to all the parents that were able to attend the Two John’s E-safety session last week. As I have said I cannot stress enough how important it is that all parents watch this. It is eye opening.
It is vital we all work together to keep our children as safe as possible in the online world, a world that we cannot keep them from.
This link has a time limit of now 21 days and we have been asked not to download it or save it anywhere. It can be circulated and shared with parents.
PLEASE WATCH IT!
Parents Event
Drop off times and key messages for class teachers
If you would like a message to given to your child’s class teacher, before school, then please catch the person on duty by the gate leading on to the playground. It is usually myself. These messages will be given to the class teacher before school.
Class teachers cannot meet with parents during this time as they are with the children in their classrooms. Appointments or telephone calls can be made upon request at a mutually convenient time.
Thank you for your support with this.
School Absences – sickness and holidays
Following Local Authority guidance we will be contacting families on a daily basis, even if we have been told there is sickness. Following the same guidance, if it is believed that the family are actually on holiday and not sick then this will need to be actioned as an unauthorised absence. Fines may follow.
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
Primary (Reception) places for September 2026
From 10 November 2025 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 2026. 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 safeguarding policy for all of our children.
Ooo000ooO
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
- 5th November Tag Rugby yr5/6
- 6th November E-safety Two Johns – pupils, parents and staff (online 8pm)
- 11th November Football Final yr5/6
- 12th November Dodgeball yr3/4
- 12th November Years 1 and 2 History workshops
- 13th November Friends of Clavering School Disco
- 14th November Year 6 Parent Sharing Assembly
- 27th November Bag2School
- 19th November Multi-skills Festival yr3/4
- 25th November SEN coffee morning
- 26th November Sports Hall Athletics yr3/4
- 1st December Tray Day
- 3rd December Open Morning
- 9th December KS2 dress rehearsal am, KS1 dress rehearsal, KS2 evening performance yrs 3 and 4 parent10th December Reception Nativity am, KS1 performance pm, KS2 evening performance yrs 5 and 6 parents
- 15th December Christmas Shopping Morning
- 17th December Christmas Lunch
ACHIEVEMENTS
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 7th November 2025
Reception Zephy – for her excellent gymnastics
Year One Maeve L – for working so hard in Maths, comparing two numbers
Year Two Matthew – for an improved pace in his work and always having a positive attitude
Year Three George – for showing excellent perseverance and making great improvement in English, especially in handwriting
Year Four Luna – for her fantastic contribution during our online safety assembly and giving thoughtful well written answers in PSHE
Year Five Bailey – for fantastic effort and resilience during the Tag Rugby Tournament
Year Six Beebee – for consistent hard work and a positive attitude to all learning
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a great weekend.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
