Headteacher Newsletter Issue 7
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 7: 12.12.25
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.
Christmas Productions
We have had a wonderful week of Christmas plays. The Key Stage One performance ‘A Midwife Crisis’ took place during the afternoon of 10th 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. It was a great success and the children impressed everyone with all the songs and actions that they had remembered.
KS2 performed ‘Silent Night’ over two evenings. It was an amazing performance. All year groups had a role within the play. Year 6 had the speaking parts. The acting flowed beautifully and the songs were sung extremely well. We were very proud of them.
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, re-writing the script and making props.
Recordings of the school productions will be available to buy 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.
Decorating the Christmas Tree
Our oldest and youngest children decorated the tree with Mrs Martin
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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 their support this term. We are looking forward to our Christmas shopping morning next week and our Christmas entertainment with Calamity Clown.
Parent Forum
Our Parent Forum met last week. We are making plans for a Hobby Week, where visitors will talk to the children and share their hobbies. We also discussed costs to the school, our new end of day arrangements communication and developing our volunteering system.
Year 5 Road Safety
The year 5 children enjoyed and informative presentation from the Road Safety team recently, which included a practical activity.
Year 6 Forest School
This week Class 6 went to the forest again with Forest School Leader Mrs Eltis. The children had an amazing time, playing games, rope tying, sawing, drilling, hammering and crafting. The sun was shining brightly for us and amazing time was had by all. Thank you to Mr Anderson for supporting us with walking to and from the forest as well as getting stuck in with the drilling!
Year 2 Forest School
Class two have really enjoyed our forest school sessions this term. We’ve enjoyed watching the forest change as we go through the Autumn. We’ve really loved building dens, climbing trees and playing musical instruments made of ‘forest finds’! This year (for the first time) we have walked to the forest. We really enjoy walking across the field and talking about areas of the village some of us have never seen before.
Years 5 and 6 Dodgeball
Our team went to the final dodgeball competition at Lord Butler last week. We played really well and finished 4th out of 16 teams. We won 2 games, drew 1 and lost 3 games. We played against some quite difficult teams and drew against the school we thought was the strongest!
Thanks to Miss Crosby and Mr Snelling for supporting us.
By Elise Year 6
Year 3 Egyptian Day
As part of their Ancient Egyptian topic, Year 3 enjoyed a wonderful hands-on history workshop this week, stepping back in time to the 14th century BC during the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten. Throughout the morning, the children took part in a range of practical activities, including making canopic jars, creating perfumes, learning the process of ink-making, and designing their own amulets. In the afternoon, the class divided into groups to build on their learning in creative ways. One group performed a re-enactment of the myth of Osiris, others prepared and presented a dance and mime, and the final group brought the Royal Court to life through drama. It was an interactive, engaging and educational day that not only reinforced the children’s previous learning but also deepened their understanding of Ancient Egyptian life. Thank you to all the parents who made sure the children really looked the part and for the parent helpers who supported the day
Years 3 and 4 Dodgeball Final
Our team from Year 3 and 4 went to Felsted school for the dodgeball finals.
We played a total of 18 matches. We won 4 and drew 3. Unfortunately, we lost the other matches but not many points. The whole team played fantastically against other strong teams. We finished 6th out of 17 schools. We had a lovely afternoon. Thank you to Mrs Bond and Mrs Snelling for supporting us.
By Alfie and Laura
Year 4 Cheerleading Competition
After several weeks of learning and rehearsing their routine, Year 4 have made us all incredibly proud – they won the cheerleading competition we entered!
The children spent several weeks learning, practising and perfecting their routine before submitting their final video entry. We are thrilled to announce that they were chosen as the overall winners out of more than 20 schools that took part.
Well done Year 4 – a fantastic achievement!
Please see below a message from the Local Authority regarding seasonal illnesses.
“As we move further into the term, we want to remind all settings of the key guidance available to help manage seasonal illnesses and keep pupils and staff well.
- Education Hub Blog: Reducing the spread of illness this winter: Seven steps to healthier schools and higher school attendance – a helpful blog for parents and staff.
- NHS Guidance for Parents: Is my child too ill for school? – a useful resource to help parents decide when children should stay at home.
- Preventing and Controlling Infections Guidance: Includes advice on vaccination, ventilation, and good respiratory hygiene.
- A–Z of managing Infectious Diseases: Practical guidance on managing specific illnesses.
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.
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.
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Dear Parents and Residents of Clavering,
On behalf of the Clavering Parish Council, the Steering Group are undertaking the development of the Clavering Neighbourhood Plan. We wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the current progress, but also to highlight the need for a neighbourhood plan and to gain your support in its preparation.
What is a neighbourhood plan?
Following the government’s stated aim to increase the number of houses built, the local district council has designated Clavering as one of the larger villages and as such it is required to accommodate 116 new houses over the next 15 years. The availability of a neighbourhood plan allows the residents to have a much greater say in where these houses are built, what they look like and what additional facilities/infrastructure may be required.
In the absence of a plan, Uttlesford District Council will decide where these houses are built, and residents will have no say.
What are the Steering Group doing?
Currently the Steering Group is collecting evidence from residents on what is important to them about the village, how they would like the new houses to look and what facilities are essential to them. In addition, we are obtaining evidence from the landowners and potential developers so that potential sites can be evaluated as possible candidates for these new houses.
We very much need your input to ensure this plan is appropriate for the whole village. As such, we are holding a meeting in the Village Hall on 14th January at 6.30pm. Free refreshments will be available, and we would be delighted to see you there and to hear your views. If you cannot attend, you can contact us on or via our website www.claveringnp.co.uk
Kind regards
Rachel Tallon (Chair of Clavering Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group)
Ooo000ooO
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
5th January Spring Term starts
7th January Parent Forum 2.30pm
8th January Friendship Day
W/B 2.2.26 Parent Forum Hobbies Week
10th and 11th February SENCO/Parent/Class teacher discuss Learning Plans (ahead of SENCO writing them). Appointments to be arranged with parents
W/B 16th February Half Term
27th February Public Speaking year 4 at Great Chesterford
16th March Tray Day
19th March Governor Focus Morning
25th and 26th March Parent Evenings
27th March End of term
13th April INSET Day
14th April Summer Term begins
CLUBS SPRING TERM – 2026
After School Clubs will start the week commencing 12th January unless stated.
| Monday | |
| Football Club | Year 4-6 3.20 – 4.20 |
| Drama Club STING | Year 1-6 3.20 – 4.20 |
| Tuesday | |
| Football Club | Years 1- 3 3.20 – 4.20 |
| Golf Club | Year 3 – 6 3.20 – 4.20 |
| Wednesday | |
| Tag rugby club | Key stage 2 3.20 – 4.20 |
| Choir | Year 2 – 6 3.20 – 4.20 |
| Thursday | |
| Dodgeball Club | Year 4 – 6 3.20 – 4.20 |
| Tennis Club (to restart after February half term) |
Years R – 3 3.20 – 4.20 |
MUSIC TUITION
Mrs Thomas will continue with piano lessons starting the week of the 12th January.
SWIMMING
Swimming lessons will commence on 12th January for Year 2. All year groups from years 1 – 6 will have the opportunity to swim this year. There will be a block of approximately 5/6 sessions for each class.
ACHIEVEMENTS
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception:
Casper – excellent progress in reading.
Grace – excellent progress in reading and name writing
Year One:
Mollie –her fantastic work ethic! We are often impressed by your understanding!
Hudson –his ability to explain his thinking and ideas clearly to others.
Year Two:
Kizzy – a great improvement in her independence and work in all subjects.
Jasper – a huge improvement in focus and effort.
Year Three:
Freddie – setting a good example to others with his behaviour and attitude to his work.
Freya – her enthusiasm for her learning and her creative ideas.
Year Four:
Rollo – demonstrating a consistent work ethic and positive approach to every lesson.
Alfie – for his resilience, steady pace and determination to keep improving, especially in English.
Year Five:
Eleanor – a fantastic attitude and effort in maths this term.
Wilbur – always making consistent progress in maths and English – carefully adapts his work to meet the success criteria.
Year Six:
Amelia C – fantastic progress in maths and English – always having a positive working attitude.
Alfie – consistently working hard in English and maths and being kind and helpful to others.
Cartoon Attitude Learning Awards
We have our super hero learning behaviours, which the children created. This half term the children worked hard on curiosity, championed by “Curi-paws”. Two children from each class were nominated for a special award and will enjoy a hot chocolate treat with Miss Allsop.
Reception: Arthur and Florence
Class 1: Rory and Thomas
Class 2: Vihana and Monty
Class 3: Bella and Evy
Class 4: Alice and Nell
Class 5: Xander and Frankie
Class 6: Christopher & Isabella
If you have any questions at any time then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a great weekend.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
