Headteacher Newsletter Issue 10
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 10: 6.2.26
We would like to welcome the Brown family to the school, who have joined classes Reception, 2 and 3
Sports Hall Athletics
On Wednesday 28th January, some children from Years 5 & 6 attended a sports hall athletics competition at Joyce Frankland. The children took part in field and track events and were very successful, coming first place! The final will take place next week. Well done everyone.
Heads of School
The Heads of School have been working with a pupil in year 3 who would like to raise money for the school by organising a Talent Show. Plans are being discussed and explored with a view to holding this event in the Summer term. Children will be asked if they would like to take part after half term.
Friends of Clavering AGM and Second hand uniform
The FoC AGM was held this week. We would like to thank Jenny Hemsley and the whole team for another successful year, and all of you for your support in raising over £11,000. This money went towards replacing the school’s 8 interactive whiteboards.
We are also pleased to announce that 72 laptops have been donated to the school and will be delivered in the coming months.
Following Monday’s 2nd hand uniform sale, the Friends are pleased to announce that these sales will become a monthly fixture – look out for dates coming soon. If you have any old uniform in good condition that you would like to donate, please do drop (bagged and clean) at the school office.
Dance Coach
This week, Classes 2 and 3 had an extra special PE lesson run by dance coach Tamara. This is to prepare us for the upcoming dance festivals. Both classes started learning a new dance routine to familiar songs. Over the coming weeks, we will have two more sessions with Tamara to finish and practise our dances before performing them to other local schools.
Reception trip to Aerozone
On Wednesday, Reception class enjoyed a wonderful trip to Aerozone and Stansted Airport accompanied by our fabulous parent helpers including our very own pilot, Mrs Berner. This was to support their topic on Transport which they are loving!
They listened brilliantly while Alex spoke about the airport’s past, present and future. They asked questions from the outset and learned such a lot. James, Robin and Fred shared their knowledge about family members and gravity – well done boys.
Highlights were visiting the viewing platform next to the runway and watching the planes land and take off and seeing the prior learning in real life. We also made a wide range of paper planes, took part in science experiments and the aeroplane role and play and dress up were a real hit.
Judging by the quiet and sleeping children on the way back, a great day was had by all.
Tag Rugby years 3 and 4
On Wednesday, some of classes 3 and 4 attended a tag rugby tournament at JFAN. Team B played 3 matches winning them all and receiving medals! Team A progressed to the semi-final and placed third meaning that they will attend the next round, the Uttlesford final! All of the children had a wonderful morning and played brilliantly representing the school well!
Good News and Thank You !!
A big thank you to the Langley Fete Committee for donating £600 towards Forest School costs and topic books for the library, which will support the curriculum offered across the school. We would also like to thank The Saffron Walden Round Table for donating £500 to support curriculum resources. We are extremely grateful for these donations which will help us maintain the high-quality provision across the school.
Our school funding is being cut from the next financial year, which will impact our provision offer, so all donations are greatly received.
If any parents are aware of potential funding opportunities, grants, match funding offers, or donations, then please get in touch.
We would also like to say a big thank you to Anna Green for her continued hard work and support in this area.
Inclusion Coffee Morning
Our next Inclusion Coffee Morning is on Tuesday 10th March at 9am. This will be an opportunity for you to meet our SENCO, Mental Health Specialist and other parents
Parking along the private road Vassars Field – IMPORTANT INFORMATION FORM VASSARS FIELD MANAGEMENT COMPANY
The Vassars Field Management Company met with the school last week and would like us to share the information below so that we can all work together to make school drop and pick up times safer for the children –
- The access road and parking areas are private roads owned by Vassars Field Management Company and not the school. We respectfully therefore ask for parents to adhere to the rules put in place to protect the children being dropped off.
- For all parking spaces on the access road, cars need to park FACING Stortford Road
- There are 38 spaces in total including the access road and car park. No cars are to be parked on double yellow lines, the pavements or elsewhere on the private road
- We request cars are parked for no longer than 20 minutes
- The speed limit on the access and loop roads is both 10mph to ensure the safety of the children
- Currently the residents of Vassar Field have found that at times a further 20 cars are parked in addition to the 38 spaces on double yellow lines and pavements. The situation will be monitored until the end of February to see if these practices stop. If, however, no improvement is noted, the residents will have no option than to instruct the services of a parking enforcement company. Please note if this is necessary the parking fines are £100
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, on the school site, 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.
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.
Ooo000ooO
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
4th February Tag Rugby Year 3 and 4
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
24th February Friends of Clavering Pancake event
26th February Sharing Assembly – Year 4 parents invited
27th February Public Speaking year 4 at Great Chesterford
5th March World Book Day
W/B 9.3.26 Parent Forum Hobbies Week
10th March Inclusion Coffee Morning
12th March Sharing Assembly – Year 2 parents invited
16th March Tray Day
19th March Governor Focus Morning
19th March FOC School Disco
24th March Choral Festival
25th and 26th March Parent Evenings
27th March End of term
13th April INSET Day
14th April Summer Term begins
ACHIEVEMENTS
HEADTEACHER’S AWARD
For children who have achieved their personal best:
Reception
Zephy – excellent progress in reading and writing
Emily – great progress in reading
Year 1
Rocco – his creative and imaginative ideas. We have often been impressed by your artwork. Keep it up!
Maeve N – for her fantastic work ethic and attitude towards learning.
Year 2
Maisie – fantastic improvement in her reading and independent writing.
Edward – improved stamina in his written work.
Year 3
Quincey-Beau – consistently working hard to improve her maths.
Elis – great effort in trying to improve his understanding of problem solving in maths.
Year 4
Esther – fantastic determination, growing independence and always trying her hardest in all curriculum areas well done!
Oscar – excellent improvement across all areas of learning, with particular focus on Maths and consistently high standards of presentation in every book.
Year 5
Fraser C – being an independent and mature member of our class.
Emily – her positive attitude and for always taking on a challenge with enthusiasm.
Year 6
Christopher – consistent engagement in all learning, particularly in English and Maths
Evie Archer – improved self-confidence, progress across all subjects and a love of science
Cartoon Attitude Learning Awards
We have our superhero 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 – Albert and Niamh
Year 1 – Edward and Rose
Year 2 – Colin and Arthur A
Year 3 – Amelia and Alex R
Year4 – Laura and Thea
Year 5 – Cecily and Lila
Year 6 – Phoebe & Alastair
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 23rd January
Reception Casper – being a brilliant role model and for his creative ideas
Year One Maeve N – always listening and being ready to learn in all areas of the curriculum. Also, for being such a good friend
Year Two George – great effort to ensure his work is accurate and listening to advice to improve his
handwriting
Year Three Peter – a great effort in his writing this week
Year Four Eddie –showing excellent effort and focus in both Maths and English throughout the week
Year Five Fraser C – always being polite, thoughtful and a hard-working member of the class
Year Six Christopher – his enthusiasm and engagement with the text ‘Boy in the Tower’ and writing
great narrative
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 30th January
Reception Oscar – his great writing and positive attitude
Year One Finley – his excellent fact writing in his ‘egg-spotter’s guide’
Year Two Ivy – her amazing independence, always giving things a go and being a fantastic role model
Year Three Felix – great understanding of short multiplication in Maths
Year Four Nell – always being amazing – 100% effort in all areas of learning
Year Five Elizabeth – following instructions modelled in Maths and tackling challenges with
confidence
Year Six Phoenix – being kind, thoughtful and caring to others, always working hard
If you have any questions at any time, then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a great weekend.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
