Headteacher Newsletter Issue 11
FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER ISSUE 11: 27.2.26
We would like to welcome the Barrozo, Butler and Fehmi families, who have joined class 3, class 2 and class 1.
Heads of School – talent show
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 have been asked to let their teacher know by the 13th March if they would like to take part.
Year 6 CPR training
Before half term, Year 6 were very fortunate to take part in CPR training. Glenis and Gerry spoke about what to do if you come across someone who is unconscious, how to check if they are breathing, who to call for help and how to perform CPR. The children practised CPR on specialist dummies to the tune of ‘Staying Alive!’. After they learnt how to do CPR, they practiced putting each other in the recovery position. The children also learnt where the school defibrillator is, in case of emergency. The children asked and answered questions in a mature manner. We are incredibly grateful to Glenis and Gerry coming into to school to teach this life saving technique as they do this as volunteers.
Safer Internet Day
On Tuesday 10th February, the whole school participated in the annual event of Safer Internet Day – the UK’s biggest celebration of online safety covering online issues or themes relevant to young people. ‘Smart teach, safe choices – exploring the safe and responsible use of AI,’ was the theme. In the morning. Miss Morton led an important about Safer Internet Day and throughout the day, each class participated in a class-based activity.
SEN Learning Plan Review meetings
Thank you to the parents that met with the class teacher and SENCO to discuss Learning Plans. This is a new format that we are introducing to increase the time for parents to meet with our SENCO and the class teacher to discuss learning plans. We hope you found the sessions informative. Feedback we have had is that they need to be a bit longer, which we will try and do.
We are looking to have these sessions each term in addition to parents evening.
There will be the usual slots available for Parents Evening, with the class teacher, but there will also be an opportunity to book a slot with the SENCO.
Sports Hall Athletics
On Thursday 12th February, selected members of KS2 went to the Lord Butler Leisure Centre to represent Clavering Primary School at the finals of Indoor Athletics. First of all, the children took part in ‘field events’ which included triple jump, chest push, speed bounce and many other activities to demonstrate skills and secure points for their team. After that, we moved on to ‘track events’. These races involved team work, speed and huge amounts of focus. Throughout the whole competition, all children represented the school in a superb manner and everyone completed their event with 100% effort. We are proud of everyone who took part. Thank you to all the adults who came and supported the event, it is very much appreciated.
Forest School for Reception and Year 6
We had a very special joint session at forest school on Friday 13th February. The year 6 buddies gave the Running Rabbits a lovely surprise as they sat in the log circle. The children spotted some movement in the distance and along came Year 6!
The Year 6 children supported and entertained us with their wonderful rope and climbing skills. It was brilliant. A huge thank you to the parent helpers.
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Friends of Clavering Pancake Event and Second-hand Uniform Sale
Thank you to the Friends of Clavering for organising another successful pancake event. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The winners in each class for the most ‘flips’ will be announced in assembly and we are in the process of calculating the money raised.
Thank you also to the Friends of Clavering for running another second-hand uniform sale.
KS2 Cross Country Final
This week children from KS2 attended the Uttlesford cross country final at Carver Barracks. The children attending had previously qualified from the first round in the Autumn term. Thankfully the sun was shining as there was a tough course to run, which was much longer than before, but all runners tackled it with great determination and resilience with fantastic results. The year 6 girls and year 5 girls’ teams both placed 9th, year 5 boys placed 5th, year 4 girls placed 4th and the year 4 boys and year 3 girls both placed 11th. The year 3 boys team placed 1st with the top 3 runners, Cameron, Griff and Alex S progressing to the county final in Southend. Joining them are two individual runners Max in year 5 who placed 4th and Laura in year 4 who placed 1st. This has been one of our most successful cross-country events, the children represented the school brilliantly and should be very proud of their efforts.
Book Sale for World Book Day
Next week, on Thursday 5th March, we will be holding a book sale in school during the morning – Mrs Green has kindly organised this again for us.
There will be a huge selection of new and nearly new books available for just £1 each, including picture books, early reader books, and chapter books, suitable for children from Reception to Year 6.
All children will have an opportunity to go to the Book Sale. If your child would like to purchase one or more books, please send them in with cash on the day.
All of the money raised will go towards purchasing new topic books (non-fiction books on the curriculum topics each class is required to cover), which the school currently need.
Don’t forget, children are invited to come to school dressed as a book character (or just non uniform if they’d prefer) and bring in a book to share with their peers.
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.
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
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
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 6th February
Reception Florence – her beautiful African pattern designs
Year One Edward – for writing a beautiful poem to go with our class book
Year Two Vihana – for a great attitude, effort and enthusiasm towards her learning
Year Three Harrison – for great engagement and technique at the Tag Rugby Tournament
Year Four Liza – for consistent hard work and expressing ideas thoughtfully and clearly in her English work
Year Five Eleanor – for showing more focus and enthusiasm especially in her writing of her prequel
Year Six Hattie – for consistent hard work and a positive learning attitude – always bringing a creative flair
STAR OF THE WEEK
Week ending 13th February
Reception Hattie – for being a fantastic phonics spotter
Year One Mollie – for listening carefully and trying hard in every area of the curriculum
Year Two Monty – for fantastic effort and engagement this week
Year Three Fabian – for great effort in his writing and great understanding of short division
Year Four Tilly- for working hard on her DT project and giving a thoughtful evaluation of her work
Year Five Delilah – for showing a positive attitude to her learning and being fantastic at Sports Hall Athletics
Year Six Elise – for fantastic effort at Sports Hall Athletics and being a brilliant role model
If you have any questions at any time, then please feel free to make an appointment.
Have a great weekend.
Rosalind Allsop
Headteacher
