19th December 2025
A big thank you to all the children for making our last week so truly magical, setting us all up for Christmas!
Our week has been filled with music and singing right from the start with our RockSteady concert on Monday afternoon, which was fabulous. This opportunity was great for the children to celebrate their hard work and dedication to music. Their talents shone through from singing to guitar, drums to keys - amazing performances from every child, in every band.
Christingle was incredible. The church was bathed in candlelight singing Away in a Manger. As ever, a moment for reflection and stillness as we all took in this scene - it was breath-taking. The children's singing never fails to amaze me but this service really did make me incredibly proud.
I was proud again with singing when Mrs Rogers and I took Year 6 to sing carols for the elderly, around the village. The children were wonderful role models for Alveston, spreading festive cheer and love and bringing a little extra warmth into the hearts of others by taking them back to their childhoods as they sang along with us.
Wednesday's panto was a moment of hilarity in school. The children's laughter could be heard all around the building. Complete with a pantomime dame, water pistols, lots of silliness and 'it's behind you' - the pantomime encapsulated all the elements of a traditional panto. A big thank you again to the Friends of Alveston for paying for this wonderful treat.
Our week ended with Christmas lunch and parties in classes and then our final farewell song for all our families. Finally, another thank you to the Friends for providing a little Christmas gift for all the children which they took home as they left today.
I hope everyone enjoys a very much needed rest over the Christmas holidays. It has been such a long term but the children have achieved so much. I am so delighted with everyone's hard work. I am also so proud of how well everyone has just got on with all the changes in Alveston over this last term. It is a very special school to be a part of and I feel very lucky to end this term as the Head.
See you in 2026!
Jess Newitt
Headteacher
Request for Donations...in the New Year, if anyone has any spare ribbon in the bottom of their sewing box, or leftover from Christmas wrapping, Miss Mabbett in Year 5 we would be very grateful for it, please! Also, old Christmas cards would be amazing too. Thank you!
Half Term Cup Winners!
Reception ~ to be presented in the New Year!
Year 1 ~ Ottilie
Year 2 ~ Louis
Year 3 ~ William
Year 4 ~ Matilda
Year 5 ~ Elizabeth
Year 6 ~ Zanth
Congratulations to all of our Half Term Cup winners - what an achievement!
Panto Fantastic!
What a fantastic Christmas pantomime we enjoyed! The children loved watching a lively retelling of how Aladdin met Princess Jasmine, full of laughter and festive cheer. There were all the classic pantomime moments – lots of booing and hissing, water guns causing chaos, and all of KS1 riding along on the magic carpet. At one point Mrs Onslow was nearly sprayed with the water gun… but the machine had other ideas and sprayed the children instead! It was a brilliant way to get everyone into the Christmas spirit and a lovely festive treat for all.
Rocking Out with RockSteady!
On Monday, we had 8 amazing performances from our RockSteady bands showcasing their pieces from this term. We were wowed with their confidence and musical skill. Well done everyone!
A fabulous Christmas lunch was served up by our kitchen team whilst our teaching teams waited on the tables. The children pulled their crackers, shared their jokes and tucked into their delicious lunch while singing along to their favourite Christmas tunes. The noise in the hall was at full volume and it was joyous!
Collective Worship
In Collective Worship this week, Neil Johnson, from St James' Church, came and spoke to us about what Incarnation means. He told us how, like air can't be seen, we can't see God. But, just over 2000 years ago, God took on flesh and came to Earth as Jesus and this is God incarnate - Incarnation. It was very interesting and thought provoking and a lovely way to end our term.
Steady Hands!
Year 6 designed and made electrical steady hand games this week. The children began by researching and analysing a range of children’s toys before designing their own steady hand game. They then constructed a base and background, before finally assembling all of the electrical components to complete their electronic game. They worked incredibly hard throughout the project and produced some fantastic results. Well done, Year 6!
Singing in the Community
Singing for the older people around the village is a highlight at Christmas and this week did not disappoint. Singing favourites like In the Bleak Midwinter, O Come All Ye Faithful and Silent Night, our Year 6 carol singers brought the festive cheer to so many hearts and many happy tears were shed as the older generations sang along with them.
Smooth(ie) Operators
Year 1 kicked off their DT project by learning to identify different fruits, exploring their shapes, colours and seeds, and discovering that seeds can appear as pips, stones or tiny clusters—leading to some surprises, such as pumpkins being fruits and foods like cucumber causing debate. Using careful observation and sorting skills, the children grouped foods into fruits and not fruits before moving on to practical food preparation. Year 1 rotated through activity stations to practise juicing citrus fruits by hand and develop cutting skills, progressing safely from playdough and cutlery knives to serrated knives using a claw grip. They then cut a range of fruits, tasted freshly squeezed juices, explored flavour combinations and described tastes, smells and textures using a class mind map. The most exciting part was walking to Tiddington shop to buy ingredients, before using recipe cards to measure, blend and create their own healthy fruit smoothies—some sweet, some sour, all unique and enjoyed by tasting and comparing with friends.
Forest School Fun!
A couple of weeks ago, Year 6 had great fun during their Forest School session. They enjoyed an orienteering activity, working in teams to explore the site and test their navigation skills. The children also created their own Christmas stencils and sprinkled flour through them to leave festive prints dotted around the Forest School area. Everyone then gathered together to enjoy a warming cup of hot chocolate before finishing the session by safely and carefully putting the fire out. A fun and engaging session filled with teamwork, creativity and festive spirit.
Last week, Year 5 enjoyed a fantastic Forest School session when the rain cleared just in time for fire lighting. Working responsibly in pairs, the children built, lit and maintained their own fairy fires in scallop shells, carefully following safety rules. Some even managed to toast tiny marshmallows! Alongside this, others created festive, tinsel-like bird feeders threaded with popcorn, cranberries and cheese to help wildlife at this time of year, while some made beautiful jingle bell sticks ready for a festive sing-along. A wonderful session full of responsibility, creativity and seasonal fun.
SAVE THE DATE: TTRS Battle of the Classes Y4 and Y5 - Wednesday 7th January 2026
TT Rock Stars Battle of the Bands day is back on Wednesday 7th January 2026 when Years 4 and 5 can come to school dressed as rock stars for the day ready to do battle with their times tables and compete against one another to be crowned victorious! Get those rock star clothes ready...
SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday 14th January 2026 - Air Ambulance Day!
In the New Year, Year 2 will have a very special visit from the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance team! To show our support of this amazing charity, all children are invited to wear a yellow item of clothing to school that day, along with a charitable donation of £1. If your child would like to support this life-saving charity and shine in yellow, please join in! Collections will be made on the gate at drop-off that day.
A Message from Friends
"As the term draws to a close and we head off to celebrate the festive season, from all of us at the PTA – Friends of Alveston - we would like to thank you for your continued support.
Whether helping at events, making donations, or simply joining in the activities we plan for everyone to enjoy, we truly appreciate it.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to sharing many more events with you in the New Year.”
Whether helping at events, making donations, or simply joining in the activities we plan for everyone to enjoy, we truly appreciate it.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to sharing many more events with you in the New Year.”
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I'm sure you will all join us in thanking the Friends for everything they do for the children and the school - developing brilliant ideas for events, tirelessly planning, running activities year-round, being so so generous with their own time and raising such amazing funds to enhance the children's learning and experiences while at school. Life at Alveston is made all the better with the Friends behind us so THANK YOU in return!!!
Bonjour et Joyeux Noël!
French Club bookings for the Spring term - for Reception through to Year 5 - are now open! Please click here for more information and instructions on how to book.
Where Stars Shine!
In the Spring Term, SJ Academy are delighted to offer a NEW musical theatre class on Thursday mornings, as well as continue their gymnastics, street dance and cheerleading lessons for our Alveston children.
Don't miss out! Please follow this link for more information on sessions and how to book!
Free Ninja Tag Active - Friday Night Youth Club!
Everyone Active are pleased to share that from Friday 9th January and throughout 2026, Friday evenings 4-6pm and 6-8pm at Stratford Leisure Centre, they have a FREE Ninja Tag Active Youth Club (Please note, the sessions are term time only). A special thanks to Stratford Town Trust for funding this amazing activity - please note that table tennis will also be available to children.
Ninja Tag is suitable for children over 1.2m tall (no age restrictions) 4-6pm would be ideal for primary school aged children and 6-8pm for high school aged children but we only do this so there is an opportunity to meet new friends of a same age. If siblings/friends of primary or high school wish to attend together they can. It is a great activity testing speed, agility and skill to support health and wellbeing for our district.
Individuals can pre book via the Everyone Active app and Website.
Fire Safety Tips This Christmas
From decorating your home to wrapping presents, spending time with family and enjoying a festive feast, with so much to think about it’s easy to forget the small habits to stay fire safe while being distracted by the busyness of the season. This is why Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to take extra care over the festive season to ensure that their families and loved ones are protected from fire. To ensure you have the merriest of Christmases, keep fire safety at the top of your list.
Learn more here.
Coping with Christmas when Separated
Seasonal and festive holidays like Christmas can be really hard for parents not living with their children. Non-resident parents may feel jealous, lonely, sad, angry and resentful. Separated families may feel as though everyone else is enjoying the perfect family festivities, while they feel more isolated and alone than during the rest of the year.
Family Lives has put together advice to help you and your family through the festive period.
Family Lives has put together advice to help you and your family through the festive period.
Community Interest
We post community events and projects on our website under 'Our Community'. For more information about activities open to you, your family and your local community, please do check the pages regularly:
You can also find a list of Stratford Food Bank's "MOST WANTED" items right here. Please do take a look and help to support those in need in our local community.
General Reminders
Parking at Drop-Off and Pick-Up
We are so lucky at Alveston that the Football Club allow all our parents who drive to school to use their car park for drop-off and pick-up. This makes it safer for all our children. Please continue to use the Football Club car park. Please do not park on Knights Lane, Oak Road or any double-yellow lines for pick-up or drop-offs. Please also ensure that you do not stop or park within the zig-zag "Keep Clear" markings. This area is marked to keep the flow of traffic moving and to ensure the safety of all pedestrians.
Sickness and Absence
Please let the school office know each day your child is absent from school by calling 01789 293412, option 1, and leaving a message. You may also email parents3002@welearn365.com. You do not need to contact us daily if your child is sick/vomits. Absences for sickness/vomiting will be recorded 48 hours from the end of the day your child was last sick (i.e. if sick on Sunday, come back on Wednesday; if Tuesday come back on Friday).
Medicines in School
We cannot accept medicines in school without a prescription label and a medical form completed by a parent or carer. Please ask the school office for more information and/or a form via:
Forest School Dates
Below are Forest School dates for your diary. The children will need to wear PE kit to school with tracksuit bottoms or leggings and have a long sleeve top such as a hoodie. Wellies and a rain coat/ will also be required:
Spring Term (1)
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Date |
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Year Group |
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9.1.26 |
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Y4 |
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16.1.25 |
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Y3 |
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23.1.25 |
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Y1 |
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30.1.25 |
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Y2 |
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6.2.25 |
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Rec |
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13.2.25 |
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Y6 |
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23.2.25 |
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Y5 |
Important Dates* to Remember
Key dates for the Autumn Term are HERE! You can find information relating to term dates here and teacher-led clubs dates here.
* Please note that all dates published are subject to change/cancellation - please check this page and/or the website calendar regularly:
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END OF TERM 19th December (pm) to 4th January |
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5/1/26 |
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Back to school |
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Spring Term (1) |
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Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies |
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16/1, 23/1, 30/1, 6/2, *9/2 (Half Term Cup) |
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Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks |
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12th January to 6th February 2026 (inclusive) |
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Y4 Swimming |
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5/1, 12/1, 19/1, 26/1, 2/2, 9/2 |
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7/1 |
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TT RockStars Day (Y4 & Y5) |
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14/1 |
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Air Ambulance Day – Wear Something Yellow (£1) |
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16/1 |
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Young Voices Concert 2026 |
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2-5/2 |
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Bikeability (Y5) |
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HALF TERM 16th February to 20th February |
