15th November 2024
This week has been a busy one, filled with a wonderful sense of community. On Monday, we started the week thinking about remembrance and held a poignant service at the Alveston Memorial. Led by Reverend Linda, more parents and grandparents than ever before came together with our Year 2 and Year 6 children, as well as a few regular locals who join us every year.
On Tuesday, everyone took part in Odd Socks Day and how we enjoyed seeing everyone's favourite socks! Not only did our families support the Friends of Alveston with sweet donations for the Christmas Fayre, but our teachers also took the opportunity to discuss the theme of Odd Socks Day - anti-bullying - covering the theme of respect.
On Friday, we shared your Harvest Donations with Stratford Food Bank and during the week the shoe boxes have continued to arrive at school for the Shoe Box Appeal. Woven through these wonderful experiences there was a sense of a bigger purpose, a shared responsibility to remember and to help others and the feeling that as a community we are absolutely bigger than the sum of our parts. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this fabulous week. We really did SHINE brightly.
Wishing you all a peaceful weekend,
Anne Clewley
Head Teacher
Stars of the Week!
Reception ~ Eden
Year 1 ~ check back next week!
Year 2 ~ Stanley
Year 3 ~ check back next week!
Year 4 ~ Aria
Year 5 ~ James
Year 6 ~ Harrison
Congratulations to all of our Stars!
Team Cup Winners
Congratulations to this week's Team Point winners, Avon Blues! Well done to everyone who earned a team point this week.
Safe Arrival!
I am delighted to announce the most wonderful news from Mrs Onslow! On Friday 8th November, little Ava arrived safely, weighing 8lbs 2oz. I am sure you will all join me in not only welcoming Ava to the world and to the Alveston Family, but also in congratulating Mr and Mrs Onslow on the birth of their absolutely gorgeous daughter. We could not be happier for their little family and wish them all a lifetime of health and happiness. Well done Mrs O!
A special mention to Larsen, Frankie, Immy and Oliver for competing in a cross country race at Stratford School last weekend. The children were up bright and early on a Saturday, showing real commitment. Our runners did themselves proud amongst a strong field of competitors. Well done, everybody!
Classroom Round-up
What's been going on in some of our classroom's lately?
As part of their science topic on light, Year 6 investigated the visible light spectrum. The children used prisms to refract light and made spectrum wheels to discover how white light is made up of different colours.
- - -
In Reception class this week, children wore their poppies and observed 2 minutes of silence. We read the story 'Where the poppies now grow'. Children created some beautiful poppies in their home learning books and painted with water colours. Children were asked "Why do we wear a poppy?"
Rory - "Poppies are to remember soldiers that have died in the war"
Ruben - "For the soldiers that died"
Effie - "To remember the soldiers"
Ivy - "Because it's Remembrance Day. The first day of November"
- - -
Over the past 4 weeks in our P.E. lessons, Year 1 have been working on Team Building with the PE coach, Simon. The children have worked really hard to work in small groups (teams) and accomplish challenges. They have had to communicate as a team and problem solve to find different strategies to complete tasks. Some of the tasks include races, pushing a mat from one end of the hall to the other, ball games, building a bridge and a game called “Shipwreck” where each team had to stay on the mat (ship) and use different apparatus to retrieve different objects from the floor (sea) such as bats, balls and hoops. The children have really enjoyed these sessions and have shown their ability to communicate well using their listening skills. Well done Year 1!
- - -
Year 3 have been inspired by Max Ernst and started to explore how they can take rubbings of different textures and then use them to create pieces of art. They have had fun experimenting with colours and textures!
Odd Sock Day
For anti-bullying week, Year 6 learned about respectful behaviours. The children participated in the BBC live lesson where they learned to play fair, work together and have respect. They learned how to have respectful conversations which include asking, ‘Would you like to work out a solution together?’ and, 'Can we agree to disagree?’.
Here is the pupil voice:
Arabella - 'If you have a disagreement, ask why respectfully'.
Kiki- 'Everyone's ideas matter'.
Jack La - 'I would say, we should work this out together'.
Brooklyn - 'Everyone needs kindness'.
Darcey - 'Communicate with each other'.
Cordelia - 'Together, work out a solution'.
We Will Remember Them
To mark Remembrance Day, Year 2 and Year 6 walked to the War Memorial in Alveston on Monday for a service of Remembrance and to lay a poppy wreath. Pictures and further information can be found here.
Poppy Appeal
As part of the children's learning and activities to honour Remembrance Day, the Year 6 children supported the sale of poppies and poppy merchandise, with all donations going to the Royal British Legion. Thank you to everyone who made a purchase or a donation to this very worthy charity!
Support Network Coffee Morning: Child Anxiety
On 26th November at 9.00 am, we will be holding a coffee morning for parents whose children suffer with anxiety. We are hoping this will build a support network in our community, with an opportunity for parents to share, listen, support or just to 'be' with others dealing with similar experiences.
If you would like to join us, please do! There will be coffee, tea and biscuits and Mrs Rogers too!
If you would like to find out more, please speak to Mrs Clewley or Mrs Newitt or email them via parents3002@welearn365.com.
Christmas Shoebox Appeal Extension - Monday 18th November!!!
We have been lucky enough to be given an extension to our Christmas shoebox collection deadline - the last day for drop-off will now be Monday 18th November. Our total so far is a healthy 56 shoeboxes but we'd dearly love to send more!
Many thanks for your support with this worthwhile cause.
The Social Media Dilemma
In February 2024 Ofcom, the online safety regulator, reported on the impact of smartphones and social media on children. Startling data was shared on the age children have access to their own smartphone and the impact of their use.
This week parents of our youngest children have been discussing the impact of social media on young minds. Feeling passionately about reducing the risks for their children, there’s a growing movement of parents joining together, cautious of giving access to phones too early. They also feel that with a shared voice, parents would be able to say to their children that they are not the only ones who are not allowed an iPhone/social media/Snapchat, when the question is inevitably raised.
A significant number of Reception parents have said they are keen to learn about ways parents might pull together to hold-off on giving smartphones to their children and sharing solutions to still keep children safe and contactable without risking them accessing something they shouldn't, or being exposed to social media.
With younger and younger children having access to their own smartphones , it is not only an interesting discussion to have, but also a necessary one.
Clicking this link will take you to information shared by Ofcom in February 2024. Here you will also find useful reading and resources around the subject: The impact of smartphones and social media on children
Christmas Wreath-Making Evening - Don't Miss Out!
Thursday, 21st November:
Kick off the festive season with a fun night of wreath-making with Flowers by Cara of Tiddington. Enjoy mulled wine, mince pies, and lots of holiday cheer! Tickets are limited so book now on our PTA Events page to avoid missing out. Tell your friends and family, too!
Warwickshire Christmas Tree Farm - School Donation Project
A beautiful 7ft Nordman fir is on its way to Alveston Primary and we are all very excited for its arrival! We have sourced our tree from the Warwickshire Christmas Trees for the last six years - this is a family run farm near Shenington on the Warwickshire/Oxfordshire border. As in previous years, the farm will kindly donate 10% of the value of any tree purchased by Alveston Primary families to the school - so why not go along and pick your perfect tree - and be sure to mention Alveston Primary School!
A Message from Warwickshire Vaccination Services
Dear Families,
Any parents/guardians who did not submit their child’s nasal flu consent form before the portal closed (or if your child was absent, unwell or refused on the day), can now book on and attend a local clinic venue for the flu vaccination. Appointments can be booked via the Swiftqueue link below:
https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/userlogin.php
Thank you and kind regards,
Vaccination services
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust
Community Interest
We post all 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:
Last but not least, 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) nor for COVID absences.
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 - Autumn Term 2
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 / school coat will also be required:
|
Date |
Year Group |
|
Friday 8th Nov |
Year 5 |
|
Friday 15th Nov |
Year 4 |
|
Friday 22nd Nov |
Year 3 |
|
Friday 29th Nov |
NO FOREST SCHOOL THIS WEEK |
|
Friday 6th Dec |
Year 1 |
|
Friday 13th Dec |
Reception
|
Forest School Dates - Spring Term 1
|
Date |
Year Group |
|
Friday 10th Jan |
Year 6 |
|
Friday 17th Jan |
Year 5 |
|
Friday 24th Jan |
Year 4 |
|
Friday 31st Jan |
Year 3 |
|
Friday 7th Feb |
Year 2 |
|
Friday 14th Feb |
Year 1 |
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 here:
** Please note that our Christingle date has changed to 19th December (as per the email sent on 1st October via the eSchools app). As advanced warning, please note that our Easter service will be on Monday 7th April 2025 at 2.15pm in church.
|
Autumn Term (2) |
|
Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies |
|
|
|
22/11, 29/11, 6/12, 13/12 |
|
|
|
Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks |
|
|
|
18th November to 13th December |
|
|
|
|
|
18/11 |
|
Open Morning 9:30-11 (for Reception 2025) |
|
6/12 6/12 |
|
Christmas Jumper Day FOA Christmas Fayre/ Bake Off & Sale |
|
10/12 |
|
Christmas Performances KS1 9-10am, KS2 10:30-11:30, Rec 2-3pm |
|
11/12 |
|
Christmas Performances Rec 9-10am, KS1 10:30-11:30, KS2 2-3pm |
|
16/12 |
|
Whole School Theatre Trip |
|
17/12 |
|
Half-Term Cup Assembly |
|
18/12 |
|
Christmas Lunch |
|
19/12 |
|
**Christingle 2:15pm |
|
20/12 |
|
Last day of term. Morning only - school closes at midday. |
|
20/12 (pm) |
|
INSET Afternoon (children not in school from midday) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HALF-TERM 23rd December 2024 - 7th January 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
6/1/25 |
|
INSET Day |
|
7/1/25 |
|
All children return to school on Tuesday 7th January 2025 |
