Newsletter 20.1.23

News

20th January 2023

With a forecast of freezing temperatures, deep frost and an outside chance of snow, we started the week thinking our main concern would be the weather ... until the water stopped flowing!
 
This is difficult to contend with within the home, in a school of 211 children and 30 staff, even more so. If the water had continued to be off for 12 hours, Severn Trent Water would have provided emergency supplies. However, with no water for toilets, hand washing or to make our hot lunches, there was no other option than to close the school. 
 
It is times like these that we truly appreciate everyone in our community pulling together to ensure everyone's most basic needs are met. Thank you to everyone in our community for supporting this emergency measure and responding so swiftly to our calls for help. 
 
We did have one other exciting event this week, Learning Together Time! We love welcoming you into school to share the learning and our environment with you. Whether you were practising your phonics, creating and painting, or exploring your child's classroom together, we hope you enjoyed the experience as much as the children. See below for a snapshot of the lessons and a reminder of our next Learning Together Date. 
 
Wishing you a restful and warm weekend,
 
Anne Clewley
Head Teacher
Stars and House Point Cup Winners!
 
Stars of the Week
 
Well done to this week's *Stars of the Week*!
 

Reception ~ William

Year 1 ~ Freddie

Year 2 ~ Jude

Year 3 ~ Layla-Belle

Year 4 ~ Isabelle

Year 5 ~ Charlie

Year 6 ~ Mia

Congratulations to all of our Stars! 

Our next Star of the Week Assembly will be held on Friday 27th January. If your child is receiving their Star award  next week, we will let you know first thing Monday 23rd January. 

House Point Cup Winners 

Congratulations to Avon Blues
 
Learning Together Time!
 
We were delighted to welcome so many of our parents into school again for our second Learning Together Time this year. Here is a snapshot of what the Year 4 children and their parents got up to!
Next week we will share some more.
 
Year 4’s Learning Together Time was based around our class book, The Eye of the Wolf.
 
The children began by explaining to their adults what the book was about. They specifically told their adult a memory from Blue Wolf’s past. The children were then tasked to respond to the book in a creative way. We created memory boxes for the wolf. On the outside is the wolf himself however when you peer inside the box you are transported to the 3D memory of the wolf.
 
Please don't worry if you missed this one, we have one more to come this year! Our next is on Friday 30th June at 9.05am until 10.00am.
Not the Roman IX...!?!
 
Stratford Athletics Club's flagship race, the "Not the Roman IX" is back again...and excitingly, the race HQ is right here at Alveston Primary! On Sunday 29 January, Alveston's school grounds will be the finish line for over 200 tired and hungry runners...and The Friends of Alveston need your help!
 
Much-needed donations of cakes and baked goods would be very much appreciated, please! All proceeds from the sales will go to Friends of Alveston and with 200+ runners crossing the line, this should be a great fund-raiser. Members of Friends will be on the gates at pick-up and drop-off on Friday 27 January to collect any kind donations. 
 
Thank you in advance everyone!
 
Please also note that the running course is all on road (and is an unusual 12km distance!). Some parts of the course will be closed to traffic so please be prepared for possible road closures in the area. 
Valentine's Disco 2023 - Friday 10th February
 
Children - get practising your disco moves as The Friends of Alveston will be hosting a Valentine's Disco on Friday 10th February 2023! We will also welcome the return of DJ Simon on the decks!
 
We will run two discos, so please read below carefully as the plans will be different for each disco.
 
Key Stage 1 Disco - Reception, Years 1 and 2
  • Time: straight after school at 3.15pm with pick up at 4.15pm
  • Price: £2 for a Valentine's Disco ticket
  • Party Bag: £1.50 for a party bag containing e.g. crisps, sweets, drink.
  • Please send payment in a sealed envelope to arrive at school no later than Wednesday 1st February. Envelopes may be handed to the adult on the gate each morning, or posted in the Friend's box in the school entrance.
  • Please write clearly on the envelope: 
    • Your child's name
    • How much money you are including (£2 or £3.50)
    • Your child's food allergies or intolerances
  • Disco outfits: Children may wear their disco clothes to school with sensible shoes and their Alveston coat
Key Stage 2 Disco - Years 3,4,5 and 6
  • Disco will start at 4.30pm and end at 5.30pm
  • Price: £2 for a Valentine's Disco ticket, payable on entrance on the evening
  • A tuck shop will also be available selling, for example, a selection of sweet treats, crisps, drinks. Children may bring money to the evening disco to spend.
  • Children staying in school for after school clubs may bring their party wear to school in a bag. Please make sure any money brought for their ticket and tuck shop are in an envelope or secure purse. Children may ask their teacher to look after this during the day.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Friends, or the school office by email on parents3002@welearn365.com.
Teacher Strike Dates 2023
 
As many of you know, on 16 January the National Education Union (NEU), one of the trade unions representing the teaching profession, announced its intention to strike. For our region, the NEU announced 4 days of strikes through February and March. 
 
We can now confirm that Alveston will be open as usual and all teaching will continue as normal.
Community Interest
 
We post all community events and projects on our website under 'Our Community'. For more information about activities open to you and your family, please do check the page regularly. This week we have added some information regarding some exciting events in our area and some useful resources for parents: 
 
Healthwatch Warwickshire - Winter Survey ~ Healthwatch Warwickshire are keen engage with the local community and find out what issues people are facing, or good practice they have received, when they use health and social care services. Please take a look here and see how you can help improve, or celebrate, your local healthcare services.

Raring2go! ~  check out the new Raring2go! digital newsletter for all your half-term activities and events!

Fitt4Kids ~ if you are working during the half-term holidays, have children easily bored at home, or just need some time to yourself, FiTT4kids are able to help! Click here for more information.

Barnado's: Stratford District Children and Family Centres Monthly Update ~ this month's update includes information on the Children and Family Centres January Timetable, sessions being held by Citizen’s Advice and Refuge, Warm Hubs, Spark Music Opportunity, Homestart (new group), Suicide Awareness and Support and Safety Training. There is a wealth of helpful community information here so please do take a look.
 
WANTED: School Governance Professionals ~ Warwickshire Governor Services wish to recruit additional School Governance Professionals to deliver a high-quality clerking service to schools, to meet increased demand. This role is part time and extremely flexible. Please follow this link for further details. The closing date is 24th January 2023.
 
The latest edition of the Connect for Health magazine can be found under the "Our Community" section of our website. This month's magazine has a special focus on sugar and how to maintain a balanced diet, as well as information on Strep A and Scarlet Fever.
 
You can also find a list of Stratford Food Bank's latest "MOST WANTED" items under "Our Community"- please do take a look. 
General Reminders
 
French Club (Reception, Y1 & Y2) 
Bonjour! French Club bookings for Summer Term are now open.  Please click here for French Club information and how to book.

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 or Oak Road for pick up or drops 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 resuming and to ensure the safety of all pedestrians.

The car park is safer for pedestrians as well as families loading and unloading into cars. Parents have reported an increase in cars parked on Oak Road and many cars have parked on double yellow lines. Please be considerate to the safety of all. Thank you.

Music lessons in school
If you are interested in music lessons, please click here.  Warwickshire Music have opened their waiting lists for: Piano, Violin, Oboe, Flute, Clarinet, Tenoroon/bassoon, Cello, Viola and Guitar (age restrictions apply to some instruments.  Contact Warwickshire Music directly for more information or to sign up: https://www.warwickshiremusichub.org/ , or visit our website clicking here

Coronavirus within school
If your child tests positive for coronavirus, or has one or more of: temperature, continuous cough, loss of sense of smell or taste, please keep them off school for a minimum of three days or until they are better after three days.  Please report all absences to the school office as below.
 
Sickness and Absence
Please let the school office know each day your child is absent from school by calling 01789 293412 and leaving a message.  You may also email parents3002@welearn365.com. You do not need to contact us daily if your child is sick. Absences for sickness 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: parents3002@welearn365.com.  

Lunch menus  - Autumn Term 2022
Lunch menus for the Autumn Term are available in the Parents section of our website - please click here to view.

Fitt4Kids before and after school clubs
If you are interested in more information or signing up to Fitt4Kids before and after school clubs, please contact Simon directly: fitt4kids@gmail.com - 07731639980 - http://fitt4kids.org.uk/

Naming Items in school
Please ensure any items brought into school are named so they can be returned to your child if misplaced.  This includes uniform, water bottles, snack and lunch boxes, etc.

Are you eligible for Free School Meals?
Do you know if you are eligible for Free School Meals and other support?  To find out more, please click here to be redirected to our website.

Key Information

Don't forget to check our School News by visiting: www.alvestoncofeprimary.co.uk and click on the ‘News’ tab.  Alternatively, you can click on the ‘News’ tab on the App. 

Throughout the week lots of different organisations share their news and local activities.  These have been saved to 'Our Community' tab on our website and App.

If you are not set up on the e-schools App, and would like to, please email parents3002@welearn365.com for assistance.

Dates to Remember This Academic Year
 
Below are some key dates for this term and the academic year - they have also been added to the website calendar.  In addition, you can find information relating to term dates here and teacher led club dates here.
 

27/01/23                Young Voices

31/01/23                Year 3 Class Assembly

07/02/23                Year 4 Class Assembly

9/02/23                   FoA Committee Meeting

10/02/23                Valentine’s School Disco

14/02/23              Year 5 Class Assembly

16/02/23                School Uniform Sale

17/02/23              Break up for Spring Half Term

27/02/23              Return to School

01/03/23                 St David's Day!

01/03/23                 Year Group Photos

02/03/23                 World Book Day

07/03/23                 Year 6 Class Assembly

14/03/23                 Year 1 Class Assembly

21/03/23                 Year 2 Class Assembly

28/03/23                 Easter Service at St James's 

29/03/23                 Reception Class Assembly

30/03/23                 Easter Bingo / Easter Raffle   ** PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE                   

31/03/23                 Break School Rules Day and break up for Easter holiday

17/04/23                 Return to School

20/04/23                 Bag-2-School

27-28/04/23           Sunflowers / Grow Seeds

4/05/23                    FoA Committee Meeting

8/06/23                    Bag-2-School

30/06/23                 Non School Uniform

7/07/23                   Summer Fayre

 

Friends of Alveston dates are also included in the website calendar. 

To view our calendar, with more information and dates, please click here.
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