Newsletter 2.12.22

News

2nd December 2022

It is Advent season again! This week we lit our Advent Wreath to mark its beginning. As we look forward to the celebration of the birth of Jesus, we begin our Christmas traditions. Every school, home and church have their own - some shared, some unique, but all filled with joy and excitement.
This will be our first full, 'back to normal' Christmas since 2019. It feels that since the pandemic we have all started some of our traditions earlier than before to bring light as the days darken. On my journey to and from school I always marvel at the wonder of the changing seasons seen in the trees, but at this time of year, it is the lights of Knights Lane which bring cheer to us all!
 
Also in 2019, during my first Christmas at Alveston, we started our tradition of having a real tree in the school hall. Still remembering the feeling of awe and wonder inspired by the Christmas trees in my primary school, I hoped our tree would be as memorable for our children. On Thursday morning, as we came into our Collective Worship, we dimmed the lights in the hall, lit the tree and sang a carol . Watching the children's faces, smiling broadly and hearing their gasps of joy, the moment was committed to our memories one and all. A wonderful start to our final weeks of term, which are loaded with primary school traditions. Please do read all the Christmas reminders below and together, I have no doubt, that this Christmas we will be shining like never before!
Wishing you a peaceful 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 ~ Millie & Theo

Year 1 ~ Jakub

Year 2 ~ Jamie

Year 3 ~ Lulu & Olivia

Year 4 ~ Kiera

Year 5 ~ Serena

Year 6 ~ Olivia

 

Congratulations to all of our Stars! 

 
House Point Cup Winners 
 
Congratulations to Charlecote Greens
 

Alveston Youth Choir 

We are very excited to announce that three pupils from Alveston, who are part of the St James' Church Youth choir, recently sang at a concert with the Alcester Male Voice Choir at Holy Trinity Church! 

We are very proud to hear that these children are "always engaged and committed to the choir" and it gives us great pleasure to acknowledge their contributions and achievements in the community.

A great BIG thank you goes to Year 5's Elsie, Georgia  and Hannah.

Staff at St James' church added that, "The concert is a big achievement for the children at such an age and we are really proud to have them representing St James'".

Very well done, girls!

If you are the parent or carer of a child in Year 3 or above and are interested in finding out more about the Alveston Youth Choir, please take a look at the St James' church web pages, here. You will also find information relating to St James' Junior Choir (for children in Key Stage 1).

 
Christmas Reminders

We don't want anyone to miss out so here are the reminders of what is happening over the final two weeks of term.

Monday 5th: Dress rehearsals. Please make sure all costumes are in school on Monday morning!

Tuesday 6th: Christmas Performances: 9am KS1 (Y1 and Y2); 10.30am KS2 (Y3 and Y4); 2pm Reception

Wednesday 7th: Bring a bottle day in return for wearing your own clothes; Christmas Performances: 9am Reception; 2pm KS1 (Y1 and Y2); 6pm KS2 (Y3 and Y4)

Friday 9th: Christmas Fayre! Starting at 3.30pm until 6pm

Monday 12th: Christmas Productions 2020 5.30pm current Y2; 6.15pm current Y3 and Y4; 7.15pm current Y5 and Y6

Tuesday 13th: Christingle Service starting at 2pm at St James’

Friday 16th: Christmas Party Day - A day filled with shows, discos and Christmas fun. We will also enjoy our Christmas lunch which children can order on the day. Children may wear their festive clothes - think festive colours or Christmas jumpers! Anything goes as long as everyone wears sensible shoes, clothes appropriate to the weather and their Alveston school coat! 

Please remember (and tell your friends!) that all our communication regarding events in school are made via messages on the eschools app and within our newsletter. To make sure you are in the know, please make sure you read our weekly newsletter. Thank you.

 
"Now bring us some figgy pudding......!"
 
Don't forget - it's Christmas Lunch on Friday 16th December!  You can feast your eyes on this year's delicious Christmas Lunch Menu here. No pre-ordering required - just decide on the day. Easy-peasy!
 
Staff Announcement
 
We are sad to announce that Mrs Miles will be leaving Alveston at the end of this term. Part of our team for four years, we are so grateful for all her hard work, particularly during the pandemic. She leaves a wonderful creative legacy at Alveston, evidence of her work is all around our school!   In January, Mrs Miles will be joining the team at The Croft as a Learning Assistant. We will be sad to see her go, but we wish Mrs Miles all the very best for her next adventure.
Friends of Alveston
 
Christmas Fayre Donations
 
The Friends are busy preparing for the Christmas Fayre but they really need your help!  
Friends are looking for kind donations of:
- teddies/soft toys (either new or good condition) for the toy tombola
- empty bottle bags
- chocolate/sweets for the chocolate tombola

If you think you have anything you could kindly donate, please contact Danni on 07940 769486 and she will arrange collection.
 
Don't forget our 'Bring a Bottle' day on Wednesday 7th December! In return for a bottle, children may wear their own clothes. 
 
Last but not least...CAKE! Please can any kind cake donations be brought to school on the morning of the fayre (Friday 9th December). We can't wait to see them!
 
Any donations you can make will be greatly appreciated - thank you.
Friends of Alveston AGM
 
We held our Friends of Alveston AGM on Thursday 17th November. Thank you to those who attended the meeting. If you couldn't make it, you will find all the information about Friends, including the minutes of the AGM here.
 
As Tim, Danni and Becci stand down from their committee roles, I would like to take the opportunity to thank them for all their efforts. They have done an amazing job of keeping Friends going over the last few, very difficult years. Their dedication to their roles has seen the school continue to hold events, raise money for the school and, through these funds, make a difference to our learning environment and our children's experience of primary school.
 
I would also like to welcome Katy, Cindy and Katie to their new roles of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary respectfully.  Thank you for volunteering for these roles. I am looking forward to working with you and know you will do a fabulous job!
 
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:   
 
Spring Term Cookery Club is coming! ~ Bayleaf Cookery School will be back running an after-school cookery club at Alveston on Thursdays in the spring term and they’re enrolling now! Click here for instructions on how to book your place...don't delay!
 
Nativity in a Box ~ feeling creative? Why not make a "Nativity in a Box" and take it along to St James' family service on 4th December! You can create the whole nativity scene or just part of the story. For more information, please contact pcc@stjamesalveston.co.uk
 
Christmas Church Services ~ dates have now been published for the wonderful Christmas Services at St James Church, Alveston. Please click here for details.
 
Come and See Santa in Stratford! ~ Shakespeare Lions charity are kindly helping Santa with his busy schedule of visits around Stratford this December. To find out where and when you can catch him, and his helpful elves, click here!
 
Find the Perfect Christmas Tree! ~ Warwickshire Christmas Trees 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! Further details can be found on our Community pages, here.  
 
Stamp! Choir ~ calling all 7-11 year olds! From January 2023, St Andrew’s Church in Shottery will be hosting a free, feel-good children’s choir. No need to audition  - and you don't even need to have a beautiful voice - just bags of enthusiasm! To find out more about this brand new initiative, click here
  
  
The latest edition of the Connect for Health magazine can be found under the "Our Community" section of our website - please do take a look.
 
 
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 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 term
 
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.
 

5/12/22                Christmas Play Dress Rehearsal

6/12/22                Christmas Performances KS1 9-10, KS2 10.30-11.30, Rec 2-3

7/12/22                Christmas Performances Rec 9-10, KS1 2-3, KS2 6-7

7/12/22                Bring-a-Bottle (Christmas Fayre)

9/12/22                Christmas Fayre

13/12/22              Christingle Service in church 2pm

18/11/22              Bag-2-School

16/12/22              Christmas Party Day / Break up for Christmas Holidays with Christmas Jumper day 

16/12/22             Christmas lunch

9/2/23                   FoA Committee Meeting

10/2/23                Valentine’s School Disco

16/2/23                School Uniform Sale

29/3/23                Easter Bingo / Easter Raffle                         

31/3/23                Non School Uniform

20/4/23                Bag-2-School

27-28/4/23          Sunflowers / Grow Seeds

4/5/23                   FoA Committee Meeting

30/6/23                Non School Uniform

7/7/23                   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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