*** Our amazing Half Term Cup winners!!! ***
Half Term Cup Winners!
Reception ~ Neve
Year 1 ~ Rosa
Year 2 ~ Mimi
Year 3 ~ Harry
Year 4 ~ Calvin
Year 5 ~ Oliver
Year 6 ~ Dylan
Congratulations to all of our Half Term Cup Winners - very well done everybody!
Team Cup Winners
Congratulations to this week's Team Point winners, Tudor Reds! Well done to everyone who earned a team point this week.
See You Soon, Mrs Onslow!
This week, we bid the wonderful Mrs Onslow a temporary farewell - more of a "see you soon" - as she embarks on her maternity leave. We will miss Mrs Onslow around school but we can't wait to meet Baby Onslow and share in the baby joy. Wishing you lots of rest-filled days in the meantime, Mrs O!
Mrs Onslow being presented with her maternity gifts
Harvest Festival & Food Bank Collection
What a wonderful Harvest Festival we had! Click
here for pictures of the celebrations and more details of our trip to St James' church.
Each year, as part of our Harvest Festival celebration, we ask our community to consider kindly donating to our Harvest Collection which we give to the Stratford Food Bank. Please send any donations you would like to make to school - they will be displayed in the school hall before being taken to the food bank.
Stratford Food Bank would dearly like the following:
- Savoury snacks
- Tinned meatballs
- Squash
- Chocolate
- Tinned corned beef
- Tinned chicken meals
- Tinned hot dogs
- Jelly
- Toilet roll
- UHT fruit juice
Autumn 2 Curriculum
On 6th September, each class teacher posted their autumn class curriculum newsletter to families via Seesaw. Please remember this also provides information on our learning for Autumn 2 - right the way to Christmas!
We send this information at the beginning of every term to ensure families know what learning and activities lie ahead. If you cannot find the newsletter for autumn, please do contact your child's class teacher via
parents3002@welearn365.com and they will be happy to help.
Autumn Texts
Our children have enjoyed some beautiful stories this half term. (I love Letters from a Lighthouse and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, however Year 5's October, October was a particular favourite of mine this year!).
At Alveston, we are passionate about providing your children with high-quality texts as the foundation for our English lessons. We believe that rich and engaging literature inspires a love of reading and develops key language and comprehension skills. To ensure our texts remain current and relevant to the children’s learning, we refresh our book selections regularly.
Often when reading chapter books, our children like to pick up their own copy at the library or to purchase a copy to bring into school and follow along in their own book as the teacher reads. We encourage you to continue this practice as it fosters excitement about the reading journey and allows the children to read along in lesson time. Teachers will always inform you in advance about which books the class will be covering, giving you plenty of time to borrow or purchase a copy for your child.
We are also very fortunate to have many parents who kindly donate these books to the school once their children have finished with them. These donations help build our classroom libraries and allow future students to benefit from a wide variety of engaging literature.
Thank you for your continued support in nurturing your child's love for reading.
Books being read next term are listed in the class curriculum newsletters. If you are unsure, please do speak to your child's class teacher either at pick up or via
parents3002@welearn365.com
Pick a Pumpkin!
Children have engaged all week in Halloween activities including painting, crafting and scooping out pumpkins. This started with our story Pick a Pumpkin. Children have explored a variety of different pumpkins throughout the week; small, large and different colours. The children engaged in discussions about what they know about Halloween and what their favourite things to do are. It's an exciting time of the year with lots of celebrations happening. This is a fantastic transition into our Autumn 2 topic of 'celebrations'.
I couldn't be prouder of everything the Reception children have achieved in such a short time. I wish you all a very wonderful and restful half-term break.
Miss Arbuckle
Reception Class Teacher
Out of This (Cadbury) World!
Year 4 had a fantastic trip to Cadbury World last Friday. We enjoyed learning the history of the Cadbury’s brand and the chocolate making process, more generally. The children were able to ride an interactive laser quest style ride to make their own bars. We viewed hundreds of posters, tins, packets and labels and other examples of packaging and advertisements that have changed over time. We all tried our hands at piping and tempering melted chocolate! The smell of chocolate wafted all around - it was amazing and felt like we were wandering around Willy Wonka's famous factory! The children ended their trip with a 4D virtual cinema experience which was epic - with lots of requests for another go! The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were fantastic ambassadors for the school. Well done Year 4!
Taste Testing
In Science this week, Year 1 used their taste buds to explore the sense of 'taste.' They experienced the 5 different categories of taste which were bitter, sweet, savoury, salty and sour. The children tried dark chocolate (bitter), lemon (sour), sweetcorn (sweet), crisps (salty) and crackers (savoury). The children really enjoyed trying the foods and talking about the taste with their peers. I bet you can't guess which faces were pulled when trying the lemon!
Baby Jacques, the Teaching Assistant
Year 2 were so excited to welcome Jacques, Jett's baby brother, into their classroom to help them learn more about a human's needs for survival. We loved learning about what babies need from their mummies and compared their needs for survival with the other animals we have learnt about - fish, birds and amphibians. Thank you so much to Danni and Jacques!
World War II Talk
This week, Year 6 were visited by Mr Harrison for a World War II talk. Mr Harrison shared his experiences of growing up during the war and what it was like for him to be evacuated to Herefordshire. It was wonderful for the children to meet and speak with someone who has first-hand knowledge of living through World War II. The children asked informative questions and were kind and respectful - their behaviour was outstanding. Thank you Mr Harrison for taking the time to visit us.
Don't forget the 31st October Secondary School Application Deadline!
Parents and carers of children in Year 6 have been asked to apply for their child’s secondary school place by the deadline of 31st October 2024.
Each year there are families who are disappointed on National Offer Day when they are offered a school that doesn’t reflect their preferences at all. This is often because they only apply to one school, instead of using more of the six possible choices on their application form. Families that miss the 31 October deadline are also much less likely to get offered a place at a preferred school. Applications made after the 31 October date will be classified as late and won’t be processed until after 3 March 2025.
There are plenty of useful resources for parents and carers on Warwickshire County Council’s website to help you decide on which schools to include on your application form. This includes a priority area map, a list of all local schools and a handy video to help them to make realistic choices of schools: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/secondaryplace.
Please note: there is an extended deadline of 31 December 2024 if your address changes before then. So if you have moved house and are submitting an application before 31 December 2024, please include relevant documentation of your move with your email (tenancy agreement or completion letter from solicitor) as your application will then be classed as on time.
To make an application please apply online.
If you're planning on trick or treating, or just going out and about this Halloween, please consider taking a torch or glow sticks, or adding something reflective to your outfits; anything to make it easier for others to see you. If you’re going out earlier with little ones, then bright or fluorescent clothing is better for daytime visibility.
When you are out and about, please be aware of your surroundings. If you can, stay on well-lit paths, and if there is no pedestrian crossing nearby, cross the road near a street light so that traffic can see you more easily.
Other Ways to Keep Children Safe This Halloween
Halloween can be an exciting time of year for children, dressing up and going out after dark. But, whilst Halloween is supposed to be spooky there are some horrors that families will want to avoid. The Child Accident Prevention Trust have some top tips for a safe Halloween to remember for all the right reasons:
Remember Halloween costumes are highly flammable
Many fancy dress costumes are not manufactured to the same safety standards as normal clothing, meaning they can ignite almost instantly and burn far faster.
That’s why it is crucial to ensure children wearing Halloween costumes are kept well away from naked flames and other heat sources at all times.
Consider switching to battery-powered candles
You may want to switch to LED / flameless battery-powered candles to reduce the fire risk. But, be sure the battery compartment is secure. Many LED lights, and the remote controls for them, contain button batteries which can badly hurt or kill a small child if they swallow one and it gets stuck.
Stay safe near roads
Masks can make it harder for children to see or hear traffic. So, save the special masks for indoors and use face paint for trick or treating.
Encourage children to put mobile phones away when they are out trick or treating and crossing roads. Instead of using the phone as a light, carry a torch.
Children under 12 are best accompanied by an adult. Agreeing a pre-planned route for children over 12, and having a way of contacting a trusted adult if they need to, offers freedom with less risk.
Click here for more top tips from the Child Accident Prevention 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:
parents3002@welearn365.com.
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:
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Date
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Year Group
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Friday 8th Nov
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Year 5
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Friday 15th Nov
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Year 4
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Friday 22nd Nov
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Year 3
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Friday 29th Nov
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NO FOREST SCHOOL THIS WEEK
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Friday 6th December
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Year 1
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Friday 13th December
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Reception
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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.
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Autumn Term (1)
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HALF-TERM 28th October – 1st November
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Autumn Term (2)
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Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies
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8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 6/12, 13/12
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Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks
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11th November to 6th December
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5/11
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Learning Time Together – Bible Stories (2:30pm)
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7/11
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Open Morning 9:30-11
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11/11
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Remembrance Service: Y2 & Y6 to visit War Memorial
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12/11
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Odd Socks Day
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18/11
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Open Morning 9:30-11
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6/12
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FOA Christmas Fayre/ Bake Off & Sale
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10/12
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Christmas Performances KS1 9-10am, KS2 10:30-11:30, Rec 2-3pm
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11/12
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Christmas Performances Rec 9-10am, KS1 10:30-11:30, KS2 2-3pm
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16/12
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Whole School Theatre Trip
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17/12
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Half-Term Cup Assembly
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18/12
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Christmas Lunch
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19/12
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**Christingle 2:15pm
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20/12
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Last day of term. Morning only - school closes at midday.
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20/12 (pm)
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INSET Afternoon (children not in school from midday)
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HALF-TERM 23rd December 2024 - 6th January 2025
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