Newsletter 29.11.24

News

29th November 2024

The rainbow we witnessed this week inspired a fabulous feeling of awe and wonder for many of our community. The excitement it generated was absolutely glorious, for most of us a 'wow' moment and for some, a spiritual one.
We are a diverse community in terms of our faith, or none, belief and culture. Spirituality is therefore very personal but can often be at the root of our feelings when experiencing moments of 'ow, wow and now'.
'Ow' moments are those of sadness, hurt or grief. 'Wow' when we are 'blown away' with strong feelings of awe and wonder. We are experiencing the 'now' when we stop and are fully present in the moment, for example looking at a breath taking view, savouring our hot soup or enjoying the sound of birdsong in the morning.
What is important when 'ow, wow and now' moments present themselves, is that we try to take the time to acknowledge them and to feel them, just as we did with the rainbow.
Whatever you are doing this weekend, I hope there will be moments of 'wow' and 'now' for you all. If you are experiencing the 'ow', please know we are here to support you.
Anne Clewley
Head Teacher
Stars of the Week!
 
Reception ~ Blousey
Year 1 ~ Annie & Rose
Year 2 ~ Riley
Year 3 ~ Finley
Year 4 ~ Arthur
Year 5 ~ Harley
Year 6 ~ Seb
 
Congratulations to all of our Stars!
 
Team Cup Winners
 
Congratulations to this week's Team Point winners, Othello Yellows! Well done to everyone who earned a team point this week.
(For those parents present at last week's SHINE Time, I honestly had nothing to do with it!)
Snow Globes
 
Over the week the children in Reception have created themselves in a snow globe. They have been inspired by the snow and ice cold weather we have been having. Children have been snow angels, painted a plate blue and stuck themselves with glue and glitter. The children are very impressed by their creativity. They are stuck up in the Reception class corridor so they can see themselves in a snow globe during the season of Winter.  
Jolly Hockey Sticks!
 
In P.E, Year 6 are enjoying hockey with Miss Eddy and Simon from Fitt4Kids as an additional coach. So far they have learnt passing skills such as the push pass, drive and sweep. They have also learnt to tackle using blocking and lunging.
Year Three this week have been learning more about hunter-gatherers in the Stone Age. They have worked as historical detectives by using pictures of physical evidence to make clever guesses about the people of that time. It has been fun finding out more about how Stone Age people lived! 

A New Trend?
 
Looking to demonstrate the strength of their friendships, children have been promising gifts of cash, and in some cases bringing money into school and presenting it to their bestie. 
Previously we have seen children give favourite toys or possessions as a gesture of friendship. This frequently ends with upset, when children decide they want it back or parents spot it is missing! The gift of money is however a growing trend and whilst some children receiving the gift alert an adult, not all might.
As individual cases have arisen, we have spoken to all concerned. In light of the increasing number of incidents, we will now look to broaden this message to the whole school. We will focus on how children might express their feelings by other means, for example through the written word, drawings or simple acts of kindness. Please do let us know if you have any concerns you would like to discuss with us.
Support Network Coffee Morning
 
Thank you to all families who joined our Support Network Coffee Morning this week.
Our theme for the Coffee morning was supporting children who are struggling with anxiety
Kate, Sadie and Hannah from Connect4Health were on hand with valuable advice, resources and information on how they can offer support to families. The school nurse team have said that they refer to anxiety as 'worthless worries' for the children and this is an excellent way to describe this difficult feeling. 
The Connect4Health team will be working with pupils on the School Council as part of their role as Health Ambassadors to look at strategies to alleviate worthless worries in the new year. School Council will then lead an assembly to inform their peers. 
 
To continue to support our families, we will be holding another Support Network Coffee Morning.  The theme for our next meeting will be sleep and ways to support children to get a good night's sleep. This will take place in the Spring term. Keep your eyes on the newsletter and we will advise on the date soon!
Shoebox Appeal 2024 is a Success!

The festive season is in full swing, and we have some wonderful updates to share with you.

Thanks to your generosity, we have already packed, collected and shipped out 2 trucks filled with love and essentials to Bosnia and Romania. Your contributions are giving hope and joy to children who need it the most.

Celebrate with us - Shoebox Carol Concert

This year, T4U are capping off the Shoebox Appeal with a special celebration! By the kind invitation of Duke of Westminster, they are hosting a Shoebox Carol Concert with music, mulled wine, and mince pies! It’s the perfect way to celebrate the end of this year’s Shoebox Appeal together.

 Date: Thursday, 5 December 2024

Location: Eaton Park

Tickets: Just £5 – Click here to reserve your spot!


 

Norovirus and Flu Awareness

As we head into the Winter months, families with children across the county are being reminded of the small steps they can take to reduce the spread of stomach bugs and other winter specific illnesses in our schools and nurseries.  

Over the past couple of weeks there has been a rise in norovirus for children, otherwise known as the vomiting bug. Flu is also steadily increasing week-on-week too.  

Cllr Margaret Bell, Portfolio for Adult Social Care and Health at Warwickshire County Council said: “We all want our children to remain happy, healthy and independent in and out of school. By following good hygiene habits, as well as keeping up to date with the latest vaccination schedule for parents and children, we can help to minimise the impact to our schools. Please do reach out to your GP or preferred pharmacy if you need to check up on vaccinations.”  

For some useful tips to reduce the spread of winter germs, please click here.


 

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:

Date

Year Group

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


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

 

 

29/11, 6/12, 13/12

 

 

Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks

 

 

18th November to 13th December

 

 

                          

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

 

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