Newsletter 3.2.23

News

3rd February 2023

Alveston is always such an exciting place to be! This week is no exception. From a class assembly to cross country running, it has been all go!

There have also been some very exciting meetings taking place. Some of you will be aware of our dream to develop our playground space. This half term I am talking to playground developers and designers, and I have to admit, the dream is getting bigger!

We have already had donations from SPAR and author Brian Johnson to help with the funding of this project. In addition to Friends of Alveston support, we will look at every funding option we can!

This week Mrs McFeely told the children about another exciting competition. Child Friendly Warwickshire are inviting children in Warwickshire to submit their ideas on what being child friendly means to them and win £2,500 for their school! More details can be found below, as we are hoping the children will get involved as a homework task. Who knows, one of our children could be responsible for adding £2,500 to the playground pot! Too exciting for words!

Wishing you all a lovely 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 ~ Lucija

Year 1 ~ Ted & Zeina

Year 2 ~ Mabel

Year 3 ~ Jessica

Year 4 ~ Daniel

Year 5 ~ Ssssshhh - it's a surprise! Find out next week!

Year 6 ~ Emma

Congratulations to all of our Stars! 

House Point Cup Winners 

Congratulations to Charlecote Greens
 
Scott, Shackleton...and Mr Cook!
 
Year 6 enjoyed an ‘Antarctic Explorer’ talk with Mr Cook this week. He shared his own experiences and linked it to Shackleton’s Journey and the work that we have been doing on the polar regions. We saw Antarctic photography from Mr Cook’s six explorations into the Antarctic. It was fascinating to hear all about his trips; the journeys, the weather, the mighty waves (!) and the majestic wildlife. We all loved the photos of the penguins and the incredible icebergs!
 
Thank you, Mr Cook! We all want to visit Antarctica now!
 
 
We are Young - and in Good Voice!
 
On Friday 27th January, 5 teachers and 1 Governor took 66 children on a double deck bus (could it be anymore exciting?!)  to Young Voices, and what a wonderful evening it was! Click here to find out more!
 
Aurora Bore-artists!
 
Oscar P, Annabelle, Zak, Madison, Mia, Sonny, Maryann, Sydney, Maisey and Paige from Year 6 have all been busy creating Northern Lights artwork. They created their inspiring pieces using chalk pastels and watercolour paper.
 
Didn't they do a fantastic job!
 
Cross Country
 
On Tuesday, Years 5 and 6 went to their rescheduled Cross Country meeting to compete against other Stratford schools. Our runners represented themselves and the school brilliantly, with several of our runners coming in the top eight and therefore qualifying for the regional heats at the end of February! Watch this space for further details nearer the time...
 
Well done to William, George, Felix, TJ, Oscar, Charlie, Max, Georgia, Millie, Molly, Flo, Chloe, Bella, Jasmine, Isabella, Madison, Mia, Emma, Finn, Sam and Joey. Thanks also to Mrs Wilcock and Mr Miles for overseeing the event.

Child Friendly Warwickshire Competition

On Thursday morning children throughout the school had a special assembly detailing the ‘Child Friendly Warwickshire Competition.'

Child Friendly Warwickshire believe being ‘child friendly’ means that every child and young person should be Happy, Healthy, Skilled, Safe and Heard. 

The competition challenges children and young people in Warwickshire to explore and showcase what being ‘child friendly’ means to them. Each of the age category winners will win £2,500 for their school or college. Winner's work will also form part of a showcase to young people and professionals at the Warwickshire Youth Conference in Autumn 2023.  

Who can enter?

Children can enter into one of the following categories:

Ages 4-7 , Ages 8-11 , Ages 12-15 , Ages 16-21 (up to 25 for SEND young people)  

How to enter

To apply, simply answer the question: What does being ‘child friendly’ mean to you? 

Child Friendly Warwickshire say that children throughout the county recently told them that more Climate Change Awareness, Mental Health support, Open Green Spaces, opportunities/careers, clubs/activities, Cost of Living support and Safer Streets are important and would help to create a Child Friendly Warwickshire.  They need our help to bring these ideas to life by creating a piece of artwork that reflects these themes.  

Your entry can be in any of the following formats: 

- any form of artwork

- a video

- Animation

- written response of up to 300 words

- a song/rap

 - Sculpture

- or a photograph

Please submit your work (or a parent/carer/guardian/teacher submit on your behalf) by emailing

childfriendly@warwickshire.gov.uk 

with your name, age, your school’s name and school address and don't forget to attach your entry

Prizes

The first placed entrant from each of the age categories will win £2,500 for their school or college to spend on Child Friendly Warwickshire related projects. What the money is spent on is up to the school or college. 

More information can be found here: 

www.childfriendlywarwickshire.co.uk/childfriendlycompetition

Deadline for entries—Monday 27th February 2023

We hope that as many children as possible can showcase their creative talents and possibly even win Alveston this amazing prize! Good luck!

Staff Announcement

Our School Office Manager, Mrs Foster will be leaving us for pastures new at the end of this half term. We would like to take this opportunity to thank her for all she has done for the school and for the warm welcome she has given our parents and visitors. I am sure you will join us in wishing her all the best for her next chapter.

You may have noticed...Mrs Matthews has moved into the office! When we return after the half term holiday, she will take up the post of Acting Office Manager to work with Mrs Price. We will be recruiting an administration assistant to cover the remainder of Mrs Clowrey’s maternity leave. We will let you know who this is as soon as we can, so you know who is at the other end of the phone and emails!

Children's Mental Health Week: 6th - 12th February 

The theme for this year's Children's Mental Health Week is "Let's Connect", which encourages us all to make more meaningful and rewarding connections with others. Let's put down the electronic devices and get involved with some of Connect For Health's fantastic activities! 
 
Please visit our Community pages to view the full campaign pack for further information including a helpful video, lots of useful websites and some App suggestions.
 
Why not share your participation in this important week on social media with #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek 
 
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.  
 
A Warm Welcome from Stratford Library ~ Stratford Library is offering free warm bags and toiletry bags for anyone who is in need of extra support. Please follow this link for further information.
 
Love Your Library - FREE Half-Term Activities ~ Stratford Library will be hosting two fun-packed events over half term: a dinosaur-themed treasure trail and crafts (4-11 yrs. No need to book!) and a story-making adventure game (8-12 yrs. Must be pre-booked on EventBrite). Follow this link for more information!
 
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. 
 
"tennisolutions" - Spring 2023 Programme ~ Tennisolutions Junior Group Coaching Programme at Tysoe Tennis Club successfully continues and they nearly have a full house! BUT...they still have a couple of spaces in each group…with excellent tennis coaching for 4-11+ yrs, check out their flyer for more information.
 
Tiddington Film Club ~ Tiddington Community Centre Film Club is back! The first screening of the year is the delightful, Fisherman's Friends: One and All, showing at 7:30pm on Friday 3rd February. Why not go along and become a member too? Membership is £14 (£2 x 7 films), screenings every first Friday of the month. Read more here
 
February's edition of the Connect for Health school nursing service magazine can be found under the "Our Community" section of our website. This month's magazine has a special focus on LGBT+ History Month and how to participate in Random Acts of Kindness day on 17th February!
 
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
 
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.
 

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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