Newsletter 6.1.23

News

6th January 2023

Happy New Year to all our families and our community. and welcome back to the Spring Term 2023!
 
While we were enjoying our break, our school has been well and truly 'rainbowed'! We wanted to wrap the school in our ethos, to improve areas of our environment and to further improve our warm welcome to all our visitors.
 
During our Collective Worship on Wednesday, we talked about our vision and our mission, the ethos of our school. We were reminded that this work started during the pandemic in 2020. Children, parents, staff and Governors shared their favourite bible stories and proverbs, which they felt encapsulated how we work at Alveston today and should endeavour to work tomorrow. Together as a community we distilled these down to a final three with Matthew 5:16 winning all our hearts and minds.
 
"Let your light shine before people so they can see the good things you do, and praise your Father who is in Heaven." Matthew 5:16
 
Together we watched King Charles' first Christmas Day Speech. The speech was closely aligned to our ethos and the children were able to pick out the shared values he discussed, such as Community and Hope. They also spotted that just as Queen Elizabeth was a shining light, we too can and do bring light to the darkness with our support for each other and our wider community. 
 
We have been delighted to watch the faces of our children and parents light up at the sight of our rainbows around school. If you have not yet seen our rainbows, parents will be able to get a closer look on Tuesday 17th January at our Learning Together Time! 
 
The work we do at Alveston is always a community effort. Thank you to the Friends of Alveston for agreeing to contribute to the cost of our rainbows, to everyone who has helped to organise fund raising events and to all those who have attended an event or bought anything from our Friends - cakes, ice lollies, raffle tickets, Christmas cards - all that you do helps Alveston shine brighter!
 
Here's to a bright 2023! Wishing you a peaceful start to the new year, 
 
Anne Clewley
Head Teacher
House Point Cup Winners
 
Congratulations to Tudor Reds
 
Stars of the Week
 
We look forward to announcing our *Stars of the Week* next week. Watch this space...!
A Midsummer Night's Dream...in winter!
 
We are delighted to tell you that our very own Jack from Year 4, and his brothers, performed in A Midsummer Night's Dream over Christmas!
 
Jack and his brothers have been going to Playbox Theatre for just over a year now and have been in a selection of productions. However, this was Jack's very first casting and he performed as a 'Changeling' in the show. Mum says that he was quite simply **fantastic**! 
 
Jack has been working hard in rehearsals since August 2022 and performed in 5 of the 9 performances, overall.
 
Alveston Primary is very proud of you, Jack. Well done!
 
World Book Day - Thursday 2nd March - Dress Code
 
We know what a wonderfully organised community you are, so we thought we would share some World Book Day news with almost 2 months notice! 
We have already shared our intention to do what we can to ease the current cost of living burden on our families. One of our parents shared a wonderful cost effective idea for World Book Day. They suggested that instead of dressing up as characters from our favourite books, this year we could dress in our PJs to enjoy a day of bedtime stories. No need spend your valuable resources on ready made costumes nor on the materials to make your own.  
We discussed this as a team and decided it was a wonderful idea! (Plus we were also all well jel of the PJs dress code for Year 2's Polar Express day!) 
Parents' Evenings - Booking Information 
 
Spring Term Parents' Evenings are being held in just over 2 months on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th March.
The first meeting of the evenings will be 3.30pm, with the last meeting starting at 6.20pm.
 
For those new to Alveston, parents book their meeting times online. Parents' Evening Booking will open on Tuesday 17th January at 7pm. Slots book up quickly, so set an alarm in your calendar!
Uniform Addition - The Beanie / Bobble Hat!
 
Many of you have noticed and asked about the beautiful personalised bobble hats some of our children (and I!) have been wearing. 
These hats have been supplied by one of our Year 3 parents and, as they look so fabulous on the children, we are delighted to offer them as an optional part of our uniform.
 
The beanies come in 3 different styles:
  • Pom Pom beanie in Alveston colours with green and white Pom Pom - (this is one size and the same as mine)
  • Plain Green Pom Pom beanie -  This is a junior size and would be suitable for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (head size depending)
  • Plain green beanie - No Pom Pom and available in Junior and also in One Size
 
The beanies are available to buy from the shop via the website - www.haube.co.uk. The hats are £9.99 each, but if parents enter ALVESTON at checkout they will receive 20% off their hat purchase. 
 
We are also planning to host a pop up shop this month, one day after school. Parents will be able to try the hats on for size and order them from the shop.
** STOP THE PRESS ** 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! Cookery Club starts on 12th January so don't delay! You won't want to miss out on yummy garlic and cheddar scones or delicious toffee-apple cake (and many other delicious recipes). Click here for instructions on how to book a place...and get cracking!
 
Bayleaf Cookery School was established in 2013 with a mission to widen children's food horizons and get them excited about food and cookery. Since then, they have been working with an increasing number of primary schools across Warwickshire, Solihull and Coventry, delivering cookery clubs that spark children's interest, engage their imagination and build the foundations for a lifelong love of cooking for themselves.
 
And to really get the children's taste buds going, Andrew Bayley, from Bayleaf, will be guest-starring in an assembly on Tuesday 12th January, requesting volunteers to assist with cheesecake-making. An instant no-bake at its delicious best! YUM!
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: 
 
Princethorpe College Taster Events ~ Princethorpe College are holding two events in the New Year for Year 5 children - an annual Year 5 Choral Fun Day on Saturday 14 January and a Try Tag Rugby Taster on Friday 20 January. Spaces for both events are limited and will be booked on a first come, first served basis so don't delay! 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.
 
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.
 

9/2/23                   FoA Committee Meeting

10/2/23                Valentine’s School Disco

16/2/23                School Uniform Sale

17/1/23                Learning Together Time (2pm)

27/1/23                Young Voices

31/1/23                Year 3 Class Assembly

07/2/23                Year 4 Class Assembly

14/02/23              Year 5 Class Assembly

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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