9th May 2025
As we enter SATs week next week, I'd like to dedicate this section of our newsletter to Year 6, with a little 'Ode to Year 6' (you can tell I'm not a poet!):
To Our Shining Stars at Alveston
SATs are here — the papers await,
You’ve worked so hard, you will be great.
But remember, results are just one small part,
What truly matters comes from the heart.
You’ve worked so hard, you will be great.
But remember, results are just one small part,
What truly matters comes from the heart.
Be kind in your words, in all that you do,
The world is made brighter by people like you.
Let honesty guide you, steady and true,
A light that will carry you all your life through.
The world is made brighter by people like you.
Let honesty guide you, steady and true,
A light that will carry you all your life through.
Stay curious, always, keep asking 'Why?'
There’s wonder in questions and stars in the sky.
Your ambition will help you aim high and soar,
Dream big, keep learning, and open each door.
There’s wonder in questions and stars in the sky.
Your ambition will help you aim high and soar,
Dream big, keep learning, and open each door.
Let creativity colour your days,
With songs, with stories, with bold, brilliant ways.
No test can ever measure your soul,
Or capture your laughter, your kindness, your goals.
With songs, with stories, with bold, brilliant ways.
No test can ever measure your soul,
Or capture your laughter, your kindness, your goals.
So walk into SATs with your heads held high,
With hope in your hearts and pride in your eyes.
Whatever the score, whatever the grade,
We’ve seen your courage, the progress you’ve made.
With hope in your hearts and pride in your eyes.
Whatever the score, whatever the grade,
We’ve seen your courage, the progress you’ve made.
You’ve made us smile, you’ve made us proud,
You’ve stood out quietly, you’ve stood out loud.
At Alveston, each one of you SHINES —
In classrooms, in hallways, in poems and lines.
You’ve stood out quietly, you’ve stood out loud.
At Alveston, each one of you SHINES —
In classrooms, in hallways, in poems and lines.
So go take your tests, but don’t you forget,
You’re more than a number — we’re not done yet!
Your values will carry you far past today,
You’re wonderful children — in every way.
You’re more than a number — we’re not done yet!
Your values will carry you far past today,
You’re wonderful children — in every way.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Jess Newitt
Deputy Head Teacher
Mobile Phone Use
Please can we politely remind families that mobile phones are not to be used on school premises. Thank you!
Stars of the Week!
Reception ~ Orion
Year 1 ~ Zak
Year 2 ~ Lottie
Year 3 ~ Paras
Year 4 ~ Jamie
Year 5 ~ James
Year 6 ~ Oliver
Congratulations to all of our Stars of the Week!
Team Cup Winners
Congratulations to this week's Team Point winners, Tudor Reds! I And a big "WELL DONE" to anyone who earned a team point this week.
Memories of VE Day
This week the nation has been remembering the heroes of VE Day. We discussed this in Collective Worship yesterday but please remember we will be focusing some of our Arts week on VE Day and sharing this with you on Friday 23rd May. More details to follow soon...!
Down on the Farm
Reception class visited Oversley Hill Farm this week as part of their "People who Help Us" topic this half term. The children started by exploring how bread is made with ingredients that are grown on a farm. They then split into two groups with one half heading off on a trailer ride to see cows in a field. The other group went to visit the sheep and chickens. Oversley Hill Farm is a working farm, and the children were curious about how farmers help us and had many questions to ask. The children gained knowledge about animals, machinery and the hard work farmers do.
Little Lambs
The children in Reception were very lucky to have some special visitors this week. Mr and Mrs White, who own a farm in Alveston, came to show the children two lambs. Their names are Bubbles and Derek. The children asked some questions and had the opportunity to pet the lambs, feeling their wool.
Leo - "How old are they?" - They are 7 days old.
Harvey - "What do they play with?" - They play with each other.
Grace - "What do they eat?" - They are only drinking milk at the moment which they have from a bottle.
Forest School has Sprung!
We were amazed by the transformation at Forest School last Friday. The grasses had flourished, the trees had burst into leaf, and our beautiful site was glowing with vibrant greenery! Spring flowers were in full bloom, and we couldn't help but admire the bluebells, especially in the dappled shade. The children focused on identifying common UK butterflies, then got creative by decorating their own butterfly species with flowers and grasses collected from our site. Some of the children practiced using tools safely, starting with golf tees and hammers before progressing to hammering nails into a wooden slice. They worked in pairs, supporting each other to stay safe, and wow, did they do an excellent job!
The Royal Pump Rooms
Year 1 went on a school trip to The Royal Pump Rooms, in Leamington Spa, to see what toys were like in the past. They were shown lots of different toys that were so delicate that they had to be handled with gloves. The children got to see them up close under a visualiser. Most of the toys were up to 100 years old! The children then made their own versions of toys from the past, such as a peg doll, and then sorted pictures of toys from the past and toys that we play with today. Year 1 learned that the way of life was very different to today and that lots of toys were made from different materials such as wood and metal, whereas today most toys are plastic or electronic.
Cool Beans
On Tuesday, Year 1 planted some beans. They put compost into a pot and made a hole with their finger and placed the bean in the soil. The children are going to watch them grow and learn about each part to help them understand more about plants.
Year 5 had a fab hands-on science lesson dissecting flowers and identifying the male and female parts and exploring how pollination takes place. The children also enjoyed exploring angles this week. They have learnt how to use protractors accurately to draw and measure angles.
Leave of Absence During Term Time - Termly Reminder
The Supreme Court has clarified the law on unauthorised leave, including holidays, during term time (Platt v Isle of Wright 2017). The Supreme Court has made clear that attending school ‘regularly’ means that the children must attend school on every day that they are required to do so. As such, the parents of any child who is absent from school without authorisation for any length of time are likely to be considered as committing an offence under s444 of the Education Act 1996.
The law states a leave of absence may only be granted by a school if an application is made in advance and if it considers there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application.
Schools must judge each application individually considering the specific facts and circumstances and relevant background context behind each request.
A leave of absence is granted entirely at the school’s discretion. Generally, a need or desire for a holiday or other absence for the purpose of leisure and recreation would not constitute an exceptional circumstance.
Where a leave of absence is granted, the school will determine the number of days a pupil can be absent from school.
When making an application for Leave of Absence parents are advised to give sufficient information and time to allow the Head Teacher the opportunity to consider all the exceptional circumstances and to notify parents of their decision. The school may also request further information on the application and supporting documentation where appropriate.
It is advised that if the resident parent has not received notification or a response regarding the leave of absence application, it is their responsibility to ascertain if the leave is authorised prior to the start of the leave.
The school can only consider Leave of Absence requests which are made by the ‘resident’ parent i.e. the parent with whom the child normally resides.
Where applications for leave of absence are made in advance and refused, the child is expected to be in school on the dates set out in the application. If the child is absent during that period, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence. Where a leave of absence is requested, but additional days taken either prior to or after the request may be considered as part of the leave of absence.
Leave of Absences which are not made in advance cannot be authorised in line with legislation. This will result in the absence being recorded as ‘unauthorised’.
All matters of unauthorised absence relating to a Leave of Absence will be referred to the Warwickshire Attendance Service, part of Warwickshire County Council. Penalty Notices are issued in accordance with Warwickshire County Council’s Code of Conduct for Penalty Notices and in the first instance, as an alternative to prosecution proceedings.
Leave of Absence taken in the academic year 2024-25
The law relating to Penalty Notices is due to change with effect from 1 September 2024. Therefore Penalty Notices issued for Leave of Absences taken after this date will be issued in accordance with the updated legislation.
- Penalty Notices are issued to each parent of each absent child, (for example 2 children and 2 parents, means each parent will receive 2 invoices – 4 in total).
- First Leave of Absence offence: The Penalty Notice amount of £160 to be paid within 28 days, this is reduced to £80 each child if paid within 21 days.
- Second Leave of Absence offence within a 3 year period (from the date of issue of the first penalty notice): The amount of £160 paid within 28 days. No reduced amount,
- Payment plans will not be offered and/or payments received outside of the 28 day period will not be accepted. Where a penalty notice expires unpaid the matter will be referred to Warwickshire County Council’s Legal Services to consider criminal prosecution.
- Third Leave of Absence offence within a 3 year period (from the date of issue of the first penalty notice) A penalty notices will be not be issued and the matter will be referred to Warwickshire County Council’s Legal Services to consider instigating criminal prosecution proceedings under S444 of Education Act 1996.
Your child’s progress academically, as well as socially, is our shared priority.
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).
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:
Forest School Dates
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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Fri 16th May |
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Year 6 |
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Fri 23rd May |
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Year 4 |
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Fri 6th Jun |
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Year 3 |
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Fri 13th Jun |
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Year 2 |
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Fri 20th Jun |
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Year 1 |
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Fri 27th Jun |
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Reception |
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Fri 4th Jul |
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Year 6 |
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Fri 11th Jul |
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Year 5 |
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Fri 18th Jul |
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Year 4 |
Important Dates to Remember
Key dates for the Summer Term are HERE! You can find information relating to term dates here and teacher-led clubs here:
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Summer Term (1) |
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Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies |
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16/5, *19/5 (Half Term Cup) |
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Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks |
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28th April to 23rd May |
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12/5 |
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Year 3 Ancient Egyptian Day (in school) |
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23/5 |
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FOA Sweets Collection |
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HALF-TERM 26th-30th May 2025 |
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Summer Term (2) |
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Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies |
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6/6, 13/6, 20/6, 4/7, 11/7, *14/7 (Half Term Cup) |
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Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks |
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9th June to 4th July |
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4/6 |
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Reception 2025 – New Parents Meeting |
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16-18/6 |
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Year 6 Residential Trip |
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20/6 |
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FOA Summer Fayre |
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2/7 |
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Transition Day/Secondary School Inductions |
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7/7 |
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Year 6 End of Year Play |
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14/7 |
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Prospective Parents (2026) Open Evening |
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15/7 |
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Sports Day & Picnic |
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16/7 |
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Reserve Sports Day & Picnic |
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18/7 |
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Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly |
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18/7 |
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RockSteady Concert (2:15pm) |
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18/7 |
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Last Day in School for Children |
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21/7 |
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INSET DAY (no children in school) |
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22/7 |
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OFFICIAL LAST DAY OF TERM - Summer Holidays officially begin! |
