Newsletter 29.9.23

News

29th September 2023

 

As autumn has arrived, with beautiful leaves showering down like confetti, there is much to celebrate at Alveston. In addition to our Stars of the Week, our team cup winners and the most amazing letter to our children, we enjoyed some first-place celebrations. From our Year 6 football team to our Stratford in Bloom gardeners, our children were able to shine in their own fields. Both achievements were also a team, community effort with parents and staff supporting the children’s hard work. We rejoiced at seeing all our Year 5 and 6 football stars back in action in green and white, as well as hearing the tales from the star-studded Town Hall. We know none of this would be possible without our community coming together. We are proud of each and every one of our children and thankful to everyone who supported them.  

There is one other story however that has captured our hearts and minds this week and deserves to be celebrated in full voice. You will read more below, but thank you Lucy for sharing the story of your wonderful, life affirming actions – showing just how brightly our wider community shines.

Wishing you all a wonderful, autumnal weekend,

Anne Clewley

Head Teacher

Stars of the Week!
 
Reception ~ Rupert
Year 1 ~ Georgia
Year 2 ~ Evelyn
Year 3 ~ Korra
Year 4 ~ Jessica & James
Year 5 ~ Sadie 
Year 6 ~ Noah
 
Congratulations to all of our Stars - well done!

House Point Cup Winners!

Congratulations to Othello Yellows !

A Very Special Delivery!
 
Last year, Reception wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to congratulate him for King Charles' Coronation. The children thought he led the service fabulously and with such confidence. We were excited to receive a reply this week with such a personal touch. Everyone was delighted.
Football Fantastic!
 
On Tuesday, our Year 5 and 6 football team represented the school in a Football Festival against other Stratford Schools. The boys played incredibly well, taking part in the festival in a competitive but respectful manner. Alveston Blues were victorious, coming 1st in the friendly competition. A big well done to Alveston Reds for also placing 5th.  Thank you to all families who came to support our boys. A big shout out also goes to coach Tom Sidwell for preparing our boys for this festival.
Alveston Bloomers!
 
Following our wonderful win in the Stratford in Bloom competition, three pupils - Jack, Jake and Brooklyn - were invited to attend the awards ceremony at Stratford Town Hall along with Mrs Fielding and Mrs Quainton Stubbs. 
 
What a wonderful evening we all had with drinks and nibbles to welcome us and front row seats, ready to receive our award. We soaked up the atmosphere of the very grand room we were sat in and were entertained by an excellent pianist. When the time came, we were welcomed on stage by the Mayor with a congratulatory handshake and presented with a beautiful plaque recognising our achievements in this year's competition. It was certainly a very proud moment.
 
The work in our orchard garden now continues with new beds to dig and seeds to collect ready for next season. Once again, we'd like to thank everyone that contributed to this year's entry. We couldn't have done it without your support so thank you from the bottom of our gardening hearts.
 
Ultimate Netball
 
Calling years 4, 5 and 6! Ultimate Netball Club is coming to Alveston Primary...and it needs you! Designed to build core skills and ignite a passion for the sport, netball will be held every Monday from 2nd October. Don't miss out! There's still time to book...
Parents Providing Community and Charity Support
 
You may have seen our newsletter entry last week about our Year 6 mum, Kelly, who is undergoing cancer treatment. She recently made the decision to shave her head as she was losing so much hair. Before starting her treatment, another Year 6 mum, Lucy French, told Kelly that if she lost all her hair, she would shave her head in support, to try and boost Kelly and her daughter's spirits.
Well, last weekend, the mums and their children shaved Lucy's hair clean off and we have the photos to prove it!
 
As well as supporting each other, the mums have decided to support two charities too. The first is Breast Cancer Now, who have been very supportive of Kelly since her diagnosis. So far, Lucy and Kelly have raised just over £2,000 and would love to increase this further!
 
If you would like to support this cause, please do so via Lucy and Kelly's Just Giving page which is:
 
 
Lucy is also be supporting The Little Princess Trust and has donated her hair to be used to make a wig for a young cancer patient. She has been informed that her hair has been received this week and that the wig-making process will soon be under way - amazing!
 
We wish both mums well and look forward to sharing further fundraising updates with you.
 
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.
 
The section below is updated every week, for your quick reference.
 
Stratford Fun Palace ~ Pop along to the Crowne Plaza on Saturday 7th October between 10am and 4pm and discover FREE activities for all ages. Join in, share your skills, make friends, learn how to handle tools, beat a drum, sing, create a harvest rag wreath or a spooky Halloween decoration.  Or just sit back with a cuppa and enjoy the company. Click here for more details.
  
Stratford Karate Club ~ USKO Karate Club are offering a free trial lesson for children (5+), teenagers and adults alike! For how to book, click here.
 
Virtual First Aid ~ Barnado's Warwickshire Children & Family Centres, in conjunction with Freddie's Wish, are offering virtual first aid courses for parents, grandparents and carers, in October. The sessions are free and all you need is a laptop or phone with a camera and internet access. Booking is required! Please follow this link for more information. This is an amazing opportunity not to be missed!
 
Sparkle Performing Arts ~ come along to Alveston and shine at Sparkle! Not only will your child develop their technique in dance, drama and singing but they will build confidence, make new friends and have lots of fun! To learn more, please click here.
 
Fitt4Kids....with a difference! ~ Fitt4kids are offering an after-school sports club session on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30pm. For more information, please follow this link. You'll also find information about their-wrap-around sessions and more.
 
Calling all Year 6s! ~ Kineton High School have an upcoming Open Evening on Thursday 28th September. Kineton invite you to meet their teachers; take part in exciting subject activities and have a look at their facilities, including progress on their new school build. Click here for more...
 
The Worry Workshop ~ If your child is feeling anxious or perhaps a little lost, a new 4-week workshop will be running at the Lifeways Centre from Thursday 5th October. Please click here for more details.
 
Below are a few helpful resources to help support you and your local community:
 
Stratford & District Children & Family Centre ~ a new timetable of classes and activities is available for you to view here. The centre is also running a drop-in service for men and women experiencing domestic violence to meet with an outreach worker. Further information can be found here.
  
The latest edition of the Connect for Health school nursing service magazine can be found under the "Our Community" section of our website. 
 
Parents Helpline and Webchat ~ YoungMinds are the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health. This charity also offers three different services to parents and carers who are concerned about their child’s mental health, up to the age of 25. You can find out more about the Parents Helpline, Webchat and Email service here.
 
Last but not least, 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, 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.
 
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/ 

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.  

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.

Parents Helpline and Webchat ~ YoungMinds are the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health. This charity also offers three different services to parents and carers who are concerned about their child’s mental health, up to the age of 25. You can find out more about the Parents Helpline, Webchat and Email service here.

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 be, email parents3002@welearn365.com for assistance.

Important Dates to Remember

Key dates for the autumn term and the new academic year are HERE!  They have also been added to the website calendar.  You can find information relating to term dates here and teacher led club dates here:

Autumn Term (1)

 

Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies:

 

 

15/9, 22/9, 29/9, 6/10, 13/10, 20/10

Teacher-Led Clubs (6 wks)

 

11th Sept to 20th Oct

 

1/9/23

 

INSET Day (Children not at school)

21/9

 

Meet the Teacher 4-5pm (Y2, Y4); 5-6pm (Y1, Y3, Y6)

25/9

 

Online Safety Week

26/9

 

Individual school photos

6/10

 

Adult Quiz Night

6/10

 

Y1 Bake Sale

13/10

 

Parents Reading Together Time – 2:30 to 3pm

13/10

 

Reception Bake sale

16/10

 

Bag-2-School

19/10

 

Harvest Festival (in church at 2pm)

20/10

 

Autumn Disco (fancy dress optional): KS1 3:15-4:15/KS2 4:30-5:30

23/10

 

Half-Term Cup Assembly

27/10

 

Crazy Hair Day (£1)

 

 

 

HALF-TERM 30th October – 3rd November

 

Autumn Term (2)

 

Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies

 

 

10/11, 17/11, 24/11, 1/12, 8/12, 15/12

Teacher-Led Clubs (4 wks)

 

13th Nov to 8th Dec

 

9/11

 

Open Morning 9:30-11

9/11

 

Friends of Alveston AGM

10/11

 

Remembrance Service: Y2 & Y6 to visit War Memorial

10/11

 

Y4 Bake Sale

13/11

 

Odd Socks Day

14/11

 

Parents’ Evening 3:30-6:30pm (face-to-face)

16/11

 

Parents’ Evening 3:30-6:30pm (face-to-face)

20/11

 

Open Morning 9:30-11

24/11

 

Y2 Bake Sale

8/12

 

Christmas Fair/Raffle

12/12

 

Christmas Performances KS1 9-10am, KS2 10:30-11:30, Rec 2-3pm

13/12

 

Christmas Performances Rec 9-10am, KS1 10:30-11:30, KS2 2-3pm

18/12

 

Half-Term Cup Assembly

TBC

 

Whole School Theatre Trip

22/12

 

Last day of term. Morning only - school closes at midday!

22/12

 

INSET Afternoon (children not in school from midday!)

 
 
Friends of Alveston dates for 2023 are also included in the website calendar. 
Healthy Schools 2020
360 ES Mark
Artsmark Gold Award
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