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May 2023

Newsletter 27.9.24

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September 2024

27th September 2024

All through our lives, each and every day, there is the potential to experience wonderful moments of spirituality. These can often present themselves as flashes of awe and wonder of the world around us. Listening to our children sing this week in the iSingPop rehearsals has been a shining example of this. Honing their beautiful voices and performances has lifted all our spirits. Their backdrop this week has been some pretty dramatic weather. The performances we have seen in nature - the flash of the lightning, the roar of the thunder and the height of our rivers, inspire feelings of absolute wonder, and at times, also fear. As we agreed to quite literally take a rain check on our Bell Boating trip for Year 5 this week, my thoughts turned to another boat – Noah’s Arc. This story was the very first story I told at Alveston as I shared an example of a bible super hero with the classes of 2018. It is a story which embodies our Christian value of ‘hope’ and a promise that things will improve. I brought my love of rainbows to Alveston because this message of hope resonates so strongly. Rainbows never fail to deliver moments of awe and wonder, and sheer joy, when we see them in the sky. The storm will pass, the rivers will recede and the sun will shine brightly again. When it does, look for those rainbows, those messages of hope, and take a moment to notice the feelings it inspires. 

Wishing all our families a peaceful and safe weekend.

Anne Clewley

Head Teacher

Stars of the Week!
 
Reception ~ Ottilie
Year 1 ~ Steven
Year 2 ~ Sophie
Year 3 ~ Isla
Year 4 ~ Liam
Year 5 ~ Noah
Year 6 ~ Sammy
 
Congratulations to all of our Stars!
 
Team Cup Winners
 
Congratulations to this week's Team Point winners, Charlecote Greens! Well done to everyone who earned a team point this week.
Give Me Joy in my Heart!
 
This week Reception children have been discussing what brings them joy in their heart. This discussion was provoked by reading the story Joy by Corrinne Averiss. The children discussed why it's important to have joy in your heart. "It makes you feel good" Maive said.
 
Here are a few examples the children have said that brings them joy in their heart:
"When I see rainbows in the sky" said Evelyn.
"Going in the trees and finding conkers" Kai said. 
"Lighting fires because we have marshmallows" said Charlie. 
"Playing on my scooter in my garden" Harry said.
 
I feel joy just reading these words and seeing their pictures - thank you for sharing Reception!
"I wisely started with a map" 
 
This week, Year 1 have been learning to read maps! On Tuesday, the children looked around the playground to identify where some of the key features are located. They learned that symbols are used to represent some key features on maps. They also learned that a 'key' helps us to recognise where the features are located on a map. The children really enjoyed working with a partner to locate the features, using the key and symbols to help them. 
Going Back in Time
 
This week, Year 2 enjoyed looking at historical sources that taught them more about Alveston school in the past. They looked at planning permission for the old school site and the current school site, old photographs, scrap book entries and letters to Warwickshire County Council. On Friday, Mrs Clewley shared entries from the old Head Teachers' logbooks, all the way back to 1949! What a wonderful, historical archive to explore!
Evacuees!
 
Year 6 had a fabulous day out this week at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, where they enjoyed a World War II evacuation experience! The children rode on a steam railway train from Winchcombe to Cheltenham and back again. They experienced a black-out air raid and even got their chances to be firemen by playing an exciting team game. They heard war stories and experienced a variety of primary historical artefacts - including toys and clothes. The children looked wonderful in their 1940s evacuee costumes and they enjoyed their war-time lunch.
 
We have many amazing photos to share with you and these will be posted next week!
 
Image / Video sharing with other schools
 
We have established link school partnerships with schools in Kenya and Malaysia and we are hoping to establish more over the coming years. We would like to share videos or photos so the children in these schools can see how a school day runs at Alveston and what kind of activities we do. We have an agreement with the schools that they will not upload anything we send to online platforms. If children do not have permission we will not send their images. However, please be aware, they will miss out on the video filming process.
 
If you haven't already, please can you take one minute to complete the online form below regarding image sharing with other schools. We do need a response from all families (you can respond for multiple children from the same household. Just be sure to type all individual names).
 
If you have any questions, please do speak with Mrs Newitt or Mrs Clewley.

Alveston Owls will be holding their very own end of half term Autumn Party for those children staying for the afternoon session on Friday 25th October. There’ll be music, games, apple bobbing and, back by popular demand, a game of ‘What’s in Mr Jay’s box?’!

Children may bring their own clothes to school to change into when they arrive at Alveston Owls.

Hope to see you there!

Key reminders

  • What: Autumn Party!
  • Where: Alveston Owls, The Community Room
  • When: Friday 25th October, from 3.30pm

Hope to see you there!

British Science Week is coming...!
 
We will be celebrating all things Science in School from Monday 10th March to Friday 14th March 2025 to coincide with British Science week. We know it is a long way off however we want to make a start on planning a week to remember for the pupils. 
 
We are looking for talented parents/ relatives from a Science background who would be available to give our Science week an extra burst of excitement. If you have a spare half hour, we would be delighted if you can help.  It might be that you are available to talk about your career in assembly or participate in a question-and-answer session with your child's class. Please email Mrs Rogers, Science Lead, via the parents3002@welearn365.com for further information. 
Leave of Absence During Term Time - Updated Information
 
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). 
o   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.
o   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.
Sign up for Asda Rewards Cashpot! Name Alveston as Your School!
 
Asda is pledging their support for PTAs everywhere!
Parentkind – the charity that supports school PTAs - have teamed up with Asda, who is making millions of pounds available to donate to primary schools across the UK through their ‘Cashpot for Schools’ initiative –  all you have to do is, opt in through the Asda Rewards app, choose our primary school and shop and scan in store or shop online at Asda.com, between 2nd September and 30th November 2024.
 
Asda will donate 0.5% of the value of your shop to our Primary school. Also, every time somebody opts in, Asda will give an additional £1 to the school Cashpot. Plus, it doesn’t stop there – Asda are also giving £50 to every school to get them started!
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.  

 

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: 
 

Autumn Term (1)

 

Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies

 

 

4/10, 11/10, 18/10

 

 

Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks

 

 

16th September to 20th October

 

 

 

23/9 (wk)

 

Online Safety Week

3/10

 

Bag2School

11/10

 

FOA Autumn Disco (KS1 3:15-4:15PM, KS2 4:30-5:30pm)

15/10    

 

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

17/10    

 

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

21/10    

 

Half-Term Cup Assembly

24/10

 

Harvest Festival 2pm

24/10

 

FOA AGM

25/10

 

Crazy Hair Day

 

 

 

 

 

HALF-TERM 28th October – 1st November

 

 

 

Autumn Term (2)

 

Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies

 

 

8/11, 15/11, 22/11, 29/11, 6/12, 13/12

 

 

Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks

 

 

11th November to 6th December

 

 

                          

7/11

 

Open Morning 9:30-11

11/11

 

Remembrance Service: Y2 & Y6 to visit War Memorial

12/11

 

Odd Socks Day

18/11

 

Open Morning 9:30-11

6/12

 

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

20/12

 

Christingle 11:00-12:00

20/12

 

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

20/12 (pm)

 

INSET Afternoon (children not in school from midday)
01789 293412
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