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Newsletter 11.9.26

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September 2026

11th September 2026

What a truly special first full week we have had at Alveston! As always, our wonderful children have shone brightly, showing kindness, confidence and a real sense of belonging as they have welcomed the newest members of our school family.

Our Reception children have been welcomed with so much joy, care and excitement, and it has been wonderful to see them beginning to settle, make friends and become part of our Alveston family. A huge well done to them!

Our playtimes have also been truly amazing to be a part of. It has been fantastic to watch the children get back into the world of OPAL, exploring, creating, imagining and, most importantly, sharing their brilliant ideas with one another. There has been so much joy, creativity and collaboration across the playground – exactly what we hoped OPAL would bring to our children.

We began the week with a wonderful Collective Worship led by Rev. Craig, who spoke to us about New Starts. He gave us lots to think about and reminded us of the importance of making sure that everyone feels valued, welcomed and included and we can make such a huge impact on how others feel. This message has certainly been reflected in the way our children have cared for and supported one another throughout the week.

I couldn't be prouder of our children. They have started the new school year with such positivity and enthusiasm, and they have reminded us once again what makes Alveston such a special place to be.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Jess Newitt, Headteacher

Stars of the Week 
 
Reception ~ Reception stars start next week :-)
Year 1 ~ Arianna
Year 2 ~ Kai
Year 3 ~ *
Year 4 ~ Jimmy & Cillian
Year 5 ~ Evie
Year 6 ~ Jude
 
Well done, everyone, for shining so brightly!
Team Cup Winners
 
Congratulations to this week's team cup winners, Charlecote Greens! And a big "WELL DONE" to anyone who earned team points this week.
Percentage Attendance Levels by Year Group (to date)
 
Reception - 100%
Year 1 - 99.52%
Year 2 - 95.8%
Year 3 - 99.7%
Year 4 -  91.7%
Year 5 -  100%
Year 6 -  98.8%
 
Overall School Total - 98.7%
 
While the UK government sets an expectation of 100% attendance, good attendance is generally considered 95% or higher, with 97% or above regarded as very good/excellent.
 
Attendance Percentages Explained:
  • 97-100%: Very Good/Excellent attendance
  • 95-97%: Average/Good attendance
  • 90-95%: Cause for concern
  • Below 90%: Serious concern / Persistent absence (PA)

Welcome to Forest School!
 
Our new Reception class were absolute super stars this week during their first ever experience in our lovely forest school site. The children explored the area with gusto and enjoyed every minute of their time out in the wilds.
A Journey Back in Time...
 
Year 6 had a fabulous day out this week at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, where they stepped back in time and experienced what life was like during World War II. The children travelled by steam train from Winchcombe to Broadway and back again, just as evacuees would have travelled during the war. Along the way, they experienced a dramatic blackout and air raid, and even had the chance to become firefighters by taking part in an exciting team game! As part of their experience, the children visited a recreated 1940s school, where they learned about what school life was like for children during the war. They explored a fascinating collection of primary historical artefacts, including toys, clothing and other objects from the 1940s,  which helped to bring their learning to life. The children looked wonderful in their evacuee costumes and thoroughly enjoyed their wartime lunch. It was a fantastic day of hands-on history, giving the children a memorable insight into the experiences of children during World War II. We were incredibly proud of their exemplary behaviour and how enthusiastically they embraced the experience!
Let's Get Sporty!
 
Year 3 enjoyed their first swimming lessons of the year and really wowed us with their energy. They also enjoyed practising their dribbling skills using their hands and feet this week.
Mathematicians and Historians!
 
Year 2 have been busy mathematicians this week, sorting and identifying 10s and 1s. They have been learning how numbers are made up of tens and ones and practising spotting the value of each digit.  The children have been working hard and showing off their fantastic mathematical thinking. 
 
The class also became historians and explored photographs of our school from the past to the present day! They worked together to look closely at the photographs, describing what they could see and sharing what they already knew about schools from different time periods. Year 2 then created their own timelines on the tables and carefully sequenced the photographs. They enjoyed spotting similarities and differences between classrooms in the past, within living memory and today, and discovering how much our school has changed over time. Great work, Year 2!
 
Bird's Eye View
 
In their Geography lesson, Year 1 used Google Earth to learn what an aerial photograph is. The children zoomed in and found the UK and named all the countries within it. They also looked for rivers, fields and buildings. Zooming in further, the children were able to find our school! They worked hard to label everything they could see in the aerial photograph of Alveston Primary. 
Born Contenders!
 
This year, Alveston has not just one but two boats competing in the Dragon Boat races on Sunday 27th September! As well as the team spotlighted in last week's newsletter, we have another group of parents fired up to take on the competition (most importantly, other primary schools in the area, ha ha!).  The team of Alveston parents are hoping to raise lots of money to support the Shakespeare Hospice and the Friends of Alveston (anything over £1,000 goes to Alveston Primary). To help boost their fundraising effort, they are holding a bake sale in the playground on Friday 18th September. Don’t forget your cash!
 
The Dragon Boat races are scheduled for Sunday 20th September 2026 and the Alveston Parents team would absolutely love to have your support down by the river on the day – so get your voices warmed up and, crucially, please sponsor the team in their heroic endeavours here. Don't miss out on the live action - it really is great fun to watch!

 

Date: 20 Sep 2026

Time: From 10:00am

Location: Stratford Boat Club, CV37 7LS 

 

Artbase is back for the Autumn Term!
 
As advertised back in July, the lovely Artbase are back with us for the autumn term. Please don't miss out on all the gorgeous artwork that the children get to create. Click here for more information and instructions on how to join in with the arty fun!
Community Interest 
 
We post 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:
 
 
 
 
You can also find a list of the FoodBank'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 note: Parking is only available if there are spaces free and we can only park in the allocated bays. Once all the marked bays are full each day, parents will need to find alternative parking when dropping off and collecting their children. Please do not park in any other areas of the car park going forward. Please do not park on 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 at the main entrance to school. 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:
parents3002@welearn365.com

Leave of Absence during Term Time
For updated guidance and legislation regarding a leave of absence during term time, please click here. You will find the application form to request a leave of absence here.

 

Important Dates* to Remember 

Key dates for Autumn Term (1) are shown below. 
 
* Please note that all dates published are subject to change/cancellation - please check this page and/or the website calendar regularly:
 
 

 

 

 

Autumn Term (1)

 

Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies

 

 

11/9, 18/9, 25/9, 2/10, 9/10, 16/10, *19/10 (Half Term Cup)

 

 

Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks

 

 

w/c 14th September to w/e 9th October 2026

 

 

 

2/10

 

Year 5 Hockey Tournament [by invite only]

5/10

 

Year 2 trip to St. John’s House [event sheet coming soon]

6/10

 

Year 5 Bell Boating

7/10

 

Year 4 trip to Cadbury World

8/10

 

School photos [individual]

9/10

 

Learning Time Together [2:30-3pm]

14/10

 

Reception Class Vison Screening

15/10

 

Reception and Year 6 Heights & Weights Measurements

21/10

 

Harvest Festival in church - date TBC [2:30pm]

23/10

 

INSET DAY – NO CHILDREN IN SCHOOL

 

 

 

 

 

HALF TERM 26th to 30th October 2026

 

 

 

2/11

 

Children return to school

3/11 & 4/11

 

Parents’ Evenings [3:30-6:30pm]

12/11 & 24/11

 

Open Mornings [for Reception 2027]

 

 

 

*** More dates to be announced soon ***
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