Newsletter 14.7.23

News

14th July 2023

One thing I love about our Alveston children and teachers is that we keep busy, busy, busy with our teaching and learning right up until the very end of the term and year! 
This week has been no exception. We have watched our children demonstrate that they are athletes, scientists, chefs, thespians, leaders and explorers and enjoying every moment of their learning.
In addition to all the wonderful activities going on at Alveston, twenty-six Year 6 children set off for West Wales for the residential, whilst four others supported everyone back at school. With a final sports day, Year 6 play and leavers' assembly to come, we are keeping our Year 6 children busy, busy, busy, right up to the end of their seven years at primary school. Having observed you all this week, both on residential (with me) or at school (with Mrs Newitt), we have no doubt after these busy seven years of learning, our children are absolutely ready for their next adventure.
Wishing you all a peaceful and rest-filled weekend,
Mrs Clewley
Head Teacher
Stars of the Week!
 
Reception ~ Laurence
Year 1 ~ Myla-Mae
Year 2 ~ Emerson
Year 3 ~ Mclaren
Year 4 ~ Rowan
Year 5 ~ no star(s) this week as they have been out being all-round super stars at the RSC!
Year 6 ~ no star(s) this week as they have been shining brightly on their Residential trip instead!
 
Congratulations to all of our Stars - well done!

House Point Cup Winners!

Congratulations to Othello Yellows!

 
It has been such a wonderfully busy time here at Alveston over the past couple of weeks and below are just some (but by no means all) of the amazing things that the children have been up to...
Team Alveston Strikes Again!
 
Team Alveston put on another strong display at the track athletics competition at Stratford High on Monday. Despite the showery weather, we had great fun and came away with a good haul of medals!
 
Here are the final results:
Gold: 
Ruben - 800m (year 6 boys)
Isabella - 800m (year 6 girls)
Year 3 /4 boys relay (Henry, Seth, Elliot, Ollie M)
Silver:
Chloe - 800m (year 5 girls)
George - 80m (year 5 boys)
Isabella - 80m (year 6 girls) 
Year 5/6 boys relay (Sam, Oscar D, George, Will)
Bronze:
Henry - 600m (year 4 boys)
Keira - 600m (year 4 girls)
George - 800m (year 5 boys)
Sam - 800m (year 6 boys)
Serena- 60m (year 4 girls)
Sam - 80m (year 6 boys)
 
Also participating were: McLaren, Harry B, Lulu, Sophie S, Yaseen, Harley, Darcey, Willow, TJ, Bella, Hazel, Freya, Freya S Georgia and Emma. Well done to all our athletes. You did yourselves and the school proud!
 
In Science, Year 2 have learnt about habitats and microhabitats. We then considered what a woodland microhabitat would look like. We decided to design a microhabitat for Minibeasts under a fallen log. The children were able to apply science vocabulary alongside working with a partner. They were also proud of their designs and felt they would make a great home for any minibeast! 

As part of the Chefs' Adopt-a-School programme, Chef Jonathan accompanied Year 4 on a tour of Alveston Manor’s kitchens, leisure centre and gardens. We put on our chef’s hats and set about creating and designing cookies in their working kitchens. We were then treated like guests on the terrace with apple and orange juice. Jen even took us on a tour of the famous Shakespeare kissing tree where Shakespeare performed one of his first plays. Thank you to Chef Jonathan for the amazing experiences and to all the staff at Alveston Manor for a warm and friendly welcome. 

Whilst some of our Year 6 children were out on their Transition Days, the remainder of the class spent a lovely morning this week exploring the "wild" area of our beautiful forest school site, filled with wild flowers, butterflies and bees. The children first connected with nature through some calming mindfulness activities. They then worked together in groups to build incredible shelters - they were each unique and strong. We stopped for a refuel of toasted marshmallows before finishing shelters and playing a game of 'Hunter and the Wolf'. A great morning was had by all!
Shakespeare's Swords
 
Year 5 were lucky enough to enjoy a free fencing workshop courtesy of Shakespeare’s Swords which are based at KES. Ben and Cameron taught us some basic attacking and defensive moves and we thoroughly enjoyed learning how to be on guard and how to parry! If you’re interested in finding out more, contact Chris Buxton on 07460 456895 or visit their dedicated website here.
School Council Update
 
Since September, Alveston's School Council have worked with Compass as part of the Connect for Health, Youth Health Champion project. They have worked with the nurses to learn more about important topics such as healthy eating, anti bullying and sun/ water safety. They have enjoyed these sessions and are looking forward to planning how to share this information with their peers in the next academic year. Take a sneak peak here at our School Council hard at work.
Ready, Set....Read!
 
The Reading Agency, in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and public libraries, has announced that the theme for this year's Summer Reading Challenge is 'Ready, Set, Read!'
 
This year's challenge aims to keep children's minds and bodies active over the summer break, empowering young people to forge new connections with others and unleash the power of play, sport and physical activity through reading.
 
How to Take Part
Children of Primary School age can join up at their local Warwickshire County Council library from Saturday 8 July. They will borrow and read books, eBooks and audio books, collect special stickers and rewards for reading and can attend events throughout the holidays. Children can also take part via the Summer Reading Challenge website, where they can sign up for a free Challenge profile and get book recommendations and tips for accessing books for free at home. They can review books, unlock digital awards and access competitions, videos and games.
 
Join in the fun...and help to prevent the summer reading 'dip' that many young people experience during the summer holidays while schools are closed.
 
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.  
 
Stratford Playhouse Talent Show ~ a very exciting community event is coming up on the weekend of the 21st - 23rd of July at the Stratford Playhouse where they will be showcasing all the wonderful community groups in the town. One very exciting part of this weekend is a **talent show**. If you have a talent to showcase, take a look here...
 
The Circus is Coming to Town! ~ The James Richards Circus is coming to town at the end of August and Alveston Primary children (and families!) can enjoy a special limited discount of 25% off tickets. The discount will only be available to the first 100 tickets using the code Alveston...so get booking to take advantage of this great discount! Follow this link for more information.
 
Children's Self Defence class ~ If you're looking for a great way for the children to keep structure over the holidays, whilst building a skill set that will further develop confidence and social skills, then this Children's self defence class might be what you're looking for! More information can be found here.
 
Stratford Junior Park Run - come join the fun! ~ Stratford-upon-Avon Junior Parkrun is a fun, free, weekly, timed 2k running event. Organisers are keen to expand its reach and to welcome children of all abilities to come along with their families to their fun event on Sunday mornings. Learn more here.
   
"Skills and More" Activity Camps ~ take a look here for details about some exciting activity camps taking place during the May half-term holidays. Primary school-aged children are welcomed to the Central Ajax Stadium in Warwick for football, drama, cookery and more! (Childcare vouchers are now accepted).
 
Stratford District Children & Family Centre ~ a new timetable is available for you to view here.
 
Don't forget...
 
The latest edition of the Connect for Health school nursing service magazine can be found under the "Our Community" section of our website. 
 
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
 
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, 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:

 

17/7/23                   Y6 Leavers’ Play (4:30pm) [Event Sheet sent on 4.7.23]

17/7/23                   Open Evening

18/7/23                   Sports Day & Family Picnic  [Event Sheet sent on 4.7.23]

19/7/23                   Reserve Sports Day & Family Picnic

20/7/23                  Half-term Cup Presentation

21/7/23                  Y6 Leavers’ Assembly [Event Sheet sent on 4.7.23]

21/7/23                   2022/23 Academic Year ends

24-25/7/23             INSET DAYS (Children not in school)

4/9/23                     2023/24 Academic Year starts

Any 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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