Newsletter 19.5.23

News

19th May 2023

When we watch the world around us, it can be bewildering to children. Why, in comparison to the UK, do some countries seem to tolerate appalling behaviour, discriminate, harass others because they are different, perpetrate hate crimes or behave openly as an aggressor to other factions or countries? We have been exploring this whilst discussing our British Values.

This week the children asked to focus on the Rule of Law. We used a BBC assembly to guide our discussion on what would happen if we had no laws, or no rules. The BBC expected children to rejoice at the thought of throwing off the shackles! Following a video report and views from children, a head teacher and a judge, the expectation was that children would have a 'light bulb' moment and realise the importance laws and rules have in our lives. However, the BBC have not met the children of Alveston! From the get go the children articulated clearly why laws and rules are important for us all and how chaos would rule without them. “(Without laws and rules) people will just go around being mean to others”, “we wouldn’t be safe”, “people would run (in the corridors) and could hurt others”.

Part of our curriculum intent at Alveston is that all children leave us with a good moral compass, ready for the next stage in life.  To understand at such a young age that our British, Christian and school values help our community to live safe, happy and healthy, our children are leading the way. Once again demonstrating how brightly they SHINE, our children truly make our hearts sing with pride!

Wishing you a weekend filled with peace, rest and beautiful sunshine,

Anne Clewley

Head Teacher

Stars and House Point Cup Winners!
 
Stars of the Week
 
Well done to this week's *Stars of the Week*!
 
Reception ~ Blake
Year 1 ~ Erin & Paras
Year 2 ~ Harry & Thomas
Year 3 ~ Harley
Year 4 ~ Sammy & Sophie
Year 5 ~ Millie M-W
Year 6 ~ Sonny

Congratulations to all of our Stars! 

House Point Cup Winners 

Congratulations to Othello Yellows! 
 
Reception's Un-bee-lievable Visitor!
 
This week, as part of their topic on People Who Help Us, Reception were visited by Mrs Burvill, who is a beekeeper. She was AMAZING! She told the children lots of fascinating facts including the most incredible one - that bees have been swarming our planet for more than a million years and without them we simply would have no food! They are essential for us to live. A bee can lay more than 2,000 eggs a day, they can travel for 3 miles to find nectar, there are 25,000 types of bee but only 7 of which are honey bees. The children thoroughly enjoyed their visit and now have a great understanding of why beekeeping is such a fantastic job.
 
Please click here for some wonderful photos!
Potter-ing About!
 
This week, Year 4 have designed and made pinch pots based around their work on Ancient Greek pottery and what stories they tell. They then went on to having an Art Gallery in the classroom where they peer-assessed each other's pots.
Year 4 have also recently been busy preparing and making their very own Greek salads. As part of the Chefs-Adopt-a-School Programme, Year 4 analysed the different tastes, smells and textures of their ingredients and chose how to prepare their dishes. The children enjoyed the Greek Salads as a starter for their King’s Coronation Picnics.
We Need Your Help for Stratford in Bloom!
 
Our Forest School Lead and keen gardener, Mrs Fielding, is taking the lead for our Stratford in Bloom 2023 entry. Mrs Fielding is looking for support with some key items to start the work in earnest! Working with our children, she is keen to get started and deliver an entry we can continue to sustain for years to come. If you can help us with any of the following items, please contact school via admin3002@welearn365.com. Alternatively, items can be left just inside the football gate at either drop-off or pick-up and they will be collected from there. Thank you in advance for all your help.
  • Compost 
  • Long bamboo canes - 6 or 8 foot 
  • Vegetable plants 
  • Tomato plants 
  • Summer bedding plants 
  • Bee loving plants - lavender, nepeta, verbena 
  • Old pots
If you 'd like to learn more about Stratford in Bloom then head to their website via this link.
 
PLEASE NOTE: Mrs Fielding will also be starting a new after-school gardening club very soon - watch this space!
 
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.  
 
CBBC Casting Call for "Style It Out"! ~ calling all young designers aged 10-14! Lion TV are searching for the style icons and fashion designers of the future to star in a brand-new challenge show on CBBC & BBC iPlayer. If you’re between 10 and 14 years old and think you have what it takes to design fabulous outfits, they’d love to hear about you! Visit here to find out how...
 
FREE Meal Planning Service ~ FiveDinners.com – an online meal-planning service - have decided to give away FREE lifetime memberships to try and help us save money on food shopping and reduce the mental load of deciding what to eat every night. Click here for this fantastic offer.
 
Fitt4kids ~ if you are working during the half-term holidays, have children easily bored at home or just need some time to yourself, FiTT4kids are able to help! Click here for more information. 
 
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.
 
Warwickshire Sings ~ and so can you! Please see details here regarding free singing workshops this Summer term across Warwickshire for Key Stage 2 Children!
 
"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.
 
The May edition of the Connect for Health school nursing service magazine can be found under the "Our Community" section of our website. This edition focuses on stress management for pupils who are completing exams. You will find links to useful websites and suggested activities to relieve stress for young people. Also, find out about Sun Awareness Week 2023 and good hand hygiene.
 
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/ , or visit our website clicking here

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.

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:
 

22/5/23                Half-term Cup Presentation

14/6/23                New Reception Parents Information Evening

19/6/23                New Reception Settling sessions (week 1)

26/6/23                New Reception Settling sessions (week 2)

30/6/23                Learning Together Time (9:05-10am)

5/7/23                   Transition Day

7/7/23                   Summer Fayre

10/7/23                Y6 Leavers’ Play (4:30pm)

12-14/7/23          Y6 Residential Trip

17/7/23                Half-term Cup Presentation

17/7/23                Open Evening

18/7/23                Sports Day & Family Picnic

21/7/23                2022/23 Academic Year ends

21/7/23                Leavers’ Assembly

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

4/9/23                   2023/24 Academic Year starts

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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