Newsletter 2.10.26

News

October 2026

2nd October 2026

We had another big OPAL launch this week and, after a long wait, Key Stage 2 have wheels at last. There really is so much for the children to do during play times now and this time is so precious. Friendships are being made across the school and these are a joy to observe. We can't imagine how we ever used to cram everyone onto one playground! 
 
We can't wait to bring our big sand pit to the children in the next few weeks after Sunday's big make (a huge thank you in advance to Mr Patrick-Walker, Mr Newitt and Mr Gallon who are helping us bring our vision to life on this - hopefully). Coming soon will be our first Bingo card of the new year. Our card this time will be much smaller than previous cards but the items on it will be super sought after. The winning 'full house' will win extra play time.
 
Have a great weekend everyone!
 
Jess Newitt, Headteacher
Stars of the Week 
 
Reception ~ Hugo
Year 1 ~ Eloise
Year 2 ~ Reggie
Year 3 ~ Grace
Year 4 ~ Tommy
Year 5 ~ Myla-Mae
Year 6 ~ Jamie
 
Well done, everyone, for shining so brightly!
 
Team Cup Winners
 
Congratulations to this week's team cup winners, Tudor Reds! And a big "WELL DONE" to anyone who earned team points this week.
 
 
Rainbow Welly Award
 
Our Rainbow Welly Award winner this week is.....Year 6 - collected on their behalf by Calvin! Congratulations to Year 6 who had an extra 10 minutes of play this week :)
Percentage Attendance Levels by Year Group - 2026/27 (to date)
 
Reception - 97.7%
Year 1 - 99.3%
Year 2 - 97%
Year 3 - 99.2%
Year 4 -  97.4%
Year 5 -  96.9%
Year 6 -  97.1%
 
Overall School Total - 97.8%
 
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)


Draw it by Ear!
 
A rather wonderful Art lesson this week for Year 1! Using different line movements, pressures and mediums the children responded to various music. An interesting process with impressive results!
Map it Out!
 
In Geography this week, Year 1 created maps of our playground on our playground. They are in front of the school building (until it rains!).
Wheels in Motion

Our Year 2 children continued their DT projects by focusing on creating a stable stand for their Ferris wheels. This involved lots of careful measuring, cutting and making holes before positioning the axles securely on or within the stands. The children then moved on to designing the pods for their passengers. They chose suitable shapes, carefully cut them out and attached them using split pins. There was lots of communication, teamwork and strategic thinking throughout the session, with the children working together to solve problems and bring their Ferris wheel designs to life. We are so impressed with their creativity, perseverance and practical skills! 


 

Focus on Feelings
 
This week in PSHE, Year 3 have been thinking out the emotions happiness, sadness, fear, disgust and anger. They worked on huge worksheets and shared their ideas around the classroom of the body language we might see, the words that might be spoken and the faces that might be pulled.  The children really enjoyed sharing the scenarios that went along with these emotions.
Year 6 Forest School - Session 4
 
Last week, Year 6 enjoyed a spider-themed Forest School session. As the season changes, we are noticing more and more spiders, particularly as they start creeping into our houses! Did you know there are around 650 species of spider in the UK? The children made conker spiders using palm drills and conker clamps, created a giant spider web while sharing spider facts, and explored the site to see how many different species they could find. A fantastic session full of teamwork, creativity and creepy-crawly discoveries!
Real-Life French!
 
Our Year 6 children had great fun putting their French language skills into practice in a real-life context. They enjoyed a Zoom call with a teacher in France, who read an extract from a book aloud to them in French. The children then had to use their listening skills to answer questions and take part in a quiz to demonstrate how much they had understood. It was a fantastic opportunity to experience French being used naturally, and the children showed great enthusiasm, confidence and participation throughout the session. What a fun and memorable way to bring their French learning to life!
The Big Future
 
The Children's Commissioner for England wants to hear directly from children and young people across England about their lives, experiences and hopes for the future. If you are the parent or carer of a child or young person, please take a few minutes to talk to them about #TheBigFuture survey and support them to share their views. Their experiences can help decision makers better understand what matters to children and young people and what changes could make life better for them. The survey has been designed to be easy to read and written in plain English, so is suitable for many children with SEND to answer themselves or with help. Find out more here.

 

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

 

 

9/10, 16/10, *19/10 (Half Term Cup)

 

 

Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

   

5/10

 

Year 2 trip to St. John’s House   [event sheet sent on 7/9]

6/10

 

Year 5 Bell Boating    [event sheet sent on 11/9]

7/10

 

Year 4 trip to Cadbury World    [event sheet sent on 7/9]

8/10

 

School photos [individual]

9/10

 

Learning Time Together [2:30-3pm]

12/10

 

Wear something blue with uniform and bring a donation for World Mental Health Day

14/10

 

Reception Class Vision Screening

15/10

 

Reception and Year 6 Heights & Weights Measurements

21/10

 

Harvest Celebration [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]

 

 

 

Upcoming Key Dates

 

 

 

11/11

 

Y2 & Y6 Remembrance Walk to War Memorial

7/12

 

Christmas Plays: KS1 & Reception Rehearsal

8/12

 

Christmas Plays: KS1 9:05 / Rec 2:30

9/12

 

Christmas Plays:  Reception 9:05 / KS1 2:30

16/12

 

Christmas Dinner + Christmas Jumper Day

17/12

 

Christingle  [2:15pm]

18/12

 

Christmas Panto / last day in school

 

 

 

END OF TERM 21st December 2026 to 4th January 2027

 

 

 

4/1

 

INSET DAY – NO CHILDREN IN SCHOOL

5/1

 

Young Voices Concert

6/1

 

Final Open Morning for Reception 2027

7/1

 

TTRS Day  [Y3/Y4/Y5]

 

 

 

HALF TERM 15th to 19th February 2027

 

 

 

23/2 & 25/2

 

Parents’ Evenings  [3:30-6:30pm]

9/3

 

Learning Time Together [2:30-3pm]

24/3

 

Y3/Y4 Easter Performance  [4pm]

25/3

 

Easter Service  [2:15pm]

26/3

 

Public Holiday – no children in school

 

 

 

END OF TERM 29th March to 9th April 2027

 

 

 

12/4

 

INSET DAY – NO CHILDREN IN SCHOOL

20/5

 

Learning Together Time  [9:00 – 9:30]

 

 

 

HALF TERM 31st May to 4th June 2027

 

 

 

7/6

 

INSET DAY – NO CHILDREN IN SCHOOL

30/6 – 2/7

 

Year 6 Residential  [Northants]

7/7

 

Transition Morning

15/7

 

Sports Day

20/7

 

Reserve Sports Day

 

 

 

21/7

 

END OF SCHOOL YEAR

 
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360 ES Mark
Artsmark Gold Award
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