Newsletter 5.12.25

News

December 2025

5th December 2025

This week I have, once again, been overwhelmed by the kindness of others. Monday's Shine Bright Christmas Night was absolutely beautiful. A different take on our traditional Christmas Fayre but nonetheless, a huge amount of work for the Friends of Alveston and a wonderful experience for the children. Counting down together for the tree to be lit and then seeing everyone queue to take photos in front of it really made me smile. Memories being made at such a special time of year. A massive thank you to all of the volunteers who gave up their time to plan, prepare, set up and run this event.
 
On Tuesday Chris and Jonathan from National Grid spent the morning in school working with our Eco Warriors and Year 4 to help them understand more about sustainability and energy. The children found them absolutely fascinating and their visit was so inspiring. It was incredible seeing the children ask so many questions and to be so absorbed in this hands on learning.
 
Thursday gave us another opportunity for hands on learning with a Robotics workshop for Years 3 and 6 and it's fair to say the children loved creating using electronics and seeing their hard work pay off when their creations, quite literally, came to life! More information and pictures of these visits further down.
 
Finally, Reception visited the Post Office on Friday and the whole village welcomed them, waiting patiently as they bought their stamps and posted their letters to Santa and back to themselves. They were rewarded for their patience with a gorgeous Christmas song. 
 
I know Alveston is special, but wow, this week, it really has blown me away! I hope next week, we can blow you away with our Christmas performances too. See you then!
 
Jess Newitt
Headteacher
Stars of the Week!
 
Reception ~ Charlie
Year 1 ~ Rory
Year 2 ~ Taron
Year 3 ~ Cillian
Year 4 ~ Frankie
Year 5 ~ Beatrice & Thomas
Year 6 ~ Kasper
 
Well done, everyone, for shining so brightly!
 
Team Cup Winners
 
Congratulations to this week's team point winners, Othello Yellows! And a big "WELL DONE" to anyone who earned a team point this week.
Alveston Elf Post!
 
The Christmas post boxes have arrived and are located in the school lobby.
 
If your child / children wish to send Christmas cards to their friends in school, please post the cards in the red post boxes and the elves will deliver to classrooms before the end of term!
 
Please include the recipient's full name and class number on the envelope as the boxes are for more than one class. This way everyone receives all op their cards.
 
Last posting date: Wednesday 17th December!
Collective Worship
 
On Tuesday, our Collective Worship team led our assembly. Together, they shared the story 'The Light of Christmas.' The moral of the story is that when Jesus was born, He was remembered as the 'Light of the World.' His birth brought hope and a new way of living. It encourages people to reflect this light by showing love and kindness to one another through good deeds and giving. So, this Christmas, may we all shine with kindness, generosity, and love because Christians believe that when we share light, we are sharing something of God’s light in the world.
Robotics!
 
On Thursday, the children in Years 3 and 6 experienced life as young engineers! They built then coded robots before testing and improving them. The children enjoyed working in teams to solve design problems, and they loved being creative in their work - each robot was unique as well as successful!
National Grid Visit
 
Year 4 were thrilled to welcome visitors from National Grid for an exciting workshop all about energy consumption and electricity. Pupils learned where our energy comes from, how it’s used, and why it’s important to save energy. One of the highlights of the session was a hands-on electric circuits activity. Using wires, bulbs and batteries, the children explored how to make a complete circuit and how electricity flows. They also experimented with an unusual power source — lemons! The class used lemons, zinc and copper to create their very own lemon batteries, discovering how chemical energy can be converted into electrical energy. The session was great fun and helped bring our science learning to life. A huge thank-you to the National Grid team for inspiring our pupils and deepening their understanding of energy and electricity!
Football Fantastic!
 
Year 5 girls thoroughly enjoy their football tournament at Stratford Town on Friday. They played against lots of other local schools and worked so well as a team, demonstrating sportsmanship and teamwork. Well done girls!
Fire, fire!
 
Year 5 were visited by the fire brigade this week to have a talk about fire safety. They covered all sorts from hoax-calls to how to chaperone our fire alarms at home. Thanks to Warwickshire Fire Brigade for visiting us and providing us with really important safety messages!
Shoeboxes filled with LOVE!
 
Last week, Alveston sent 71 shoebox presents to the charity Teams4U! Our shoeboxes will make their way to either Romania, Georgia, Moldova or the border of Ukraine very soon.
 
Everyone in our community has been involved in this project - children, parents and staff - and we cannot thank you enough.  This total is something to be proud of. Alveston, you are truly wonderful!
A Message from the 1st Tiddington Scout Group
 

We're delighted to let you know we are hoping to open a Squirrel Drey after half term in February 2026, with our first session planned for Monday 26th February from 4:30pm until 5:30pm.

What is Squirrels like?

  • Sessions are about an hour long, with lots of fun, games, stories, and early-years learning.

  • Activities are tailored to the age group, helping them build confidence, language skills, and social skills.

  • As Squirrels grow, they can earn badges, and when they reach around 5¾–6 years old, they will move up into our Beaver Colony.

If you have a Squirrel at home or you have friends who may be interested in Squirrels, or if you are interested in helping at Squirrels, we'd love you to come and have a chat this Monday, 8th December at 4:30pm, at the Scout hut, Tiddington.

We'll have tea, coffee, juice and biscuits available....please feel free to invite your friends and for them to bring their little squirrels.

Contact | 1st Tiddington Scout Group

1st Tiddington Scout Group
Stratford Upon Avon District


 

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 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). 
 

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


 

Forest School Dates

Below are Forest School dates for your diary. The children will need to wear PE kit to school with tracksuit bottoms or leggings and have a long sleeve top such as a hoodie. Wellies and a rain coat/ will also be required: 

Autumn Term (2)

Date

 

Year Group

12.12.25

 

Y5

 

Autumn Term (2)

Date

 

Year Group

5.12.25

 

Y6

12.12.25

 

Y5


 Spring Term (1)

Date

 

Year Group

9.1.26

 

Y4

16.1.25

 

Y3

23.1.25

 

Y1

30.1.25

 

Y2

6.2.25

 

Rec

13.2.25

 

Y6

23.2.25

 

Y5

 
 

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 dates here
 

* Please note that all dates published are subject to change/cancellation - please check this page and/or the website calendar regularly:

Y5 Swimming

 

8/12

 

 

 

Autumn Term (2)

 

Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies

 

 

12/12, *15/12 (Half Term Cup)

 

 

Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks

 

 

Ended on 5th December 2025

 

 

 

9/12

 

Christmas Performances: KS1 9-10; KS2 10:30-11:30; Rec 2-3

10/12

 

Christmas Performances: Rec 9-10; KS1 10:30-11:30; KS2 2-3

16/12

 

Christingle (St. James’ Church, Alveston) (2:15pm)

19/12

 

Last day of Term [children to be collected at midday]

 

 

 

 

 

END OF TERM 19th December (pm) to 4th January

5/1/26

 

Back to school

 

 

 

Spring Term (1)

 

Celebration / Star of the Week Assemblies

 

 

16/1, 23/1, 30/1, 6/2, *9/2 (Half Term Cup)

 

 

Teacher-Led Clubs – 4 weeks

 

 

12th January to 6th February 2026 (inclusive)

 

 

 

Y4 Swimming

 

5/1, 12/1, 19/1, 26/1, 2/2, 9/2

 

 

 

7/1

 

TT RockStars Day (Y4 & Y5)

16/1

 

Young Voices Concert

2-5/2

 

Bikeability (Y5)

 

 

 

 

 

HALF TERM 16th February to 20th February

23/2/26

 

Back to school

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