Welcome back! What an exciting week back to school. Staff spent our INSET day reviewing our behaviour policy and school rules as we felt that it was complicated for children to relate to. Using ideas from Paul Dix, “When adults change, everything changes”, we have decided on 3 simple rules:
Within each of these rules, there are examples of what is meant by being prepared, being respectful and being safe. All families should have received a copy of this document, I will put one on the parents’ page too.
The children have grasped these rules so quickly, that after discussion with them, we decided to further simplify our dojos to be these 3 rules and then a couple related to reading records. We hope that this clarity will help children to learn what is expected in school (and outside of school).
Your children may have told you that we have had a major revamp of classrooms in school, with new flooring, tables and chairs being purchased and installed. School looks incredible and I want to thank staff for coming in over their holidays to re-organise classrooms including displays. These things do not happen by chance, it is great team work.
We also celebrated some awards that were inadvertently missed out at the end of term, namely 100% attendance awards from Oak class. They were very happy to receive their prizes on the first day back!
100% all year 
100% Summer term
As you know, our tag line is “a small school providing endless adventures” and today saw our whole school trip to London. We went to the Imperial War Museum to help inspire children about our topic, “The Impact of War on Clearwell.”
We saw exhibitions about WWI and WWII, learning about the different people involved in war and the impact it had on society. We are so lucky to have seen the Victorian Crosses of Private Miles and Angus Buchanan. Private Mile’s section had a plaque on it, which referred to him having been a “scholar of Clearwell Church of England School”. It was a real “wow” moment for all of us, as a man who was awarded the Victoria Cross went to our school. Whilst we knew this, seeing it written pride of place in the Imperial War Museum was very special.
Mrs Stirrup took up her usual “Tour guide Teacher” role, talking is through the geographical differences between London and the Forest of Dean. She also pointed out London Landmarks. A great adventure was had by all!
A huge thank you to staff and parents who have spent the day making it possible. It has been a long day, especially the extended journey home!