In what has been probably the shortest half-term we have ever had, we have still managed to fit quite a lot into the last five weeks!
One of the key highlights of the term has been the annual Year 4 residential trip, which changed location this year. For the first time ever, we went to Minstead Study Centre in the New Forest. There are many challenges that children overcome during the trip, from being away from home and sharing a dormitory to overcoming the variable terrain in the locality. The decision to change to Minstead was not taken lightly but the range of activities that help develop environmental understanding and an enjoyment of being outside certainly addressed areas that we felt were important for children to experience. As on seemingly every trip we take children on, the staff at Minstead were full of praise for their conduct throughout the residential and I know all the staff involved were similarly impressed with the children as well as the setting.
As you can appreciate, residential trips require a vast amount of preparation, hard work and time away from family for the teaching staff involved. I would therefore like to thank all the Year 4 team for embracing this trip wholeheartedly and ensuring the children had such a rewarding and enjoyable few days. We have produced a feedback form (Minstead Feedback 2026) for parents to complete with their children and ask that you do please take the time to complete this as it helps us improve the provision we offer.
As with residential trips, our parents evenings are also extremely beneficial, whilst at the same time, very work intensive for staff so we were all delighted at the high level of attendance for this term’s parents evening. It was lovely to chat with so many of you. Our recent addition – Celebration of Learning – has also been well attended so far this week and these sessions are another opportunity for parents to be in school. As a working parent, I know it is not always possible to attend such events so we always try to make sure every child has someone to share their work with.
The staff continue to work incredibly hard to offer a range of opportunities for children beyond the classroom. As well as the regular clubs, children have represented the school in cross-country, netball, kurling and tag rugby, although another key highlight of the term was the annual WASMA concert. Once again, Oaklands was well-represented and our four soloists, as well as the dance troupe, complemented an enthusiastic and melodious choir of over 400 children. A huge well done to all those involved and thanks should go to Mrs Broadhurst and Miss Noad for organising and training the choir, as well as braving public transport to get to the rehearsal on Sunday morning, and Mrs Yeatman for choreographing the dance to the disco medley.
WASMA ConcertWASMA ConcertWASMA Concert
While we continue to offer a range of activities in school, children are encouraged to share what they have been getting up to outside of school. We always have a regular slot in our Monday celebration assembly to hear about external events and these range from the usual football and rugby matches to swimming, dance and even rock-climbing awards. Please do keep encouraging your children to bring in news of what they have been up to – they don’t need a medal or a certificate, just a sense of pride in what they have achieved and a willingness to tell the whole school about it.
Looking ahead to next term, we are gearing up for the Year 6 SATs that start on Monday 11th May. I know the children, and staff, have been working hard in preparation and I am confident of some outstanding results, but no more than the children deserve.
It only remains for me to thank you all for your continued contribution to the school and community, especially those parents who are able to help, regularly or occasionally, in school. I hope you all manage to have a restful Easter break and enjoy some of the traditional treats associated with this time of year. I will see you back in school on Monday 13th April, hopefully fully refreshed and raring to go for a busy and exciting summer term.
Kind regards, Mr Holland, Co-Headteacher Oaklands Infant and Junior Schools
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New Age Kurling Event: On Monday 9th March, Miss McComish took four children to a New Age Kurling event at Bohunt School. There were four different activities, led by students at Bohunt. Although not a competition, each child entered into the spirit fantastically and challenged themselves to improve in every activity. Christian S, Conor G, Rowan H-S and Lilibeth T all received medals for the event.
Cross Country: On Thursday 19th March, Mrs Alexander accompanied fifty children to the TVRL Cross Country Relay event. Our Oaklands children had a great afternoon in the sunshine, racing in relay teams with both division 1 and 2 on a very crowded start line! They all did brilliantly and enjoyed the afternoon.
Overall this season, Oaklands has come 3rd out of 14 schools. For the last few years, we have come 6th so this is a massive step up. Year 3 /4 girls came 3rd and Year 5/6 girls came 3rd as well. Fantastic running by everyone who took part.
Boys & Girls Stingers Netball: Miss Hanks, Boril A, Oliver C, Alexi K, Albert T, Isaac B, Toby L and Joshua B travelled to Leighton Park School on Monday 23rd for the boys event with Mrs Broadhurst, Amelie H, Bronwen D, Ciana B, Eliza G, Emily H, Lara B and Lottie H journeying to The Holt the following day for the girls event. Both teams played a series of fantastic games of netball against other schools as part of the Stingers Netball event. Not only did they show great netball skills but also super sportsmanship.
Tag Rugby: On Thursday 26th February, a team of eight boys and girls took part in a 7-a-side Tag Rugby tournament at Gipsy Lane. The tournament involved playing 8 games of 10 minutes. Well done to all those children who have represented the school, for playing with such determination and sportsmanship.
School Awards: Our many congratulations go to the children below who have received the following school awards.
Daisy Trophy: Ava B (4JG) Pride Awards: Jason S (3H); Lola G (3L); Edward H (4JG); Charlotte B (4D); Isla E (5M); Florence B (5B); Lache M (6A); Oliver C (6N)
The Abbey Young Mathematician Challenge: On Friday 13th March, Mrs Roberts accompanied eight children from Year 5 to The Abbey School to take part in this event. There were over 30 teams attending on the day and the organisers were truly impressed by the enthusiasm, smiles, teamwork, and problem-solving skills shown throughout the event.
Some of the challenges were designed to be trickier, but our students approached them with determination and a positive attitude, giving everything a go. It was wonderful to see such great collaboration and perseverance as they worked through each task together. Well done to Iris D, Jia M, Ella S, Lilly C, Milly N, Charlotte C, Kiran B and Alana W.
WASMA Concert: We would like to say a huge well done to all the children who attended the WASMA concert on Sunday. They all put in an exceptional amount of work beforehand and we could not have been prouder of them on the day. The children were a credit to Oaklands and showed a huge amount of confidence performing in front of an audience of over a thousand. Staff from other schools commented on the quality of the children’s dance and the professional conduct of our performers. Great work WASMA children.
Many thanks to everyone who has supported the following fundraising activities this half term. Special congratulations go to Tessa W, Albert T, Bronwen D, Iris W and Amelie H for organising the Year 6 Cake Sale and Ella S and Lilly C for organising the Year 4 Bake Sale. Well done!
PTA £20.26 for 2026
£3,023.15
Year 6 Cake Sale including Crochet & 3D Printing
£361.65
Year 4 Bake Sale
£164.70
Comic Relief
£89.80 (cash donations for Junior School) £443.00 (On-line donations for both schools)
Contents To go straight to any one of the sections below simply click on the wording. Snap shot of activities this half termSports NewsAchievements & AwardsFundraising ActivitiesContact Us Here’s a snap shot of what’s been Read more
Contents To go straight to any one of the sections below simply click on the wording. Snap shot of activities this half termSports NewsAchievements & AwardsFundraising ActivitiesContact Us Here’s a snap shot of what’s been Read more
Contents To go straight to any one of the sections below simply click on the wording. Snap shot of activities this half termSports NewsAchievements & AwardsFundraising ActivitiesContact Us Here’s a snap shot of what’s been Read more
