Looking out of the window as the dark clouds hang overhead and the latest hailstorm gradually abates to the rumble of thunder, it is hard to believe we are nearly half-way through the summer term!
This period of the year is inevitably focussed on the Year 6 SATs tests and, although we will not know the results until July, the manner in which the Year 6 children have approached the week, and the support they have received from staff and parents to help them through, gives me every confidence that, whatever the outcome this year, the children are well set for managing their approach to any future exams. With a daughter currently doing her GCSEs, I am only too aware of the need to manage pressure, offer support and occasionally insist on doing some revision.
However, school is never just about passing tests. It is also important to enjoy the things we love and to push ourselves to try things that may be new or may be scary, or sometimes both. The swimming pool is currently dominating our playground and, by the end of the week, the vast majority of children will have had the opportunity to have lessons in it. The ability to swim has always struck me as crucial living on an island, and the recent tragedy in Brighton is a timely reminder of the danger water can present. By learning how to swim alongside elements of water safety, hopefully such events can be eliminated.
While I am on the subject of swimming, Mrs Glover deserves particular mention for her outstanding patience and commitment with the administration of this activity. On the Tuesday swimming started, she spent a huge amount of time dealing with issues around late or non-existent permissions for children to do swimming. Groups had already been organised based on the information we had the previous week and the significant number of parents who delayed their response meant a great deal of late re-organisation was required. Thank-you to the majority of parents who do complete forms promptly. It really does help events run smoothly and keep staff stress levels manageable.
There have been many other notable activities this term. Year 5 have had the opportunity to do either bushcraft or paddling activities at Wellington College, something that can only happen with the generosity of Wellington in providing the facilities and staff, not to mention the Year 5 team giving up their time to accompany children after school hours. On Friday 1st May children dressed up as a teacher, with some even combining to come as Mr and Mrs Holland. Sadly I was away that day at a Corvus Trust leadership conference, but I have seen many photos and the effort children (and probably parents) went to was seriously impressive. Year 3 have paid their annual visit to the Gurdwara in Slough, where they are always made to feel very welcome. It is crucial that we take advantage of these opportunities to develop our British values of respect and tolerance through education and experience, rather than rely on uninformed and intolerant opinions.
This week, Mrs Jones has organised an Aspirations week, intended to introduce children to a range of options for the future. We have several visitors in school, including a DJ, a professional golfer, a Culinera manager and a nurse. Who knows what your child may grow up to be!
As part of this week, we were fortunate to be invited to send a group to Lords cricket ground to be part of a festival in the build up to the Women’s T20 World Cup. The day included skills activities, games against other schools and the chance to meet some stars of the game. The children even got given T-shirts and a ball as a souvenir. We were chosen to represent the Netherlands – very apt given my surname.
When it comes to sports, the highlight of the year is Sports Day, which is being held on Wednesday 3rd June this year. We hope that, by having it earlier in the year, we can avoid the hotter temperatures, although there will always be the possibility of rain. I look forward to seeing many of you cheering on the children and joining us on the day for a picnic lunch before Infant sports in the afternoon.
Sadly, there will be no District Sports this year. Due to the unpleasant, rude and intimidating behaviour of a number of parents towards staff at the event last year, Reddam House School has declined to host the event in 2026 and no alternative venue could be found. While I am sure that the parents involved were not from Oaklands, I fully support Reddam in their decision as staff deserve to be treated with respect and to feel safe at work. I cannot begin to imagine the negative effect on children who witnessed such poor behaviour from adults.
Happily, there are still many more kind and generous members of the human race, one of whom is the indomitable Mr Hopley, who continues to tend our gardens and educate the children in the mysteries of horticulture. He has asked me to say thank you once again to LINDUM NURSERIES of Eversley for the generous donation of plants and pots to Oaklands Junior School. Geoff and his team have supported us so generously for many years now, a huge shout out to them!
Donations From Lindum NurseriesDonations From Lindum Nurseries
As we enter the final stretch of the school year, and the (hopefully) improving weather encourages us to be out and about more, it is still vitally important that children’s attendance remains high and the temptation to have a day off without good reason should be resisted. Currently, we have an attendance rate of 96.4%, which is above the national average. However, research shows that missing even 10 days in an academic year can drastically reduce, by up to 50%, the probability of success in key subjects.
Having said that, it is important that children and staff make the most of the half term break to rest and recharge as the run up to the summer holidays is always busy with plenty of exciting opportunities and activities, as well as the inevitable sadness at seeing our Year 6 children move on. I wish you all a restful week and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday June 2nd, when school re-opens.
Kind regards, Mr Holland, Co-Headteacher Oaklands Infant and Junior Schools
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Tag Rugby: We had our final tag rugby event on Thursday 26th March. The squad of 10 players, a mix of boys and girls, played a round-robin tournament against eight schools. With a mixed bag of results, but some outstanding play at times, it was a good way to end the season. Congratulations to Hawkedon school, who were deserved winners.
Boys’ Football Tournament: On Friday 17th April, a squad of ten boys represented the school at a football tournament at Cantley Park. Having come through a tough qualifying group, which did include an all-important win against Radstock to retain the Lee Cup, we entered the quarter-final full of confidence. Having taken a 1-0 lead against a good Polehampton B-team, we conceded a late goal and the result was decided in a penalty shoot-out. Unfortunately, much like England, this did not go our way. The boys played really well as a team, supporting each other through thick and thin and were a credit to the school.
London Mini Marathon: On Saturday 25th April twenty-four children, together with Mrs Alexander and Mrs Burrell, journeyed to London to take part in this annual event. They had a fantastic day running the last mile of the London Marathon with thousands of other children. It was a warm sunny day and the atmosphere and support was amazing. Well done to everyone who took part.
Gateway Golf: On Monday 27th April, Mrs Alexander accompanied seven children from Year 3 and Year 4 to the Gateway Golf competition at Maiden Erlegh. The children completed eight stations of golf skills and great fun was had by all. Well done to our budding young golfers Scarlett, Miles, Francesca, Loki, Jack, Miesha and Charlotte.
Girls’ Football – The OakHatch Cup: On Wednesday 29th April, we hosted Hatch Ride for the girl’s OakHatch cup. Due to the high number of girls wanting to play, we had three separate sessions of play, each of 20 minutes. As it was played during lunchtime, it was great to have so many of the children, from both Infants and Juniors, supporting the team, who ran out deserved 2-0 winners with goals by Ella E and Amelia H.
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
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 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
