Is it really only six full weeks since we returned from the summer holidays? We seem to have crammed so much into the time it is quite scary.
The start of the autumn term is always a mix of excitement and trepidation. Teachers and children look forward to settling in with their new classes and there are so many little differences between each year group that need time to embed. On a personal note, Miss Weston and I have been getting used to our new roles across both schools and, as we become more settled in the job, we expect to accelerate the collaboration between the Infant and Junior schools. On that note, could you please help us keep the children safe before and after school by ensuring they do not use the play equipment in the Infant playground. This is only to be used when supervised by a member of staff.
The works carried out in school over the summer holiday have made a significant difference to the life of the school. The new sun (rain) shade outside the Year 3 classrooms has given us the space to not only do lessons outside but also provide a place for children to do a range of activities during break and lunch times, such as colouring, writing and Lego. The funding for this was provided by the PTA. However, we have been told recently that Corvus Learning Trust will also be contributing a significant amount of funding to this project, freeing up PTA funds for further improvement schemes. While the PTA have offered to cover the cost of Times Tables Rockstars, we have been fortunate that two parents have offered to pay for the whole school, so we can use PTA funds for other needs.
Inside the school, we had the latest phase of our electrical upgrade in the kitchen and IT suite. Once this was completed, we have installed new computers in the IT suite to ensure we are compliant following the demise of Windows 10 in October. This will allow us to continue providing quality computing lessons for years to come.
The highlight of the term so far has to be the Year 6 trip to Osmington Bay in September. This is an amazing opportunity for children to grow personally through the challenge of a residential trip. Every child, and also every adult, faced some sort of challenge, whether this is swinging from a rope high above the ground, spending time away from loved ones or, for me, having to accept when a child has got you out in a game of tag-archery (you know who you are, and I have not forgotten!).
The children were a delight to have on the trip, showing all the positive aspects of the Oaklands Mindset we aim to instil in them while at Oaklands, on top of the good manners and caring nature they bring with them from home. I would like to thank the staff for their time and effort in preparing and running the trip as successful residential trips only happen with a huge amount of unseen work going on behind the scenes, from logistics to nurture.
At the start of October, we welcomed 12 Lithuanian teachers who came to find out about our Thinking Schools approach. They were very impressed by the progression through the school as children understand more about themselves as a learner and develop the skills and strategies that will serve them well throughout life.
Hopefully you all managed to make it to a parent meeting in the last couple of weeks. At this stage of the year, these meetings are focussed on how your child has settled in to their class, to get to know your child’s teacher and to discuss how you can best support your child’s learning outside of school. If you were unable to attend, please do get in touch to arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher. Staff are usually available at the classroom door in the morning or on the playground at pick-up if there is anything you need to discuss, or maybe little snippets you would like to share with us.
With half-term upon us, it won’t be long before we begin the long run towards Christmas, with events such as Decoration Day and the Year 3 play in December. Before then, we do have our annual fireworks spectacular on Saturday 8th November, which is a great night’s entertainment as well as being a fantastic fundraiser for the PTA. I hope many of you will be able to attend. I am quite sad I can’t be there this year but I will be at Murrayfield in Edinburgh cheering on Scotland as they take on the All Blacks. November also brings about Movember and, this year, we have six members of staff growing moustaches to raise awareness of men’s health. Try and spot which staff are taking part!
It only remains for me to thank you all for your positivity and support, especially as we have had to deal with some unexpected situations around staffing. I wish you all a restful half-term break and look forward to seeing you when we return to school on Monday 3rd November.
Kind regards, Mr Holland, Co-Headteacher of Oaklands Infant and Junior Schools
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Inclusive Sports Day: On Friday 17th October we had another fantastic Inclusive Sports Day at Oaklands Junior school (photos of which can be found earlier in the newsletter). The new Sports and House Captains made great leaders, explaining the stations and helping the younger ones. We enjoyed some new features, like using a big balloon/ball instead of the usual balloon in Balloon Tennis, which meant it lasted the whole session without popping! Also, the Captains came up with some good ideas for making the golf a better station, with pleasing results. A successful event where everyone had fun.
Football: On Friday 26th September, we played a friendly fixture vs Highwood School. After taking a 3-0 lead into half time, we were pegged back to 3-3 before two late goals sealed a 5-3 victory, thanks in part to 2 goals from Arthur M.
Great Hollands Cross Country Event: On Thursday 25th September Mrs Alexander took 50 children from Oaklands Junior School to Great Hollands Recreation Ground where they competed in the Cross Country League. Oaklands came 3rd overall out of the 14 schools that were taking part on the day. In addition, our Yr 3 / 4 girls were placed 3rd in their race with Phoebe from 4JG coming 1st and our Yr 5 / 6 boys came 3rd in their race. Well done to everyone who took part.
Congratulations go to the following children who have taken on the role of:
Sports Captain: Hamilton – Lara and Harrison B; Nightingale – Lache and Matilda; Mercury – Isaac and Thomas; Attenborough – Eliza and Arthur G.
House Captain: Hamilton – Ciana and Alexi; Nightingale – Valentina and Ethan; Mercury – Flo and Alex VG; Attenborough – Macie and Toby.
School Council: Levi and Harrison (3L); Freddie and Sophia (3M); Edward and Eleanor (4JG); Evie and Charlotte (4D); Dylan and Aadhya (5B); Ella and Mia (5M); Kian and JoJo (6A); Isaac and Riyana (6N).
School Librarian: Thevan, El and Sophie (3L); Freddie, Emily and CJ (3H); Rea, Leo and Nancy (4JG); Evie, Charlotte and Ivan (4D); Iris, Thea and Luca (5B); Jamie, Kiran and Lillian (5M); Isabelle, Matilda and Myron (6A); Anais, Adam, Darcey and Iris (6N).
Sandhurst and District Gardening Club: Mr Hopley and his budding team of keen school gardeners entered a selection of fresh produce they had grown in the Sandhurst and District Gardening Club. We are delighted to announce that the Oaklands garlic took first place, pumpkin second and chillies third. Well done to all involved and a big thank you to Mr Hopley.
Garlic – First PlacePumpkin – Second PlaceChillies – Third Place
PTA Fundraising Events: Our thanks go to our dedicated PTA who were involved in organising and running the following events this half-term.
PTA’s Hot Chocolate Sale
£187.90
PTA’s Pre-Loved Uniform Sale
£240.86
NSPCC Thank you: We have received the following thank you from the NSPCC for our fundraising efforts in the summer term. Thank you to everyone who supported this initiative.
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
Dear Parents / Carers, It hardly seems five minutes since I was last writing a piece for the newsletter and yet there is, once again, so much that I could include. Let me begin by Read more
Dear Parents / Carers, For what is one of the shortest half-terms we have during the year, we do seem to have packed a lot in to the last six weeks! The highlight of the Read more
