Headteacher Update - Friday 22nd September 2023
Welcome to the week's 'Weekly Update!'
'Thank you' to the PTFA for the events they have ran this term. The 'Doughnut Sale' was really well received (and very tasty too) and I'm delighted that £143 was raised. This week, 'Penny Wars' was launched and we've already seen some 'competitive collecting', with some jars already brimming. The children are really enjoying this!
I have seen some brilliant Homework Projects - Thank you for your support with these!
This week, we appointed our Head Boy and Head Girl for 2023/24. There were ten Year 6 pupils interviewed, all of whom had written a letter of application and then answered some questions about their qualities and thoughts for the school. I was incredibly proud of all of them for putting themselves forward, for some, being out of their comfort zone, and for showing a real pride for the school. They are exceptional role-models and ambassadors of Oakwood!
'Congratulations' to...
Head Girl - Olivia W.
Deputy Head Girl - Lily-May B.
Head Boy - Oliver J.
Deputy Head Boy - Blake D.
We will let them introduce themselves next week.
We had a brilliant Celebration Assembly today. 'Thank you' to Year 6 Williamson Class who shared their learning with us. We learned about some clever 'function machines' in Maths, multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1000; a colourful introduction to the work of Andy Warhorl and his famous screen-prints and pop-art designs; and some dark and develish descriptive writing.
As always, we were very proud of all of this week's certificate winners - a full list of 'Stars of the Week' can be found on this week's Bulletin. 'Well done' to Jeremiah in Year 6 who won this week's '100% Attendance Raffle' - the number 139 was drawn at random. There were 240 children in the draw this week!
It was great to find out that so many children in Key Stage 2 are already quizzing and loving their books. We are three weeks in and Clara in Year 6 has already ready 25 books! Cadie and Chloe in Year 3 are new to Accelerated Reader and have already achieved more than 5,000 words. After Week 3, Jacob in Year 6 is top of the Word Count list, with more than 460,000 words...just this term! I have encouraged, as I always do, all of our pupils to keep reading and to find books that they love - 'Reading unlocks all learning' - I'll look forward to updating you across the next few weeks.
Just a quick reminder about some events taking place across the next week. On Tuesday 26th September, we will be holding our 'Meet and Greet' afternoon for all classes (for Miss Harris, this is on Thursday 28th September), and is a chance for you to talk to your child's class teacher and see the classroom. I hope you will join us and I look forward to seeing you!
Our Harvest Festival Assembly is taking place on Friday 29th September. This year, we are once again supporting the Eastbourne Foodbank and any donation will be gratefully received. We will be displaying donations on Friday, before they are collected. I would be grateful if you could, therefore, bring any donations in on Friday, only.
Have a great weekend!
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
