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Head of School Update - Friday 16th July 2021

Fri 16 Jul 2021

Welcome to this week's Weekly Update...

We've had a fantastic week and, as always, there's lots of incredible learning to share.

Today we held our Transition Morning, where all of the children spent some time getting to know their new teachers, finding out the name of their new class and being in their new classroom for September. Mr Gillham and Miss Saunders, who will be joining the teaching staff next year, also visited the school today so it was great to welcome them too. The children moved very calmly around the school and made a great impression on their new teachers. Well done to all of the pupils.

Despite the deluge of rain and torrential thunderstorms on Monday afternoon, we did manage to hold all four of our Sports Day events this week. Thank you to the pupils in Year 3 and 4, and to their parents, who were patient and had to reschedule theirs. The children had a great time, taking part in a number of events. I was particularly impressed with the determination, effort and teamwork shown - the children certainly gave their best. We will share a summary of photographs on the school's Facebook page, so please do take a look at these. Thank you to all of the staff who helped organise and lead this week's Sports Days.

In Nurture, the children have been working together to build good friendships and working on positive self-esteem. The doctor's surgery has been in open in the role-play area and the children have been practising their communication skills and looking after each other.

And finally, on Wednesday, we welcomed Caroline Ansell, MP for Eastbourne to Oakwood to officially open the school's library. Caroline was given a tour of the school by Max and Julia in Year 6, and she was incredibly impressed with the focus and effort she saw in all of the classrooms. She was particularly impressed with the number of children who had achieved their 'Word Millionaire' certificates. Thank you to Caroline for giving up her time to join us.

Well done to all of our award and certificate winners this week. Our 'Star of the Week' awards go to...

YRS - Phoebe P. - Determination - For fabulous effort in all of her work.

Y1C - Georgia-Mae R. - Equality - For taking her time and being calm and careful with her work and her friends.

Y1H - Ivy-May T. - Knowledge - For applying her knowledge and key skills to all that she does.

Y2B - Alfie S. - Determination - For his fabulous determination in Sports Day.

Y2F - Corey H. - Achievement - For always listening well and working hard.

Y3A - Ryan M. - Determination - For always trying his best and not giving up when things become challenging.

Y3R - Bethany V. - Equality - For always working hard, presenting her work beautifully and helping others when they need it.

Y4LB - Phoebe C. - Achievement - For a positive and enthusiastic approach to all of her learning.

Y4T - Leo B. - Determination - For having shown a great attitude in Sports Day.

Y5K - Ashleigh-Mai A. - Achievement - For working hard and creating a wonderful leaflet about Henry VIII's life.

Y5P - Manya D. - Achievement - For his excellent effort across the whole curriculum this week.

Y6A - Harvey W. - Achievement - For superb achievement all week, across the curriculum.

Y6P - Amir A. - Achievement - For being brilliant and helpful.

Great to see all four of our values being awarded again this week. Congratulations to you all!

And just a reminder that we have just one more week at school. The last day of term is Friday 23rd July. We return to school on Monday 6th September.

Have a great weekend!

Mr R. Laker
Head of School

Head of School Update - Friday 9th July 2021

Fri 09 Jul 2021

Welcome to this week's 'Weekly Update'.

It's been a brilliant week at Oakwood! Well done to all of the children for their commitment, dedication and determination across all of their learning. I've seen incredible writing this week, including from some children in Year 1 who were writing sentences about modern day and Victorian school days. Pupils in Year 5 and been practising a Tudor dance, combining their learning from History with PE.

In their PE lessons, the children have been busy practising for next week's Sports Days. Fingers crossed for good weather - I know the children are really looking forward to the events on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday 13th July - Reception (morning) / Year 3 and 4 (afternoon)

Wednesday 14th July - Year 1 and 2 (morning) / Year 5 and 6 (afternoon)

Children should attend school in their PE kits on the day of their Sports Day. Please see the letter sent earlier this week.

Today, we turned the school red and white. The children wanted to capture some of the excitement felt around this year's men's European Football Championships. I know many of the children are excited about the prospect of England facing Italy in the Final on Sunday. Thank you for your support with today's Mufti Day at short notice.

Well done to all of this week's award winners. In assembly today, the 'Star of the Week' awards went to the following children:

YRS - Sienna C. for 'Knowledge'

Y1C - Riley S. for 'Determination' and 'Achievement'

Y1H - Riley Mc for 'Equality'

Y2B - Jayson O. for 'Knowledge'

Y2F - Tommy H. for 'Determination'

Y3A - Katie M. for 'Determination'

Y3R - Faith J. for 'Equality'

Y4LB - Aaron G. for 'Equality'

Y4T - Chloe D. for 'Determination'

Y5P - Chelsea F. for 'Determination'

Y6A - Jack A. for 'Determination'

Y6P - Dawid A. for 'Equality'

Well done to all of this week's winners!

As you will be aware, the Government has announced that from Monday 19th July, Covid-19 restrictions will be easing. As this date begins the start of the last week of term, it would be unsettling for the children to make any unnecessary changes to the start and end times of the day, so these will remain as they are until the end of term. However, parents will not be expected to wear face-coverings from Monday 19th July, whilst on the school grounds. We will, however, be guided by the Government guidance and let you know plans and details for September in due course.

I hope you all have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing all of the children on Monday.

Mr Laker
Head of School

Head of School Update - Friday 2nd July 2021

Fri 02 Jul 2021

Welcome to this week's Weekly Update...

This week, we were visited by Ofsted on Tuesday and Wednesday, as they conducted our Section 8 monitoring visit. The inspection was led by HMI Shazia Akram, and a total of five inspectors visited across the 2 days. The inspection team will write a report, in the form of a letter, and we will share this with you when it arrives. Can I take this opportunity to thank you for your support across this week, for speaking to inspectors and completing the online surveys!

Amongst the busyness of an Ofsted visit, there have been some incredible learning experiences and opportunities this week. Children in Year 1 and 2 enjoyed a fantastic Victorian School Day, comparing the similarities and differences between lessons in school today and those in the 19th Century. All of the children looked very authentic in their costumes and outfits. Thank you for your support with this.

Our pupils in Year 6 have not long returned from a fantastic day at Knockhatch. They have had the best of this week's weather and enjoyed a fun-filled day of activities. We will share some photographs and a report next week. We've also shared some photographs of our children in Reception making a map for 'The Naughty Red Bus', and the places it visited.

In our Celebration Assembly today, we once again shared our awards for Mathematicians and Writers of the Week, as well as our 'Stars of the Week'. This week they are:

YRS - Autumn L. - This is awarded for 'Achievement', for fantastic sentence writing and forming her cursive letters.

Y1C - Sofia L-R. - This is awarded for 'Achievement', for brilliant progress in working with numbers up to 100.

Y1H - Emily B. - This is awarded for 'Determination', for always trying her best and being a brilliant Victorian.

Y2B - Thorin D. - This is awarded for 'Achievement', for always interacting politely and positively with adults.

Y2F - Chloe F. - This is awarded for 'Achievement', for really engaging with the Victorian Day and explaining the similarities and differences between school life then and now.

Y3A - Ivana B. - This is awarded for 'Achievement', for excellent presentation in all her work.

Y3R - Ben T. - This is awarded for 'Determination', for having a great week and trying his best on his STAR assessments.

Y4LB - Leah J. - This is awarded for 'Equality', for always showing great care towards her classmates.

Y4T - Milly M. - This is awarded for 'Equality', for always being keen to help her teachers and friends.

Y5K - Tia S. - This is awarded for 'Knowledge' and 'Determination', for her knowledge in Maths and determination in English.

Y5P - Maisie Mc. - This is awarded for 'Equality', for her continuous effort and kindness in all areas of school life.

Y6A - Grace S. - This is awarded for 'Equality', for demonstrating equality through respect and tolerance of others.

Y6P - Mia P. - This is awarded for 'Equality', for demonstrating equality through respect and tolerance of others.

Well done to all of this week's winners!

Please see this week's Bulletin for further details. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you a great weekend!

Mr Laker
Head of School