Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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Headteacher Update - Friday 20th January 2023
Fri 20 Jan 2023Welcome to this week's 'Weekly Update'.
I think we are all pleased to see the back of the recent rain. It has certainly felt relentless, and everyone has appreciated these crisp, but dry, winter days.
At Oakwood, we have been enjoying the celebrations for the Chinese New Year - the year of the Rabbit. All of the classes have enjoyed learning about the traditions of the festival and the symbolism of the rabbit. There has been some brilliant artwork and some great displays throughout the school.
Our children in Year 5 enjoyed a fantastic trip to Newhaven Fort this week, where they learned about how the fort was used as part of the longest work of defence ever built in Sussex. The children enjoyed exploring the network of tunnels and finding out how the fort was used during the World Wars, building on their knowledge from their learning journey.
I've had plenty of knocks on my door this week, with children eager and enthusiastic to share their learning with me. It's always a pleasure to do so, and a real highlight, and a restock of Headteacher stickers is definitely needed!
'Well done' to all of our certificate winners. There was a huge amount of pride amongst all of our winners today. Here is the list of this week's 'Stars' and the value they have been awarded!
Reception - Archie W. for Achievement
Year 1 Nightingale - Holly B. for Achievement
Year 2 Brunel - Flynn-Jack J. for Equality
Year 3 Ashe - Ernis H. for Achievement
Year 3 Turing - Cheyenne L. for Achievement
Year 4 Logie-Baird - Teddie W. for Equality
Year 4 Thunberg - Thorin D. for Knowledge
Year 5 Hamilton - Blake D. for Determination
Year 5 Pankhurst - Henley V. for Determination
Year 6 Amundsen - Evie C. for Equality
Year 6 Parks - Cherry B. for Equality
We have lots of information in this week's Bulletin, including our learning photographs and details about this term's curriculum events - please do take a look!
Finally, you may be aware that the NEU teaching union has voted in favour of strike action. The first anticipated strike day is scheduled for Wednesday 1st February, and is likely to impact staffing arrangements in some way. What this looks like, is currently unclear. The Trust will provide further communication to all parents in the early part of next week, and I will follow up with our plans, when the details of the strike is clearer. I appreciate the likely impact that this will have on families, and will do my best to ensure that I update you as I am able to.
Have a great weekend!
Ryan Laker
Headteacher -
Deputy Headteacher Update - Friday 13th January 2023
Fri 13 Jan 2023Welcome to this week’s update.
It has been our first full week back since the holidays and the pupils have been learning some amazing things. This week started with children learning about World Religion Day and how on Sunday 15th January there will be celebration across the world focusing on unity and respect for everyone and their different beliefs.
There has been a Roman invasion in school this week! Our Year 3 children acted out being Roman soldiers invading Britain. Congratulations to Turing Class for defecting Ashe Class in battle.
Year 5 have started some amazing portal stories that they have been very keen to share with me; I am looking forward to reading their final published stories!
This term in P.E. children are learning dance. So far and all the children have been showing off their moves. From The Lion King to The Greatest Showman, children are choreographing a dance with different elements to create a final piece later this term.
See our photographs in the slideshow to see our learning from this week!
Well done to all of our certificate winners. This week's 'Stars of the Week' are:
Class
Child
School Value
Reason
Year R Stephenson
Thiago B.
Achievement
For his 'Marvellous Me' homework and telling us about his family
Year 1 Nightingale
Ivan O.
Determination
For settling into school really well and is trying to do his best in all areas of the curriculum.
Year 2 Brunel
Kachi O.
Equality
For good focus and attitude towards learning new things.
Year 3 Ashe
Ashton-Jay J.
Equality
For his kindness and understanding in helping other children to feel happy and safe at school.
Year 3 Turing
Marley V.
Achievement
For excellent understanding similes.
Year 4 Logie-Baird
Reggie H.
Achievement
For wanting to impress adults with his attitude and learning.
Year 4 Thunberg
Leighton R.
Determination
For improved resilience in his learning.
Year 5 Hamilton
Emily W.
Equality
For always being kind, considerate and hard working! You are an absolute superstar!
Year 5 Pankhurst
Max P.
Determination
For showing great determination in all of his learning and showing superb knowledge in both his maths and history.
Year 6 Amundsen
Amelia D.
Determination
For an outstanding approach to learning in all subjects this week and for being far more determined to participate.
Year 6 Parks
Mellyne O.
Achievement
For settling into class effortlessly and giving her best effort every day.
Next week, there will be a focus on the Chinese New Year, which is on Sunday 22nd January. Children will learn about this festival and the traditional events that happen at this time of the year. Our Arts and Crafts after-school club has already started to look at this and have produced some lovely Chinese lanterns this week.
Please see this week's Bulletin, with further information and key dates.
Have a great weekend!
Mr Paramor
Deputy Headteacher
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Headteacher Update - Friday 6th January 2023
Fri 06 Jan 2023Welcome to this week's update! I'd like to start by wishing all of our pupils, their families and friends a very Happy New Year. On behalf of all the staff, we'd like to wish you a fantastic 2023!
It has been great to welcome pupils back to school this week. We ended 2022 with lots of Christmas excitement and some extremely cold, snow and icy conditions, so it has been good to return to a new term, excited about lots of new opportunities.
Across the school this week, pupils have been introduced to their new learning journeys. This term, our learning journeys have a focus on History and Art.
Reception - Where do I belong?
Year 1 - Amazing Discoveries
Year 2 - Under the Microscope
Year 3 - When in Rome...
Year 4 - Raiders and Traders
Year 5 - Rainforest Realms
Year 6 - Earth and Space - The Final Frontier
I am looking forward to seeing lots of learning journey projects as these are brought in to school. Our homework projects really support the learning that takes place in school, so please encourage your child to complete a project for this term.
Our children in the Nursery have been reading the book 'Stick Man' and have then explored making their own stick man, using different resources and materials. They have also been learning about their routines and the different things they do each day.
In Year 1, children have been learning about fractions. In our photos, they can be seen finding half of these shapes.
This week, we concluded our Attendance Challenges for last term. Congratulations to Year 2 Brunel Class (44 points) who won the Year R-3 Challenge. In the Year 4-6 Challenge we had joint winners for Term 2 - Well done to Year 4 Thunberg Class and Year 5 Pankhurst Class, who both finished with 34 points. The two classes behind them both had 33 points! A close finish in Term 2. Our winning classes win £20! The challenges are reset...please see the first page of our Bulletins for our attendance updates.
On Wednesday 11th January, we will be hosting our final Open Morning. This will be the last opportunity for parents, who have a child starting school in September, to visit before making their choices. Please let family and friends know. They are very welcome to join us. The deadline for choices is 15th January 2023.
Please see the slideshow to see what we have been learning in school this week, and check out the Bulletin and school website for more information.
Next week, we will find out who our first Stars of the Week are for Term 3!
With my very best wishes for 2023! Have an enjoyable weekend!
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
