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Headteacher Update - Friday 15th September 2023
Fri 15 Sep 2023Welcome to this week's Weekly Update!
We've had a lovely second week back at school. Our children in Reception have completed their first few full days at school, and it's been great to watch them explore their new learning environment and settle into their new routines. 'Thank you' to parents for your support - you should be proud of the start your child has made.
We have been enjoying our reading this week - lots of fantastic lessons reading with adults or with a partner. I've shared some photographs at the bottom of this update. Children are settling well into their new routines. I've seen some fantastic handwriting in Year 4, children enjoying ukuleles in Year 5, and brilliant Maths work in Year 2.
'Well done' to all of this week's certificate winners. Our full list of 'Stars of the Week' can be seen on this week's Bulletin.
Our 'Attendance Challenge' is up and running for this term. With 100% attendance in our first week back at school, the first set of 10 points goes to Year 1 Nightingale Class. In our '100% Attendance Raffle', the number 150 was drawn at random. This week's winner was Emily O. in Year 2.
'Thank you' to the PTFA who ran this week's 'Doughnut Sale' and for the gifts they kindly provided to all of our parents who have children starting in Reception.
Our 'Meet and Greet' takes place in Tuesday 26th September, and is the opportunity for you to meet your child's class teacher and ask any questions about them settling in to school this term. I hope you will be able to join us!
As always, there is lots of information in our Bulletin - details about our Open Evening, for children starting in Reception in 2024, and our new Communication Pathway. We've also introduced some of our new staff and shared some weekly updates too - Maths, Nursery and The Hive, this week.
I have really enjoyed seeing children's Homework Projects for Term 1, and look forward to seeing lots more of these in the coming weeks.
Have a great weekend!
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
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Headteacher Update - Friday 8th September 2023
Thu 07 Sep 2023Welcome to the entire Oakwood community to a brand new school year! I hope you have all had a lovely Summer break and, like me, hope you're looking ahead to the start of a school year!
A warm welcome to all of our new pupils who have joined us this year. We have some new faces who have joined our classes, from other schools or even other countries - +'Welcome' to you all! We also have a brand new class of Reception of pupils! They have all been in school this week and have come into school happily and calmly...they have been brilliant! I look forward to welcoming them all to school, together, next week! And finally, 'Welcome' to all our new staff this year. Joining us this term are Mr. Mitchell in Year 3 and Ms Seath in Year 4, teaching Hewett and Logie-Baird Classes; Mrs Mack, who has joined the Inclusion Administration Team; and Miss Wordsworth, Mr Hampson, Miss Jehad and Miss Dunn, who have joined our Support Staff teams. I hope you enjoy your time at Oakwood!
I have been incredibly impressed with the settled start that children have made in their classes. Despite some very late Summer sunshine (and heat), it's been a purposeful first few days and a real buzz for learning across the school. Staff have worked hard to prepare some fabulous learning environments and the children have enjoyed finding out about the learning journeys for this term. I am looking forward to seeing some outstanding Homework Projects across the next few weeks.
We have taken time this week to reinforce school expectations; to revisit the school rules; and to take care to understand our School Values. We also have some brand new Class Icons to help us name our classes. Our School Values were certainly evident in our first set of 'Stars of the Week' - an excellent achievement to set the standard in the first week of the first term. This week's Stars are:
Class
Child
School Value
Reason
Nursery
Mia R.
Achievement
For coming back to Nursery with such positivity and confidence.
Year 1 Nightingale
Roscoe P.
Achievement
For great ideas when talking about 'creation' story.
Year 2 Roper
Isabella H.
Determination
For sitting and listening well on the carpet.
Year 3 Hewett
Caleb A.
Equality
For being kind and welcoming to a new student in our class.
Year 4 Logie-Baird
Jaydee K.
Achievement
For settling into our class so well and coming into school every morning with biggest smile.
Year 4 Attenborough
David O.
Achievement
For having an excellent start to Year 4, being settled and ready to learn!
Year 5 Hamilton
Hope P.
Achievement
For an excellent approach to all of her work in every lesson leading to very pleasing achievement. Keep it up Hope!
Year 5 Rashford
LJ J.
Determination
For his fantastic determination and attitude towards his learning, as well as being a brilliant helper in the classroom.
Year 6 Parks
Bethany V.
Achievement
For being kind, caring and polite.
Year 6 Williamson
Lillie-May R-G.
Achievement
For settling into class so well and being the best that she can be.
'Well done' to all of this week's winners. Next week, we will launch our brand new Attendance Challenge. As always, continue to check our weekly Bulletin for attendance updates.
'Thank you' to our PTFA who have launched some events for this term. We have a planned Coffee Morning and Doughnut Sale, as well as a new 'Penny Wars' challenge for each class. This week, they have given out a magnet and badge to all children, as a Welcome to the new term. The full list of PTFA dates for Term 1, as well as other key dates, can be found on this week's Bulletin.
You hopefully will have received a copy of your child's Learning Journey for this term. This aims to provide an overview of your child's learning across each of the curriculum areas and details about your child's PE lessons and our expectations for reading. Please take the time to read through the Curriculum Newsletter.
If you have any queries, questions or concerns, please speak to your child's class teacher in the first instance, who will be happy to help you. We know how important this is, particularly during the first few weeks of a new school year.
There will be much to share in the coming weeks. I have really enjoyed welcoming all the children back to school this week, and look forward to the momentum continuing into next week. I hope all of the children have a fantastic Term 1. I look forward to seeing their learning and sharing their progress with you.
Have a great weekend!
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
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Headteacher Update - Friday 14th July 2023
Fri 14 Jul 2023Welcome to this week's Weekly Update, and the last of this school year! It's been an incredibly busy week...school trips...local walks...swimming lessons and talent shows.
This year's Talent Show took place on Tuesday. Hosted by Miss Saunders, there was an unexpected Guest Judge on the panel, and some incredible acts performing. As in previous years, each class voted an act through to the whole-school performance. We saw some incredible talent, including fabulous dancing, unbelievable magic and a couple of hilarious comedy acts, as well as some gymnastics, parodies, virtual videos and singing. I was truly impressed with the fantastic talent of our pupils.
It was a difficult decision but 'Congratulations' to Elishama in Year 6, who was chosen by the children and judges as this year's winner, who gave a fabulous performance of 'Never Enough' from The Greatest Showman.
Yesterday afternoon, I was delighted to be invited to attend the Graduation Ceremony for our Nursery children leaving this year, and starting school in September. The children were fantastic, singing songs and receiving their scrolls. 'Thank you' to all of the parents and families who attended...there wasn't a dry eye in the house...and to Mrs Stiles, and her team, who put on a very special afternoon.
Children have also spent some time with their new class teacher. Yesterday, the children heard a story and were dismissed from their new classroom, too, all part of helping them prepare for a new school year in September.
In today's Celebration Assembly, we awarded this week's certificates. 'Congratulations' to all the winners. Our 'Stars of the Week' are:
Class
Child
School Value
Reason
Nursery
Zola B.
Determination
For trying really hard to learn our Graduation songs.
Year R Stephenson
Rebecca J.
Achievement
For fabulous 'Fred talk' in phonics and for her writing.
Year 1 Nightingale
Harvey H.
Achievement
For Super Science writing about 'what is a seed.'
Year 2 Brunel
Ronnie H-W.
Achievement
For creating wonderful artwork using print and pasta.
Year 3 Ashe
Aya.
Achievement
For supporting others and being a helpful member of the class.
Year 3 Turing
Riley. S.
Determination
For determination to be better everyday; he is a real asset to the class.
Year 4 Logie-Baird
Emmanuel O.
Determination
For demonstrating fantastic determination this week in all learning to be the best it could be.
Year 4 Thunberg
Aiden A.
Achievement
For consistent hard work.
Year 5 Hamilton
Tyler C.
Achievement
For a fantastic attitude and determination to be better every day!
Year 5 Pankhurst
Abigail D.
Determination
For determination and kindness to all.
Year 6 Amundsen
Amelia D.
Achievement
For a brilliant approach during our rehearsals for our summer shows.
Year 6 Parks
Shantel O.
Achievement
For a brilliant approach during our rehearsals for our summer shows.
In our '100% Attendance Raffle', the number 182 was drawn at random and the lucky winner was Faith in Year 1.
Next week, we have just three days of term remaining. The end of term is Wednesday 19th July 2023. We have a lot to look forward to before then, including our 'Summer Concert' on Monday, and our annual 'Awards Ceremony' and 'Leavers Assembly' for our Year 6 pupils on Wednesday - I am looking forward to all of these events in school.
I hope you will be able to join us at the Summer Concert on Monday afternoon. Please bring a blanket, or something to sit on, as parents and our families will be asked to sit on the bank for the performance. This is taking place in the Key Stage 1 playground (entrance for Year 2 pupils). Our Open Afternoon takes place on Tuesday afternoon, from 3.30pm, and is a chance for parents to discuss their child's report with the class teacher.
Have a great weekend!
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
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Headteacher Update - Friday 7th July 2023
Fri 07 Jul 2023Welcome to this week's Weekly Update!
This week, children met their new teachers, ahead of the new school year. Our Transition Morning took place on Tuesday, and was a chance for children to spend some time in their new classroom and find out about the exciting learning journeys they will explore. They also found out about their 'Class Icon', including some new ones we have for this school year, some chosen by the children.
Some of our pupils in Year 2 have taken part in an online reading tutor program, throughout this year. Each week, children receive a call and take part in a 1:1 face-time reading session with a member of the community, working in the local area. The program had its last session this week, and the children and tutors met in person, for the first time. The children really enjoyed getting to meet their tutor who has only ever been on the other side of a screen!
In Reception, children have been designing some 'crazy vehicles' on the computer. The vehicles have been made to help the children with their transition to Year 1.
We've got lots to look forward to for the remainder of term, including the annual Summer Concert, which I hope you will be able to join us for, and the children are very excited about Oakwood's Got Talent. There have been some brilliant auditions and we are looking forward to seeing the performance of the representative from each class. Please check out the Bulletin for details of all the forthcoming events.
I look forward to seeing all of the children on Monday morning, for our last full week of the school year!
With my very best wishes,
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
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Headteacher's Update - Friday 30th June 2023
Fri 30 Jun 2023Welcome to this week's Weekly Update!
'Thank you' so much for joining us for our Sports Day 2023. Delayed by a week, it was brilliant to welcome you in to school to join us on the field. The children were just brilliant and gave their absolute best in all of the races. I know how much the children appreciate having parents there, and the support of a crowd - Thank you for giving up your time! I thoroughly enjoyed watching the determination, achievement and enjoyment, and I hope you did too...the sprint races were a highlight of mine. There are some photographs in this week's Bulletin, so please take a look.
I have seen some exceptional writing this week. Despite us all feeling the effects of some warm weather, and a long term, children continue to give their very best - high standards and beautiful presentation. 'Thank you' to all of the children who have shared their learning with me this week!
Next week, we will be holding our Transition Morning on Tuesday 4th July. This has been brought forward due to the impact of industrial action on Wednesday 5th and Friday 7th July, where the school is closed to most pupils on these days. I am really grateful for your continued support, and recognise the impact of the disruption caused to our families - I will write to parents on Monday with full details about our classes for next year.
I hope you all have a brilliant weekend.
With my very best wishes,
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
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Headteacher Update - Friday 23rd June 2023
Fri 23 Jun 2023Welcome to this week's Weekly Headteacher Update!
Despite the rain, which definitely spoiled our plans for Sports Day, we've had a brilliant week at Oakwood.
Our children in Reception had a brilliant day at the Eastbourne Miniature Railway on Wednesday and, by all accounts, theire behaviour was exemplary, with positive praise and comments from parents, staff and other visitors. 'Well done' Stephenson Class! Our children in Year 4 visited Michelham Priory, just outside Hailsham, to consolidate their learning journey on the Tudors, through a History and Geography lens. There were lots of role-play activities, and some brilliant impersonations of King Henry VIII, too, plus some time to conduct some fieldwork studies. Please see our photographs to see what they got up to.
In our 'Celebration Assembly', it was Mr. Sharp who presented the certificates and awarded our 'Stars of the Week'. This week's winners are:
Class
Child
School Value
Reason
Nursery
Emily H.
Determination
For trying to say new words.
Year R Stephenson
Chloe H.
Achievement
For her super independent writing
Year 1 Nightingale
Ayaan A.
Achievement
For super map work, following and giving directions.
Year 2 Brunel
Elsie-Mai
Equality
For having a positive attitude to learning and supporting others with great ideas.
Year 3 Ashe
Maya P.
Achievement
For an excellent effort in all her lessons this week. Well done, Maya!
Year 3 Turing
Alycia T.
Determination
For determination to publish her instructions.
Year 4 Logie-Baird
Lexi-Mae W.
Determination
For amazing work in her music lessons
Year 4 Thunberg
Ava-Grace R.
Achievement
For perseverance in all of her learning tasks this week.
Year 5 Hamilton
Emily W.
Equality
For fantastic behaviour, a positive attitude to learning and a respectful attitude to both adults and peers. Emily has been so incredibly polite and helpful this week!
Year 5 Pankhurst
Oliver J.
Achievement
For improved focus and willingness to help others.
Year 6 Amundsen
Mason W.
Determination
For showing great determination in his project work and demonstrating a greatly improved attitude towards his learning. Keep it up!
Year 6 Parks
Elishama M.
Determination
For recently growing in confidence to put forward her ideas during class discussion and treating everyone equally with a smile.
Our postponed Sports Day is now rescheduled for Tuesday 27th June 2023 - hopefully it won't be wet or too hot, and it can go ahead as planned. The times of each event are on this week's Bulletin. We hope you will be able to join us.
You may have seen in the news that the NEU union have planned two additional days of industrial action, due to take place on Wednesday 5th and Friday 7th July. Please be aware that this will have an impact on the school, and is likely to cause either a full or partial closure, as has been the case previously. I am awaiting some further details, but intend to write to all parents at the beginning of next week to allow as much time as possible for parents to prepare.
Have a great weekend!
With my very best wishes,
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
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Headteacher Update - Friday 16th June 2023
Fri 16 Jun 2023Welcome to this week's Weekly Update!
Our pupils in Year 2 enjoyed a brilliant day at Drusillas Park, yesterday (Thursday). Weatherwise, it was a glorious day, and the children thoroughly enjoyed learning about all of the animals and getting to see them up close. Their behaviour was exceptional. We have shared some photographs from the day.
Our pupils in Reception received a very special delivery at the beginning of this term - five, pure white, duck eggs. The children have done a great job in looking after the eggs and now all five have hatched and are doing well. They have been transferred from the incubator to their cage, and are enjoying be handled and making friends with the children. This week, the ducklings took a swim to cool off.
This week, we welcomed the fabulous Brian Moses to Oakwood, who gave a brilliant Playground Poetry Performance to all of the children. It was a lovely whole, school event. Brian performed some of his favourite poems, including 'Walking With My Iguana' and 'Shopping Trolley'. The 'Snake Hotel' was loved by all of the children.
In our Celebration Assembly this week, we presented our latest 'Star of the Week' awards. Congratulations to all of this week's certificate winners:
Class
Child
School Value
Reason
Nursery
Lunna O.
Equality
For being so helpful to the adults.
Year R Stephenson
Harlow B.
Achievement
For her improvement in writing sentences.
Year 1 Nightingale
Megan P.
Achievement
For always doing her very best work and displaying an excellent attitude in all parts of the day.
Year 2 Brunel
Harper O.
Achievement
Year 3 Ashe
David O.
Determination
For his excellent determination to help others all week.
Year 3 Turing
Riley S.
Determination
For his determination to improve his presentation so that he can get a pen license.
Year 4 Logie-Baird
Joey A.
Achievement
For an improvement in attitude to schoolwork.
Year 4 Thunberg
Isabella P.
Achievement
For always working hard in class.
Year 5 Hamilton
Emily W.
Achievement
For always working hard, being kind and considerate and following the school rules.
Year 5 Pankhurst
Lillie-May R-G.
Determination
For her brilliant focus and determination to do her best.
Year 6 Amundsen
Maili P.
Achievement
For a fantastic attitude in every lesson this week.
Year 6 Parks
Aliyah J.
Equality
For treating everyone with respect and kindness, working hard and presenting work to the highest standard consistently.
Our Attendance Challenge has reset for the final term of this school year. Year 3 Ashe Class claimed the lead in Week 1, with 97.5% attendance, picking up 15 points.
In our '100% Attendance Challenge', 225 children were in this week's draw - a super amount! The number 27 was chosen at random. Well done to Freddie C. in Year 1 who chose a 'Football Jokes' book.
We are looking forward to welcoming you to our Sports Day on Tuesday.
- For children in Reception, Years 1, 2 and 3, the Sports Day starts at 10.00am.
- For children in Years 4, 5 and 6, the start time is 1.30pm.
The gates will be opened 15 minutes before to allow parents to come on to the field. Should we be expecting an extremely hot day or a very wet one, a decision will be made the day before.
Children in Reception and Year 4 are looking forward to trips taking place next week.
Just a reminder that the school is closed on Friday 30th June, as this is an INSET Day.
Enjoy the good weather over the weekend, and I'll look forward to seeing all of the pupils on Monday!
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
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Headteacher Update - Friday 9th June 2023
Fri 09 Jun 2023Welcome to this week's Weekly Update and to a new school term.
It's been a positive start to Term 6 - introductions to new learning journeys, and the chance to try new opportunities. This week, many of our pupils in Year 6 have been on their PGL residential to Windmill Hill, just outside Hailsham. We've received lots of updates from the team there, and shared a few photographs on Facebook. They have had a great time, tried some new things and no doubt made some fabulous memories. There will be some tired Year 6s this weekend!
'Thank you' to our brilliant Year 6 pupils who have stayed at school. They have been incredible role-models this week, helping out on the infant playground and setting the best example around school. I am very proud of them all.
Our children in Year 4 had their first swimming lesson at the Sovereign Centre today. They had a great session and were well behaved. Thank you to Heron Park who ferried us there and back a few times in their minibus.
We held our first 'Celebration Assembly' of this term. 'Congratulations' to all of our certificate winners this week. Our Stars are:
Class
Child
School Value
Nursery
Daisy S.
Achievement
Year R Stephenson
Camron S.
Achievement
Year 1 Nightingale
India M.
Determination
Year 2 Brunel
Jake H.
Achievement
Year 3 Ashe
Sienna S.
Achievement
Year 3 Turing
Lacey M.
Knowledge
Year 4 Logie-Baird
Asia P.
Equality
Year 4 Thunberg
Kate W.
Achievement
Year 5 Hamilton
Jacob-Jesse S.
Determination
Year 5 Pankhurst
Clara S.
Determination
Year 6 Amundsen
Hunter D.
Achievement
Year 6 Parks
Tianna-Mai C.
Achievement
In our 'Term 5 Attendance Challenge' we have joint winners - both classes in Year 3 gaining 59 points. Well done to Ashe and Turing Class who both win a £20 voucher. The leaderboard is now reset for Term 6. In the '100% Attendance Raffle' the number 168 was drawn at random. Well done to Ava-Grace in Year 4.
We have had some new children join the school this week and I am so proud of how all the children have already made them feel so welcome.
This week, we met some of our new Reception children, some for the very first time, who will be starting school in September. They collected their new bookbag and gift from the school, and had the opportunity to look around the Reception classrooms and outside areas. There were lots of happy children and this was a really positive afternoon. Our 'Stay and Play sessions are being booked up quickly for children who don't attend our Nursery.
Next week, we are welcoming the brilliant Brian Moses to Oakwood, a fabulous poet and performer. This will be a real treat for the children. There will be an opportunity to purchase one (or more) of Brian's books and anthologies. A letter was to all parents this week. We are also excited to welcome Stuart Reeves, one of the Aurora Trustees, to Oakwood on Tuesday. I am looking forward to showing him around the school.
Please check out this week's Bulletin, for more information about life at Oakwood, including next year's term dates.
I wish you all a brilliant weekend!
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
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Headteacher Update - Friday 26th May 2023
Fri 26 May 2023Welcome to this week's Weekly Update!
'Thank you' to all of those parents who have joined us for Curriculum Events this week. They continue to be extremely popular and well-attended. The children love sharing their learning with you and it certainly makes the effort worthwhile. I really hope you have enjoyed them.
Today, we held our last 'Celebration Assembly' of the term. We presented our latest 'Star of the Term' awards. Our full list of winners can be found in this week's Bulletin.
I was delighted to induct our latest 'Word Millionaire'. 'Well done' to Emily W. in Year 5, who became the sixth member of this year's Hall of Fame - an incredible 1,000,000 words!
'Congratulations' to all of this week's winners.
'Well done' to Megan P. in Year 1 who won a 'Treasure Island' voucher as part of our 100% attendance incentive.
I'd like to thank you all for your support across the past term. Unbelievably, we will head into the last term of this school year - there's lots to look forward to, including Sports Day and Summer Concert performances.
I hope you all have a great half term. I will look forward to seeing all the pupils when we return to school on Monday 5th June 2023.
With my very best wishes,
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
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Headteacher Update - Friday 19th May 2023
Fri 19 May 2023Welcome to this Week's Weekly update!
It's been a fantastic school week at Oakwood. Firstly, 'Congratulations' to our pupils in Key Stage 2 who completed their BikeAbility course this week. They have been out-and-about on their bikes in the local area, learning the rules of the road and how to be safe. The instructors commented on how well all of the children listened, their enthusiasm and safety awareness. 'Well done' to them all. One of the highlights of my role, is being able to share and celebrate children's learning. This week, I have seen some fantastic writing from children in Reception and Year 2, and in Year 1, was lucky enough to see every child's exceptional handwriting in their phonics group. It's great to see their own pride in their learning and successes.
Our pupils in Year 6 visited the Smugglers' Caves and Hastings Aquarium yesterday. The whole of the south coast was a hotspot for smuggling gangs in the 1700s, and the children learned about the secrecy of the missions and the types of contraband that landed on our beaches. The pupils represented the school superbly.
'Well done' to all of our certificate winners. This week's 'Stars of the Week' are:
Class Child Year R Stephenson Louie H. Year 1 Nightingale Amelia C. Year 2 Brunel Gjoleka G. Year 3 Ashe Ivy-May T. Year 3 Turing Liam M. Year 4 Logie-Baird Daria H. Year 4 Thunberg Thorin D. Year 5 Hamilton Tyler C. Year 5 Pankhurst Jeremiah M. Year 6 Amundsen Hunter M. Year 6 Parks Cherry B. Please see this week's Bulletin for our Attendance updates.
All of the pupils are really looking forward to welcoming you in to school for next week's Curriculum Events. The children and staff have been busy preparing and rehearsing for workshops and performances. I really hope that you will be able to join us at some point during the week.
For those events takin place in the Hall or classrooms in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6, parents and visitors are please asked to sign in at the School Office.
'Thank you' to those parents of pupils in Year 4 who were able to join us for your child's Progress Meeting this week. I hope you found this a useful opportunity to talk about your child and their progress.
We are looking forward to the last week of Term 5.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Ryan Laker
Headteacher
