30 Jul 2008 - July Newsletter

Dear Parents,

 

As we come towards the close of the academic year there are a number of items of news, diary dates, etc. of which I would like to make you aware.  I apologise for the length of the letter, but it goes to prove how much goes on in school and how busy your children and the staff have been.

 

Site Improvements

 

Unfortunately the timescale on the new library build has been pushed back to Oct / Nov 2008.  We are very disappointed about the delayed start and will keep you informed as and when we receive any further information.

 

Many of you have noticed that the reception entrance is looking a lot more cheerful thanks to the planted tubs.  We also have plans next term to have a fully enclosed pond installed which will enhance the site generally and provide a wonderful science and environmental resource. This is part of a long term plan to improve the school’s outside learning environment.   The plan can be seen from Mr Pearse’s classroom window.

 

SCHOOL VISITS

 

 

Imperial War Museum

 

Year 6 had a visit to the Imperial War Museum on Thursday 19^th June as part of their history studies. They also took part in a 1940’s day at school. This included a dance session where they were taught to jitter bug. Children and staff dressed up in 1940s clothes, tasted food relevant to the day and all in all it was a fun filled experience.

 

Environmental and Science Club Outing

 

“On Tuesday 1^st July the environmental club went to the wind turbine.  It’s really big, and it powers 1000 homes a day.  After looking at it and learning about it, we went pond dipping.  We were the first school ever to do pond dipping in the pond there!  Finally, we had a picnic and went home.”

 

By Luke Atkins class 5

 

 

Environmental Club

 

Our last environmental meeting was great fun. First Eden and I went into the woods with a blanket and a blue waterproof sheet. We made a shelter with these. We used pegs to keep them on the trees. Next we went to our gardens where we picked peas, carrots and lettuce which we had grown. We had more fun making sandwiches. I didn’t put any lettuce in mine. Later we took them back to the shelter where we ate them up. It was so much fun being in the woods.

 

Connor Lucas   class 1

 

 

  

Year 4 Synagogue Trip

 

On Tuesday 8^th July Year 4 visited the Synagogue in Reading.  They were able to learn all about the Synagogue itself and also Jewish customs.  The children learnt all about some of the Jewish festivals, the Sabbath and kosher food, as well as lots more.  The favourite part of the trip for the children was when they were able to try some kosher food.  They enjoyed honey cake, potato latkes, matzos and fruit.  Fun was had by all and the children all said that they enjoyed the experience and having the opportunity to ask questions.

 

SPORTS ACTIVITIES

 

 

Kwik Cricket Festival 9^th June 2008

 

On a gloriously sunny afternoon, a team of year 5 girls and a team of year 6 girls were taken to the Wokingham Girls Kwik Cricket Festival held at Wokingham Cricket Club. Play was delayed for half an hour as we had to wait for an air ambulance helicopter to land on the cricket pitch, collect a patient from a waiting ambulance and then depart. Once play got underway our girls were made to work hard in the field and with the bat. Both teams lost their opening matches but spirits remained high. Despite both losing their second matches, our girls were pleased with the fact that both teams produced a better performance. No joy in the third matches either, so we had to settle for the fact that both teams had come last in their respective leagues and we were facing the prospect that they would now face each other. Tension was high and beads of sweat were visible on foreheads as the advantage swung from team to team. Year 6 was the eventual winner by 9 runs, and so the final placing were year 6 came 7^th and year 5 came 8^th.  Well done to both teams who improved with every game. We learnt a lot from the experience and certainly hope to come back next year and improve on our performance. Thanks to the organisers for a well run event, thanks also to the parents who came along to support and to Mrs Burrell who did everything quietly but efficiently, but mostly thanks to the girls who played in true Oaklands spirit of never giving up, you gave us all a wonderful afternoon of sporting entertainment.

 

Year 5 Kwik Cricket

 

On Thursday 19^th June, 2 teams of Year 5 boys represented Oaklands Junior School at the Wokingham Schools Kwik Cricket Festival.  Both teams played 3 matches, and grew in confidence as the tournament progressed.  Overall, we won 2 of our 6 games and played some fantastic cricket against the schools who progressed from our groups.  The children who took part were a credit to Oaklands Junior School playing every match in the right spirit, supporting and encouraging each other and displaying outstanding cricket skills throughout the festival.

 

Year 4 Kwik Cricket Matches Oaklands v St. Sebastians 20^th June 2008

Well done to the year 4 cricket team who took on and beat St. Sebastian’s school recently. This was a scratch team who had had little opportunity to play together before the match. Our bowling and fielding were the key to our success and we managed to limit the number of scoring opportunities to a minimum. When it was our turn to bat, some sensible running and calling eased us through to be comfortable winners in the end.

 

Congratulations also to another squad of year 4 cricketers who turned in a very impressive display to beat Bearwood Primary School. Despite black clouds and showers we managed to complete the match and stay dry. Bearwood won the toss and made us bat first. An all round solid team performance saw us end up with a score of 244 and we were impressive again in the field and when Bearwood had completed their innings they had only managed 230.

Oakland Lasers were the overall winners of the year 4 Kwik Cricket Lunchtime League. In a thrilling end, the Lasers had to win their last match on the last day of the league to secure 1^st place. Well done to the other teams who competed so well and pushed Lasers all the way.

 

Girls Keep Fit.

 

The 6 week course has now come to an end and hopefully some girls are feeling a lot better and fitter. A mix of repetitive exercises and running has had the girls puffing a bit, but also appreciating how simple it is to exercise without necessarily joining a gym. Some girls have surprised themselves at how far they can run and we certainly hope to see them competing in cross country events next year. Many thanks to Mrs Yeatman and Mrs Sekulic for their help in running this activity.

 

District Sports

 

On 5^th July 2008 Oaklands took a group of children to Palmer Park Sports stadium in Reading for District Sports.  When we got there weather was wet and horrible but by the time it started the weather brightened up.  Apart from the relays at the end!  Oaklands did brilliantly, with a lot of top finishes.  The overall day was really good and it seemed that everybody enjoyed it.

 

Harry Wilde and Tom Callaghan

 

 

 

Sports Day

 

Thank you to all the pupils for supporting each other and competing so well.  The atmosphere was just lovely and we were so lucky with the weather this year.  The smooth running of this event is down to the organisational skills of Mr Pearse who, together with the staff and our many helpers, ensure the event is a success.  The final points were as follows:

 

Green House    4^th        Blue House       3^rd        Red house        2^nd        Yellow House   1^st

 

The field events took place over a number of days and were well supported by teams of parent helpers.

 

Sainsbury Active Kids

 

All those vouchers you have been collecting have been put to good use as we have exchanged them for specialist coaching sessions.  Year 5 have enjoyed a Martial Arts lesson, Year 6 Street Dancing, Year 3 Fitness and Year 4 Rock & Roll.  Please continue to bring in both your Sainsbury and Tesco Vouchers.

 

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

 

Creative Enterprise

 

Mrs Carpenter and Mrs Robinson, from Edgbarrow, came in to talk to Year 6 and to improve our business and enterprise skills.  They bought with them a range of everyday objects, telling us to turn them into something they weren’t (e.g. a rug = a magic carpet).  We had a competition, seeing if we could make the best rap, TV advert and product.  The winners were the Oompa-loompas with a magic carpet.  We had a great day and hope the current Year 5 will have as good a time as we did.

 

Felicity Boss

 

 

Amaze Project

 

On 1^stJuly 2008 Year 6 went to the Amaze project in Reading.  It was all about making choices as you get older like are you going to smoke or drink?  We were told that we are all amazing!  We all had a group leader and went around in groups of sevens.  There were lots of activities such as: The Chill Out Zone where we made a fruit kebab and some milkshakes.

 

Charlotte Gray

 

 

Crowthorne Carnival

 

Congratulations and thank you to Mrs Morgan and her team for building an amazing float which won 2^nd prize in the carnival procession. Judging by the photographs I have seen of Captain Hook, Mr. Smee and the children, our school certainly entered into the spirit of things. 

 

Crowthorne Music Festival

 

The choir and belle plates performed beautifully at this event.  Each school performed their individual pieces and then all the choirs joined together for a performance of ‘ Alice’.  We are very lucky to have Mrs Bugg, our music specialist, in school to teach the children belle plates and extremely fortunate that Mrs Edwards is able to give up her time to help me with the choir.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank them both.

 

Adopt–a-Chef

 

On the 15^th June Mr Michael Coaker spent the day with Class 6 preparing and making savoury flans and cheese straws. The children had great fun learning cookery skills and appreciated using fresh ingredients.

 

Walk to School Week

 

Once again our school took part in the National Walk to School week. We had a brilliant response and there was a great increase in the number of children walking to and from school. The children earned stickers, bookmarks and merits just for walking to school! 

As a school we record the number of children who walk to and from school every day, and the class that wins at the end of each half term has the choice of a fun games afternoon or their own personal non-uniform day.  Or, in Mr Hutton’s case an afternoon camping on the field! So get walking every day and help your class to win.

 

Book Fair

 

A school Book Fair took place the week beginning 9^th June. This was kindly organised by Mrs Cooper with a team of both adult and pupil helpers. Over £650 was spent by the children on books and the school was able to ‘top up’ on books in each year group.

 

Healthy School Presentation

 

Mrs Simpkins and I, together with two Year 6 pupils attended the event on Wednesday 9^th July.  Our pupils gave a wonderful and colourful presentation showing how the school promotes healthy living.  We were extremely proud of them.  We were then presented with our plaque which will be displayed in school.

 

End of Term Play

 

Year 6 entertained us all with a wonderful performance of The Dracula Rock Show.  The children worked so hard as they sang, danced and acted brilliantly. 

The Sports Trophy was presented to Jamie Hill and Alice Goddard and the Teale Trophy to Matthew Hales-Owen.  Congratulations to all three.

 

HEALTH & SAFETY

 

After School Playground Safety

As you are probably aware the After School Club have the use of the school site three days a week and when the weather is fine enjoy using the playground for games.  Please supervise your children whilst staying after school to watch school sporting activities etc as it does become difficult to distinguish those children at the club and those watching their siblings at after school activities.

 

Crossing Patrol

 

We are delighted that Wokingham have managed to employ Mr. Harry Stent as our new school crossing patroller. The

New Wokingham Road

is now patrolled both before and after school.

 

Cycling Proficiency

 

Once again at the 11^th hour we have managed to arrange cycling tuition for the pupils.  This year we have had a number of parents willing to help but have had no new parents willing to undertake the training and become instructors.  I would therefore especially like to thank Mr Harfield and Mr Jones for once again teaching the children.

If you are able to give a little time to train to become an instructor please let me know and I will put you in touch with the right agency.  I really would appreciate your help with this.  If we had a team of instructors we would be able to timetable cycling proficiency much more affectively.

 

PTA EVENTS

 

Year 4 Quiz

 

Year 4 enjoyed a varied and well organised quiz on Thursday 12^th June. Thank you to Mrs Martin for organising the event and all those who helped. The children and adults had a great evening.

 

Summer Fete

 

Congratulations to the PTA for another successful summer fete which raised over £4000.   We were really lucky with the weather and the event was very well attended.  Many thanks to the PTA Committee and especially Catherine Reeves who was in charge on the day

 

 

Class Groups for September

 

Class groups in Year 4 are reorganized for the following academic year. This has proved to be very successful in the past. Pupils are asked to name several children who they enjoy working with.  This information together with test results, teacher assessment and the impact of group dynamics help to determine the way the classes are re-organized. It is important to note that both classes will be of mixed ability.  

 

Next Academic Year - Classes for 2008/2009

 

 I would like to confirm that the classes for the next academic year are as follows:

 

Present                                               Classes in September

 

Class 1             Mrs Ginty        to          Class 3             Mr Hutton

Class 2             Mr Cotterill       to         Class 4             Mrs Simpkins

 

Year 4                                     to         Mrs Mullier

 

(Note classes                                       Mrs Hildebrand and Mrs Penstone who

re-mixed)                                to         will cover Mrs Peck’s maternity leave

 

                                                           

 

Class 5             Mrs Mullier       to         Class 8             Mr Pearse

Class 6             Mrs Peck         to         Class 7             Mrs Cooper

           

 

School Management

 

Mrs Stevens remains on long term sick leave.  I shall continue to be Acting Head with Mr Pearse as Acting Deputy.

 

General

 

 

School  Lunches

 

Please note that the cost of a school meal will increase in September to £1.80.

 

Oxfam Trailwalker

 

A huge thank you to all children, parents and staff who have so kindly sponsored me towards my Oxfam Trailwalker charity walk.  Your donations have helped our team raise approximately £2,200 to date, and will encourage us as we walk our 100 km over the weekend of the 19^th / 20^th July.  Our most sincere thanks – your support is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Mr Cotterill

 

 

Investors in People

 

Lastly I am very pleased to advise you that our Investors in People Award has been re-validated for a further three years.  I very much appreciate all our staff and the ‘extra mile’ they go for the pupils and school as a whole.  There is a ‘whole team’ approach at the heart of the school’s ethos which I know the pupils benefit from. 

 

Please check the Diary Dates section for forthcoming events.

 

My very best wishes for a happy summer holiday.

 

Miss. S. Charnley

Acting Headteacher