10 Nov 2008 - November Newsletter

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the second half of a very busy term and the countdown to Christmas!  The newsletter tries to cover as many events as possible, but please be on the look out for separate letters covering individual events.

 

STAFFING

 

We are delighted to inform you that Mrs Peck gave birth to a baby boy on 13^th October.  Mother and baby are doing well and they popped into school for a short visit on Wednesday 5^th November. 

 

 

Mrs Bugg, our music teacher is expecting her second child and will be going on maternity leave at Christmas – there must be something in the Oaklands water!  We are in the process of appointing cover for her maternity leave.

 

 

PREMISES

 

The work in the corner of the playground has been completed giving the children a little extra space.  We now intend to install a sail or large umbrella in this corner to give pupils and parents shelter from the rain and the sun.

 

We have also taken down the old steps to the terrapin building and replaced it with a ramp which will allow disabled access.

The ‘pond project’ is progressing well as is the new library.  Plans for the latter have been submitted and we are awaiting approval from Wokingham Borough Council.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the governors and partners, who freely gave their time to form a working party to paint the fencing around the terrapin building.  I am sure you will agree that their work has enhanced the look of the school.

 

PARKING

 

We regularly get complaints from parents, members of staff and our neighbours about the lack of care for our children whilst adults park to drop children off and collect them at the beginning and end of the school day.  I am extremely concerned that before long there will be a serious accident.

Witnesses have reported cars parked on the zig zag lines, across driveways and even parents using private driveways to turn around in!

 

 

TIME KEEPING

 

We have noticed an increase in the number of children regularly arriving late for school in the mornings.  Please ensure your child arrives on time to avoid unnecessary disruptions in class.

 

BREAK TIME

 

We now have a compost bin for apple cores and peelings which will be placed on the playground every break time.  Please remember that only fruit and vegetables may be eaten as a snack at break time.

 

 

 

E-SAFETY

 

A meeting for parents was held on Tuesday 21^st October in which we informed parents as to how we safeguard children in school and the rules they have to adhere to.  We also gave a brief explanation of the Learning Platform.  Philip Mann from the LA was there to answer questions parents had about e-safety at home, which opened up some good discussion. However it was disappointing that so few parents attended, but I had very positive feedback on how helpful it was.

Please return the Responsible Internet Use form as soon as possible.  We are unable to give pupils access at home to the Oaklands Learning Platform until we have received this.

 

 

 

SCHOOL PHOTOS

 

Please remember to return your orders as promptly as possible and before Monday 17^th November.  Late orders may not be processed in time for Christmas and an additional charge may be made by the photo company.

 

PROSPECTUS

 

We are in the process of updating our school prospectus.  One of our parents, Mr Peter Holt (fotocalenders.co.uk) has freely given his time and expertise to come into school and capture the children on film during the school day.  We are delighted with the results and are extremely grateful to him.

 

 

 

KINGSWOOD

 

Year 6 enjoyed a great week at Kingswood on the Isle of Wight .  They were very lucky with the weather and thoroughly enjoyed all the activities. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff who organised and accompanied the children.

 

 

 

SPORT

  

Fantasy Football:

The official scoring season has started and already a big gap has opened up between top and bottom teams. 55 children and adults are in the Oaklands league and we hope to soon announce our first manager of the month in assembly. Your child can follow their progress by logging onto www.schoolsfl.com.

 

Cross Country:

 

 

Tuesday night training has been well supported and we have been very lucky with the weather so far. Over 40 runners comprising children, older brothers and sisters, mums, dads and even a pushchair have been spotted running the mile and a half course along the Devils Highway. Many thanks to the parents who have marshalled and transported their children and to Mrs Yeatman who has been registrar.

The first competitive schools cross country event took place at Woodford Park in Woodley on what turned out to be a very warm afternoon. With over 500 children taking part from 18 different schools it was a wonderful sight to see so many children taking part. Well done to the year 3 children who were running their first competitive race.  We have not had any results sent through but we do know that some of our children were very highly placed. Next event is November 13^th in Marlow and children should by now have had their letters.

 

Schools Cluster Football Tournament.

 

 

Well done to the year 4 and year 6 football teams that represented the school recently in a six a side cluster group football tournament. The tournament was held after school at St Crispins School and I’m delighted to say that both teams won through to the next stage. Both teams had to win their respective leagues against Keep Hatch School and All Saints School and both teams managed to remain unbeaten throughout. Luckily we managed to get all games completed before it got too dark. We wait to hear when and where the next rounds will be and wish both teams good luck for the next stage.

 

Crosfields Fun Football Tournament

 

 

A wet and windy Saturday morning greeted the four Oaklands Junior School teams that had made their way across to Shinfield to compete in this Fun Football tournament. There was a separate girls tournament this year and our year 3 girls team and our year 4 girls team both competed extremely well and certainly played with a smile on their faces. The two boys teams had plenty of games, to play so there was not much time to stand around and get cold. Plenty of wins, goals, thrills and spills and even a visit from Kingsly the Reading F.C. mascot to present certificates. It was great to see how all the teams improved as the games went on and a real sense of team spirit developed. Even the sun came out at the end. Thanks to the Crosfield team who made this such an enjoyable event and to Mr Cotterrill for taking charge of the girls teams, and to parents who turned out to support their children.

Mr. K. Hutton

Sainsbury Sports Vouchers

 

 

Thank you for continuing to collect the Sainsbury Vouchers.  So far the pupils have enjoyed a dance and martial arts sessions for each class, received netballs, netball bibs, playground equipment, athletics equipment and bags to carry it all in.   Carry on collecting!

 

 

 

SCIENCE WEEK

 

During the week of the 20^th October Oaklands Junior School held a science week, with lots of exciting activities and events taking place.  Each class investigated a science related theme and presented their work in a sharing assembly at the end of the week.  Great fun was had designing and making magnetic board games, creating anamorphic art, investigating leaves by throwing them in the air and even making goo!  Quantum Theatre performed a play called Bin Raider to the whole school, passing on important messages about the environment in a fun and lively manner.  Each class also spent an hour in the company of snakes, hissing cockroaches, lizards and a tarantula as part of their session with Edu Zoo who visited on Wednesday and Friday.  The children were extremely brave, taking the opportunity to handle all of the animals on show.  Finally, a huge thank you to all of the children who entered the science quizzes that took place that week, and also to everyone who entered a poster for our competition.  The standard of the posters was incredibly high, with great imagination and inventiveness used to create some wonderful and unique designs.  Please do have a look at some of the fantastic posters on show on the entrance hall display board.  Well done to everyone for making science week such a great success!

 

 

Mr. S. Cotterill

 

 

Garden update

 

The early snow and late sunshine have made sorry work of our pumpkins. We have withered plants!

Bulbs

 

The children have been busy planting bulbs throughout the school grounds so we hope to have lots of colour in the spring. We have so many bulbs, thanks to your generosity, that we are still busy planting them. 

 

 

Science Club

 

The Science club takes place every Tuesday between 12.30 - 1.00pm in the Terrapin and are in for an exciting half term.  Themes include 'Air raising stuff!', The magic balloon bottle, (please bring a large empty bottle and maybe a dented ping pong ball too), 
The Mentos and diet coke fountain and much much more!
 
Morrisons Let’s Grow

 

 

This scheme came to an end on 6^th November so please send all your vouchers into school as soon as possible.

 

 

Ms. M. Moores

 

 

 

Let’s Talk

 

On Thursday 6^th November 4 of our children took part in a Healthy Schools ‘Let’s Talk’ session with other schools from our cluster group.  There were fun interactive activities to join in and healthy snacks too!  Our children joined in enthusiastically and were a real credit to our school, well done.

 

 

CHILDREN IN NEED

 

Friday 14^th November is Children in Need Day.  This year we would like to give the  children the opportunity to wear their own clothes and bring in a small teddy.  And in return for this we ask for a donation of £1.  If you have any loose change at home then please do send this in with your children too and we will send round a bucket to collect it in during the day.  Some Year 6 girls have also organised a cake sale.  This will take place from 3pm till 4pm either on the school playground, or if wet in Mr Pearse’s classroom.  Cakes will cost between 10p and 20p each.  Donations of cakes and biscuits are needed.  Please bring them to Class 8 at the start of the school day on Friday.

 

 

Mrs. M. Simpkins 

 

 

 

PTA

 

Many thanks to the PTA for organising the very successful disco for the children and the very entertaining quiz evening for the parents.  Both events were well attended and much needed funds were raised.

 

 

Despite the awful weather on Saturday the firework night was very well attended and a good time was had by one and all.  Please support the next big event, the Christmas Fayre on Saturday 6^th December.

 

 

 

TRAFFIC INCIDENT

 

The police have asked our lollipop lady whether there were any witnesses to an incident on 6^th October 2008 on the junction of Edgcombe Park Drive and the New Wokingham Road where two cars were involved in an accident.  I understand no one was injured but information is required.  Please contact Mrs Evans, the lollipop lady with any information.

 

 

 

NSPCC

 

The total collected for NSPCC so far is £130.  A representative of the NSPCC will be visiting the school to talk to the children in March 2009. Any money collected at the Christmas Concerts will also be donated to this cause.

 

Please check our Diary Dates link for the latest information.

 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Miss S. Charnley

 

Acting Headteacher