Newsletter 22nd November 2024

Dear parents and carers,

Art Week

This week the children have had enormous fun learning new skills each day and have produced some beautiful pieces which I hope you enjoyed viewing at the end of the day. Huge thanks go to Mrs Barnhill for sourcing all the resources and leading the sewing and to Nico Venables for preparing and planning all the other activities this week.

Cross Country Event

Well done to all the children who competed at the Kidlington Partnership cross country event yesterday. All of the children represented the school exceptionally well and several of the children have qualified for the next round. We are awaiting official results from Mr Gough and we will then let you know all the details.

Beech Class Assembly

Well done to all the children of Beech Class who led our Friday assembly so well today. It was lovely to hear about what they had been learning about anti-bullying in class.

Children’s Christmas Bazaar Wednesday 18th December

A separate letter will be sent out with the email regarding this.  If you have any questions, please do ask.

Advent Calendars

The Dr South’s Educational Foundation has kindly agreed to provide a Fair Trade Advent Calendar with a 24-page Christmas story activity book (and chocolate!) for each child. These will be handed out on Friday 29th November. Many thanks to the Foundation for this.

FODS Christmas Trees and Christmas Cards

A reminder that the deadline for placing orders for Christmas cards (etc.) is Friday 22nd November and the deadline for ordering Christmas trees is Sunday 24th November. (https://tfods.org/order-your-christmas-tree/).

Wreath Making – Friday 29th November at 3.15pm
FODS will once again hold its annual Wreath Making session with seasonal treats and refreshments. Everyone will craft their own 10″ wreath using fresh greenery and festive decorations. All supplies and refreshments are included. £25 per person. Email drsouthsfriends@gmail.com to book by Tuesday 26th November.

Wreath-Making Kits Now Available
If you can’t make it to our wreath-making event, you can still join in the fun from home this year! Kits come complete with a 10″ foam ring, decorations, wire, ribbon, and instructions. Suitable for adding fresh foraged greenery, berries, or dried citrus (not included). Wreaths can be hung or used as table decor. Kits are £15 each. Order online at tfods.org, or get in touch on drsouthsfriends@gmail.com.

Kits will be available for pick-up with Christmas Trees on Sat 30th/Sun 1st Dec or can be brought into school for you on Mon Dec 2nd.

Festive Film for Kids – Friday 29th November at 3.15pm
Children are invited to the school hall to watch a child-friendly Christmas film – whether their grown-up is wreath making or not. Popcorn and squash will be provided. The cost will be £1.50 per child and can be paid for via ParentPay or on the door.

Three Parishes Christmas Market – Saturday 30th November
The Three Parishes Christmas Market is taking place on Saturday 30th November from 2-4pm at Islip Village Hall.  This year the Friends of Dr South’s will have a craft stall at the market to raise money for the Sparkle Fund.  Please come along and support the Three Parishes and the school.

Christmas Jumper Sale – Monday 2nd December
We will be holding a sale of pre-loved Christmas jumpers and accessories on Monday 2nd December in the school playground at 3.00pm and 4.30pm.  We would be grateful for any donations of Christmas jumpers etc before this date.  Please see Mel or Rebecca.

Christmas Disco – Friday 13th December
Save the date for the end of term Christmas Disco on Friday 13th December at the Village Hall from 3.30pm.  More information is coming soon.
Lollipop Patrol

Please be aware that as Martin is unwell at the moment, he may not be available to cross children over the road at the beginning and the end of the day. If you have an older child who walks home by themselves, please let us know so we can cross them over the road at the end of the day.

 

This week we congratulated:

Willow Class: Izaia, for playing nicely with his friends; Brenley, for beautiful singing when practicing for our nativity play;

Ash Class: Raphael, for exceptional work in Maths this week; Rufus, for applying everything he has been learning to produce some lovely detailed writing;

Oak Class: Lucas, for working hard to create a beautiful story and keeping a close eye on his planning; Maverick, for working hard to improve his badminton skills by listening and practising well;

Beech Class: Sammy, for great work in Maths this week; Jude, for working hard to edit his writing;

Cooking: Aria, for a great first cooking week with great listening, following instructions and using her own initiative.

 

Our Christian value for the term is peace.  Ask your child about the Prince of Peace statue.

 

                                             Dates for the year

 29/11/2024                  FODS Wreathmaking and film night

04/12/2024                  2pm Christingle Service

05/12/2024                  Pantomime trip – Sleeping Beauty

12/12/2024                  Willow Nativity performance

17/12/2024                  Beech Class trip to the Ashmolean

18/12/2024                  Christmas lunch, Christmas jumper day and Christmas bazaar

19/12/2024                  2.00pm Carol Service and Ash Class nativity

19/12/2024                  End of term

20/12/2024                  INSET Day – school closed

 

06/01/2025                  Start of term

14/02/2025                  Soup Lunch and Talent Show

17/02/2025                  Half term week

26/02/2025                  Junior Citizen Trip Beech Class

03/03/2025                  Parent Consultations

04/03/2025                  Parent Consultations

06/03/2025                  World Book Day

14/03/2025                  Red Nose Day

04/04/2025                  2pm Easter Service

04/04/2025                  End of term

 

21/4/2025                    Bank holiday – school closed

22/04/2025                  Start of term

05/05/2025                  Early May Bank Holiday – school closed

23/05/2025                  May Day celebrations

26/05/2025                  Half term week

19/06/2025                  Sports Day

03/07/2025                  Oak and Beech production, 1.30pm and 6.00pm

07/07/2025                  Beech Residential

09/07/2025                  Ash and Willow production, 2.00pm

18/07/2025                  Leavers’ Service

18/07/2025                  End of term

21/07/2025                  INSET Day – school closed

22/07/2025                  INSET Day – school closed

Don’t forget – you can always check term dates at: https://dr-souths.co.uk/term-dates/