Dear parents and carers,
Equalities Week
We have had a fascinating week. The children have enjoyed having a slightly different timetable and have learned a great deal about the challenges faced by some people. I particularly enjoyed listening in on a discussion in Beech Class about poverty and homelessness; I was very proud to hear the compassion and understanding being shown by the children.
COVID-19
Thank you for your support during the last half term. It has been a bumpy ride at times, and I would like to thank the staff for going the extra mile to keep school open, particularly during times of extreme staff shortage. The guidance around outbreak management changed this week, particularly regarding isolation of siblings of confirmed cases (I suspect the Department for Education may have learned from experience!), so be aware that any future outbreaks will be managed differently.
Christmas Cards
The Friends of Dr South’s have arranged for the children to design Christmas cards which you have the option of purchasing, ready to send at Christmas. The children have created their designs, and these are being sent home today for you to look at and order from home. The artwork then needs to be sent back to school straight after half term so we can send it off.
Christmas Bazaar
This will take place shortly before Christmas and I thought you might like a little notice. For this event, parents provide small gifts which the children can buy as surprise presents for their families. Please start looking out for suitable gifts and store them ready for nearer the time. Suggested items to donate include stationery items, toiletries, small books and hard toys or pre-wrapped sweets. Please start collecting now!
ParentPay
Please take the opportunity of the holiday to check your ParentPay balance on all the items assigned to your child. Do make sure you check items not often used (e.g. perhaps your child only attends Breakfast Club or Late Care rarely – as it is charged in arrears, you might be building up a large debt.) If you find out that you have put too much into one item, just send an e-mail as we can easily move it for you.
Staffing
Today we say goodbye to Miss Oakley who has been working in Ash Class as part of her teacher training studies. We have loved having her with us, and wish her all the best in her future career.
Holidays
We finish today for the October half term holiday. I hope you and your children manage to get a good break, and I look forward to seeing everybody on Monday 1st November.
100 Club
The first draw of the academic year took place on Thursday and we are pleased to announce the following winners:
1st Prize – Laura Clauson
2nd Prize – Brenda Thomas
3rd Prize – Maco Bryan
Not all the numbers have been sold as yet and so if you would like to be entered into the future draws and help raise money for The Sparkle Fund then please contact Nicole Tucker (Grace Tucker’s Mum, Year 4) or your class rep for more information.
This week we congratulated:
Willow Class: Betsy, for working so hard on recognising numbers to 5;
Ash Class: Aaron, for working hard in his maths assessment; Jackson, for always being ready to learn and focusing so well in writing tasks this week;
Oak Class: Evie, for good involvement in class discussions; Hughie, superb focus and always working hard;
Beech Class: Emily, for excellent focus when researching Egyptian gods; Logan, for a very entertaining drama performance in “Egypt’s Got Talent”;
Cookery: Grace, for working hard, remaining focused and tidying up without being asked.
Our Christian value for the term is courage. What can your child remember about St George and the dragon, St Paul and the shipwreck, David and Goliath, Daniel in the lions’ den and the Selfish Crocodile?
Ask your child about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Dates for the year (provisional)
25/10/2021 Half term week
01/11/2021 Year 6 start Forest School
02/11/2021 Year 3 start Forest School
02/11/2021 7.00pm – Virtual meeting regarding Beech Class residential
08/11/2021 Beech trip to the Ashmolean
09/11/2021 Individual photographs
11/11/2021 Flu vaccinations for Reception upwards
22/11/2021 9.00am Beech Class Assembly
06/12/2021 St Nicholas Service
13/12/2021 9.30am Willow Class nativity
15/12/2021 Children’s bazaar
Christmas lunch
16/12/2021 2.00pm Carol Service
End of term
17/12/2021 INSET Day – school closed
04/01/2022 INSET Day – school closed
05/01/2022 INSET Day – school closed
06/01/2022 Start of term
24/01/2022 9.00am Oak Class Assembly
18/02/2022 Soup Lunch and Talent Show
21/02/2022 Half term week
07/03/2022 Parent consultations
08/03/2022 Parent consultations
04/04/2022 Beech Class residential week
08/04/2022 2.00pm Easter Service
08/04/2022 End of term
28/04/2022 Start of term
02/05/2022 Bank Holiday – school closed
20/05/2022 May Day
30/05/2022 Half term week
06/06/2022 Holiday in lieu of Jubilee Bank Holiday
23/06/2022 Sports Day
06/07/2022 Ash and Willow Class production
13/07/2022 Oak and Beech Class production
15/07/2022 Ash Class parent event at the Jacobs’ Field
20/07/2022 2.00pm Leavers’ Service
20/07/2022 End of term
21/07/2022 INSET Day – school closed