Newsletter 5
Oak Cottage Primary School Autumn Newsletter 5 Please find below a list of dates for this term. Details of each event will be sent out separately nearer the time.
December 2016 Friday 16 December
January 2017 Tuesday 3 January Wed 4 January Monday 9 January Friday 13 January
Trophy Assembly KS2 Christmas Party - afternoon Last day of term INSET Day – school closed to pupils Back to School Y3 Swimming Parent Council Meeting at 2.30 pm
TERM DATES for the next academic year - 2016-2017: Spring term 2017 Tuesday 3 January – INSET day Wednesday 4 January – children return to school Monday 20 February – Friday 24 February – half term Friday 7 April – last day of term Summer term 2017 Monday 24 April – first day of term Thursday 4 May – INSET day Monday 29 May – Friday 2 June – half term Friday 21 July – last day for pupils Monday 24 July – INSET day Tuesday 25 July – INSET day & last day of term
Newsletter Autumn 16 5
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LATEST INFORMATION Goodbye Miss O’Connell, Year Two class teacher, leaves us at the end of this term. We would like to thank her for everything she has done for Oak Cottage and we wish her all the very best in her new school.
Green Flag Award On Thursday 17th November the eco-team met with a very special visitor from Eco-Schools awards. For the past few weeks the eco-team have been busy beavering away with several eco projects around school. They have installed a new hedgehog and minibeast home, carried out a ‘switch off fortnight’ campaign, monitored the litter around school and have spent a significant amount of time in the new polytunnel. The visitor was treated to a guided tour around the school and interviewed the eco team to assess all our hard work. This paid off as we are now delighted to announce that our school has now been awarded a second green flag! A big congratulations to us and a special thanks to our marvellous eco-team.
Nursery Nursery have been busy preparing for Christmas by writing letters to Father Christmas. Last Friday we all went to Dovehouse parade to post our letters so that Father Christmas gets them in plenty of time. The children did Oak Cottage proud by walking sensibly and listening well to all the adults who came to help. On the way we became shape spotters and found lots of shapes in everyday objects. We found circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, semi circles, diamonds, ovals and even some stars. Could you find that many different shapes on your walk to school?
Reception Admissions 2017 – Information from Schools Admission Team The national closing date for Reception for September 2017 and infant to junior transfer (if applicable) is 15 January 2017. Applying after the closing date will almost certainly affect the offer parents may expect to receive. Parents must submit an online application to their home authority. Solihull parents can apply online at www.solihull.gov.uk/enrol Parents living outside of Solihull can still apply for Solihull schools but must submit this through the online system provided by their home authority. Children with a statement of special educational needs or an EHC Plan will have a separate application process through their plan coordinator.
Basketball Congratulations to the Year 6 basketball team who won two out of the three games they played in a local tournament. Thank you to all parents who supported us with transport and cheered the children on.
Roald Dahl Competition We are delighted to inform you that Daniel Halliday came as a runner-up in a “Revolting” competition to write a rhyme in the style of Roald Dahl. Daniel’s poem will be published in an ebook so we look forward to seeing that soon. Congratulations Daniel! Newsletter Autumn 16 5
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Journey to the Stable Once again, Year Two visited St Alphege Church for the ‘Journey to the Stable’ on Friday 2 nd December with ten parent helpers, Mrs Malhotra and Mrs Bullock. As we had arrived before the school who was joining us, there was an opportunity to hear about the symbolism of the Advent Wreath displayed in the church. Its five candles represent the four Sundays in Advent together with the birthday candle for Jesus on Christmas Day. When the other school had arrived, we were given a short introduction to the main characters of the Christmas story using large Nativity figures. Then the children set off on their journey visiting the Grumpy Inn Keeper who told her story and the Stable where Mary, Joseph with the baby Jesus (a beautiful real baby!) shared what had happened to them. After a craft activity, we went to hear the story from a Shepherd and a Wise Man. Gathering together we all then discussed which part we had enjoyed most with the children eager to share what a great time they had had, particularly enjoying their visit to the stable. We were then asked to consider if any character could be left out of the story without changing it, but we agreed that even the cow played its part by providing the manger for the baby. The children had behaved impeccably, listened intently, sung sweetly to the baby and discussed the story intelligently.
Polesworth Abbey Reception had a wonderful trip to Polesworth Abbey at the beginning of December. The children met the 'real' Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the animals in the stable. They also got to pay their taxes and sign the census. Also they dressed up and retold the Christmas story.
Christmas productions All the children have performed in a Christmas play over the last week. We hope you have enjoyed the Christmas plays as much as we have! Thank you for your generous contributions to our collection - we will let you know how much was raised in our next newsletter.
ATTENDANCE In consultation with School Council, we thought it was appropriate to celebrate good attendance in our school. We therefore give the class with the highest attendance for the week a certificate. The following table shows the attendance for the current period. Week beginning: 28.11.16 Nursery Reception Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6
Newsletter Autumn 16 5
% Week % Attendance beginning: Attendance 05.12.16 96.0% Nursery 93.5% 94.5% Reception 96.9% 97.0% Year 1 95.9% 99.7% Year 2 96.8% 95.0% Year 3 98.2% 92.3% Year 4 97.1% 95.3% Year 5 96.0% 89.0% Year 6 96.4%
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REQUEST FOR HELP Y3 Swimming – Parent Helpers Another request for help - We need two parent helpers, each week, to accompany our Y3 to Tudor Grange Leisure Centre for their swimming lessons every Monday starting 9th January 2017 up until Monday 3rd April. A swimming rota is now up in the office, so if you have DBS clearance and are able to offer your help, please drop into the school office and let us know – we really do need your help!
Egg Incubation Nursery is looking to incubate and hatch some chickens as part of their topic work. We are looking for families who already keep chickens that would be prepared to lend us their incubator and brooder. If you might be able to help then please let one of the nursery staff know.
REMINDERS School Closure for Inclement Weather If heavy snow falls during the day, school will remain open and your child will be supervised as usual, although early collection from school might be permitted, if travelling conditions were likely to pose a problem for carers. Parents would only ever be telephoned to collect children under very exceptional circumstances. Solihull Council no longer operates a blanket closure policy for schools. Should we need to close we will post a notice on the front page of the website: www.oak-cottage.solihull.sch.uk and email parents via ParentPay. You can also check the Solihull Council website: www.solihull.gov.uk
School Dinners Please refer to the Solihull Council website, www.solihull.gov.uk/schoolmeals for the new 3 week cycle of menus which run from 7th November 2016 – 24th April 2017. The menus comply with the School Food Standards and the Silver Food For Life catering mark. After-School Clubs Please note a newsletter detailing the clubs taking place in the Spring term and the dates they will be running will be circulated once we return in January. External providers such as Martial Arts, Dance Club and Friday football will resume week beginning Monday 9th January.
Thank You We would just like to say a huge thank you for all of your kind gifts. We are touched by your generosity.
Finally, may we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year.
Newsletter Autumn 16 5
[email protected]
December 2016 Friday 16 December
January 2017 Tuesday 3 January Wed 4 January Monday 9 January Friday 13 January
Trophy Assembly KS2 Christmas Party - afternoon Last day of term INSET Day – school closed to pupils Back to School Y3 Swimming Parent Council Meeting at 2.30 pm
TERM DATES for the next academic year - 2016-2017: Spring term 2017 Tuesday 3 January – INSET day Wednesday 4 January – children return to school Monday 20 February – Friday 24 February – half term Friday 7 April – last day of term Summer term 2017 Monday 24 April – first day of term Thursday 4 May – INSET day Monday 29 May – Friday 2 June – half term Friday 21 July – last day for pupils Monday 24 July – INSET day Tuesday 25 July – INSET day & last day of term
Newsletter Autumn 16 5
[email protected]
LATEST INFORMATION Goodbye Miss O’Connell, Year Two class teacher, leaves us at the end of this term. We would like to thank her for everything she has done for Oak Cottage and we wish her all the very best in her new school.
Green Flag Award On Thursday 17th November the eco-team met with a very special visitor from Eco-Schools awards. For the past few weeks the eco-team have been busy beavering away with several eco projects around school. They have installed a new hedgehog and minibeast home, carried out a ‘switch off fortnight’ campaign, monitored the litter around school and have spent a significant amount of time in the new polytunnel. The visitor was treated to a guided tour around the school and interviewed the eco team to assess all our hard work. This paid off as we are now delighted to announce that our school has now been awarded a second green flag! A big congratulations to us and a special thanks to our marvellous eco-team.
Nursery Nursery have been busy preparing for Christmas by writing letters to Father Christmas. Last Friday we all went to Dovehouse parade to post our letters so that Father Christmas gets them in plenty of time. The children did Oak Cottage proud by walking sensibly and listening well to all the adults who came to help. On the way we became shape spotters and found lots of shapes in everyday objects. We found circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, semi circles, diamonds, ovals and even some stars. Could you find that many different shapes on your walk to school?
Reception Admissions 2017 – Information from Schools Admission Team The national closing date for Reception for September 2017 and infant to junior transfer (if applicable) is 15 January 2017. Applying after the closing date will almost certainly affect the offer parents may expect to receive. Parents must submit an online application to their home authority. Solihull parents can apply online at www.solihull.gov.uk/enrol Parents living outside of Solihull can still apply for Solihull schools but must submit this through the online system provided by their home authority. Children with a statement of special educational needs or an EHC Plan will have a separate application process through their plan coordinator.
Basketball Congratulations to the Year 6 basketball team who won two out of the three games they played in a local tournament. Thank you to all parents who supported us with transport and cheered the children on.
Roald Dahl Competition We are delighted to inform you that Daniel Halliday came as a runner-up in a “Revolting” competition to write a rhyme in the style of Roald Dahl. Daniel’s poem will be published in an ebook so we look forward to seeing that soon. Congratulations Daniel! Newsletter Autumn 16 5
[email protected]
Journey to the Stable Once again, Year Two visited St Alphege Church for the ‘Journey to the Stable’ on Friday 2 nd December with ten parent helpers, Mrs Malhotra and Mrs Bullock. As we had arrived before the school who was joining us, there was an opportunity to hear about the symbolism of the Advent Wreath displayed in the church. Its five candles represent the four Sundays in Advent together with the birthday candle for Jesus on Christmas Day. When the other school had arrived, we were given a short introduction to the main characters of the Christmas story using large Nativity figures. Then the children set off on their journey visiting the Grumpy Inn Keeper who told her story and the Stable where Mary, Joseph with the baby Jesus (a beautiful real baby!) shared what had happened to them. After a craft activity, we went to hear the story from a Shepherd and a Wise Man. Gathering together we all then discussed which part we had enjoyed most with the children eager to share what a great time they had had, particularly enjoying their visit to the stable. We were then asked to consider if any character could be left out of the story without changing it, but we agreed that even the cow played its part by providing the manger for the baby. The children had behaved impeccably, listened intently, sung sweetly to the baby and discussed the story intelligently.
Polesworth Abbey Reception had a wonderful trip to Polesworth Abbey at the beginning of December. The children met the 'real' Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the animals in the stable. They also got to pay their taxes and sign the census. Also they dressed up and retold the Christmas story.
Christmas productions All the children have performed in a Christmas play over the last week. We hope you have enjoyed the Christmas plays as much as we have! Thank you for your generous contributions to our collection - we will let you know how much was raised in our next newsletter.
ATTENDANCE In consultation with School Council, we thought it was appropriate to celebrate good attendance in our school. We therefore give the class with the highest attendance for the week a certificate. The following table shows the attendance for the current period. Week beginning: 28.11.16 Nursery Reception Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6
Newsletter Autumn 16 5
% Week % Attendance beginning: Attendance 05.12.16 96.0% Nursery 93.5% 94.5% Reception 96.9% 97.0% Year 1 95.9% 99.7% Year 2 96.8% 95.0% Year 3 98.2% 92.3% Year 4 97.1% 95.3% Year 5 96.0% 89.0% Year 6 96.4%
[email protected]
REQUEST FOR HELP Y3 Swimming – Parent Helpers Another request for help - We need two parent helpers, each week, to accompany our Y3 to Tudor Grange Leisure Centre for their swimming lessons every Monday starting 9th January 2017 up until Monday 3rd April. A swimming rota is now up in the office, so if you have DBS clearance and are able to offer your help, please drop into the school office and let us know – we really do need your help!
Egg Incubation Nursery is looking to incubate and hatch some chickens as part of their topic work. We are looking for families who already keep chickens that would be prepared to lend us their incubator and brooder. If you might be able to help then please let one of the nursery staff know.
REMINDERS School Closure for Inclement Weather If heavy snow falls during the day, school will remain open and your child will be supervised as usual, although early collection from school might be permitted, if travelling conditions were likely to pose a problem for carers. Parents would only ever be telephoned to collect children under very exceptional circumstances. Solihull Council no longer operates a blanket closure policy for schools. Should we need to close we will post a notice on the front page of the website: www.oak-cottage.solihull.sch.uk and email parents via ParentPay. You can also check the Solihull Council website: www.solihull.gov.uk
School Dinners Please refer to the Solihull Council website, www.solihull.gov.uk/schoolmeals for the new 3 week cycle of menus which run from 7th November 2016 – 24th April 2017. The menus comply with the School Food Standards and the Silver Food For Life catering mark. After-School Clubs Please note a newsletter detailing the clubs taking place in the Spring term and the dates they will be running will be circulated once we return in January. External providers such as Martial Arts, Dance Club and Friday football will resume week beginning Monday 9th January.
Thank You We would just like to say a huge thank you for all of your kind gifts. We are touched by your generosity.
Finally, may we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year.
Newsletter Autumn 16 5
[email protected]
