THE OAKLANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2018
Dear Parents and Carers,
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support over what has been a
very busy and productive term. I hope that your children have been coming home and talking
about all of the exciting things they have been learning about this term.
The children have had a fantastic Autumn Term with some of the highlights being:
The opportunity to work with professionals from the Birmingham Hippodrome
The opening of our brand‐new library
Visits to see dinosaurs, WW2 artefacts, sea creatures and more besides!
Awards ceremony at Birmingham University
The chance to develop amazing artistic skills
Participating in sports events in school as well as competing against
other schools
Exciting home learning opportunities
Rockin’ out to Timestables Rockstars
Enriching after school clubs
And of course, Ofsted! If you have not had a chance to read through the report, it is available on
our website. Please check out our Twitter page too‐ this is updated regularly and is one of the
ways we keep parents informed about their children’s learning. @TheOaklandsBham
Parents and Carers
We have also begun the process for establishing our ‘Friends of The Oaklands’ group for parents
and carers. Thank you to everyone who attended our first meeting and expressed an interest in
supporting the school.
Staffing
The children at The Oaklands are very fortunate to have such a dedicated team of staff here at
The Oaklands. Recently for example, some teachers drove down to Cambridge on a Saturday to
learn more about the teaching of reading. (And no, they didn’t get paid!) This true commitment
shows you never stop learning!
We will be sad to see some staff members leave at the end of this term. Miss Murphy, Mrs
Bottoms and Mr Thompson will be moving to new schools. We wish them all the best for the
future and thank them for their contribution to The Oaklands. They will be missed.
We welcome Mrs Stephens who will be the new teacher in the Nursery and will also be the new
EYFS lead. I am sure you will make her feel very welcome.
I hope that you all have a fabulous break and a much needed rest. School opens again on
Monday 7th January 2019 at 8:45am.
Reminders
Attendance
Over the last few weeks, our attendance has dropped. I appreciate there has been a few
illnesses going around. Hopefully, we can get back on track in the New Year.
A polite reminder, we cannot authorise term time holidays.
Uniform
If you are purchasing new shoes for school over the holidays, can you please make sure they are
black. Trainers are not part of our school uniform. If your child does not have a book bag, these
are available to buy at the office.
Around the school
Nursery have been getting ready for Christmas by making Christmas cards and calendars,
decorating the Christmas Tree and wrapping presents. We have also been learning the story of
the first Christmas.
In Reception this half term, our topic has been ‘where do squirrels hide their nuts?’ We have
been learning about woodland animals and had a very special visit from the animal Lady who
brought snakes, owls, hedgehogs and African snails.
We have now started learning about the celebration of Christmas, the first Christmas story and
the different ways families celebrate Christmas.
Year 6 have been writing their own news reports about The Blitz and making Anderson Shelters.
Be sure to check the school website regularly for videos of recent events such as us celebrating
100 years since the end of WW1, Christmas performances and Year 6 doing news reports about
the Blitz. www.oaklandsprimary.org.uk/news
Home Learning @ The Oaklands
Home Learning Expectations
Here at The Oaklands, we firmly believe that home learning is so much more than a pile of
endless calculations on a worksheet or copying out boring spellings.
We are developing creative and enjoyable projects that can be shared with everyone in the
family.
Every household is a busy household, so there is no expectation to return home learning
projects. However, if you wish to return your projects, please bring to school on the first
week back after every holiday. Your project will then be exhibited in the hall.
Home learning projects can be found on the school website at:
About/curriculum/home learning projects
WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE TO DO?
Home Reading
Research tells us that regular reading has a huge impact‐ not only academically but also
mentally. It can reduce stress, improve memory and knowledge and most importantly, is a
fun and enjoyable way to relax and learn (for you and your child). Your child will have access
to our new library and books in their classroom’s book corner.
We ask that the MINIMUM a child reads at home each week is 3 times.
Depending on the age of the child, this can be reading alone or with an adult or hearing an
adult read to them (which is really important). Please sign their reading logs after they have
read.
Websites and Programmes
Timestable Rockstars
To support your child’s mathematical progress, we have introduced ‘Times Table Rockstars’.
A fun and competitive programme that supports your child in recalling their times tables.
Your child will receive a log in for this.
Websites and Apps
Below are a list of websites and apps to support home learning.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/documents/50‐things‐activity‐list.pdf
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize
https://www.getepic.com/
https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/news/watch_newsround
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/curations/newsround‐quizzes