Dear Parents and Carers,

Three weeks into this half-term already and only another three until the Easter break, this year is flying by! Spring is now well and truly in the air and seeing some colour popping up in and around the school is always lovely to see. We have had some warmer days this week and our hope is that, with some longer dry spells, it won't be long before the children can use the field again at break and lunchtimes. 

Hilltop

Watching the Year Five children arrive on Wednesday with their suitcases ready and packed for Hilltop was another sign we have been able to reintroduce some of those wonderful extras we organise and offer the children at Orton Wistow. All the children looked happy and excited. It was a mix of emotions on the parents' faces. Some looked a little anxious as they waved their children goodbye, others looked just as happy as their son or daughter, I imagine looking forward to a few quiet and relaxed evenings! Having been on this residential several times in the past, I know they are going to have had an amazing time and will arrive back today full of memories and feeling tired. A big thank you to the staff that have organised and attended this residential. It is a full-on three days, and the staff will come back today even more tired than the children! They will all be glad it is Friday. 

Burwell

Next week, lots of our Year Three pupils will go on their first residential to Burwell. Again, I have been on this trip several times, and it is a great few days. For many parents, this may well be the first time your children have been away from you for this long. Rest assured, they will have a great time and the staff that are going will ensure they are happy and well looked after. It is another full-on three days, and they will be back on Wednesday before you know it. 

Collection for Ukraine

The several huge piles of donations that have landed in our entrance to support families in Ukraine have been astonishing. As soon as one pile has been taken, another appears almost instantly. Thank you to everyone who has donated items for this cause. My assembly today has been about kindness and how in times of trouble, we often see the best in many people. The relief effort in Peterborough is ongoing, so we will remain open as a collection point for as long as needed.

Looks like we are in for quite a nice weekend, I hope you all manage to get out and make the most of it!

Take care,

Mr Marks

^{Photo by Dulcey Lima on Unsplash}

Each week, we publish the latest achievements of the children at Orton Wistow Primary School. 

OWN Trust Schools - Woodston vs Orton Wistow Football Match

By Mr Cowles, PE Lead and Year Four Teacher

On Monday 28th February 2022, Woodston Primary School hosted a girls' football match against Orton Wistow Primary School.

The OWPS girls' football team has been very successful in matches this year. They had already played Woodston at home in the Autumn term. The game was close and OWPS won 2-1 in the girls' first game together. Since then, OWPS have greatly improved.

Knowing that the previous game had been a tight affair, OWPS expected the same again. Both teams got off to a good start, and the play was very end-to-end.

OWPS took the lead with a well-finished goal from Elsie. She later scored her first school hat trick. OWPS were dominant in patches but had to watch for Woodston on the break. OWPS went into the break 4-0 up.

The second half was more of the same, and Orton Wistow seemed to have the better chances. For whatever reason, it just didn't go smoothly for Woodston, who were unlucky in the final third on several occasions.

With Ellie May also scoring a hat trick, OWPS were well on their way to victory. The girls came out winners with an 8-0 win. The match was another great result for the OWPS girls' team, who seem to be going from strength to strength.  It was also a fantastic experience for both teams.

The Big Walk and Wheel at OWPS 2022

From 21st March to Friday 1st April, OWPS will be celebrating The Big Walk and Wheel, including  Dr Bike MOT checks on 23rd March 2022.

What is the Big Walk and Wheel?

Sustrans Big Pedal is back, but it's got a new name. Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is the UK’s largest interschool walking, wheeling, scooting, and cycling challenge. It aims to inspire hundreds of thousands of pupils to get active on the school run. This year's challenge will take place from 21 March to 1 April 2022.

During the two-week challenge, schools compete to record the greatest number of pupils walking, using a wheelchair, scooting, and cycling to school, whilst learning about the benefits of active travel along the way.

How is OWPS celebrating the Big Walk and Wheel?

From 21st March to Friday 1st April, we would like as many children as possible to leave the car at home and come to school by foot, wheelchair, scooter or bike.  It would be fantastic if this year OWPS could top the leader board with the most children participating.

Dr Bike MOT Checks

On Wednesday 23rd March, Dr Bike MOT checks will be taking place at school.  Please see the poster below for more details.

FOWS Update March 2022

By Mrs Francis, Friends of Orton Wistow

The FOWS team is getting back into the swing of things and is starting to prepare various events for the rest of the school year. As Mr Eardley mentioned in the newsletter last week, we are very excited about the summer fête and would love it to return with a bang!

Grand Raffle Prizes

As you all know, every year we manage to get together a great list of prizes for our Grand Raffle and our searching for the top prizes for this year has now begun! If you are able to support us by donating a prize for the Grand Raffle, please let us know as soon as possible. We've previously had companies donate cash prizes, ipads, echo dots, micro scooter, football tickets - a huge range of top prizes. In return, we list any donors on our Facebook page, Twitter, and display them at the fête. Any donations would be hugely appreciated, please let us know if you're able to help at fows@owps.org.uk 

Raffle Ticket Sponsorship

We are also hoping someone might be able to sponsor the raffle tickets, we usually order 8000 tickets, so this can be a great source of advertising. Please contact us if you are interested. 

Match Fundraising

We are still on the lookout for anyone who is able to match fund our next few fundraising events - please email on the address above if you're able to help us. The money raised in the next events will go towards the new bike shelters. 

As always a huge thank you in advance for your support. 

^{Photo by Tamarin Fraenkel on Unsplash}

Celebrating Success 11.03.22

Here at Orton Wistow Primary School, we recognise that success comes in all different shapes and sizes! We celebrate the children's achievements in school in the Achievements section of the newsletter and website.

Many of the children, however, are also achieving things outside of school.  We would like to recognise these successes too.

It might be that your child has passed a music or dance exam, gained a karate belt, starred in a show, volunteered, taken part in a sporting event, or done something that they didn't think was possible!

If you would like to share your child's achievements with us so that we can celebrate their success, please complete the Celebrating Success form which can also be found below.  Contributions will be considered for inclusion in upcoming editions of the newsletter.

We look forward to hearing about your children's extracurricular achievements!

Celebrating Success this week!

This weekend, this child in Year 4 had her first grading at Inspire Martial arts, she came away with not one but a two belt grading and the highest points of her category. We are all very proud of this achievement as she only started 4 weeks prior to this grading. Congratulations!

This child in Year 4 has achieved an A grade pass in her karate Orange belt. Well done!

This child in Year Two continues on her karate journey with an A grade pass for her red belt. Well done!

This child in Year 4 completed his level 2 swimming class! Congratulations!

Cake Sale for RSPCA

Five girls from the Year 5 Pandas class have planned a cake sale for Upper Key Stage Two, Years Five and Six. The aim is to raise money for the RSPCA charity.

The cake sale will take place on Monday the 28th of March 2022, on the KS2 playground at breaktime.

More details will follow next week with a letter about how to pre-order cakes if your child is in Year 5 or 6.

OWPS Ukraine Collection

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the collection for Ukraine.  It has been wonderful to see the kindness and compassion of all those who brought in bags of donations.

Mrs Schneider helped at St Olga's Ukrainian Church this week and has been able to see firsthand how the items are being put to good use.  Medicine, food, toiletries, and other supplies have been sorted and boxed up.  One lorry has already set off, with more deliveries planned in the coming days and weeks.

OWPS will continue to collect donations whilst the relief effort is ongoing.  You can bring your donations in and leave them at the office, and we will transport them to the main collection point.  For details of what items are required, please click here.

Discover what is coming up in the OWPS Dining Car.

Read about what is happening locally, nationally and internationally.

^{Disclaimer: Orton Wistow Primary School does not endorse any products, services or activities that appear in the Community section of this newsletter, and is not responsible for any contract entered into by either party. Given the current circumstances, we would recommend all parents check with any providers regarding the status of these services, activities and clubs}