Issue 403: 4th November 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you all enjoyed the half-term break and made the most of the continued warm (if a little wet) weather. After a productive professional day on Monday, the children have all started this new half-term positively, and I have continued to be impressed with their behaviour and effort in class. 

FOWS

It has been great to see so many children (and staff) wearing their favourite t-shirts in school today. All the donations to FOWS will make a difference to the success of our upcoming Christmas Fair. The date of the Christmas Fair will be confirmed shortly, and the Christmas sale has been moved to the 14^th December. Hopefully I will see many of you in school on the 2nd. 

PRIDE Code  

As you know, the PRIDE code is a very important part of everyday life at OWPS. We often talk about it in assemblies, in classrooms and with groups or individuals. Recently, the one part of the code we have referred to more is the 'Everybody Matters' part.

On the whole, children are always kind to each other and everyday I see examples of children looking out for one another and demonstrating that they know what it means to be a good friend. There are also times when children act without thinking and do or say something that has the potential to upset, hurt or worry another child in the school.

Learning how we treat others is an important part of growing up and this includes how we interact with others face to face and online. If you can, please have a chat with your children about the importance of 'Everybody Matters' and what part they can play in making our school a safe and happy space for everyone. We have a framed picture in every classroom that simply says, 'In a world where you can be anything, be kind.' 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone,

Mr. Marks

Headteacher

^{Photo by Zoritsa Valova on Unsplash}

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

Honours Award 01.11.22

Congratulations to the children who won the Honours Award for Resilience this week...

Christmas Card Competition

By Mrs Granville, Year 3/4 Unit Leader and RE Lead

This morning, Rev Alexandra, from St Andrew’s Church in Alwalton, visited our assemblies. She has asked children at OWPS to help her design the parish Christmas card, which will be distributed to all houses in the parish (Wistow, Alwalton, Northgate and Southgate).

Entries should be based around the Christian story of Christmas, and not contain any stickers or other embellishments (as the winning entry needs to be scannable).

Any children who would like to enter can collect an entry form from their class teacher. If you are happy for your child to enter, and for their design to be used if chosen, there is a section on the form that parents/ carers need to complete.

Completed entries should be put in the box at the office by 14th November. Happy designing!

^{Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash}

FOWS Update 04.11.22

By Jo Watson, FOWS Chair

Christmas Activities

The FOWS team are in full swing planning the Christmas Fair (date to be confirmed), and the Xmas Sale for the children, which is now taking place on Wednesday 14th December 2022.

The FOWS Team appreciate the donations you have made already (unwanted gifts and bottles).  We have one more donation day at the end of the month on Friday 25th November where children can wear their own jumper in exchange for a Sweet/Chocolate donation 

We are also looking for donations of teddies for our tombola and lucky dip items at the fair.  If you have anything to donate, please could you pass it to the office by Friday 18^th November.  Examples of donations are shown below:

Preloved School Uniform

Last December FOWS launched an online solution for parents to acquire preloved school uniform.  It's been a great success, and we have re-homed around 100 school jumpers, cardigans and t-shirts. 

It has however become clear that some parents have been unable to access the online platform to view what’s available.   To ensure we are as inclusive as possible we are moving to a much more simple and hopefully more effective method – a rail of uniform in the school reception foyer by the office.  

Please feel free to visit the foyer, take a browse, and help yourself.  Items are free, however, if you can provide a suggested donation of £1 per item (or whatever you can afford) it would be greatly appreciated.  Simply hand the money to reception staff, and they will pass it on to FOWS. 

Celebrating Success 04.11.22

Discover what amazing extracurricular activities the children at OWPS have been getting up to!

This child in Year One (and other Year One students who attend Squirrel Scouts) did their bit for the local community by picking litter around the Hampton area and worked towards achieving their local hero badges. 

Well done! You've all done a fantastic job helping the environment and your community!

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. Contributions will be considered for inclusion in upcoming editions of the newsletter

Operation Christmas Child 2022

A huge thank you for all the incredibly generous gifts and filled shoeboxes already donated to Orton Wistow’s Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal! Just a reminder that individual gifts or items, as well as filled boxes can be dropped off into prepared collection boxes between now and Friday November 11^th  in the school reception. 

For more information follow the link: 

https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

Roar Stars

There are still space to join in the session this term.  Please contact Richard at richard.roarstars@gmail.com for more information if your child is in Year 1 or 2 and is interested in attending.

Roar Stars is an Early Years and Primary Sports provider aiming to give children a fun and exciting introduction to the world of Sport and Physical Activity. Richard Pickering, owner of Roar Stars is delighted to be able to offer an After School Football Club for all children in KS1 at OWPS where he will be introducing the children to the game and developing skills such as passing, dribbling, turning and shooting. Richard himself will be running the sessions and is really looking forward to working with the children at the school. 

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}