Issue 409: 16th December 2022

Dear parents and carers,

This will be the last newsletter of the autumn term. I can't believe I have now completed my first term as Headteacher at Orton Wistow Primary School. It has been a great fifteen weeks, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff for their hard work, thank the children for following the PRIDE code and demonstrating a continued love of learning, and thank you to all the family members who have supported the school and come along to all the wonderful events that have happened. 

Christmas Fayre

This event was a huge success and a very busy few hours! FOWS raised an astonishing amount for the school, and it will make a real difference to all our pupils. Thank you to Jo Watson and her team for all their hard work and commitment. 

Year Five and Six visit to Alwalton Church 

Yesterday, all of Upper Key Stage Two walked to Alwalton Church for a Christmas service with Reverend Alexandra and Reverend Sarah. The boys and girls were fantastic ambassadors for the school and made the most of this cold trip out to our local church. Several children read out parts of the Christmas story, and we had three Year Six children, Felix, Jess and Riddhi sing solo parts to one of the carols. I was blown away by the quality of their voices. We also enjoyed a song played expertly on the piano by Riddhi as we came into the church. 

The last two days of term

Next week we will enjoy some lovely Christmas activities to finish off this term. On Tuesday, children can bring in a toy to play with in their classroom. Please help them select something sensible. We will also have a whole school Christmas sing-song at the end of the day. The staff will be performing our famous Twelve Days of Christmas song to the children. I was worried I needed to sing part of this solo but apparently, I just need to do the actions, phew! No one would enjoy hearing me sing!

I hope you all have a great break and I look forward to seeing you all in the new year. Merry Christmas everybody!

Mr. Marks

Headteacher 

^{Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash}

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

Christmas at OWPS 2022

Christmas at Orton Wistow Primary School began on the 1st of December with Christmas decorations transforming the school for the festive season.  Each class has made ornaments to decorate their classrooms, including: sourdough Christmas trees in Foundation Stage, lollipop trees in Year 2, log reindeers in Year 3 and snowmen with light-up noses in Year 6.

On 30th November, Reverend Alexandra visited to announce the winner of the Christmas Card Competition. Congratulations to the winning entry, which came from a Giraffe class member. If you live in Wistow, Alwalton, Southgate or Northgate, look out for the cards dropping through your doors very soon!

Children in Foundation Stage and Year 2 worked hard to prepare Christmas performances that were enjoyed by the whole school, and parents and carers.  On 1st December, the Magpies and Penguins performed a nativity to a hall full of Foundation Stage family members. They read their words confidently, sang loudly and put a smile on everyone's face. 

On 7th December, Year 2 put on a play called “Don’t Be afraid!” in both an afternoon and evening performance. They did an amazing job learning their lines and all the songs. They all spoke clearly and sang with enthusiasm and enjoyment. 

Other Christmas events have included the annual Friends of Orton Wistow Christmas Fayre, the FOWS Children's Christmas Sale (an opportunity for the children to buy gifts for their friends and family) and the special Christmas Dinner for staff and children, which took place on Wednesday 14th December.

The school has also been made festive by our housekeeper Mrs Wilson's christmassy trolley.  As well as lights, tinsel and decorations, Mrs Wilson has been counting down the sleeps to Christmas!

FOWS Update 16.12.22

From Jo Watson and the FOWS Team

The FOWS Team would like to say a very big thank you for your incredible support this term. It’s been a busy one culminating in our Christmas fair and Christmas sale, which we hope you and your children enjoyed.

This term we have raised over £4,000, and we couldn't have done it without all the parents, volunteers, teachers and office staff support who have helped us along the way.

We would also like to thank The Manager at Tesco Express (Chris) who donated enough chocolate coins for all of the children to enjoy as a treat as part of their Christmas lunch on Wednesday. 

We hope you have Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Honours Awards 13th December 2022

Congratulations to the children who won the Autumn Term Honours Award for their commitment, hard work and enthusiasm.

Celebrating Success

Celebrating Success this week!

This child in Year 5 successfully passed the next martial arts grading achieving her purple belt. Three more belts for black!

Zakaria from Iguanas was one of seven Squirrel Scouts who were presented a badge and a certificate for achieving the Chief Scout Acorn Award (the highest award a Squirrel Scout can achieve in the section). Congratulations!

This child in Year 5 performed to nearly 1000 people at the New theatre on Sunday. Her performing arts group (PPA) put together a beautiful show, and she performed 5 pieces which involved singing and dancing and some fabulous choreography and costumes! Well done!

This child in Year 3 successfully passed the green belt grading, which is a big achievement especially at such a young age!

Congratulations to this child in Year 2 who has moved up a stage in swimming lessons. Well done!

Congratulations to this child in Year 1 who passed his martial arts grading with an A pass achieving his White & Orange belt.

Congratulations to this child in Year 6 who has successfully completed her stage 5 in swimming. Well done!

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.

Discover what is coming up in the OWPS Dining Car.

Read about what is happening in the local community.

^{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}