Dear Parents and Carers,

These past two weeks have flown by! It has been a great start to the new school year and I feel very proud of how the children have settled back into school life and their new classes. When I open the gate in the morning, the sea of smiley faces standing waiting and the sudden rush of children flying happily into school is wonderful. 

One thing I was looking forward to this year was getting back to doing assemblies altogether in the hall. Mr. Eardley and I are doing two each on a Monday and Friday; the first for Key Stage Two and the second for Key Stage One. As well as this keeping numbers down, it also helps to aim the content at the right age. Assemblies aimed at 4 - 11-year-olds can be a challenge! My assemblies today have focused on using the internet safely and going over our pupil Acceptable User Policy (AUP). Every child in the school signs this to say they will use the Chromebooks and internet responsibly in school. I asked the children to share how we can keep ourselves safe online and their answers were spot on! 

I am also introducing a new online safety team in school, made up of pupils from across Key Stage Two called the Wistow Online Safety Rangers (OS Rangers). If any of the children are interested in becoming a ranger, they need to complete an application form and bring it back to school by Monday 27th September. They will come home with the form if they would like to apply. There were a lot of hands up in assembly saying they were interested so they need to be prepared for possible disappointment but we will change the team each year and they can apply again. 

On the subject of online safety, I have had a conversation with a few teachers about children sharing some worries about TikTok and things they have seen on this video-sharing social networking service. I am also sending home today a parents' guide to TikTok that will be worth reading whether you allow your child to access TikTok or not. 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone,

Mr Marks

Deputy Head Teacher 

^{Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash}

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

The New Golden Mile Track

by Mr Cowles, PE Lead

Having used the Golden Mile scheme for two years, we decided as a school that it would be beneficial to all to expand the area in which children could perform the activity.

The field is the biggest space we have at the school and as a result of bad weather throughout the year, it is often unusable for activities like running. Therefore, having a track that follows the perimeter of the field means children are given a greater opportunity to take part in the Golden Mile.

It is an all-weather track and has been fitted at ground level to create an aesthetically pleasing look. We believe it will not only support but enhance the love of sport for all children at the school. Who knows? We could have the next Paula Radcliffe running around our track as speak! 

Message from the new OWPS Chair of Governors

by Mrs Cleworth, Chair of Governors

I’m really excited to be taking over from Mark Bewick as the new Chair of Governors. I’d like to thank Mark for his contribution to the school through his role as Chair over the past 2 years. He’s successfully juggled work and family life to support Mr Eardley and the school through a very challenging period.

On behalf of the Governors, I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work, especially over the last 18 months. They have had to be so flexible, innovative and hard-working to ensure the students have remained safe and educated. It is evident that the children come first at OWPS and the staff continually strive for excellence in the classroom as well as happy individuals.

I have worked in secondary schools in Peterborough for the last 27 years and I am currently an Assistant Principal at Queen Katharine Academy. I have lived in Orton Wistow for 15 years and both my daughters attended OWPS. I know first hand what a great school your children attend. Every child matters at OWPS.

I am looking forward to working with Mr Eardley and his team as Chair. Pandemic allowing, I can’t wait to get involved in all those extras that the staff and the FOWS deliver during the year as we’ve really missed them as well as supporting the team to ensure the high standards that exist at the school are maintained.

If you wish to find out more about the Governors of the school, you can check the Governors section of the school website.

^{Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash}

Bike to School Week

By Ms Porter, Eco Lead

Bike to School Week is a week-long event designed to showcase the benefits of cycling and scooting to school across the UK. Bike to School Week is a great opportunity to promote the positive impact that an active lifestyle can have on pupils' wellbeing and health. It's free to take part and to download the resources. During Bike to School Week we encourage pupils, parents and staff to cycle to school. More details will follow soon...     Click here to view classroom resources and a parent guide provided by Balanceability.

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

Friends of Orton Wistow Update

By Mrs Chambers, Chair of FOWS

Autumn Term Events

Thursday 23^rd September-FOWS Annual General Meeting

Friday 24^th September-Donation Friday (Wacky Socks for Gifts)

Thursday 7^th October- School Disco

Friday 15^th October- Donation Friday (T-shirts for confectionery)

Welcome back! We hope that everyone has settled back into school life and the new families are finding their feet. There’s a lot to take in when your children start school! The Autumn term always feels like the busiest time of the academic year, especially since it seems a long time ago that we had a normal school diary. We don’t have a huge amount planned prior to the October half-term to allow everyone to settle into the routine of school, but our minds are already thinking forward to the Christmas Fayre and Sale. We do have a couple of Donation Fridays along with a Disco, just to get us going! Our AGM is being held on Thursday 23^rd September, 7pm in the school staffroom, which everyone is welcome to attend as always.

Donation Friday-24^th September

For any new families or those unfamiliar with what a Donation Friday is…essentially we just need to recycle your unwanted items! On this day your children are invited to wear a pair of wacky socks to school in exchange for a donation of any unused gift or toiletry item. These donations are used at our Christmas Fayre as tombola items or gifts for children to buy for the family at our Christmas Sale. There will be volunteers on the playground collecting these items on the morning of the 24^th, so please ask your child to just drop them into one of the boxes en route to their classroom.

School Disco-Thursday 7^th October

Key Stage One 4.30pm-5.30pm and Key Stage Two 5.45pm-7pm

Our school disco will be back in the hall and in the same format as the pre-Covid era! Parents will need to drop children at the school office entrance and collect them at the rear of the hall, using the Platform One gate to enter the school site. Entry will remain at £3, which includes a drink and small snack. We have decided this year that it is best not to invite our youngest children, who will have only been in school for four short weeks! The Foundation Stage will be welcome to join us in February and May, when they are more familiar with school surroundings.

Easyfundraising

Don’t forget to help raise funds for FOWS whenever you shop online. Use easyfundraising to shop with over 3,500 big name retailers including Amazon, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS and Booking.com-and when you shop, you’ll raise a free donation for us every time. It’s that easy! Help support us: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/friendsofortonwistowprimaryschool/

If you do your shopping on your mobile or tablet, get the free easyfundraising app on iOS or Android and you’ll never miss a donation for FOWS. The easyfundraising app makes it easier to raise donations with over 3,500 retailers every time you shop online: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/raise-more/easyfundraising.app

^{Photo by Park Troopers on Unsplash}

OWPS Staff Update

By Mr Eardley, Head Teacher

Mrs Harries and I had a busy day on Tuesday recruiting new support staff and I wanted to let you know who will be joining Team Wistow in the coming weeks:

Mrs Francis, who currently works as a Unit TA, is going to be our new HLTA.

Mrs Fincham, who currently works as a Unit TA and a TA, will become a full-time Unit TA and pick up the intervention work that Mrs Francis currently does. 

Mrs Hall, who currently works as Midday Supervisor, has been appointed as a General TA. She will also continue in her Midday supervisor role.

Miss Flynn has been appointed as a General TA.

Mrs Serniak has been appointed as a General TA and a Midday Supervisor.

I am pleased that we have been able to recruit people to new roles in school. I know that all of us will go out of our way to give them a Warm Wistow Welcome!

^{Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash}

Flu Vaccinations

The Flu vaccination team will be visiting our school on the following dates: 

Monday 18^th October at 8.30am – 15.00pm (all day) and again on 

Friday 3^rd December at 12.30pm – 15.00pm   

A cover letter and the Flu Nasal Consent form has been sent to all parents to fill in and return back to school as soon as possible. (Reception – Year 6). 

Please note, this year Vaccination UK are able to offer an alternative vaccination to any parent who does not want their child to have the nasal spray because of the porcine content. We can send you a separate consent form for the IM Flu injection, please contact the School Office if you would like this consent form sent to you. 

Thank you very much. 

^{Photo by Daniele D'Andreti on Unsplash}

Individual School Photos

Individual School Photographs – 2021

We are delighted to inform you that Tempest, our school photographer, will be in school next week on Thursday 23^rd September to take individual photographs of your children.

Covid

Due to the current situation, Tempest will not be able to take portraits including pre-school siblings.  Tempest is hoping that they will be able to take portraits of in-school siblings and a decision will be made about this on the day by Tempest.

Tempest have advised us that the children will stand on a floor sticker for their portraits at a 2m distance from the photographer.  Please ensure that your child’s hair and appearance is as you would like it to be for the photo as the Tempest staff will not be able to step within 2 metres to make any adjustments.

Uniform

We look forward to seeing lots of smart children in their school jumpers and cardigans with big smiles!

PE Day

If your child is in Year 2 and Year 4 and would normally have PE on a Thursday, please send them in in their normal school uniform for the photos.  We ask that they bring their PE kit in a bag so that they can get changed on this occasion.

Proofs

Proofs will be sent from head office after the session to school and we will distribute them to each class to bring home.  Parents will be able to order direct, and pay for delivery to their home address.

If any parent requires a further proof for whatever reason, please contact the school office by Wednesday 22^nd September 2021.

Secondary School Applications for 2022 - 2023

FREE Gardening Equipment for Schools

By Ms Porter, Eco Lead

Morrisons is offering an opportunity for parents and staff to collect tokens that schools can exchange for FREE gardening equipment to get kids growing.

For every £10 you spend (in-store or online) at Morrisons, you’ll get a Grow Token to help OWPS get everything they need to get growing.

Download the My Morrisons app* or log into your online account today to start collecting Grow Tokens and choose OWPS as the school you’d like to donate them to. 

Simply scan your digital My Morrisons or physical card in-store, or link your My Morrisons card to your online account to get Grow Tokens every time you shop.

Click on the link below to find out more. Thank you for your support.

Find out what is happening in the community, 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}

Orton Wistow Primary School is delighted to offer a range of clubs to children now that the Covid restrictions are beginning to lift.

 Further details about the range of clubs offered by staff and external organisations can be found on the website Clubs page.