Dear Parents and Carers,

Year Six SATs

It's been a bit of a monumental week in school as our Year 6 children have sat their SATs tests. They are our first cohort to do this since 2019 as the pandemic meant test weeks were cancelled. I cannot praise the children enough for their exemplary conduct and maturity throughout the week and in the weeks running up to test week. They have lived up to our high expectations and should all feel proud of what they have achieved.

None of this would have been possible if it were not for the incredible job that Mrs Simmons and Miss Tansley have done in getting the children ready. They have made constant adjustments to the Year 6 'diet' so that the children are helped to close the gaps that have arisen from two years of Covid measures. They have managed this at the same time as building the children's self-belief and helping them to understand that SATs are not the be-all and end-all of their time at school. What a precarious balancing act!

Team Wistow

I'm also conscious that there are things that we do in school that you don't get to see. I often refer to Team Wistow in these blogs, in assemblies, and in staff meetings. Every week I see examples of the incredible teamwork that goes into making the school a success. This week I had to smile when I saw how staff from across the school helped with the Year 6 SATs breakfasts so that the responsibility didn't just fall on Year 6 staff. Mrs McIntosh and Mrs Ironside are leading our plans to mark the Platinum Jubilee and there are some fantastic things coming up. Our Gallery was changed last week and the artwork on display is absolutely beautiful. The list could go on and on.

Transition Evenings

I did have a scary moment today when I realised that there are only eight and a half weeks left of this school year! My 'To Do' list for the summer term is always epic and there is so much that happens at the end of the year. We have already started putting the new class lists together and teachers are well underway with the end-of-year reports.

It won't be long until we put together our plans for the Transition evenings for you. We are excited that, for the first time since 2019, we will be able to hold this in person, in the school. This is an important event, and we hope that we will have a parent from each family join us on the night. This is the main way that we tell you about the coming year, what is expected of the children, and more importantly, how we hope that you can support them. For our current Year 5 parents, we will also give you an insight into the SATs that your children will sit at this time next year and what support they will need from you.

So, please make sure that you have blocked out Wednesday 6^th July in your diary. This is an adults-only event, so I'm afraid you will need to find childcare. It's too late for little ones and the content is aimed at parents, not children. We will open a booking system nearer the time and send you full details.

Have a great weekend

Mr Eardley

Headteacher

^{Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash}

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

Year 3 2 Can Learn 05.05.22

By Mr Newton, Year Three Class Teacher, Nightingales

On Thursday 5^th May it was brilliant to be able to welcome parents back into school again for our 2 Can Learn. We made the most of having lots of extra helping hands by working together to sew mini Tudor Rose cushions. It was a brilliant morning and lovely to see so many families working together to produce some really lovely cushions. 

Parents and Teachers Fundraising

Here at OWPS we like to set ourselves a HUGG every now and then!  HUGG stands for Huge Unbelievably Great Goal. In the past, we have let you know when staff members have been fundraising for charity in case you would like to support them.

Today, we'd like to let you know about a parent and a staff member who have taken on huge unbelievably great goals themselves!  If you would like to support them, here are the details of what they are doing:

Parent Running in the London Marathon

Lara Carter, a parent of three children at OWPS, is running in the London Marathon to raise money for Baby Lifeline.

My name is Lara Carter and I am a mum to Lily, Ellie-May, and Lauren. I am also a midwife at Peterborough city hospital.

On the 2nd of October 2022, I will be running 26.2 miles in the London Marathon.

This will be my first attempt at a marathon, so I am excited but equally nervous! I am not a fast runner, I do not look effortless, and I am already trying to overcome training-related injuries, but I will cross that finish line.

I have chosen to run on behalf of Baby Lifeline; a unique national charity that promotes the safe care of pregnant women and their newborn babies all over the UK and worldwide. Please click on this link for more information, to donate, and to share my story.

www.justgiving.com/Lara-Carter1

Thank you for your support

Year Six Teacher swimming the distance of the English Channel

Miss Tansley, Year Six Class Teacher of the Toucans, is doing a sponsored swim in aid of Diabetes UK. 

I decided that after signing up for a gym membership - I ought to make it worthwhile, so registered to swim the distance of the English Channel between March 22^nd and June 22^nd 2022 - that's 22 miles.

At the start, it felt like I would never manage to fit it in, and it also seemed impossible, so I decided not to share I was doing it, for fear I wouldn't be able to make it - that being said, last night I hit the 11-mile mark, so am now halfway there - almost close enough to smell the croissants!

If you would like to sponsor me (please don't feel you have to) you can follow the link below and donate directly online.

https://swim22.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/rachel-tansley

Thank you for your support

^{Photo by Helena Lopes}

Comic Relief 2022 Update

A huge THANK YOU for donating money to our Comic Relief event in March.

We are delighted to announce that we raised a grand total of £559.74.

Discover what is coming up in the OWPS Dining Car.

Our fortnightly section on Mental Health and Wellbeing.

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}