Issue 412: 27th January 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

In just two weeks we will be at the halfway point for this academic year! It feels as if the days may be starting to get a little lighter for longer, but the big coat is still required for gate duty! 

Young Voices

A huge well done to all those that attended this event on Wednesday. The feedback I have had from children and adults is that it was a very memorable event and the children's behaviour and attitude was brilliant. Thank you to the staff for organising and to the parents who also supported this trip. 

School Partnership Program

OWPS is part of an SPP project that involves eight other schools in Peterborough, including Nene Valley Primary School and Woodston Primary School (OWN Trust). It basically involves the nine schools working together to review elements of practice in each setting and looking at ways it can be improved further. I visited Oakdale Primary School this week to look at how they teach reading. It is always a pleasure visiting another setting as it is a chance to 'magpie' some ideas. I came back with a few thoughts I plan to share with some of our staff, especially around oracy and pupil voice. We will have our SPP visit at OWPS in March. 

Sport at OWPS

We have had several football and netball matches against other schools recently. Although I am a very competitive person (board games in my family can be very serious!) and of course, I would always want to see OWPS win, the thing I have been most impressed with is the sportsmanship I have seen or been told about from every child that has represented our school. They have been great ambassadors for OWPS and kept their heads held high, even when things aren't going their way. Well done to them all. 

Are you smarter than an OWPS pupil?

This week's questions are:

1. How is the Arctic different from the Antarctic? Name 3 animals you would find in the Arctic. (Foundation Stage topic)
2. Do seeds need sunlight to germinate? (Year 2 science)
3. What would life be like without mirrors? (Year 3 science)

I popped into Year Three when they were discussing the last question. There were some incredible thoughts on the positives and negatives of a world without mirrors. 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone

Mr. Marks

Headteacher

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

Netball Match 19.01.23

On Thursday 19^th January, the OWPS netball team took part in their 2nd fixture against St. John's Primary School. Although the result did not go our way, the girls worked hard as a team to defend the ball and thought carefully about how to pass the ball to one another to limit interceptions from the opposing team. Well played girls!

Young Voices 25.01.23

By Mrs Francis, Year 4 Class Teacher

On Wednesday 25th January, the OWPS choir set off for Birmingham to perform in a Young Voices concert. We have been rehearsing every week since October, and have even squeezed in some lunchtime rehearsals too. Everyone has worked incredibly hard to learn ten different songs.

We were all taken aback when we entered Resorts World Arena - would our voices fill this enormous space? However, as all the other schools came in, and we started our rehearsal we had nothing to worry about: the sound was phenomenal!

Once the rehearsal was over, we ate our tea and waited for our audience to arrive. We were a mix of nerves and excitement, but as soon as the concert began we loved every moment. We sang with over 6000 other children, and some amazing acts including Urban Strides, Beatbox Collective, Anna Phoebe and Heather Small!

It was an absolutely fantastic experience for us all, the atmosphere in the arena was electric! We are so proud of the children who came - they showed exemplary behaviour throughout the entire day. Here is what some of the children thought about the experience:

Migle in Year 3:

It was amazing. I didn't know it was going it was going to be like that but it was really fun. Urban Strides dancing was energetic and fantastic!

Isabel in Year 4:

It was very very loud, but I loved it. Singing 'Sing From Your Heart' made me feel so joyful and happy.

Lucy in Year 5:

At the start of the day I was so excited because we were finally going to Young Voices. Throughout the day we got nervous then it was the best day of our lives. Anyone who gets the chance to go to Young Voices should take it.

Daisy in Year 5:

Anna Phoebe was really good with a dramatic entrance and that really shocked the audience. It was one of the best times of my life.

Avie in Year 6:

For the last song, the Nile Rodgers medley, a disco ball came on and lit up the whole room. That made me feel so excited I couldn't stop dancing.

We'd like to say a huge thank you to the staff and parents who came along to help - it was a very long day, we really appreciate your time and support.

FOWS Donation to the School

On Monday 23rd January, Jo Piercy, the Treasurer of the Friends of Orton Wistow School, visited OWPS to present the school with cheque for £11,000, which is an amazing amount!

The school is very grateful to the FOWS and to all the parents who have supported the FOWS fundraising activities including the Christmas and Summer Fayres.  The money will be put towards a variety of projects, including £1000 worth of new books for the Library and the construction of the Mindfulness Garden.

Jo Piercy commented that: "We can't do it without the parents support.  If you'd like to get involved with FOWS, please let us know.  We are always looking for new people to join."

If you'd like to know more about FOWS and how you can help, please click here to visit the Friends of Orton Wistow.

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}