Issue 455: 8th March 2024

Dear Parents and Carers,

As I sit composing this week’s newsletter, complete with patchwork elephant ears; Fantastic Mr Fox is chatting enthusiastically to Baby Bear, Where’s Wally has cloned into an abundance of miniatures and Little Red Riding Hood has already encountered a number of big, bad wolves.

The buzz around school this World Book Day reminds me again of what a privilege it is to work at Orton Wistow School. We have remained committed over recent years to fostering a love of reading and have shared this message with you in the past through curriculum evenings and the reading initiatives we implement in school. Research proves that reading for pleasure is the single most important indicator of a child’s future success. We thank-you for all your support at home in bringing books to life.

In my World Book Day launch assembly on Monday, Year 6 representatives shared this year’s collection of texts that can be exchanged for the £1 voucher coming home to you this week. ‘Greg The Sausage Roll Lunchbox Superhero’ certainly generated a lot of excitement from our younger year groups! We also discussed common obstacles for getting settled into a new book and the children had some great advice on how to overcome them. Why not ask your child this weekend about how they would solve the issues below:

Playground Zoning

We are always active in improving the quality of education children receive here at OWPS and this includes the experiences we offer children during playtime and lunchtimes. So far this year we have launched a ‘Game of the Week’ for each primary phase and encourage positive choices through our Golden Step Sticker lunchtime challenge.

Most recently, we have zoned areas of both playgrounds, to give children a greater understanding of the types of play they can enjoy. This includes space for ball games, Game of the Week and the free choice of a rotation of playground equipment. Zoning also allows for children to also enjoy safe, quiet spaces if they choose, away from the hustle and bustle of more active playtime activities.

We have shared these changes with every class and all staff on duty are reminding children of the expectations of play in the zones. This includes the respectful and appropriate use of our equipment as well as keeping to the boundaries of each area.  

Wishing our community of mothers, grandmothers, step-mothers and all the wonderful versions of mothers we have in between a Happy Mothering Sunday.

See you all next week.

Mrs Fidgett

(Director of Learning)

^{Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash}

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

Sad News

Sadly, we heard recently that one of our former colleagues passed away. Mrs. Audrey Cooper was our school cook for over thirty years and a much loved member of our team. Those of you that have been connected to the school for a while will probably remember her. Audrey worked in the kitchen when the school first opened and was employed by Mr. Lane, the school's first Headteacher. When I joined Orton Wistow in 2003, Audrey was a huge part of the school and provided the pupils and staff with quality lunches every day. She was always happy to go above and beyond and gave many years of dedication and hard work to our school. She was also quite a character and was one of the people that made working here such a joy. A few years ago Audrey put together a recipe book of some of her favourite desserts and treats she used to make at school and called it 'Cooper's Christmas Crackers'. Audrey's daughter, Claire is planning on creating some copies of this and selling them to raise money for Sue Ryder who were a great support to Audrey. If there are some copies available, we will let parents know. Our thoughts are with Claire and the rest of Audrey's family at this sad and difficult time x 

Mr Marks, the Headteacher

FOWS News

Second Hand Uniform Rail

The FOWS team would like to remind you of the second-hand uniform rail that is placed in the school reception. If you need a branded/unbranded uniform, then it is a great way to pick some up. A donation of £1 is asked for each item.

It has also been requested to see if anyone has any branded uniform in the ages 7-8 and 9-10 that they can donate. Please hand it into the school office if you do so!

Thanks

The FOWS Team

Schools in Residence- Day 2

On Wednesday 6th March, the representative children from the OWN trust schools returned to Ferry Meadows to continue the Schools in Residence project in association with Nene Park Trust.  One of the aims of the project is to encourage members of the wider community to access the Park.

Again, the day began with a coach ride starting from Woodston Primary School, collecting from Nene Valley and Orton Wistow on the way.  It was rewarding to see the children greeting each other and the adults as they joined the coach, new friendships continuing to grow.  This time, the children had created a school plaque/ sign for their own raised bed at the nursery.

After a quick introduction in the Discovery Den, they moved back to the secluded Nursery Gardens. 

Seeds, seeds and more seeds the activities for the morning.  Identification, planting and nurture the themes of the different activities.  Did you know flowered plants generally have a split seed?  The children had to estimate how deep to plant their seeds, 0.5cms, 1.0cms. Who knew different seeds needed planting at different depths?

Just before lunch, the word of the day- Hibernaculum – which was important for the afternoon activity.  Not easy to say, let alone spell!

After lunch, the children worked in mixed teams from each school, so continued to make new friends.  Plus a competitive element, which team could build and remember the Hibernaculum.  This was the opportunity to use a spade, a fork and a rake safely.  The girls took an early lead as the boys had to carry their equipment further, but they soon made a strong comeback, so both fences were very impressive at the end.

At the end of the day, the sun had shone, the children had learnt some new language, used some tools and had to think mathematically.  Just like school, but better.  Thanks again to Tom and Alex for delivering the content effectively and in a very fun way.  We look forward to the next trip on the 8^th May and the start of activities in schools.

If you want a reminder of day one, the stories links:

Schools in Residence project - Day 1 - Woodston Primary School

Orton Wistow Primary School - Schools in Residence project - Day 1

Nene Valley Primary School - Schools in Residence project - Day 1

Games of the Week

Games of the Week

^{Photo by Sandro Schuh on Unsplash}

Discover what is coming up in the OWPS Dining Car.