Keep up to date with the latest news at Orton Wistow Primary
On Wednesday 19th March, Year 6 went to Bletchley Park. First they made their way to the code-breaking area where they learnt how to code break, like they did back in the day, and then also got to have a go using the Enigma machine- whilst learning about Morse code. They then headed off to the mansion, where they were able to see all the old furniture and items used in those times.
On Wednesday 26th March, Year 2 went to Burghley House to learn about kings and queens. We were so proud of how the children represented the school. Many members of the public commented on how smartly we were dressed and how well-behaved the children were.
We started the day by meeting William Cecil and King Henry VIII. King Henry gave us lots of information about his life and answered all of our questions. We then had a tour of the impressive building. We got to see Queen Elizabeth I's and Queen Victoria's bedrooms! After that, we spent some time in a Tudor dining room, learning about the different seats at the table and what different social classes were allowed to eat. After lunch, we played some Tudor games and learnt a Tudor dance.
Overall, we had a fantastic day and learnt so much more about monarchs.
Here at Orton Wistow Primary School, we recognise that success comes in all different shapes and sizes! We celebrate the children's achievements in school in the Achievements section of the newsletter and website.
Many of the children, however, are also achieving things outside of school. We would like to recognise these successes too.
It might be that your child has passed a music or dance exam, gained a karate belt, starred in a show, volunteered, taken part in a sporting event, or done something that they didn't think was possible!
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 which can also be found below. Contributions will be considered for inclusion in upcoming editions of the newsletter.
We look forward to hearing about your children's extracurricular achievements!
This Week's Successes!
This child in year 2 earned his purple belt as his martial arts grading this week. He was so proud of this massive achievement. Well done!
.png)
Congratulations to the following children who were chosen to receive The Whole Spring Term Honours Award.
Break the Rules Day is back! Friday 4th April 2025!
By now you will have received an email from the school office with the details of how to sign up. For those of you who weren't here last year, or even for a few of you who were, you're probably wondering what this is all about.
On Break the Rules Day, for this one day, the children are allowed to do things a little differently. For a small donation per rule, your children can choose with you the rules they wish to break. Payments are set up on ParentMail, so you only pay for the rules you choose to break. Couldn't be simpler, just remember to keep track of your choices so you don't forget to break a rule you've paid for! Payments close at 2pm on Thursday.
Happy rule breaking!
From FOWS
The Red Nose Day stalls were once again been a huge hit at playtime. Children from each class took it in turns to run the stalls that they had designed, and we raised over £900 for this wonderful charity. Thank you to our parents for supporting this event as well.
Last week Year One put on a wonderful performance of The Robot and the Bluebird (an adaptation of the book by David Lucas), impressing everyone with their enthusiasm and talent. The children delivered fantastic songs, including a special solo that wowed the audience. Each performer shone on stage, bringing the story to life with confidence and energy. Parents enjoyed watching the show, it was a truly memorable performance! Well done Year 1!
.png)
Our Grow Your Own Produce Day (delivered by Kids County) was a fantastic hands-on learning experience for our Year Ones! The children discovered the fascinating history of the potato, learning how it has been an important food for centuries. They explored the different parts of a potato and planted their very own mother tuber, excited to watch it grow. Alongside this, they found out about the health benefits of potatoes and why they are such a great addition to our diet. The highlight of the day was seeing a real tractor on the school field, sparking curiosity about farming and how food is grown. It was a fun and educational day for all!
On Wednesday 19th March the school choir travelled to the Cresset to take part in a Beatles Singing Day. The children had learnt 3 Beatles songs during the last few weeks of choir, and we joined with other schools to refine our performances with a vocal coach. We took part in sessions where we met different band members (who were accompanying us in the concert), and enjoyed finding out about the different instruments. The day culminated with a concert to the parents, where the children sung with enthusiasm and very clear enjoyment! The choir were impeccably behaved, representing Orton Wistow superbly. They should feel very proud of their performance and the way they conducted themselves during the course of the day.
Photo by Michael Maasen on Unsplash
On Thursday 13th of March, Year Three led their 2 Can Learn in front of parents and children to complete their spring cloth and thread art project, using sewing techniques to create movement and texture. Our art focus this term has been textile art and we have examined the work of artists Alice Kettle and Hannah Rae to inspire our land or sea creations.
Last Friday we celebrated World Book Day in school with a whole host of fantastic activities all centred around the love of stories. I have really enjoyed asking the children this week what they did in class and which activity was their favourite - thank you to all the children who have shared that with me!
In Year 1 they were busy practising their play, based on The Robot and the Bluebird - “one of our all time favourite stories!” said Miss Wyatt. Later on, when some of the adults had switched classes, Mrs Cawston led them to creating their OWN story - based on themselves, complete with actions!
Year 2 played an old favourite, the headband game, taking it in turns to wear the name of a book character on a headband and asking questions to try and figure out who they were supposed to be.
Year 3 were in the library all afternoon (well, those who weren’t at Burwell!) exploring some creative writing based on Joseph Coelho’s Ten Word Tiny Tales. Some expanded on the pages in the book, others used the online word generator to come up with their own Ten Word Tiny Tale! We all enjoyed contributing to the ideas page of one story, about a girl trying to climb out of the sky.
From making bookmarks, to playing book recommendation bingo (a card full of different types of books to try), to completing word scavenger hunts through a massive selection of texts, to simply reading - Year 4 had a whole BONANZA of bookish brilliance going on.
Year 5 designed book covers - either for a book they had read or a made up book - and they also made reading mood boards using big pieces of paper.
We cut out loads of pictures to do with books and things we like and how we like to read and stuck them on!” - Arabella & Harry
At the end of the day, all the adults switched classes and took some different books to read to a completely different group of children. Here are some of the books that were shared:
Little Red & the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T Smith
The Dog Who Danced on the Moon by John Boyne
The Book with No Pictures by BJ Novak
The Dragonsitter by Josh Lacey
Wigglesbottom Primary: The Talking Lamb by Pamela Butchart
Norse Myths and Legends
13 Unbelievable Tales by Paul Jennings
And of course, we all enjoyed dressing up as our favourite book characters. We even got this shot of Professor Snape with a whole herd of Harry Potters (plus Dobby, a few Hermiones and a Gringotts dragon)!
Many shops have now already sold out of the official World Book Day books, but if you’re yet to spend your voucher, never fear, as you can also use it to get £1 off the cost of any other children’s book.
By Mrs Terreblanche, Art Lead
