Issue 448: 12th January 2024

Dear Parents/Carers,

Our first full week of the new year is already complete and the general feel around the school has been one of calm, positive work-ethic and inquisitiveness from the children. It has been lovely to speak with children from across the school, over the week, with many of them keen to share what they got up to over the Christmas break. It would seem that a new, popular toy craze has been ‘the Tamagotchi’, with many of my own class not believing that I too had one when I was about their age in the 1990’s!

This term we have lots to look forward to, with hopefully some warmer weather and the longer daylight not too far away.

Y3 Burwell House Residential

Earlier this week, many of our Year 3 pupils went on their residential visit to Burwell House. For many of the children this is the first time they will have been away from home, for an extended period of time, without family. It is a super residential for this reason as it has more of a ‘home from home’ feel for the children. All based in one place, the children carry out a range of team-building activities alongside their main purpose of directing and delivering their own tv reports, using various media equipment. We hope the children had a wonderful time and thank you to the staff for facilitating this super opportunity.

Curriculum Evening (Y1-Y6) - Wednesday 17th January

Following up from last week’s newsletter, a reminder that the Curriculum Evening (Y1-Y6) will be taking place next wednesday. We are looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible and please use this link to let us know if you are planning to attend or not: OWPS Curriculum Evening January 2024 (office.com)

I hope you all have a restful weekend.

Miss R Tansley

Director of Learning

^{Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash}

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

Message from the School Office

To ensure the smooth running of the school, for both parents and staff, we would appreciate it if you could ensure the following are adhered too...

Absence from School due to Illness

Please could you ensure that you contact the school office each day that your child is absent from school.

Medication/Antibiotics

Please could you ensure that if your child needs medication during school time that it is brought through to the school office and signed for. Do not send any medication with your child in their school bag.

Antibiotics - we are only able to administer antibiotics at school if your child requires them 4 times a day.

Medical Appointments

Appointments for children should be made out of school hours, unless it is not avoidable. Proof of the appointment should be given/shown to the school office.

Picking up Another Child

If your child is being picked up by another parent/adult, you must call the school office before the end of the school day. We are not able to send children home, with another adult, without having consent from the primary parent/carer (this does not include anyone on your pick up list).

Late Pick-Ups

Just a reminder that school finishes at 3.15 sharp. Could you please ensure that you are here before the end of the school day to pick up your child promptly.

School Lunch Payments

Could we please remind you if your child is having a hot dinner, to ensure that their lunch account is in credit before sending them in for a school meal each day.

Thank You

The School Office

^{Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash}

FOWS News

Friday 19^th January Donation Day

Thursday 1^st February School Disco

Its time for pupils to get those dancing shoes on.  £3 per child with a drink and snack included.  Fully supervised by teachers and volunteers so children can be drop off at reception for an evening of fun (sorry but we don’t have the space to allow parents to stay)   

• Foundation/KS1 4.30-5.30
• KS2 5.45-7pm

We are looking for a few parent helpers that can help with the smooth running of one or both discos so if you would like to be involved, please get in contact either via our Facebook page or email fows@owps.org.uk

FOWS are now a Registered Charity

We are thrilled to announce that In November Friends of Orton Wistow School (FOWS) obtained charitable status! This not only marks a major step forward for our organisation's governance but also opens new avenues for financial support. With our newfound charitable status, we can now tap into additional funding sources such as Gift Aid and grants, empowering us to further enhance our impact and support for Orton Wistow School initiatives.  Charity Number 1205757

Easy Fundraising

Our November Easy Fundraising competition was a great success raising £98 commission in 1 month.  Thank you to everyone who supported this initiative and congratulation to Jo Tomlinson who was our winner, raising the most money just through doing her shopping via the portal

Easy Fundraising isn’t just for Christmas, you can register any time (its just like Top Cashback) so whether you are doing your weekly grocery shop, buying insurance or booking a summer holiday, by going through Easy Fundraising you can help us raise money but at no additional cost to you.  Please take a look  https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ortonwistowps/

Kind regards

Jo watson

Census Day - 18th January

Next Thursday 18^th January is Census Day. This is an important day for schools across the country as we have to submit data to the government. This data helps them to decide how much funding we should have next financial year.  

We would like each child to have a school dinner on this day if at all possible, as it would assist the school with gaining this important funding.  

Please contact the School Office if you have any questions or any concerns with the menu, and we will see if we can resolve them. 

Thursday 18^th January Dinner Menu 

Main course: Handmade Pizza Margherita (V)or vegetable Omlette (V)

Hash brown and baked beans

Pudding: Chocolate Chip Cookie - Change to menu

                Trifle

                Fresh fruit or yogurt 

Thank you very much for your support.

Games of the Week

We are introducing a Game of the Week starting in the Spring Term. Every week a new game will be introduced and played each day on the playgrounds at lunchtime.

Game of The Week 

^{Photo by Braedon McLeod on Unsplash}

Discover what is coming up in the OWPS Dining Car.