Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to thank you for the kind messages that you have given me in my first few weeks as Principal of Oaks Primary Academy. I also thank you for making our several new members of staff feel valued, helping them to settle into their new roles at Oaks: Mrs Goodfellow (working within our school reception), Mr Perkins (Year 6 and Assistant Principal), Miss Moroney (Reception Class Teacher) and last but not least Miss Dunn (Year 1 Class Teacher) returning to Oaks after a short time away. We can't be more happy to have them all as part of the team and they will continue to meet and greet you on the playgrounds at the end of the school day.

Personally, I am very proud to be leading not only an outstanding, international school, but one that is aspriational and community minded also. I am equally proud of how the children and staff here at Oaks continue to adapt to what has been a challenging time for us all. I can only commend the children on their approach to learning, resilience and ever positive mindset. I also thank you all as family members for your continual support and engagement in your children's learning. Through home reading, discussions about learning and engagement in school events you are providing the foundation for these children to succeed and aspire to make a change in the world.

The return to school following the winter break has seen the children continue to demonstrate their fantastic love of learning, celebrating achievements both in and outside of the class. Please be mindful of weather changes and send your children into school with an appropriate thick winter coat, gloves and hat. Furthermore, please note that the school gates are now opening at 8:40 for Nursery children to filter into school ready to start learning at 8:45. It is important that Nursery children are in their Ducklings classroom ready to learn for 8:45. The remaining year groups can begin entering from 8:45 before the gate closes at 9:00. All children must be in before 9:00 as to start their essential learning following such a disrupted period of learning due to the pandemic. Children in later than this are allocated a 'late' or 'unauthorised' code, which impacts individual attendance massively whilst disrupting valuable learning. I thank all of you who ensure children are in and learning on time, you are giving them the best possible opportunity to learn, grow and ultimately succeed.

Please have both a safe and fantastic weekend!

Mr Moore

COVID 19

From Monday 11 January, people with a positive lateral flow test are no longer required to take a confirmatory PCR test.

From Monday 17 January, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after 5 full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6.

Pupils who are still positive on their rapid lateral flow tests must stay in isolation until they have had 2 consecutive negative tests taken on separate days.

The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. If an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on day 6 and day 7 to release them from isolation.

For example, if a pupil is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on both day 6 and day 7 to release from self-isolation, or positive on day 6, then a negative test is required on days 7 and 8, and so on until the end of day 10.

Please like always if your child/ren have any of these 3 coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, even if mild please use the below link to get a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test as soon as possible:

https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

• a high temperature

• a new, continuous cough

• you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed

Please inform the academy office if your child tests positive by email via clo@oaksprimaryacademy.org.uk

To order lateral flow tests please use the below link:

https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

PE

The children have returned from their Christmas break enthusiastic and fully engaged in their PE lessons.

KS1 have been focussing on dance this term. Robins have been learning about how different animals move, using different speeds and levels. Sparrows have been creating a 3 sequence dance to the Jungle Book's 'We wanna Be Like You' with Jack and Holly actually making Mrs Cooper cry with the pure joy they displayed with their dance. Blackbirds have been learning about Penguins and how they move when trying to keep warm and looking after their eggs.

In KS2, all classes have continued with their gymnastics journey, creating 6 element sequences to include 4 compositions - level, direction, unison and speed. Yr 3 and 6 are still making splashes in the pool and it has been good to see children progressing to the next pool.

The two new sports after school clubs are proving very successful and enjoyed by all participants.

We are very proud of the high expectations and achievements in PE and this includes wearing the appropriate PE kit. All children should be wearing black PE shorts (not lycra) and house logo PE t-shirt under their black logo sweatshirt and plain black joggers (no logos, stripes or leggings) for every PE day. If your child is unable to do their trainer laces up, please could you ensure they have trainers with velcrose.