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It’s not about the costumes:
it’s about the books!
This year please bring in
your favourite book.
You can dress up as a character from your book
if you would like to but this is optional.
Plus, join in our ‘Reading in Unusual Places’
Be Happy, Be Healthy Week – Monday 5th February – Friday 9th February
Each year, we spend a week slightly off our usual timetable and focus on the importance of keeping our bodies and minds healthy and safe!
Throughout the week, the children will learn about the importance of physical, mental and emotional well-being and will be given strategies to help them understand and manage their physical and mental health. This year, we have also organised a series of workshops to coincide with our PSHE topic of ‘Safety First’. This includes visitors from Blue Cross, Network Rail and the Royal Life Saving Society.
We are incredibly lucky that once again, we also have a range of parent and local community volunteers visiting us in school who will be providing the children with enriching and engaging talks and workshops to consolidate their learning. This includes visits from martial arts instructors, personal trainers, dentists and many more! A big thank you to school staff who are also volunteering time and resources to help make this event spectacular! This is a really exciting week in our school calendar, which the children love, and we are extremely grateful for everyone who has volunteered to help make it as memorable as possible.
Adult Survey
For question one, (Is there a reason your child doesn’t cycle to school), most people said it is too far to cycle (18/53). However, 15/53 voted for “because there is no bike shed.”
For question 2, (If you would let your child cycle, what time of the year), most people said just Summer and Spring (17/45).
For question 3, (would you let your children cycle all week), it was close but 19/45 said once or twice. However, 17/45 people said all the time.
For question 4, (Would you let your children cycle to school), 8/15 of people said yes.
In summary, with an overwhelming amount of people saying they would cycle if there was a bike shelter, I think investing in a shelter would be beneficial and well utilised.
Children's Survey
For question 1, most of you said Summer and Spring.
On question 2, 80% of you do not currently cycle to school (WHAT)!
For question 3, 66% of you would like to cycle to school!
On question 4, 66% would cycle to school if there was a covered bike shelter.
For question 5, 68% of you said your parents said your parents would let you cycle.
On question 6, it was tight between 2,3 and 0 but 3 ended up having the most.
In summary, an overwhelming percentage of people said they would cycle to school if there was a covered bike shelter. This means, we think investing in a bike shelter would be beneficial and would be well utilised.
From your JRSO’S,
Alex and Percy
Dear Parents and Carers
Industrial Action by the NEU – follow-up letter re: partial closure
Following my recent letter to you, I need to give you an update regarding plans for the day of Industrial Action on Wednesday 1st February. Since that letter, most teachers have kindly informed me of their intent to strike or not, and most staff have also told me whether or not they feel able to cover for striking colleagues. Each of these decisions is not taken lightly or without consideration of the impact, and I am grateful that they have given me the opportunity to determine the safest plan for the school, as things stand today. Due to the outcome of the open discussions we have been able to have, I have had to make the difficult decision to partially close the school.
Due to the staffing structure on the first day of strike action, a number of classes will be impacted, but I am committed to keeping the school open as much as possible. For that reason, most classes will only be subject to half-day closure:
Full day closure: Jaguar Class
Half day closure: Gecko Class will be closed in the morning
Gazelle Class will closed in the morning
Zebra Class will be closed in the afternoon
Giraffe Class will be closed in the afternoon
As staff are not compelled to provide information regarding their intent to strike until the day of the Industrial Action, the situation could change regarding other classes or year groups. I will inform you of any other changes as soon as I am able to.
I look forward to seeing the children in school for the sessions as detailed above. Gecko Class and Gazelle Class children should arrive at school at 12:55pm, in time for afternoon registration. Zebra Class and Giraffe Class children should be collected from the school gate at 1:05pm.
If you are entitled to Free School Meals and your child’s class is closed, a packed lunch will be available to collect from the school office between 11am and 11:30am. Please let the office know in advance if this is required.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and continued support.
With kind regards
Mr Geraghty
Headteacher
We've had a fantastic week celebrating books here at Otterbourne. The school has been visited by local published author Anne Wan who has really inspired our reading and writing. Yesterday, we also had a great day of book activities in classes and the children looked fantastic in their costumes.
The winners of the 'Best Dressed' awards were:
EYFS/ KS1: Tabitha Fowler and Noah Harris
KS2: Annika Lund and Arthur Shanley
Congratulations to them. Thank to to everyone at home for supporting, not just with the costumes but by donating books and having language-rich household where children love to read.
Dear Parents,
We have been advised by the head of Children's services at Hampshire County Council to close the school today due to the red weather warning - indicating conditions that could cause a threat to life. Break the rules day will be rescheduled to after half term. The school will re-open on Monday 28th February. Have a lovely half term break.
Love Mr B-M x
Hi everyone,
Here is the link for the Bug Club meeting at 4:30pm tonight - you should be able to simply click on it!
Dear parents,
We are really thrilled to be able to offer parent tours this year and look forward to meeting you all.
Due to the current circumstances we are limiting groups to 6 people. We ask that children do not attend and that masks are worn within the building.
Thank you for helping us keep everyone as safe as we can.
Tours will take place at 9:40am, 11:00am and 1:30pm on: -
Wednesday 6th October
Friday 15th October
Monday 18th October
Wednesday 20th October
Please call the office on 01962 712020 to make an appointment.
Thank you.
This will be a working document and any questions which I feel will be helpful to all will be added here: -
Main contact email addresses: -
General non-urgent enquiries - admin@otterbourne.hants.sch.uk
More urgent enquiries (non curriculum) - k.davenport@otterbourne.hants.sch.uk
How long should my child be off it they are sick or have diarrhoea
Your child will need to remain at home for 48 hours from the last episode.
Does my child need to isolate if their sibling or another person in the household tests positive for COVID-19
Your child will not need to isolate if they live in the same household with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. This applies to all family members that are fully vaccinated or are below 18 years old. See 'Tracing Close contacts and isolation' within the following guidance for further information.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/schools-covid-19-operational-guidance
We had a Year 6 Leavers' service today with the Year 6 parents and the whole school able to watch! It was the first time we have all been together and although very hot it was a lovely experience for us all.
As you can see we all managed to remain socially distanced and thanks to Mr Oldam everyone could hear.
Good luck with your journey on to seconary Year 6.
Have a lovely and safe summer everyone!
xx