Dear Parents

We have organised and funded two days for the children to enjoy outdoor learning locally.  The dates will be Monday 28th and Tuesday 29^th May, in order not to incur coach costs, which would have to be passed onto the parents, we would very much appreciate it if the children could be dropped off at a drop-off point near Copsegrove at 9.15am and picked up at the drop-off point at 2.45pm.  A map is available from the school office.

We have organised a full two days’ worth of activities.  In order for your child to enjoy this activity in all weathers it will be advisable to provide your child with the following.

• Backpack that they can carry themselves
• Waterproof coat
• Waterproof leggings (optional and dependent on weather)
• Old outdoor clothing suitable for getting messy in
• Gardening gloves for den building (optional)
• Sturdy footwear for outdoor ie. welly boots with thick socks or walking boots
• Lunch and a good sized drink to sustain your child for the day
• Sun cream that your child can apply to themselves

We will be outside for the two days.  If it is wet there is limited shelter to protect us from the rain, so we can only stress the importance of the children being suitably dressed and equipped. We will also be exposed to insects and pollen etc, so it would be useful to know whether we could administer Anthisam cream or Waspeze to your child if they get stung. There is a slip to fill in and give consent to this.  Also we would like to draw your attention to the possibility of children who are prone to allergies or hay fever to carry any necessary medication should they require it to alleviate any symptoms should they arise during the day.

Please fill in the necessary paperwork (available from Carolyn) to help us and your children have a fun two days with as little problem as possible.

Yours Sincerely

Lara Burtwell

KS2 Teacher

Below is a copy of the Y6 SATs timetable for the week commencing 14^th May.

To ensure the smooth running of the week could you make sure your child arrives at school promptly.  Although we aim to reduce stress and anxiety past experience shows the children find the week a tiring one.  Your support in ensuring your child has plenty of rest would be much appreciated.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Yours sincerely

Lisa Austin-Harrison

Executive Headteacher

Writing and Spelling tests will be undertaken the week commencing 11^th June.

James will also be running an afterschool Cricket Club at Bisley playing field on Thursday afternoons commencing Thursday 26^th April from 3.30pm – 4.30pm.  This will be open to both Oakridge and Bisley KS2 pupils and will be on a first come first served basis.  If your child would like to take part please complete the slip available from Carolyn and return to the school office.  The club will run on 26^th April, 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th, 24^th and 31^st May.

Following the childrens’ great achievements this winter in cross country and indoor athletics, I would like to offer all children in year 2 and above the opportunity to join the school athletics club which will run on Monday evenings after school.

The first session will take place on Monday 23^rd April. Children will need to change in to their PE kit at school, and we shall then walk the children from Bisley to the recreation ground where the session will take place (pupils from Oakridge to meet us at Bisley recreation ground). Each weekly session will involve some warm up activities, some games, and a chance to learn and develop throwing, jumping and sprinting techniques. Children would need to be collected from the Bisley recreation ground by 4.25pm.

The aim of the club is to introduce children to athletics, and to give them opportunities to compete against each other in an informal fun setting, and also against other schools in larger and more formal situations.

Able, enthusiastic and committed members of the club will have the opportunity to be selected to represent the school in the District Sports Days that are due to be held later on in the summer term. However parents need to be aware that whilst we try and involve as many children as possible in the school team for these more competitive events, we are unable to select every child in the club as numbers of competitors are strictly limited. Those children who do not get selected will always have the opportunity to take part in school sports days that are held at the end of this term, as well as any other smaller competitions that take place between schools on a more local level.

Should your child be keen to be a part of the club, please could you fill in the reply slip available from Carolyn, and return to school by Friday 20^th April.

Please could we ask for a biscuit contribution from each parent also as the club has a tin that empties alarmingly quickly at the end of every session!

With thanks,

Kate Bankes

VENUE-Birdlip School Field-behind Birdlip School (enter through the main school entrance).

1)    Parking is available on the roadside outside the school and also at Birdlip Church and in the Royal George Pub car park. Please do not park in the village hall car park, thank you.  PLEASE PARK SENSIBLY OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL-DENWELL COACHES MUST BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH TO THEIR DEPOT.

2)    Races will begin at 4pm prompt. Please aim to be at the school by 3.45pm.

3)    Race order

4pm Years 1&2 boys   approx 550m

       Years 1&2 girls  

       Years 3&4 boys   approx 800m

       Years 3&4 girls

       Years 5&6 boys   approx 1000m

       Years 5&6 girls

4)    Courses.

550m-start in school field, 1 lap of cricket field, finish in school field.

800m-start in school field, 2 laps of cricket field, finish in school field.

1000m-start in school field, 2 laps of cricket field, 1 lap of school field, finish in school field.

Maps of the course will be available on arrival. The course will be marked out and easy to follow.

5)    There will be a penned area for children to assemble in before the races.

6)    Parents and supporters are able to spectate from inside both field areas but are asked to kindly keep clear of the gate area as children will be running through the gates between the two fields.

7)     Medals will be awarded to the first 3 children in each   race. Medals will be presented after the last race at approx. 4.45pm.

8)    A little bit of rain won’t stop us but in extreme weather conditions, please contact Mrs Wride at Birdlip School – 01452 862331.

As with the last event, names and placing of the first 10 runners in each race will be taken. Points will be given to each (10 points-1^st place, 9 points 2^nd place etc.) The school with the most points for all the races on all three dates combined will be announced as the winning school. This will announced at the final event.

This is aimed to be a fun event for all abilities and support and encouragement whilst the children are running is very welcome.

At STRATFORD COURT (opposite Stratford Leisure Centre).

Children can be collected from school at 3.00pm to allow sufficient time to get to Stratford Park ready for the 3.45pm start.

Doors open 7.30pm, first race at 8pm

Licensed bar

Cash prizes for winning bets

Tickets £1 – from school or Kim’s Shop

There is also a chance to name a horse for £5 and win a bottle of champagne if your horse wins. Horse naming can be done even if you can’t be there on the night. 

And if you’re a business why not sponsor a whole race for £15 and have your logo appear in the programme? You’ll also have another chance to win a bottle of champagne – hurry, only 4 more races left to sponsor! 

For more information about naming a horse, or sponsorship, please contact any of the OSA committee members, or Carolyn at the school office.

Your OSA Committee

Andrea Morley, Beth Ordway, I-Lan Hamilton, Issy Warren, Kate Montgomery, Katy Craine, Lisa Austin-Harrison, Melanie Allcott, Penny Newton-Hurley, Tina Salmon and Tom Priestley

I am writing to inform you about the proposed KS2 residential visit for June/July this year. Our plans are to take the KS2 pupils to PGL at Liddington in Wiltshire. During our previous PGL visits we have been particularly impressed by the expertise and professionalism of the instructional staff and group leaders.

In order to further develop opportunities for pupils at both schools within the Management Partnership we will be extending an invitation to the Y5 and Y6 pupils from Bisley Blue Coat School. Next academic year the Y5 and Y6 pupils from Oakridge will be invited to attend the week long residential visit with Bisley children. 

A provisional booking has been made to stay at the Liddington centre on

Friday 29^th June – Sunday 1st July (3 days / 2 nights)

The cost of the PGL visit including accommodation and activities etc is £125.00 per pupil. The Oakridge Parochial School Charitable Trust will contribute towards this visit by paying for the cost of the coach.

In order to proceed with the booking we need to confirm numbers by Monday 23^rd January.  Please complete the form (available from Carolyn) and return to the school office as soon as possible, but no later than Monday 23^rd January.

Yours sincerely

Lisa Austin-Harrison

Executive Headteacher

On Tuesday 24^th January as part of their studies of ‘dinosaurs’ the KS1 and Foundation Stage children will be visiting The Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

The coach will leave school at 9.15 am and return by 3.15 pm.  They will need to take a packed lunch in a small back pack, wear suitable footwear and take a raincoat although everything is undercover.

There is no charge for entry to the museum. The cost of the coach will be £235.00 (£18.07 per pupil) so on this occasion we are asking for a voluntary contribution of £10.00 per pupil towards this cost and The Oakridge Parochial School Charitable Trust will fund the remainder.

Please complete the permission slip (available from Carolyn) and return to the school office by Friday 20^th January.

Yours sincerely

Issy Warren

FS/KS1 Teacher

The evening will run as it did before- children will need to get changed at school in to their school pe kit with a pair of trainers, and will need to be collected by parents and brought to the recreation ground as soon as possible. They will then have an opportunity to warm up before the races get underway.

The races will start as soon as all schools have arrived, but by 4pm at the latest. The order of races will be:

Year 3/4 girls

Year 3/4 boys

Year 5/6 girls

Year 5/6 boys

We may run girls and boys together should numbers be small, or weather be really bad!

There will be refreshments for the children following the races, after which medals and the cup will be presented to the children.

I would be very grateful if there are any adults prepared to help out on the night just orgainising refreshments / standing on a corner of the field in a high vis !? Let me know!

Many thanks for your continued support!

Kate