In the news this week...

Last Thursday Beech class and Willow class visited The Natural History Museum in Oxford. We went there to find out about arthropods. Arthropods have an exoskeleton. They are the biggest and most important group of animals which are sometimes called ‘bugs’.

One group of arthropods are the insects. They have three body parts; a head, a thorax and an abdomen. Their eyes are partitioned into lots of groups. They are called compound eyes and are really good at seeing movement. That’s why insects can move away quickly if your hand moves towards them.  

It was interesting to learn that dung beetles roll up and bury poo. This action helps provide nutrients to plants. Dung beetles are important recyclers.

We got to hold Madagascan hissing cockroaches. They were very tickly when they crawled up our arms. If they felt threatened, they made a hissing noise. This is their defence against predators.

Downstairs in the museum there are lots of giant dinosaur bones. We saw a triceratops head – but it was too fragile to touch. We also saw a T-rex skeleton and a dinosaur that could swim. The dinosaurs were at least 65 million years old.

We saw dinosaur foot prints outside. They looked so real, like a dinosaur had just walked past the museum!

Upstairs in the museum, there was a beehive with living bees that we could watch. There were also thousands of other insects preserved in cases.  Lots of us drew some diagrams of the insects we were most curious about.   

Report by Beech Class

Just a reminder we have children in school with serious allergies please do not send your child in with items containing nuts, this includes chocolate spread, peanut butter and products containing a chocolate filling like Nutella or chocolate bars containing nuts. We have had a few occasions recently where we have found items have been sent into school in packed lunches which contain nuts.

Friday 21st November - We are hoping if the forecast remains ok that we will be able to complete the annual Pudsey Orienteering Challenge. The ground is likely to be wet, so bringing a pair of wellies in a bag labelled with their name is highly recommended. 

Message from OCC Admissions Team - 

We are writing to let you know that applications for Reception places for children starting school in September 2026 is now open. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2026.

We strongly encourage families to apply online via the following link: Reception applications | Oxfordshire County Council

Children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, who are eligible to start school in September 2026.

 Key reminders for parents:

• Read the Starting School Guide on the website
• Apply on time – late applications won’t receive an offer on National Offer Day (16 April 2026)
• Update addresses – upload proof of address and inform current nursery/school (if there has been a change)
• Include sibling details where relevant
• List multiple preferences – up to four schools can be selected

Late applications are far less likely to secure a place at a preferred school, so it is important that parents apply on time.

Waddesdon Manor Christmas Project

As our children took part in Waddesdon Manor's Christmas Display project, Waddesdon have made avaliable a code for each child. 

Each code gives you a free child grounds ticket, and half price grounds entry for 2 accompanying adults and 2 extra children (there are ticket options for both members and non-members).  The code will not work when trying to book the house, as it is a grounds only offer. 

If you would like your child's single use code, please email the school office. 

CHRISTMAS FAMILY QUIZ

Gather your family and friends together and come along to the Christmas Quiz on Sunday 30th November, 2-4pm, in the school hall. 

Email the PTA to reserve your table. 

We are also happy to announce that the Launton Village Players will be performing at the quiz.  

KIDS CHRISTMAS CRAFT BAGS

The PTA are selling Christmas Craft bags again this year, this year it’s a mega bag of different crafts to help keep the children entertained in the run up to Christmas.  Each bag will cost £7 and will contain…

EITHER a Wooden Christmas Tree OR Snowman Dreamcatcher 

PLUS: colour-in cone decoration, scratch art decorations, card & envelope, small activity book, stencil (bauble or gingerbread man), Christmas stickers, assorted card and paper, pipe cleaners, lolly sticks, self-adhesive jewels and ribbon

The kids just need to add their imagination (plus pens, scissors & glue). Contents design/colour will vary per bag.

Craft bags will be available to buy at the Christmas Quiz or during December from the PTA or at The Village Coffee Shop.

CHRISTMAS JUMPERS

If you have any preloved Christmas jumpers looking that your children have outgrown then please pass them onto the PTA. We are hoping to have a Christmas jumper stall at the quiz. 

friendsoflaunton-pta@googlegroups.com

Your current PTA trustees: 

Lucy Crawford (Year 3 parent)

Emma Austin (Year 2 and 4 parent)

Catherine Ravensward (Reception and Year 4 parent)

Charlotte Noakes (Year 1 and 4 parent) 

Jill Bali (Year 2 and 4 Grandparent)