29th January 2026 | Issue 294
In the news this week...
Ms Walker joined us in school this morning for one of the many transition days we have planned this term. She noticed how settled and happy the children were, and how hard everyone was working.
Willow Class have the makings of first rate electrical engineers; this is a report about the work they have been engaged in -
In Willow Class we have been learning about electricity. We learnt ways to make a closed circuit so that the bulbs would light up. We then experimented with different materials to see which were conductors and which were insulators. Elizabeth asked, “Next week can we use an empty crisp packed because I think the inside is a type of metal and that should make the bulb light up.”
Darcey was able to make a closed circuit really quickly, she said, “You have to be really careful with electricity because although it is a conductor it is too dangerous to use!”
Leia explained that “A conductor is when the electricity can go through the circuit but an insulator will stop it.”
Ava added that “You need to check the wires are not broken before using them in a circuit because they could be unsafe and electrocute you!”
Message from the OCC Health and Safety Team -
Recall of specific Hobbycraft play sand products
You may be aware of recent news regarding certain brands of play sand sold in the UK, specifically by the retailer Hobbycraft, being recalled due to asbestos contamination.
Please refer to the Gov.UK product recall information Product Recall: Hobbycraft Giant Box of Craft (2601-0364) - GOV.UK. If you have any of these products, please follow the guidance detailed.
Updates & Reminders
Parking - Concerns have been raised with the school about where parents are leaving their cars when dropping off. Please do not abandon vehicles on the pavement outside the Parish Hall when dropping off, including for Breakfast Club. The entrance to the drive is narrow, so a car left in this area can cause other vehicles to have to reverse back onto the main road, which is very dangerous.
Reminder to Parents - Please ensure that packed lunches contain food which is cut appropriately we have seen an increase in grapes and olives in lunch boxes which have not been cut which causes a choking hazard. We have also started to see other foods including mini eggs in lunch boxes which again are known to be a serious choking hazard. Please see below some information regarding the risk of choking.
Term 4 After School Activity Clubs
Bookings will open on Friday 6th February and will close at midday on Wednesday 11th February. Information about booking clubs will be sent via email.
Mondays - Golf for 5 weeks from 23.02.26 up to and including 23.03.26, for Key Stage 2 pupils with Mr Mawn
Tuesdays - Football for 5 weeks from 24.02.26 up to and including 24.03.26, for Key Stage 2 pupils run by Ignite
Wednesdays - Gymnastics and Dance for 5 weeks from 25.02.26 up to and including 25.03.26, for Year 2 - 6 pupils run by Ignite
Thursdays - Art Club for 5 weeks from 26.02.26 up to and including 26.03.26, for Key Stage 2 pupils with Ms Nightingale
Fridays - Netball/Basketball for 4 weeks from 27.02.26 up to and including 20.03.26, for Key Stage 2 pupils run by Ignite
Parent Teacher Meetings (Nursery to Year 6)
Parent Teacher Meetings will be held on -
Monday 2nd March
Tuesday 3rd March
Wednesday 4th March
Booking will open via your parent login for the school website/school life app on Friday 13th February and will close on Friday 27th February.
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.
Dates for the Diary
- Friday 13th February - Cross Country
- Monday 2nd March to Wednesday 4th March - Parent Teacher Meetings
Message from St Mary's Church
AN INVITATION FROM ST MARY’S CHURCH
Do come along to our
next Family Service
on 1st February at 11am
in the Church
All welcome
Message from the PTA
Tickets for the PTA disco are now on sale!
Thanks to everyone who has already bought their tickets. To buy your tickets please follow the link below:
The disco is on Saturday the 7th February from 5.30-7.30pm at Launton Sports and Social Club. DJ Pulsation Roadshow will provide the music and fun, we will also be holding a raffle, and glow wands will be on sale for the children.
NB: We are going paperless with tickets this year so don't panic when no tickets arrive in the book bags!
Preloved Cuddly toys and Books and clothes
We are collecting cuddly toys for a teddy tombola at the Easter Egg hunt and books for the World Book Day book sale. If you have any preloved cuddlies or children's books you no longer want then please pass them on to the committee.
The next Rags 2 Riches preloved clothing Collection is on Wednesday 25th February. If you’re having a clothes sort out in the next few weeks then please save your good quality, unwanted clothes to give to Rags 2 Riches.
Your PTA committee is:
Lucy Crawford (Yr 3)
Emma Austin (Yr 2 and 4)
Catherine Ravensward (Reception and Yr4)
Jill Bali (Yr 2 and 4)
Charlotte Noakes (Yr1 and 4)
Remember: Please be aware that we have children in school with serious food allergies. To ensure the safety of all of our children please avoid sending your child to school with anything that contains nuts this includes sandwiches containing peanut butter or chocolate spread.
Useful Links
Here is the NHS Is my child too ill for school information.
As parents and carers, there are ways we can support our children to give them the best chance to stay mentally healthy. Encouraging and guiding a child to think about their own mental health and wellbeing are vital skills you can teach them from a young age. Children's mental health - Every mind matters
