18th December 2025 | Issue 290
In the news this week...
On Christmas Making Day we made button angels. They were made out of buttons and wood and they had card wings. Then we made Santa hats. We used red card and cottonwool. We made wreaths out of pipe cleaners and we used a pencil to help us form the cylinder. We used pompoms for baubles and string so that we could hang it on a Christmas tree. The designs that were chosen were the winners of the homework Christmas decoration competition. We went into our forest groups and worked with our forest buddies. We helped our forest buddies when the needed a bit of help because they are in a younger class than we are.
On Monday it was Christmas Jumper Day. We wore Christmas jumpers and we had our Christmas lunch. We made Christmas hats to wear for Christmas lunch and we could decorate them with anything we liked.
You are warmly invited to join us on the final morning of term, 19th December, in St Mary’s Church for the Christmas Service, which Oak Class have planned with Rev’d Sarah.
Please let Mrs Terry or Ms Paterson know if you are able to volunteer as a traffic marshal to help the children to cross the road safely.
Reminder
Term ends for everyone at 3.15pm on Friday 19th December. Term starts on Monday 5th January 2026.
Updates & Reminders
Term 3 After School Activity Clubs
Booking is closed and confirmation emails have been sent. There are currently spaces still available in all clubs apart from Art Club, please email the school office if you would like to book your child in.
Mondays - Multiskills for 6 weeks from 05.01.26 up to and including 09.02.26, for Key Stage 2 pupils with Mr Mawn
Tuesdays - Football for 6 weeks from 06.01.26 up to and including 10.02.26, for Key Stage 2 pupils run by Ignite
Wednesdays - Gymnastics and Dance for 6 weeks from 07.01.26 up to and including 11.02.26, for Year 2 - 6 pupils run by Ignite
Thursdays - Art Club for 6 weeks from 08.01.26 up to and including 12.02.26, for Key Stage 2 pupils with Ms Nightingale
Thursdays - Multiskills for 6 weeks from 08.01.26 up to and including 12.02.26, for Key Stage 1 pupils with The Activators
Fridays - Netball/Basketball for 6 weeks from 09.01.26 up to and including 13.02.26, for Key Stage 2 pupils run by Ignite
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.
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.
Dates for the Diary
- Friday 26th December - Cut off day for ordering lunch for the first day back.
Message from St Mary's Church
Message from the PTA
Last day of term!
If you are looking for something to keep the children entertained in the holidays, Emma will be selling Christmas craft bags after school on the last day of term. For just £7 you get either a wooden Christmas tree or snowman dream catcher along with a big bundle of other crafty bits.
And for an extra bit of end of term fun, we'll also be running a lucky dip stall for the children. Please stop by and have a go.
All profits raised go towards new laptops for the school.
The PTA would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and thank everyone for all their support over the last year.
We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas break!
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
