News this week

There have been many opportunities for learning outside the classroom, both during the cool mornings at school in our lovely grounds, and on the many expeditions that children have enjoyed in recent days. This morning, Willow Class were in the front garden carrying out a traffic survey.

“We were collecting the data about what went past our school such as cars, lorries buses, bicycles, pedestrians and motorbikes. We worked with a partner with one person looking East and one person looking West. We used tally marks and they overflowed the box. We saw more cars than we saw yesterday. We saw more pedestrians earlier because we think they wanted to avoid the warmer weather that will come this afternoon. I think it was busier yesterday because yesterday we went in the afternoon and more people were going home from work or to the hairdresser round the corner,” reported Beatrix, Thomas, Austin, Lara, Max and Daisy.

Expedition to Hogshaw Farm

Last Thursday, the reception and Year 1 children went to Hogshaw Farm near Aylesbury. For some children it was their first time on a big coach, which was very exciting. The children worked really well together and listened well to Farmer Phil. He let them feed the goats in the barn. The children were all given some goat food and they carefully held their hands out and kept them flat to feed them. The children also saw some baby piglets drinking from their mummy, which was very sweet.

Ash class reception children said:

“The ferret had sharp teeth and sharp claws but he was friendly” – Jonny

“The piglet was funny because they were making honking sound when drinking from their mummy” – Jonny

“It was really exciting” – Alice

“I liked seeing the donkeys” - Arlo

“We saw the piglets drink milk from their mum” – Jameson

“I liked going on a coach for the first time” – Willow

“I liked the reindeers” – Jenson

“I liked the farm because we saw pigs and there were 7 piglets” – Alfie D

“I liked seeing the animals, especially the pigs” – Selena

“We got to stroke Fergus the ferret and feed the goats” – Selena

Rowan and Ash Class had a fantastic time at Hogshaw Farm and Wildlife Park.

Grady said, “I was looking forward to seeing cows, chickens, sheep, goats and reindeer”.

Rosie said, "I felt nervous when I fed the goats because they tickled my hand when they ate the food".

Iona said, "When we stroked the ferrets, I liked it because they were soft, fluffy and cute”. 

George and Finn said, “I liked seeing the huge tarantula in the Reptile House the best”.

Charlie said, “My favourite part was the Reptile House because I liked spotting all the different reptiles”.

Last week all classes had lovely opportunities for reflection in the Prayer Space activities that were set up for them by Revd Sarah in the Parish Hall next door. Rev’d Sarah was assisted by a marvelous team of volunteers; enormous thanks to all those people who were involved in this.

Pupils in Year 6 have been continuing with a series of transition activities, preparing them well for the next stage of their education. Many of the transition activities, such as a cycling awareness course, have been based here in our school, but this week they also spent two days in their secondary school.

“We really liked going into different classrooms with different teachers and the cafetieria was amazing. I liked the responsibility of being able to buy what we want. The food was well cooked and looked really good. We liked mixing with different groups of people and meeting new friends,” reported Spencer, Eli and Ella.

These activities, together with the values and learning dispositions that they have developed over time at Launton, and the excellent SATs results that they received yesterday, all ensure that they make the transition to secondary school as confident, compassionate, accomplished learners. We are frequently told by our colleagues at secondary school that Launton pupils stand out for all the right reasons…

“We are really proud of our SATs scores. SATs were something that we didn’t need to worry about because we had practised a lot,” said Spencer, Eli and Ella.

Beech Class Brass concert

What a treat for everyone who was able to attend yesterday’s excellent concert given by Beech Class, who also gave really good explanations of how brass instruments work. There are some very promising brass players, preparing to join the older pupils in our growing brass ensemble.

Open classrooms

The children and staff are looking forward to welcoming parents and carers next Thursday afternoon from 2.45- 3.15pm when they host Open Classrooms. Entry is through the gate in the playground. Wraparound Care will still run with its usual timings; classrooms will not be open when Wraparound Care is in operation.

Important Reminders

Please remember that there is no Netball/ basket ball club tomorrow: everyone will be setting up for the PTA BBQ. Sports clubs have finished for the term but Wraparound Care continues until and including Monday 21^st July. School finishes for everyone at 3.15pm on Tuesday 22^nd July, at which point, the PTA will be selling ice lollies in the front garden; everyone is very welcome to join in.

Summer Reading Challenge 2025 Story Garden.

Children across Oxfordshire can take part in this free Challenge at their local Oxfordshire Library from 5^th July to 6^th September 2025. This year’s Challenge celebrates getting out into the great outdoors and enjoying nature.