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As usual please log on to the Parent Portal and remind yourself of all the important updates and messages that have been posted this week.
Note from our Head
Welcome back everyone to a new term and academic year here at Oakfield, and may I extend an especially warm greeting to our new families - we are all looking forward to our ongoing partnership and collaboration with you as we support the children in their learning journey and prepare them for the next chapters and adventures in their academic growth and personal development.
New experiences often carry very natural apprehension and sometimes anxiety, but I want to reassure you that we have been delighted with the way in which the children have settled this first week. They are adapting to new routines, expectations and friendships with resilience, cheerfulness and determination - further proof (if it were needed) that we are right to focus on developing our pupils' characters alongside their academic attainment.
I spoke to the Prep pupils in Assembly on the first day and shared with them my own nervousness about speaking to a large group of children in person for the first time in many, many months, and we focused on the fact that when approaching fresh challenges, we need to really focus on and use two of our 6 Cs in particular: Care and Courage. The children agreed to be mindful, considerate and caring towards each other and help new classmates (and indeed staff!) to find their way around and become familiar with everything that makes Oakfield what it is.
We also spoke about how the quality of hopefulness is closely aligned with courage and how we need to have a positive and optimistic attitude towards the term ahead. We reminded ourselves of the symbol of the rainbow, so much in evidence during the pandemic, and how it helped us to believe in better times ahead. The children pictured a rainbow stretching right across both sides of our school buildings, embodying our outlook and approach to the exciting, fulfilling and successful year that lies ahead of us all.
Wishing you all restful and happy weekends.
Moyra Thompson
BIRTHDAY RECORDING
Team Building
There has been some fantastic team building and getting to know each other exercises taking place all across Oakfield and much of it outdoors thanks to the fantastic weather.
At least 3 of our 6 Cs, namely Collaboration, Courage and Care, were evident throughout the activities the children participated in. Below are just a selection of some of the photos and video captured during the week!
Some worked together in groups to build marshmallow and spaghetti towers, some created London landmarks out of different construction materials and others designed a mascot linked to our Oakfield 6 Cs. Meanwhile, Year 5 made a video of their Teambuilding drama acting out chapters of the book 'Street Child' which they are working on in English.
All of them enjoyed meeting their new classmates and teachers and hopefully are looking forward to a fantastic year ahead!
SPORT
Dear Parents/Carers
It is so wonderful to be back at school and feeling 'normal' again. The buzz and the energy of the children this week has been amazing, and we look forward to channelling this into Sports this year - whatever their level.
Here are a few sporty things that we would like to share with you that may help as we start a new term:
We welcome Mr James Adepoju who has joined the Sports Department this term. He has worked with both Fulham and Crystal Palace Football Club Youth Academies over the past 8 years. Also one of our main aims for all the children at Oakfield this term in Sports is to focus on Health and Fitness in a fun way. Mr Adepoju, who is a qualified Personal Trainer is right behind this movement. Happy, healthy, fitter, smiley children are what we want to see, enjoying a wide variety of sports and showing the children the benefits of exercise are two important parts of Oakfield Sports!
Another aspect of School Sports is Interschool Fixtures. Sports competitions at ALL levels are starting again. Our aim for this term, is to have every child in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 represent the school. The Sports Fixture list is now growing after uncertainties that were still looming at the end of last term. We will keep you informed with fixtures being posted on the Oakfield calendar and of course we would love to have you come and support the children.
ISA National, Regional and Other Sports Events this term:
- Friday 5th November- ISA Regional U11 Boys 5-aside Football
- Sunday 7th November- ISA Regional Swimming Finals
- Thursday 11th November- ISA National U11 Girls Hockey
- Friday 8th October- Rosemead X-Country Years 3 - 6
- Alleyn's Football Tournaments for Years 456 and
Afternoon Games
For Year 2
We are based at school for most of the year and we will be covering the main sports (Netball, Football, Hockey, Athletics, Rugby, Gymnastics, Cricket and Tennis) at a very modified level.
Sports Kit: The most suitable football boots for Year 2 are the astro-type boots with velcro laces, but these will not be needed until the ground becomes wet and slippery underfoot. For the older children, moulded studded boots, also with velcro-laces are used. We encourage children to bring a water bottle to Games sessions. And keep waterproof in bag ready to play in all weathers. The dark grey-maroon, reversible top is the top needed for games, and the hoody is useful in colder times and is also used to change into after very wet sessions.
For Years 3 - 6
In weeks 1, 2 and 3 we are doing a 3-way rotation of football, hockey and gymnastics. We are doing shorter sessions of a variety of sports, based at school rather than doing one sport at Rosendale Sports Fields. This enables the children to play sport for longer and allows for a greater variety of sports. Shinpads, mouthguards and maroon socks are needed. Mouthguards can be bought from the Sports Department- £5 will be billed onto your school account. Please come and see us or email us to arrange this. Trainers are suitable for now and children will be notified when moulded studded boots will need to be brought into school.
House Competitions
These take place each term for Years 123456 and the children's House t-shirts will need to be brought in.
Sports Star of the Week
This year in Sports, through the use of Oakfield’s 6 C’s: care, challenge, courage, curiosity, collaboration and care, there is the opportunity weekly for children to become the Sports Star of the Week!
If your child has taken part in an event on the weekend, or achieved something great in sports please let the Sports Department know, as we love to hear all about the children’s achievements, both in and outside of school.
This week we are delighted to make Anoushka our first Sports Star of the Week. She took part in the British BMX Championships, and came 4th place in her age group! Earlier this year, Anoushka had the opportunity to meet Beth Shriever, who won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics! If you want to have a look at getting your child involved in BMX here is a local club, in Brockwell Park, to take a look at:
The Sports Department want to say a BIG well done to Anoushka! Here is to a Sporty Term and please feel free to come and say hello should you have any queries.!
The Sports Department
Mr. Bower, Mr. Adepoju, Mr. Heasman and Miss Emily
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
This year has seen the return of Early Birds Club where children can enjoy various games and activities, along with a healthy and hearty breakfast to set them up for the day ahead. Contact the school if you would like to sign-up your child for the Club which starts at 7.40am each day.
DECOLONISING THE CURRICULUM
We have been mindful of ensuring that a multiplicity of voices and perspectives are heard throughout the children's learning. This has led to work over the last few months, led by Mrs Thompson and Mr Allen in collaboration with members of our parent body, to decolonlise the curriculum and ensure the material we cover more fully reflects different cultures and broader thinking from across the globe. We are looking forward to putting this work into practice over the coming year.
If you would like more information or have further thoughts on future learning please feel free to contact Mr Allen at nallen@oakfield.dulwich.sch.uk
Credits:
Created with images by diapicard - "birthday cake candles" • jarmoluk - "hands friendship friends" • anncapictures - "tartan track athletics track and field" • ponce_photography - "yogurt strawberries food" • Makalu - "colombia bogotá cathedral"