End of Term Newsletter Summer Term 2022: News & Events

Perform For Schools Workshops

Superheroes: Calling all eco-warriors – it’s time to save the world!

In the Sports Hall, Cameron greeted Year 4 with great enthusiasm and launched into what the children knew about Climate Change – correct and interesting answers were given from their Rainforest theme in Geography last term.

The children then went into Superhero mode – lots of movement, excitement, listening, more movement, some freeze frames and plenty of action. Pupils were transformed into Superheroes with superpowers. The workshop was led by an actor appearing in the role of Superhero ‘Supa Dupa’, whose mission was to find brave children to train as Superheroes to help save Planet Earth, and, in particular, to stop using so much plastic! Children went on a mission to help solve the crisis, learning how to Reduce, Re-use, Recycle and understand the important role we all have in preserving the Earth’s resources. There was plenty of praise, then off to the Party of Heroes, via a rainforest and a forest to collect some flowers.

Vikings vs Anglo Saxons 

Led by Georgina, an actor, pupils travelled back to a time when England looked very different. There were farms, thick oak forests everywhere and many Kings ruled different parts of England. The Year 4 children answered lots of questions correctly about the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings (after only just starting their Viking theme)

Characters were hot seated to learn about the differences between the Anglo Saxons and Vikings, in addition pupils worked on freeze frames. Then the children played an energetic Anglo-Saxon/Viking game. There was paired drama, a clever timeline game with significant dates and four groups created dramas around themes such as Odin and Loki. There was an exit quiz and finally all the children received a certificate. Year 4 had a thoroughly SPARKLING START to the Summer Term!

Year 2 and 4 ZooLab Visit

Pupils in Years 2 and 4 enjoyed a fantastic hands-on session with ZooLab in April.

Lochie came from Zoolab to visit Year 2, bringing some of her favourite animals with her. She shared information about what they eat and how they behave and lots of information about their life cycles. The children were amazed to be able to stroke and hold a Giant Snail, a Corn Snake, a Crested Gecko and a Gerbil as well as seeing the Tarantula safely in her tank! Everyone had a fabulous adventure.

It was then the turn of Year 4 to enjoy a hands-on session with Zoolab, supporting their learning about habitats as part of their ‘Community, Homes and Habitats’ theme this term. They met Bullseye the giant African land snail, Twirl the tarantula, Momo the crested gecko, Daffodil the corn snake and Shadow the Mongolian gerbil. The pupils learnt all about the habitats of the animals and how they have adapted to live there.

Inter-House Competitions

This term, we have held two fantastic Inter-House competitions; the Spelling Bee and Public Speaking.

Our Inter-House Spelling Bee took place in April for Years 3-8, the first time we’ve done it since 1991! The event was won by Branksome with Archie White scooping first place in the Year 8 section.

A series of fascinating and thought-provoking speeches were showcased at the Inter-House Public Speaking Competition. Congratulations to all the winners in each year group and to the winning house, Elston.

May Day Celebration of Our Lady

It was a real pleasure to gather our OPS community together for the May Day celebration of Our Lady. The youngest to the oldest joined together around the statue of Our Lady as we sung hymns, said prayers and blessed her crown to start the month of May.

Year 5 and 6 Hero/Heroine History Competition

Year 5 and 6 pupils delivered some incredible presentations as part of the second History Hero/Heroine Competition at OPS. The aim of the competition was to pick someone, anyone, in History who you deem to be a hero/heroine.

Well done to our finalists:

Charlotte Gosling-Evans: Year 6 Winner
Charlotte gave a captivating project on Emma Radacanu. To prepare for her presentation, Charlotte emailed Emma’s old coach with some questions and he sent a personalised video back.

Georgina Good: Year 5 Winner
An excellent victory in the Year 5 History competition with a presentation on her Great Grandfather, Thomas Hayward Evill.

Farms2Ewe Visit

In June, we were joined by some very special animal visitors from Farms2Ewe.

From goats and lambs to rabbits and a miniature pony, our pupils had the opportunity to see, touch and learn first hand about animals from an organisation run by real farmers.

OPS School Pilgrimage

This term, pupils in Years 3-8 participated in the school’s annual Pilgrimage to raise money for their chosen charities; Earth Trust, Sue Ryder and the Disaster Emergency Committee (Ukraine Appeal).

Despite the downpours, pupils and staff came together to take part in the 10km sponsored walk in the local countryside, stopping in various places along the way for reflection and to obtain stamps for their ‘Pilgrimage Passports’.

In total, we are delighted to announce that we have raised over £860 for the three chosen charities.

Dance Showcase

Our Reception to Year 3 pupils lit up the stage performing their Dance Showcase in front of their families and friends.

Featuring a variety of vibrant performances, well done to all our children for displaying such brilliant dancing skills.

First Holy Communion

We were delighted to celebrate the First Holy Communion of 11 of our pupils. We were very grateful to Fr David Rocks who was able to celebrate the Mass for us in Fr Ken’s absence, due to illness. It was a very special day which we were delighted to share with family and friends.

UKMT Junior Maths Challenge 

Well done to all the Year 7 and 8 mathematicians who took part in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge. The papers are designed to stimulate mathematical problem solving, encourage learners to think outside-the-box, and apply mathematical skills learnt in lessons to sophisticated conundrums.

Iris led the way with ‘Best in School’, and together with Henry, Tom, and Gaochen (Year 6), were invited to participate in the Junior Kangaroo Challenge later. Both Iris and Gaochen went on to receive Merits in the Junior Kangaroo Challenge.

Two further Gold Certificates were achieved by Lily and Archie. Freddie picked up Best in Year 7. Other notable results were Silver Certificates for Asher, James, Leonardo and Marla in Year 6 and Alexia and Theo in Year 5.

With just under 250,000 entrants this year, our 48 pupils did well to pick up 6 Gold, 19 Silver and 14 Bronze certificates.

Year 1 and 2 Final Assembly

Parents were invited to attend the Year 1 and 2 final assembly at the end of term, alongside our Nursery and Reception children.

Congratulations to our Year 2 Prize winners:

• Effort – Elodie Millward (2B)
• Progress – Evie Davies (2B)
• Achievement – Sam Connors (2B)
• Effort – Harry Poynter (2R)
• Progress – Celine Segrue (2R)
• Achievement – Annabel Adams (2R)
• Esprit de Corps – Heidi Arnold (2B)
• Esprit de Corps – Clara Chaundry (2R)
• Headmaster’s Prize for Junior Prep – Tilly Tate

Year 3 and 4 Phenomenal Finish