Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
We hope you all had a wonderful Easter break.
Staffing News
We are disappointed to receive the news that Mrs Hetherton will be moving to Wales in the summer. It has not been an easy decision for her but family responsibilities are calling. We will therefore be advertising for a new teacher in Upper KS2. I am grateful to Mrs Hetherton for letting us know early because this gives us the time to advertise and get a good teacher in to replace her. She is still with us for another three months so I will not take time now to lament her leaving but will say once again how disappointed we all are that this is the case.
Heating
As many of you are aware we currently have no heating in the main block. The boiler engineers have been out twice this week having waited for the parts required to arrive over the holidays. They have fixed those parts but unfortunately this has highlighted a further fault with the boiler and we now await the delivery of that part. We do have hot water heaters and the Annex block has full heating. We have used small portable heaters across the school where practical. The children have been amazingly good about the chilly temperature and thankfully it has been possible to cope. If the weather remains cool next week please make sure your little ones have a vest and woolly socks on to help keep them warm!! We are assured it will be fixed as a priority.
Sports News
On Wednesday Mrs Bodeker took three teams to the annual South Oxfordshire Tag Rugby tournament at the Hithercroft sports ground. The children were really enthusiastic and despite not making it through to the final round, their performance was excellent. The children really enjoyed the experience and Year 5 are looking forward to starting a Rugby club in September. This enthusiasm is reflected in our school ethos of promoting physical health and wellbeing.
FOWPS News
Community Coffee Shop- Saturday 29th April
On Saturday the 29th of April, FOWPS are hosting the weekly coffee shop at the community centre. We are looking for donations of cakes and for volunteers to help set up, serve and clear away (or simply to come along and eat cake!). If you can spare some time, come along and help out we would love to see some new faces. If you are able to bake (no nuts please, and please provide ingredients list for allergen info) or give up some time to support this fundraiser, we’d love to hear from you.
Email us on fowps@woodcoteprimary.co.uk or message via Facebook on the event listing on the school Facebook page.
Rabbit Run – Sunday 30th April
We have organised a Spring themed Rabbit Run fun run on Sunday 30th April at 9.45 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. This is a fun event (not timed) for children ages 3-11. With optional dress up, we hope to put a smile on your child’s faces as they make their way around the short course on the village green. Each runner will earn a goody bag and medal for completing the run. Please register on the school website RABBIT RUN 2017
No time for breakfast before the run? We are providing a refreshment stand at the event. Hop along and get your bacon butties and cakes as well as a hot drink.
Please take a look at the event listing on the school Facebook page for more information.
Auction of Promises- Friday 5th May
It’s almost time for another superb night out at the FOWPS Auction of Promises. We are busily collecting all the wonderful Promises for you to bid on and will soon provide a list of items to whet your appetites. Last year this was a fun night, which raised substantial funds for the school, and we are looking forward to welcoming you all this year.
If you are able to donate an Auction promise (gardening help, a tractor ride, meal voucher, film voucher, baked goods, babysitting, hampers, tuition, other technical services, etc.) then please fill in the Auction form and return it to the school office as soon as possible.
The Auction takes place on Friday 5th May – 7.30 p.m. for a 7.45 p.m. start.
For more information about these events you can email FOWPS on fowps@woodcoteprimary.co.uk or take a look at the event listing on the school Facebook page for more information.
Best Wishes, Carla and Amanda – On Behalf of Friends of Woodcote Primary (PTA) – fowps@woodcote-primary.co.uk
Click the links for a list of the items available to bid on at the Auction of Promises ‘List of items 2017’ and for the WPS Update Issue 2
Dear all,
Year 4 will be looking at biology in the Summer term. In order to carry out experiments, we would like to ask for donations of teeth, in sealed containers. (These need not exclusively be human teeth, but must be reasonably hygienic!)
Thank you for your help,
Mr Jones,
Open Morning – Friday 7th April
Thank you to all of you who came to our Open Morning, it was lovely to see so many of you. The school was filled with the smell of bread and chickpea curry, and the children performed the lovely dances from around the world that they had been taught during the week. Some of the children had henna tattoos and made dhal and it was a wonderful end to RE week as well as a fitting end of term celebration.
Painted Eggs
89 children painted and decorated eggs for the Easter egg competition. Everyone who entered received a chocolate treat and the winners were Tirzah in Beech, Thomas C in Oak, and Isabel W in Willow. Highly commended was awarded to Blake, Riley P and Matthew S in Oak and to Oliver in Year 3. Well done to everyone who entered your decorated eggs were beautiful.
Term Dates
| Term Starts |
| Monday 24th April |
| Spring Bank Holiday |
| Monday 1st May |
| Half Term |
| Monday 29th May – Friday 2nd June |
| Term Starts |
| Monday 5th June |
| Term Ends |
| Friday 21st July |
INSET DAY: Wednesday 5th July 2017. ( no school for children on that day)
This term is filled with a variety of FOWPS fundraisers. We are sure that with the varied events, you will be able to find something that both you and your child will enjoy attending.
Year 1 & 5 Class Cake Sale- Friday 7th April
Year 1 and Year 5 will be holding their cake sale on Friday 7th April at 1pm. Could you please bring any donated cakes to the cooking chalet and if you can volunteer to help that would be much appreciated. Speak to Verity Easton (year 2 parent) or let any member of FOWPS know.
Community Coffee Shop- Saturday 29th April
On Saturday the 29th of April, FOWPS will be hosting the weekly coffee shop at the community centre. We are looking for donations of cakes and for volunteers to help set up, serve and clear away. We would love to have some new faces come along and help out. If you are able to bake (no nuts please, and please provide ingredients list for allergen info) or give up some time to support this fundraiser, we’d love to hear from you. There will be sign up sheet, at the school entrance, closer to the date for you to fill in. Or email us on fowps@woodcoteprimary.co.uk
Rabbit Run – Sunday 30th April
Following the success of the Jingle Jog in December, We are organising a Spring themed Rabbit Run fun run on Sunday 30th April at 9.45 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. This is a fun event (not timed) for children ages 3-11. With optional dress up, we hope to have a eggciting and hoppy event to make us smile. Each runner will earn a goody bag and medal for completing the run. Please register on the school website RABBIT RUN 2017
No time for breakfast before the run? We are providing a refreshment stand at the event. Hop along and get your bacon butties, hot cross buns and cakes as well as a hot drink.
For more information you can email FOWPS on fowps@woodcoteprimary.co.uk
Auction of Promises- Friday 5th May
It’s almost time for another superb night out at the FOWPS Auction of Promises. We are busily collecting all the wonderful Promises for you to bid on and will soon provide a list of items to whet your appetites. This was a fun night, which raised substantial funds for the school, and we are looking forward to welcoming you all!
If you are able to donate an Auction promise (gardening help, a tractor ride, meal voucher, film voucher, baked goods, babysitting, hampers, tuition, other technical services, etc) then please fill in the Auction form and return it to the school office as soon as possible.
The Auction takes place on Friday 5th May – 7.30 p.m. for a 7.45 p.m. start.
Pub Walk- Friday 19th May
Our annual Spring Pub Walk will take place on Friday the 19th May. So get your walking shoes on and register your interest with any member of FOWPS.
We will begin the walk at the Red Lion Pub, walk to the Sun in Whitchurch and return to the Red Lion for a light supper of chips and sandwiches. This meal is kindly donated by the Red Lion for which we are truly grateful.
For more information about these events you can email FOWPS on fowps@woodcoteprimary.co.uk
Dear Parents,
Woodcote Primary School have had some changes on the Governing body over the past couple of months.
Mrs Helena McBride recently stepped down as the Chair of Governors and I have been appointed. Anna Bartlett has also been appointed as Vice Chair. Governors extended their thanks to Helena for her time and dedication over the past four years.
Mrs Sarah Bentley, Mr Tom McAuslin’s and Miss Sarah Beesley’s terms as Governors have also recently come to an end and again we extend our thanks to them all.
Please see below the list of current Governors for Woodcote Primary School
| Governor Name | Position Held |
| Mrs Sue Whitehead | Chair of Governors / Safeguarding Governor |
| Mrs Anna Bartlett | Vice Chair / Finance Governor |
| Mr Paul Clifford | Health & Safety Governor |
| Mrs Diana Hadaway | Co-opted Governor |
| Mr Brian Williams | Buildings and Maintenance Governor |
| Mr Paul Smith | Parent Governor |
| Ms Rachel Winterbottom | Parent Governor |
| Dr Pete Sudbury | Special Needs Governor |
| Ms Helen Harvey | Parent Governor |
| Mrs Liz Hunt | Head teacher |
| Mrs Helen Pearson | Staff Governor |
As Governors, we work as a team to provide governance across a variety of areas including finance, pupil welfare, policies, building/grounds maintenance and staff appointments. However, without a doubt, we consider that our most important role is to ensure the welfare and education of the pupils.
Our core roles involve:
Ours is a strategic role and we are not involved in day to day operational matters which is the responsibility of Mrs Hunt as the Head Teacher.
If you wish to contact any of the Governors please leave your request and contact details with the school office.
Sue Whitehead
Chair of Governors, Woodcote Primary School
Open Morning – Friday 7th April
We are looking forward to welcoming you into school between 9.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. to see the work that the classes have been doing during our planned RE week.
Sports News
Swimming Gala
Year 5 and 6 took part in a Swimming Gala at the Oratory School on Wednesday this week. We won all but one of the medley races and the group displayed excellent teamwork and they encouraged each other really positively. A parent from another school commented how smart the Woodcote pupils looked in their PE kit which was good to hear. We were second overall which was an improvement on last year. Olympic Value of courage went to Lily Assadi.
Year 3 and 4 High Five Netball Tournament
On Thursday this week the team played in their first tournament since the club started. After a slightly tentative start their confidence grew with each game. The matches were all very close and the team won 1, lost 4 and drew 1. Olympic Value for improvement went to Eleni Southby.
Summer Term – Running/Athletics club
This will start on Tuesday May 2nd. Thursday’s Mile Club will be held on the School playground. This means you won’t need to fill in a permission slip.
School Governors
Letter to parents from Sue Whitehead, Chair of Governors.
Dear Parents,
Woodcote Primary School have had some changes on the Governing body over the past couple of months.
Mrs Helena McBride recently stepped down as the Chair of Governors and I have been appointed. Anna Bartlett has also been appointed as Vice Chair. Governors extended their thanks to Helena for her time and dedication over the past four years… read more…
Egg Decorating Competition
Over the weekend we are asking the children to decorate a hard boiled or blown egg and bring it into school on Thursday. Each child that brings in an egg will get a small token and there will be prizes for the most imaginative decoration in different age groups.
Year 1 & 5 Class Cake Sale- Friday 7th April
Year 1 and Year 5 will be holding their cake sale on Friday 7th April. Could you please bring any donated cakes to the cooking chalet and if you can volunteer to help that would be much appreciated. Speak to Verity Easton
Year 1 & 5 Class Cake Sale- Friday 7th April
Year 1 and Year 5 will be holding their cake sale on Friday 7th April. Could you please bring any donated cakes to the cooking chalet and if you can volunteer to help that would be much appreciated. Speak to Verity Easton (year 2 parent) or let any member of FOWPS know.
Community Coffee Shop- Saturday 29th April
On Saturday the 29th of April, FOWPS will be hosting the weekly coffee shop at the community centre. We are looking for donations of cakes and for volunteers to help set up, serve and clear away. We would love to have some new faces come along and help out. If you are able to bake (no nuts please, and please provide ingredients list for allergen info) or give up some time to support this fundraiser, we’d love to hear from you. There will be sign up sheet, at the school entrance, closer to the date for you to fill in. Or email us on fowps@woodcoteprimary.co.uk
Rabbit Run – Sunday 30th April
Following the success of the Jingle Jog in December, We are organising a Spring themed Rabbit Run fun run on Sunday 30th April at 9.45 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. This is a fun event (not timed) for children ages 3-11. With optional dress up, we hope to have a eggciting and hoppy event to make us smile. Each runner will earn a goody bag and medal for completing the run. Please register on the school website RABBIT RUN 2017
No time for breakfast before the run? We are providing a refreshment stand at the event. Hop along and get your bacon butties, hot cross buns and cakes as well as a hot drink.
For more information you can email FOWPS on fowps@woodcoteprimary.co.uk
Auction of Promises- Friday 5th May
It’s almost time for another superb night out at the FOWPS Auction of Promises. We are busily collecting all the wonderful Promises for you to bid on and will soon provide a list of items to whet your appetites. This was a fun night, which raised substantial funds for the school, and we are looking forward to welcoming you all!
If you are able to donate an Auction promise (gardening help, a tractor ride, meal voucher, film voucher, baked goods, babysitting, hampers, tuition, other technical services, etc) then please fill in the Auction form and return it to the school office as soon as possible.
The Auction takes place on Friday 5th May – 7.30 p.m. for a 7.45 p.m. start.
For more information about these events you can email FOWPS on fowps@woodcoteprimary.co.uk
Aspens
The new summer menu can be found here: Option 1 – Summer Menu 2017
| Please Note
School will finish for the Easter Break next Friday at 1 p.m. School re-opens on Monday 24th April. Term five runs from Monday 24th April to Friday 26th May. Monday 1st May is a Bank Holiday. Late spring holiday (half term) is from Monday 29th May to Friday 2nd June. |