.

• Delay with DfE Guidance for the planned September return to school

  Tue 30 Jun 2020

  Dear Parents & Carers,

  
  I have been informed that the DfE will be officially releasing guidance on the planned September return to school for all primary aged children, later this week.

  
  This continues to be an extremely frustrating position for all of the team in school as we had hoped to have had more information at this stage of the term.

   

  You may well have read some of the 'leaked information' in the media today but we will require far more detail to ensure we are fully prepared to meet the needs of all of our children in September. 

   

  Subsequently, we are unable to finalise our plans, share any of these with you or answer any of your questions at the moment.

  
  Please be assured that as soon as we are able, we will provide all families with detailed guidance on how the return to Oakham will look and work in September.

  
  In the meantime, I will continue to work with the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body to prepare for September, in anticipation of the DfE release.

  
  Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding.

  
  Nick Skett

  Headteacher

• Pirate Day in Nursery

  Thu 25 Jun 2020
  Shiver me timbers..those landlubbers in Nursery have been busy being pirates!

  

• Trip and Residential Refunds Update

  Wed 24 Jun 2020

  We have had a few queries regarding deposits and part-payments for trips and residentials arranged during this academic year. 

  
  I would like to reassure all of our families that all monies will be refunded in full and the school will absorb any additional costs caused by the disruption caused by the Covis-19 lockdown.

   

  Our school office is now fully staffed and they are currently working through the backlog to ensure that all refunds are completed by the end of this term. 

   

  You will be contacted over the next few weeks in regard to the establishment of an account with 'Parent Pay' an online system that will be used for the majority of purchases or bookings in the new school year as we move to a cashless school office.

   

  Full details will be shared with all families before the summer break but the system is established in many other schools and works in a similar system to booking school meals.

   

  To sort 2019-20 refunds, we propose the following actions:

  All year Six pupils who do not have any siblings in school will receive a cheque as reimbursement. This is currently being actioned by Mrs Hunter. 

   

  Any Year Six child with siblings at Oakham or pupils in all other year groups will have ALL of their credit transferred in to their new family Parent Pay account ready for September, which will be available to be used for trips, residentials, school meals and Squirrels Club. 

   

  Please note, we are unable to issue cash refunds to families as  all money was banked at the start of lockdown and we are unable to offer BACS transfers to private accounts. 

   

  Full details regarding Parent Pay and the move from Dolce to SIPS for school meals will be shared with you in the next few weeks. 

   

  Any further questions or advice will be dealt with via school.office@oakham.sandwell.sch.uk  

   

  Thank you for your understanding and please be assured that the school admin team are working to finalise arrangements as soon as possible. 

• Kooth Counselling, Advice and Support Service

  Fri 19 Jun 2020

  As a service, fully commissioned by The Children's Society, Kooth.com is a free, safe, anonymous and non-stigmatised way for young people to receive counselling, youth support, advice and support online.

   

  Staffed by fully trained and qualified counsellors and available until 10pm each night, 365 days per year, it provides a much needed out of hours’ service for advice and support.

   

  As well as counselling, peer to peer support can also be accessed through their moderated message forums and online magazine.

  Experienced counsellors are available to provide emotional support to young people with a wide range of issues, from having a bad day to more serious issues such as bullying, stress, anxiety, gangs, depression, family relationships, sexuality, eating disorders, selfharm, abuse etc.

   

  During such unprecedented times, lots of young people are also seeking support around isolation, predicted exam grades, change of life, their future outlook, employment options and fear of COVID19 to mention a few.

   

  With no long waiting times and no minimum criteria, Kooth is a fantastic way for young people to get the help and support they need, when they need it, rather than having to wait weeks for an appointment or in current times unable to access face to face support.

   

  An ONLINE VIDEO is available to offer further information

   

  

• It's a Bugs Life in Nursery....

  Fri 19 Jun 2020
  Nursery have been busy learning about bugs, mini-beasts and food chains. How have you got on at home? Could you send in a photograph of what you've been up to?

  

• Key Stage 2 Film Afternoon

  Tue 16 Jun 2020

  As part of our recovery curriculum, we are currently having a ‘film afternoon’ and children are able to vote from a selection of films within their bubble.

   

  We require your permission for your child (Years 3-6 only) to view any PG films that staff may add to the shortlist.

   

  Please CLICK HERE to complete the short form - thank you for your co-operation

  

• KS1&2 Home Learners of the Week

  Fri 12 Jun 2020

  Well done to our Home Learning families that have been working hard through their work-packs this week. 

   

  Our Home Learning Co-ordinators, Mr Kettle & Miss Haselock, have appreciated the feedback from families and will be available to help again from the start of the next school week.

   

  Well done to Harry & Isla - you have been awarded our 'Home Learners of the week' virtual certificates!

   

  Have a great weekend and we will be in touch next week with an update on the latest Oakham News...

   

  Please don't forget to collect pre-ordered Home Learning packs from 10:30am on Monday - they will be available from the school office . 

  

• Canal & Rivers Trust - Water Safety 2020

  Fri 12 Jun 2020

  The Canal & River Trust has produced a fun but educational set of learning resources to educate children about water safety - 'S.A.F.E.'

   

  The free pack can be downloaded from here: 

  Canal & River Trust Water Safety Resources

   

  They have also produced a short film for children:

  Click here to watch the film

   

  We would recommend that you spend some time with your children to discuss water safety, especially as we approach the warmer, summer months.

   

  

• A new Key Stage 2 Outdoor Space

  Thu 11 Jun 2020
  Another busy day @ Oakham and an exciting new outdoor space for KS2 children - a place to meet, chat or have a quiet time away from the busy playground?

  

• New Online School Uniform Supplier - ACE EMBROIDERY

  Wed 10 Jun 2020

  With all of the current uncertainty around Coronavirus and schools, September may seem a long time away. However, we are pleased to announce our new partnership with ACE EMBROIDERY as suppliers of our school uniform. 

   

  They have been busy preparing for the next academic year and have created an 'online shop' to enable families to purchase a wide range of school uniform items.  

   

  Orders can now be taken and are available for delivery to your home address or to the school for you to collect.

   

  We have worked with the ACE team to ensure prices are as competitive as possible and families can also benefit from the special online bundle packs. 

   

  CLICK HERE TO ACCESS OUR ONLINE SHOP