Dear OFS Community,
Back in 2012 when we launched an extensive building programme, we very nearly made a disastrous decision to replace our library with a bank of iPads – the whole world was talking about the tablet revolution that would make books a relic. I am thankful that Ruth Mercer, the former Headmistress of Godolphin & Latymer and Martin Boulton, the former Under Master at Westminster School were on our board of Governors and were adamant that iPads would come and go but that children needed access to a well-stocked library!
The Upper School book week was kick started by our wonderful library monitors during Monday’s assembly. The theme this year was ‘Read Your Way’ and we wanted to remind the children that we are ALL readers, in some way, shape or form.
On Monday we welcomed the Young Shakespeare Company, followed by a visiting poet and a one-man performance of gothic tales, on Tuesday. As well as visitors, across the week we have had quizzes, book mark painting, character sketching and escape room style library lessons. The pictures are just a snap shot of the week, and with so many exciting things going on it was impossible to capture all the wonderful moments.
Finally, thank you for all the hard work and effort that has gone into costumes. It was a really vibrant assembly this morning! And as always, our library monitors have done a fantastic job of wrapping up book week by hosting our Big Book Week Quiz live from the green room! Until next year...
Mrs Artoonian has been amazing in organising such an engaging Book Week and I know that Miss Addinall and the entire English department have made sure that everyone has made the very most of this week.
Going North
Last weekend Mr Dholakia and Mrs Harrison loaded up the bus with 2 Robotics Teams for a large national robotics meeting in Telford. I’m not sure how we managed to fit everything into the minibus, at one point there was a thought to use the roof rack but it would have been cold sitting up there! In Telford, the competition was held in a massive convention centre, there were 80 robots and over 500 people! The competition was split into two divisions with 60 seniors and 20 juniors. We had a team in both divisions.
We are proud of our overall result with the seniors coming 25th in their division and the juniors coming in 7th. However, a real highlight was our Athena Team (Aira Desai, Ella Song, Honey Azzawi, Anaiya Patel and Arjun Vaghela) receiving the Energy Award.
Presented to the team embodying unparalleled enthusiasm, unwavering sportsmanship, and boundless energy throughout an arduous two-day robotics showdown.
- Vex Judges
Congratulations to both teams, it sounds like it was a fantastic event. I would like to thank Mr Dholakia and Mrs Harrison for giving up their weekend to support our Robotics Teams.
Explorer Dome – The Science Tardis!
As Year 3 crawled through the small tunnel into the Explorer Dome, they had no idea what awaited them! Inside, they took part in interactive science shows to secure their understanding of forces from last half term and to spark their curiosity about light and shadows for their learning to come. They boogied in the visible light spectrum, glowed under the UV lamps and, with the help of a mirror and laser, saw that light can only travel in straight lines. Who would have thought that so much could happen in an inflatable dome - what a fun way to learn about science!
I really liked Explorer Dome because I learnt lots of amazing scientific facts - Sophia
My favourite part was when we made rockets out of dry ice, I loved watching them explode! - Glen
I was picked to hold up the mirror and reflect the laser onto Mattina's top. When the lights went off, I learnt that light travels in straight lines - Maryam
I was really excited because I got to stand up and dance in the lights at the end! - Emily
I found it really fun learning about shadows and light sources - Flora
The End of Assembly Season!
We had our last Pre-Prep Assembly to parents this week with Reception sharing some wonderful moments from their Polar Topic. We had singing polar bears, penguins and even some climate scientists to remind us about the impact that we’re having well beyond our tiny part of the world! A huge thank you to all 9 classes and their staff for sharing a window into your learning. I would also like to thank parents and relatives for taking time out from your busy days to join us!
It's Time to Shoot Hoops..
Earlier this week our Yr5 girls played against very strong Beechwood Park teams – when I asked their coach about their training, she replied that their girls were annoyed that the boys always brought their footballs to school and that they wanted to play netball at breaktime. Roll on a term and their girls were running into school with netballs and at breaktimes they spent their time shooting goals – we've got netball posts up and ready and I’m going out to challenge our Yr5 pupils to best of 5...
Segregation
I was invited to a fantastic TPR lesson in which Mrs Marsden has been encouraging her Yr6 pupils to research and explore the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Understanding arguments around segregation is incredibly complex, even with the benefit of hindsight and therefore asking pupils to try to position themselves for and against was, in my view, a tall order! However, I watched in quiet awe as arguments and counterarguments emerged on the walls of the classroom – if there were no bells, I am quite sure that this lesson could have run for another hour without an instruction from Mrs Marsden...compelling, engaging and insightful!
Tooled Up
As a Tooled-Up School, we have access to some fantastic resources, do click through on the link below for the latest food for thought: