Our OS Digimap Ambassadors

Three of our very able ICT students met up with three able students from Fairisle Junior School yesterday and went to the brand new Ordnance Survey HQ here in Southampton.

They were learning to become Digimap Ambassadors. We also had a tour of he new building and grounds.

Digimap is an online system which has all of Ordnance Survey's map data in for use by schools.

Our ambassadors explored the system fully and learned some of the tricks and shortcuts.



In the new year, the six ambassadors will plan and run teachers' meetings to share their knowledge and expertise with the staff of the two schools.

Thank you to Darren and Ian at OS for their hospitality!

Hooray for the High 5 netball teams

Team A have had a great start to the Southampton Netball League, winning 4 out of 6 games. They have worked very well as a team and improved a lot since the first training session.
Results are as follows:
Oakwood A v St Monica A
                 3 v 2

Oakwood A v St Monica B
                6 v 4

Oakwood A v Bassett Green A
                1 v 8

Oakwood A v Sholing Junior A
                 7 v 4

Oakwood A v Sholing Junior B
                11 v 0

Oakwood A v  Heathfield
                 1 v 2

Well done to Team B for a great effort and sportsmanship in all their games.
Players' of the matches have been Tom, Jack and Ellie. Fantastic!



We look forward to the remaining matches beginning 17 January where Oakwood A will play Oakwood B!

Match report by Oakwood A players' of the matches so far: Abbie, Cassidy and Morgan.

Christmas Shoebox appeal

We collected an amazing 29 boxes for the shoebox appeal. A big thank-you to all of you who kindly put together a shoebox of gifts!!!

Our new ponchos!

We would like to say a big thank-you to Sainsbury's who have kindly donated these ponchos to the school! We will have lots of fun in them!!!

Our November Club of the Month – Southampton Rugby Club

On Friday we welcomed Jim, Nick and Mike from Southampton Rugby Club to Oakwood as our November Club of the Month.

They shared a little bit about the History of Southampton Rugby Club which is based only a short distance from Lordshill, before WOWing the children with a passing display in assembly.

Jim, Nick and Mike stayed with us for the rest of the day put each class through their paces in a 30 minute coaching session on the now, very muddy field!

The youth coaches at Southampton Rugby Club have a vast wealth of coaching experience and all the children thoroughly enjoyed their sessions, picking up many hints and tips during the sessions.

If our Club of the Month has inspired you to play Rugby and you would like to get involved with Southampton Rugby Club then have a look at the leaflet you took home on Friday or look at their website.

Their training is on a Sunday at 10am. Your first four sessions with them are free! So go and give it a go!

Year 3 Explore an Evacuee's Suitcase

This week, Year 3 have been learning all about WWII and life as an evacuee. They have had the wonderful opportunity of exploring items borrowed from Hampshire Wardrobe.

Trip, trap, trip, trap!

Year 3 treated us to the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff in assembly this morning. See if you can learn it too!

Wizard Maths

Year 4 became wizards for the morning. They had to pass a wizarding test (reading blank marks on a scale) followed by careful measurement of liquids in each potion bottle.

Shipwrecked!

Year 4 enjoyed a day of tasting exotic island goodies, planning a backpack full to survive on a desert island and producing a scrumptious menu for The Lighthouse Keeper's Christmas lunch.

A Hallowe'en Spectacular!

Hallowe'en seems a long time ago now, but we've just seen the photos of the fantastic concert which our drummers took part in!

The concert took place at Central Hall in Southampton on the evening of last day of the half-term and included ghosts and ghouls - even the Phantom of the Opera made an appearance! There were special effects and indoor fireworks to add to the mood!

The highlight was over 150 drummers, including the Showcase Percussion Academy drummers from Oakwood Junior School, making the loudest, most rhythmic noise and really bringing the house down.

Well done to everyone who took part and thanks to Alex Pope for allowing us to republish a few of the photos here. You can see the full gallery on the Showcase Website.

Remembering those who fought for our rights

Year 3's visit to the war graves at Hollybrook Cemetery was a little different this year.

Firstly, we went today (9th November) because we won't be at school on the 11th of November when the main Remembrance Ceremonies are being held.

Secondly, because we have been working on making our school a Rights Respecting School, we remembered that brave men and women had fought so that we could enjoy the rights we have.



We laid a wreath made by Year 3 and the Royal British Legion gave us small wooden crosses with poppies on them to place alongside of the individual graves.

Our House Captains, who have been selling poppies in school, accompanied Year 3 and we'd like to thank Mrs Wheeler and one of our governors, Mrs Vaudin, who also helped us on our visit.

We will let you know when we hear from the charity how much money we raised towards the Poppy Appeal.

Going (slowly!) round the bend...

Members of Oakwood Junior School's Travel Committee have been thinking about how to make travel to and from school safer!

At our first meeting, we came up with several ideas:

• A travel survey for all pupils
• Another video to teach everyone the Green Cross Code
• Another visit from the Truck Safety Team
• Try to get people to drive and park more safely on Sandpiper Road.

For the last one, a team of four children came up with the idea of a banner, did several designs and came up with a slogan and then spoke to the very nice people at Hampshire Flag.

The banner they designed is now up along Sandpiper Road, and they are very proud of it.

If you are a driver, please take notice!

Smile Home Learning Project

Before half term Year 3 put on a wonderful home learning exhibition showing off all their hard work. Outstanding Year 3, well done! Thank you to all the parents and friends that came.