What an exciting half-term - we hope you enjoy this newsletter and see you soon!

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Note from our Head

Dear Oakfield families,

Oakfield's diversity and joyful expression of all that makes us unique as individuals have been strongly in evidence this week. Year 1 celebrated International Day, always a wonderfully uplifting tribute to the variety of cultures and traditions of the families who make up our school community.

Thursday saw us focusing on our whole school support this term for the charity Victa, which works with and empowers blind and partially-sighted children and young adults. The theme of Rainbow Day, which echoes the charity's rainbow logo, enabled adults and children alike to dress in the most colourful clothing that they could find. The glorious combinations of complementary and clashing colours reminded me of the way in which human beings work and interact together - sometimes in agreement and harmony and sometimes with differences of opinion and in conflict. However, with respect and acknowledgement of our differences and a shared common purpose, we can achieve resolution in a positive combination of all the colours mixing together.

It is almost impossible to believe that we are about to begin half term - what a busy, exciting and successful first half it has been. I am so proud of all the children's achievements and wish you all a happy break and an opportunity to rest and recharge the batteries.

Moyra Thompson

BIRTHDAY BROADCAST

School Council

A few snaps from last Friday's school council at the front of Assembly. Well done on representing your fellow pupils with aplomb!

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH

The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) are running a campaign this month highlighting the 'invisible nature of dyslexia' and an Oakfield pupil has drawn a poster on what having dyslexia means to them.

The BDA have also developed a Training Course on the topic of dyslexia and mental health which is perfect for anybody looking to find out more about dyslexia, and how it may affect those who have it.

ECO WARRIORS

Nati Allen (4PD's eco warrior) has made a poster all about how you can recycle your pumpkin - see below!

When you are finished with your pumpkins this Halloween, don't forget to be eco-friendly! There are many different ways that you can recycle your pumpkin:

• Eat the innards (make pumpkin soup or pumpkin pie)
• Compost it (or leave it in a local woodland area for deer, rabbits, squirrels etc. to munch on)
• Add natural yoghurt to some baked insides for a refreshing face mask.
• Use it as a plant pot for a few more weeks, it will last longer than you think!
• Slice the pumpkin in half (horizontally) and fill it with seeds to make a bird feeder.
• Eat the seeds (gently drizzle with olive oil and roast in the oven. You can eat them on their own or add them to salads, into bread doughs, etc.)

Be creative and have a spooktacular time!

CLEAN AIR FOR OAKFIELD GROUP

Half term will see the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), a scheme by the Mayor of London and TFL to reduce air pollution in London. Did you know that exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution can cause and exacerbate asthma, wheezing and other lung conditions - and introducing the ULEZ in Central London resulted in a reduction of NO2 by 44%?

Road traffic emissions are the biggest cause of air pollution in London, and children are the most affected. Since its launch in 2019, the ULEZ has helped reduce the numbers of polluting vehicles by 17,400 every day.

Although Oakfield is on the boundary road, we expect the expanded ULEZ to improve the air quality around our school, as it has already done on boundary roads in Central London. Many vehicles that drive past the school will need to meet the ULEZ standards when they pass through the zone on another part of their journey.

The expanded zone will cover the area up to, but not including, the South Circular. You may have noticed the signs at the junction with Croxted Road. From October 25th, driving within or into the ULEZ zone with a non-compliant car will incur a charge of £12.50 per day. You can check whether your vehicle meets the new emission standards on the link below.

SPORT

BMX

Anoushka is trying to raise money towards urgent track repairs and improvements at Brixton BMX club. The club is trying to raise £30k. To help, she is going to ride at least 40 laps of the track in October!

If you would like to contribute you can use the crowdfunding link below:

YEAR 5

Year 5 have made some beautiful half term projects. As part of their Humanities topic of Victorians we have been discovering other inventions. These have looked around the world as well as close to home. Well done for being such super presenters Year 5, we are so proud of you!

An excellent start to 5AW. We are so proud of you! Have a lovely restful break.

Ms Watts

YEAR 4

MATHS WORD OF THE WEEK

All our words this week are related to division.

Divisor - A divisor is a number that divides another number either completely or with a remainder.

Dividend - In division, the amount or number to be divided is called the dividend. The dividend is the whole that is to be divided into parts.

Quotient - The word quotient is from the Latin 'quotiens', which means 'how many times'. A quotient is the answer to a division problem. A division problem describes 'how many times' a number will go into another. The first known usage of the word in mathematics is found around 1400-1500 AD in England.

COMPOSER OF THE WEEK RECAP

This week we don't have to wander very far, as Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was born in Holborn and spent much of his time in South London. He was one of the first black English composers, who also fought hard for racial equality. He was incredibly highly acclaimed whilst he was alive, especially by his contemporaries, but his music was forgotten for many years. We're incredibly lucky that his music was rediscovered, and I hope you enjoy listening to his work this week.

ROLL OF HONOUR

Jesse S - English Writing (Style and Content)

Olive W - Drama Monologue

BEYOND THE OAK

CYCLING TRAINING

Lambeth Council is committed to offering cycle training for all.

Anybody who lives, works or studies in the borough is entitled to our services.

We offer the following free services:

• Cycle Skills: Get tailored training at a level suited to your needs, or book a lesson for the family (with up to three participants)!
• Choose from Basic (off-road environment), Urban (quiet local roads) or Advanced (complex junctions and busy roads).
• Book Basic Book Urban Book Advanced Book Family
• Adult and Child Group Cycle Training
• Dr Bike Sessions: Have an experienced mechanic check that your bike is in good order. Click here for details of upcoming sessions.
• Safer Urban Driving: Courses for professional drivers; click here to see what's on.

PLAY THE STAGE

Miss B and Play The Stage are back for half term, 18th - 22nd October, with more acting, singing, dancing and of course a whole heap of games!

Half term will work a little differently to our Summer holiday courses:

We will have an overall theme for the week but with a different focus explored each day. That means a new dance and song every day! We are open for ad hoc bookings so your child can come for 1 day, 3 days or the whole week and won’t feel that they have missed out as it is something new every day!

For more information, drop us an email at info@playthestage.co.uk or visit our website at www.playthestage.co.uk.

We can’t wait to boogie, sing and act with your kids again this half term

Netball Camp in Croydon