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Note from our Head

Dear Oakfield families,

As we approach the end of this Spring term and take some time for rest and refreshment over the Easter break, it is perhaps timely once again to reflect on the importance of building and growing character in our children and to focus on one characteristic in particular: that of optimism.

This time of the year is traditionally associated with new life and all that it symbolises to people of different faiths or none. The longer days, the (hopefully!) sunnier weather, the signs of Spring all around in gardens, parks, woodland and fields and that almost indefinable quality of brightness and energy that we feel on a lovely day like this one all serve to engender a spirit of positivity and hopefulness for the future.

It has been a long, hard journey in many ways over this last year, and perhaps at last we can start to look forward and make plans to reconnect with family, friends and life experiences again. As ever, children lead the way in this with their cheerfulness, natural exuberance and ability to enjoy their days as they learn and interact with each other. It has been a joy to watch them settle back into school life over these last few weeks, and I am certain that next term will bring many more achievements for us all to celebrate.

I thought you might enjoy these thoughts on an optimistic outlook:

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow (Helen Keller)

A good laugh is sunshine in the house (William Makepeace Thackeray)

Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress (Nicholas M. Butler)

Sometimes when you're in a dark place you think you've been buried, but you've actually been planted (Christine Caine)

I wish you all the happiest of Easter holidays, with some precious family time

Moyra Thompson

OAKFIELD BIRTHDAYS

This is our final Virtual Birthday broadcast of the term and what an entertaining show Charles and Vivi put on every week! Thank you so much to both of them for their wit and charm. A

Do check out their Best Bits Birthday Broadcast Video which you can check out on our Instagram channel!

Year 6 Fundraising

To mark the end of their Oakfield journey, we are beginning to plan an end of year celebration for all our amazing Year 6 children.

As you will appreciate, it has been a testing time for them; navigating their 11+ journey amidst the restrictions of the last 12 months, but most significantly, they missed out on their much-anticipated Spanish trip to Seville last Summer term. And their week-long residential to Rockley this forthcoming term is sadly, also off the agenda too.

So with that in mind, we want them to have a fabulous party, make memories and applaud all their amazing achievements.

But they need your help!

During the Summer Term there will be a series of Fundraising events which you will be notified of in advance and we hope all of Oakfield will enjoy participating in the fun & games.

OAKFIELD DIPLOMA

We are sharing lots of things about the Oakfield Diploma on our social media platforms - especially Twitter and Instagram - that aren't on the newsletter. So get following us!

And Year 6 parents and carers can tag us @OakfieldPrep and use the hashtag #OakfieldDiploma2021.

ART

Calling all young artists!

This year, the Royal Academy of Art is once again hosting a Summer Exhibition for artists between the ages of 5 - 19 and Oakfield artists are welcome to take part.

The theme of your work is entirely up to you! Artworks can be made of any materials; anything from a painting, sculpture, photograph, installation or video piece. There is no theme so artworks can be of any subject.

Initially, a photo of your work will be sent in a pdf to the RA. Once there, all of the artworks are viewed and judged by a panel of artists and art professionals. There are two sets of judges, one for artworks made by primary students and one for secondary. Each panel consists of a Royal Academician, a member of Royal Academy staff and two Royal Academy Schools students. When the judges make their selections, they choose which artworks will be shown online and which will be shown at the Royal Academy.

The school will be notified of those artists whose work has been successfully chosen for the exhibition.

All work has to be submitted to the Royal Academy by Monday the 26th of April. Therefore, all artists wishing to take part must complete a permission form and return it, along with your submission, by Friday 23rd April.

Permission forms may be collected from the Prep School Art Room.

VIRTUAL SCHOOLS FAIR - Sat 8th May

Oakfield Prep supporting our families for 11+

Due to the pandemic our usual Schools Fair cannot take place in person. However, we are delighted to announce that we are working with a number of secondary schools in order to be able to offer a Virtual Schools Fair on the morning of Saturday 8th May. The virtual fair will be open to all Oakfield families with children in Years 3 - 5.

More details will follow at the beginning of the Summer Term but please mark the date in your calendar now.

YEAR 4

This half term Year 4'S project was linked to the subjects of Art and RS. The children had 2 different challenges to choose from:

1. Create a project based on Robert Rauschenberg’s work on symbolism using the technique of multimedia or collage

2. Make a small garden like the beautiful and peaceful ones that surround Buddhist temples.

Take a look below at their wonderful creations and pieces of Art!

HOUSE POINTS STANDINGS

4th Baird - 11,503

3rd Ruskin - 11,512

2nd Pearsall - 11,676

1st Webster - 11,818

New House Leaders:

Baird, Captain - Dashiel B, Vice - Luke B

Ruskin, Captain - Matthew B, Vice - Rory M

Pearsall, Captain - Charles A, Vice - Alessia C-M

Webster, Captain - Leini J, Vice - Hal U

ROLL OF HONOUR

Theodore C - Year 4 Production

2nd Hand Uniform Donation

Dear Parents,

Please see the list below for the dates to donate any uniform to OAFS.

A member of the OAFS team will be in the lower school car park from 08:30-08:50am on the collection days.

Can we ask that any items you are donating are washed and in good condition with the labels removed.

Please do not send in any non-regulation uniform as we cannot sell it.

Collection dates

• Monday 5th April 2021
• Monday 3rd May 2021
• Monday 7th June 2021
• Monday 5th July 2021

Many Thanks

The OAFS Team

Perform Drama Workshops

Perform will be running holiday courses over the Easter Holidays for 4-10 year olds and wondered if you could share the information with any interested parents who might be looking for holiday activities/childcare.

Based on Beauty and the Beast these fun drama, dance and singing courses will run from 10am-3pm each day. You can read more about them here: https://www.perform.org.uk/classes-courses/holiday-courses/beautyandthebeast: .

SW Families Magazine