Headteacher Newsletter 420

Storytelling Week

Our Storytelling week was a huge success with many exciting events happening throughout the week. You may have noticed a number of ‘special guests’ each morning advertising the daily book club story. The children loved listening to stories read by well-known characters, having opportunities to join in and read along.

Our book swap event sent waves of excitement throughout the school . Thank you to our amazing Reading Specialist Team who work tirelessly to offer these opportunities. 
The children had a great time exploring all of the wonderful books on offer and choosing which one to take home and keep. Have you had a chance to share these at home?

We finished the week off with reading buddies. The children swapped classes with another year group and chose a buddy to share a book with. It was great to see the children making new friends over a shared love of reading. 

Our online bedtime story videos have accumulated an impressive 750 views! 
Don’t worry if you haven’t yet had the pleasure of viewing these; the videos will remain a long-term feature on our school website for our children and families to revisit. 
                                                                                              
Here is the link to find them: https://www.wvps.northants.sch.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=2&storyid=33

Children’s Mental Health Week

Last week we celebrated Children's Mental Health Week.
1 in 6 children and young people now have a diagnosable mental health condition in the UK. 
Children's Mental Health Week 2024 is about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves.

 

Mrs Matsangou led a whole school assembly on Monday, talking to the children about recognising emotions and how they impact our mood and behaviour. The children identified ways to ask for help and how to improve their mood through taking part in mindful activities such as; dancing, colouring, reading a book or going for a walk. 

Throughout the week the children could access different mindful activities to practise during lunchtime. We had; dancing your troubles away, pass on some kindness pebbles, be mindful and colour, escape in a story and collaboration games.
These activities were a huge success and the children said that they felt more empowered to improve their own mood when not feeling quite right.  

Talking to the children about their day can offer a powerful insight into their mental wellbeing. Here are some hints and tips for parents: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/media/vxgdpw3x/cmhw-24-top-tips-for-families.pdf

 

Volkswagen Visit

The children were treated to a special visit from Volkswagen. Please see the link for the full story! https://www.wvps.northants.sch.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=2&storyid=37 
 

Special Basketball Guest

Key Stage 2 children were treated to a special sporting visitor. If you haven’t read the previous news post, please click on the link https://www.wvps.northants.sch.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=2&storyid=35. 

 

Inspirational Sporting Success 

At Woodland View our children get many opportunities to take part in sporting activities in school and competitively outside of school. We frequently have children representing the school in competitions. We had a particularly successful week recently whereby two of our sporting teams achieved fantastic results. 

Firstly, our Year 6 Athletics squad finished 2nd place in the District Finals which means they have qualified for the County Finals event happening later this month. Secondly, our Year 6 Girls Football team finished 2nd place in the County Finals - an event which over 100 schools entered. Well done to all of the children and staff involved! 

 

Notice for A Couple of Events Next Term

World Book Day (Friday 8th March)

World Book Day is fast approaching. This year we will be celebrating the event on Friday 8th March, hosting a dress up day with a difference. We are inviting all children to come dressed up as a character/figure from their favourite Non-Fiction Book. This could be Astronaut Mae Jemison or famous footballer, Marcus Rashford. It could even be a dinosaur from a favourite dinosaur fact book, the choices are endless. Although if your child has their heart set on a fictional character then this is also okay! 

We will also be hosting an exciting, optional competition to help promote the importance of reading; in particular having a bedtime story. More details will follow but you will need a pillow case and some creative ideas.
 

Mother's Day Gifts (by Friends of Woodland View)

FOWV will be helping the children to make lovely gifts for Mother’s Day during the first week back after half term so if you would like to send or receive one then please place your orders at http://www.pta-events.co.uk/friendsofwoodlandview before we return on Monday 26th February. These are a lovely keepsake for that special person. 

 

School Blogs

To see more inspirational learning from the term, please check out your child’s blog page by following this link https://www.wvps.northants.sch.uk/page/?title=Year+Group+Blogs&pid=75

 

Key dates (for the year)

Today - Valentines Cake Sale after school. School closes for half term
Monday 26th February - School Opens
Week beginning Monday 26th February - FOWV Mother's Day Gift Making (see above)
Monday 4th-Wednesday 6th March - Year 6 Residential 
Thursday 7th March - Y5/6 Choir performing at the Derngate - Big Sing - 6.30pm
Friday 8th March - WORLD BOOK DAY - children are invited to dress-up. More details to follow
Friday 15th March - Comic Relief Red Nose Day. More details to follow
Week beginning 18th March - Parents’ Evening for FS-Year 5 - booking details sent separately
Friday 22nd March - Mufti Day for the Easter Egg Tombola
Wednesday 27th March - Year 4 Performance - 6pm
Thursday 28th March - School closes for Easter
Tuesday 16th April - School opens. Bikeability starts for Year 5 (until Friday)
Friday 26th April - FOWV Family Bingo Evening - in school - 6pm-7pm & 7.15pm-8.15pm. More details to follow
Week beginning 29th April - Achieve With Me sessions - in school - 9am-9.30am - More details to follow
Monday 6th May - School closed for Bank Holiday
Monday 20th May - Year 5 Performance - 6pm
Tuesday 21st May - School Discos after school. More details to follow
Wednesday 22nd May - Year 3 Performance - 6pm
Friday 24th May - School closes for half term
Monday 3rd June - School opens.
Thursday 20th June - Performing Arts Soiree at Spinney Theatre - Many children from Y2-6
Monday 24th June - Cinema Club - 3.30pm-5pm - FS-Y6
Thursday 27th June - Sports Days for FS 9am-10.15am, and Y1&2 10.15am-12pm
Friday 28th June - Sports Days for Y5&6 9am-11.30am, and Y3&4 12.50pm-3.10pm
Week beginning 8th July - Open Views at 2.30pm - More details to follow
Friday 12th July - Summer Fayre - 3.15pm-5pm
Thursday 18th July - Year 6 Leavers Performance - 6pm
Friday 19th July - School closes for Summer

Many thanks and have a great half term,
Mark Horsley
Headteacher