Annual events
September/October
Harvest Festival
Traditionally the children decorate or cover shoe boxes (or a similar size) and fill them with non-perishable items which they carry to church (class 1’s are taken for them). The gifts are offered and a Harvest Festival service ensues to which parents are warmly invited. Each year four children from Year 6 are chosen to deliver some of the boxes to the older members of the Wootton community with the vicar. The rest of the produce is taken to a local charity.
November
Autumn Fun Night The Year 3 and 4 children make up games for children to play on Autumn Fun Night which is usually the first Friday after November 5th. On that night parents buy raffle tickets for their children to play the games so no money is exchanged between the children. Substantial refreshments are available for the whole family, provided by the ‘Friends of Wootton School’ (FOWS), and weather permitting, the event is held in the school playground which is floodlit. Unfortunately due to Heath and Safety there is no firework display but a guarded bonfire and children run around the school field with glow-sticks, available to buy on the night.
Parent/Teacher Consultations (also held in March)
This is a dedicated time for parents to speak to teachers regarding
their child’s progress. The date of consultations are
put in the weekly newsletter and posted outside each classroom
for parents to sign up for. They are held until 7.00pm so
parents can make arrangements for child care or to leave work early.
December
Christmas Bazaar(early December 2 – 4pm)
Year 5 and 6 children invent Christmas games for children of all ages to play. These take place in the junior classrooms with refreshments available in the school kitchen; there is also an opportunity to visit Father Christmas.
Infant Nativity
This is held twice in early December. Firstly as the dress
rehearsal to which the older members of our community are invited
and where our Year 6’s wait on them with light refreshments
making polite conversation. Secondly as the performance to
the parents at 9.30am and for that morning there is a crèche
in which parents can leave their younger children. The crèche
is supervised by Teaching Assistants and some of our Year 6 children.
Carols by Candlelight
Traditionally held at 1.15pm on the last day of the autumn term to
which everyone is invited. All carols are sung by candlelight,
led by the upper juniors and accompanied by Mr Eddy. It
is such a special event that many of our past leavers join us for
this in the entrance hall. School then finishes for the Christmas
holidays at 2.00pm.
March
Cluster Musical
The infant children perform the cluster musical one morning to their
parents. Previously they would have travelled to Marcham Primary
School to sing in the musical production with four other schools
in our cluster (Dry Sandford, Marcham, Radley and Sunningwell).
Effective partnerships with other schools contribute well to the school's good provision for music, French, and information and communication technology; these links widen pupils' learning experiences and help them to enjoy their learning. (Ofsted 2009)
Parent/Teacher Consultations (also held in November)
Details as above
Easter Service
The whole school walks to St Peter’s church for a service which
is either led by the vicar or the junior children depending on whether
there is a large junior production at the same time. Many parents
join us.
April (or last week of the spring term)
Junior Production
Alternate years we have a very large junior production led by Mr & Mrs
Eddy. In 2008 the junior children performed a very memorable ‘Annie’ to
which members of the older community were invited to the dress rehearsal
and parents to the production for three nights.
Swimming (or after the Easter holidays)
The whole school with the exception of our F1 children swim for 10
sessions at Radley College swimming pool in the summer term, which
is part of our PE curriculum. The children are taken by the
staff travelling on a coach to Radley Pool and taught by fully
trained swimming instructors. For all of this there is a
charge to cover costs of approximately £8.50 per child payable
to the school. Children need: a towel, swimming hat
and costume/trunks. Please note the boys cannot wear long
shorts due to Health and Safety regulations at Radley Pool. All
jewellery must be removed.
May
(after SAT’s)
May Day
Traditionally held in the second half of May, this is a very colourful
event which is very popular with parents. The whole school
line up to make an arch with their decorated flower sticks (given
out prior to the event) and the Year 6 May King, Queen and attendants
pass underneath to rousing music. After they have taken their
seats, a prominent member of the school community crowns the King
and Queen. The May pole dancing then begins in which all children
participate in. Finally Year 5 and 6 children man their May
Day stalls which they have invented and parents accompany their children
round the school grounds.
Ascension Day Walk
The vicar leads the whole school to Jarn Mound where we have a service
on a high place. Many parents like to walk with us and join
in with the singing.
June
Summer Fun Day
This is held in the school grounds and hall usually on the third Saturday of June. The ‘FOWS’ work very hard to organise a fun packed afternoon for the whole family and it is our biggest fundraiser which the whole community attends.
July
Sports Evening
Our annual sports evening is held at the parish field opposite St Peter’s church starting at 6.00pm. This is an event which is in two halves. The first is organised by the upper juniors and consists of activities designed for 5 – 11 year olds where parents follow their children round ten events. The second half consists of traditional running races for everyone including past leavers and parents. The ‘FOWS’ organise a barbeque and bar for refreshments throughout the evening.
Cricket match Church v School
This has become an annual event held at the parish field during the
early evening. The ‘FOWS’ organise a bar and
pig roast and parents compete for the cup.
Year 6 Leavers’ assembly
This emotional assembly is held on the last day of the school year
at 1.15pm in the school hall. The Year 6’s perform
a review which is kept a closely guarded secret and the school
bids farewell to our oldest children before they embark on their
secondary school life.