Summer Term 2026 – Newsletter 12

Dear Parents/Carers,

And just like that, another year has flown by and we are saying goodbye to our year 2 children, looking forward to welcoming a whole new group of children into EYFS in September and eagerly anticipating a chance to refresh and recharge over the summer holidays.

Despite saying every year we need to manage how much we try and pack into the summer term, we still seem to have had a very busy time of it! There has been sports day, plenty of class trips, visitors in school, transition events and so much more. All these things can only happen with a committed and harmonious staff and a parent community willing to support us in attending or running events.

Sports Day itself was a great success, and I would like to thank you for your patience while we tried to predict the weather. I’m glad we didn’t have it scheduled for later in the term, when the heat would have complicated matters.

Speaking of great successes, the inaugural Oakfest took place last weekend. I saw first-hand the huge amount of planning and preparation that went into organising it and a huge congratulations is owed to the PTA team for making it such a great event. Personally speaking, getting wet sponges thrown at me on a hot summer day was not such a trial. I would heartily recommend it should the weather be as fine next time. The funding the PTA raises is crucial in helping the school run effectively, from staffing to structures, and I am most grateful for their time and efforts.

Inevitably, there is a huge focus on our year 2 children in their final half term at the Infant School and they have had plenty going on. This has included transition events including watching the year 6 play and meeting their new teachers as well as being at the Juniors for breaktime, assembly and lunch, play rehearsals and performances. While I have only got to know this cohort this year, I have seen huge growth in them, both academic and personal and I know they are more than ready for the move to Junior School.

Before I go, I would like to make you aware that, due to the significant changes in education in the 2026-27 year, especially those around SEND provision, we have been instructed to have an extra INSET day, which will be on Friday 12^th February. This will be added to the calendar in due course.

It only remains for me to thank you all for your support, direction, suggestions and positivity over the last year, which has helped me manage the role of headteacher in interesting circumstances. Have an enjoyable summer but please do remember to help your child keep up their core skills by having high quality conversations, including listening, reading daily, practising key numbers facts but, most of all, by encouraging their natural curiosity in whatever happens to pique their interest.

Mr Holland

Co-Headteacher

Dear Parent/Carer(s)

As we come to the end of the school year, we would like to thank you for all your support, kindness and encouragement as we have taken on our new role over the last term and a half.

We hope you all have a fantastic summer filled with sunshine, smiles and many happy memories with your families.

To those families who are leaving the Infant School this year, we send our heartfelt thanks for all your support and wish you every happiness for the future.

A special message to our Year 2 children: as you begin your next adventure at the Junior School, know how incredibly proud we are of you. It has been a real pleasure to watch you learn, grow and flourish, and we are excited to see all that you will achieve in the years ahead.

We look forward to welcoming our returning and new families back in the autumn term and are excited to continue working with you all as we begin another wonderful year together.

Miss Davies & Mrs Shrieve

Music Assembly

On Wednesday we held our annual Music Assembly.  It was a wonderful event for the whole school.  Our seven violinists showed us the different techniques they had been learning and performed lots of fun pieces.  We then had a whole school song where we all performed Holly the Hedgehog, one of our favourites!  Lastly it was time for our three pianists who also performed brilliantly.  Learning an instrument and singing has so many benefits. If you would like to find out more about your child learning to play an instrument or singing in a choir you can find out more at the Berkshire Music Trust website.

www.berksmusictrust.org.uk

Character Awards

Today at our final assembly, the Governors presented six children with a Governor Award, based on our school characters. The teachers nominated different children from across the classes for these awards. It is always extremely hard to choose when everyone has been doing so well. All the children appeared surprised to receive their certificate but proud at the same time. Well done from everyone at the Infants.

Character	Name of Pupil	Class
Ivy – rising to challenges	Isla Martin	Elm
Holly – not afraid to fail	Freddie Bawden	Ash
Laurie – pride in achievement	Nathan Williams	Silver Birch
Solo – encouraging independence	Robyn Thomson	Chestnut
Goldie – respect for all	Seb Bateman	Beech
Casey – being happy, cared for and cared about	Carter Coles	Willow

Name Labels

Oaklands Infant School Fundraising Number 14773 If you need any labels please order through Stikins as this helps raise funds for the school use the number above when you place your order.