Last Friday, Amy from Southampton Art Gallery came to work with our Y2 children. After looking at the work of Yayoi Kusama, Amy guided them to make thier own pieces of artwork. In an hour and 15 minutes they had used acrylic paint, wax resist, watercolours, cut and stick collage and added details with printing. There was a mass of creativity going on in Year 2!

It was World Book Day on Thursday and we decided to do something different this year, by celebrating books throughout the week through a range of activities for each class and the whole school. We held a competition for children to make 'A Book in a Box' and have had an amazing number of entries! The effort that has gone into them is incredible. The winners (to be announced) will receive a voucher and their box proudly displayed in Totton Library. Year 2 looked at the wordless book 'Journey' and retold it to a partner using the pictures. Year 1 drew a story of an adventure they imagined 'through the magic door'. We had a workshop with Big Mouth Theatre Company and all year groups had great fun dressing up and improvising different scenarios... such as escaping from a dungeon using just a chicken nugget, a paper clip, and a toilet roll! Year 4 went on a very muddy and tiring adventure around Testwood Lakes, and each class have made pancakes over the campfire (or in the mud kitchen) in OWL!

We celebrated World Book Day a little differently at Oakfield this year, with a special competition for children to make 'A Book in A Box'. We had an incredible number of entries and the children have made an amazing effort! The winners of the competition will win a voucher and their boxes proudly displayed in Totton Library - Hampshire County Council.

Looking for something to do next weekend? This is a free event which offers lots of free activities and workshops for all ages.

It's World Book Day this week – the perfect time to celebrate reading in all its forms! The way we read is changing – social media captions , video game instructions , and e-books are all shaping modern literacy. But did you know digital tools can boost reading skills for young learners? This week, National College are sharing ten top tips to help parents and educators support struggling readers using technology! Get their FREE #WakeUpWednesday guide – also available as a podcast – and discover how to make reading more accessible and engaging! Download here >> https://ow.ly/y8eg50Vamjh Listen here>> https://ow.ly/GEBO50Vamji

Oakfield Academy will be supporting Totton and Eling Carnival this year! Are you able to help too?

Happy Shrove Tuesday! Our students are celebrating Pancake Day over the campfire at OWL!

We've started the new term with lots of fun activities! Year 1 achieved their Dojo point target last term, and chose their reward to be a Pyjama and teddy day, and to watch 'Tiddler' by Julia Donaldson in class. They've worked together in pairs to discuss what healthy foods are and how eating a variety of these is good for our bodies. It was RE week this week... Year 4 explored symbolism relating to Christianity and the Easter Story, while Year 3 made some beautiful paper lanterns for their window display on the Buddhist festival of Vesak. Year 5 learned about the Hindu Holi festival and attempted a Bangra dance! Year 6 wrote some wonderful opening paragraphs about 'Alma' (a silent animation), and for the last two days have been doing the Bikeability cycle training programme to learn how to cycle safely on the road (they've all done brilliantly!) Year R have been thinking about emotions, and how our minds can sometimes feel unbalanced and 'wobbly'. When we feel 'wobbly', we can think of things that help us feel calm and balanced. This can help us to cope with challenges and begin to recognise how to regulate our emotions. Year 5 spotted spring flowers and did some gardening in the allotment, and today they toured our local Asda store to find out about the supply chains for seasonal produce, and the processes that food must go through before it reaches the shelves. Have a lovely weekend!

Marvel Rivals has skyrocketed to success in recent months, currently boasting 40 million players but popularity doesn't always mean 'safe' This week's guide and the latest episode of the #WakeUpWednesday Podcast offers expert advice on the risks of this competitive online game, with tips on safeguarding younger players. Download here >> https://nationalcollege.com/guides/marvel-rivals Listen here >> https://nationalcollege.com/.../what-parents-educators...

It was National Storytelling Week and this year's theme is 'Reimagine Your World'. Mrs Homewood has set up a competition for children from all year groups to write their own story based on this theme, and the winners will be announced on Monday! Year 6 have been given their own area in OWL and have spent the last two sessions clearing the brambles and building a wall. Excellent teamwork! It was Otter Week in OWL and Year 4 learned facts about where these animals live and their favourite food. Year 3 did some soil testing in the allotment's raised beds to investigate if it is sandy, silty or clay. Year 5 cooked popcorn and boiled water using the Kelly Kettle on the campfire to make hot chocolate. Year R were busy exploring, climbing, swinging, jumping, and working together to problem-solve! Year 1 have been learning about weather symbols and making their own with different materials; they've also explored the way the different seasons affect creatures such as the common frog.

As part of Year 3's topic, 'Rocks and Relics', we did some soil testing. This week we tested the soil in the raised beds at the school allotment. We are finding out if it is sandy, silty or clay. Next week we will look at soil from another area to make a comparison.

Figures from Ofcom claim that nearly 3.5 million British children have encountered a scam online, and it's vital we learn how to recognise their tactics and protect youngsters against them This week's guide and the latest episode of the #WakeUpWednesday podcast deal with the topic of 'fake news' and how it might be used to make scams seem more persuasive. Download here >> https://ow.ly/I65s50UTm0P Listen here >> https://ow.ly/5fp750UTm0R

We have had some lovely feedback this week from Kevin Hollman who is the Chef Manager working across the Trust. He was cooking and serving in the kitchen today and said the children are a credit to the school, they were so polite and thanked the staff for cooking such great food. This week, year 2 have been playing the matching game and the pairs game to help them learn about contractions in Writing. They have achieved 300 ClassDojo points as a class, and their chosen reward was to bring in a cuddly toy to school today. Well done Year 2! Year 6 delivered a fantastic class assembly on Wednesday, all about the Titanic disaster. They told the whole school what they'd learnt about Morse Code, how the ship sank, and acted out what it was like to be a passenger on board the ship. George welcomed us in and out by playing 'The Last Waltz' for us on the piano, which sounded beautiful. Year 1 have been learning the names of 3D shapes, about vertices, edges and faces, and how they might organise the shapes into groups. Year 3 looked at Fibonnaci patterns in nature and practised their drawing and shading skills to create their own beautiful patterns. Year 4 had a great time practicing dynamic balance on the PE equipment! Year R had a fun performing arts workshop where they did role-play, dancing, and games. There was lots of energy and happy, smiling faces!

Year 3 have been learning about 'Fibonnaci patterns' in nature, which are created by a sequence of numbers and shapes. They can be found in the most unexpected of places if you look closely. The children have been drawing their own beautiful Fibonnaci patterns! #Totton #naturelovers

Big and difficult feelings are part of growing up, they can be easier to handle with guidance and support. This week's guide and the latest episode of the #WakeUpWednesday podcast offer expert advice on helping youngsters develop emotional literacy. Download here >> https://ow.ly/qUgp50UOPOF Listen here >> https://ow.ly/InKO50UOPOG

Check out our new window display at Co-op on Salisbury Road! The children have created some beautiful Valentines Day art to brighten the day of the local community. Totton Together #Totton

Happy Birthday Mrs Nightingale! Lots of love from all at Oakfield

Happy birthday to our wonderful cook, Sam. Thank you for feeding us all so well! Lots of love from Oakfield

We've been taking part in the RSPB's Big School's Birdwatch in OWL this week; finding out which birds visit our school grounds to help with conservation efforts. Year 4 spotted 8 different species, which we've reported back to the RSPB. The most spotted species were Wood Pigeons, Great Tits, Blackbirds, and a few Robins! It's the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend... if you'd like to take part spotting birds for an hour with your children, check out their 1-minute video on what to do: https://youtu.be/nldtLbyIU6I https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch Year R are fully embracing the spirit of OWL and were exploring our woodland area in their second session this year. They went on a bear hunt, used ropes to make things, laid in 'The Big Hole', and climbed lots of trees. Year 5 did some 'Newt-Scooping' in our pond and put on a show for their classmates... Year 3 also did some bird-spotting, dug for rocks for their new Geography topic, and rescued a butterfly. In class, Year 3 have been learning their 8x tables, and Year 1 used teddies and cubes to help with their subtraction number sentences. Year 4 have studied rivers and their uses in Geography, and Year 2 have been busy learning how seeds and bulbs grow, planting daffodils, and experimenting with cress seeds. Our Boomreader champions are......Year 4! Congratulations!

RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch is this weekend!! Connect with the wildlife around you and contribute to the conservation effort by participating in the annual RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch from 24th – 26th January. It only takes an hour. It's a wonderful opportunity to slow down, appreciate the natural world, and make a positive impact! To sign up, click here: https://ow.ly/Xk0f50UB1Wy #RSPB #Birdwatching

The promise of Springtime... Year 2 have been learning about how bulbs and seeds grow, and planted their own daffodils and cress seeds. They're excited to see them grow!

From data privacy worries to potential costs, it's important to understand the risks posed by fitness apps – especially for younger users. This week's guide from National College and their latest episode of the #WakeUpWednesday podcast address some concerns around these platforms Download here >> https://ow.ly/HV3T50UKg31 Listen here >> https://ow.ly/ic8a50UBtAe

In school this week Year 4 have been learning about solids, liquids and gases, while Year 5 have been busy learning Multiplication, thought about what it's like being a grown up for PSHE, and mapping out stories to learn off by heart. On Wednesday, Year 6 had an amazing trip to the Sea City Museum for their topic of the Titanic, where they learned Morse Code, explored artefacts, and saw how the city of Southampton has had an important role in historic events. We received feedback about their excellent behaviour from the tour guide. I'm so proud of you, Year 6! Year 1 have been learning about the Great Fire of London, role playing for their Magic Porridge Pot story and making pictures with shells. Year R had their very first class assembly, and absolutely smashed it – they remembered their lines, sang the songs, and sat patiently! They've made bird feeders in OWL, climbed trees and made 'chocolate cakes' in the mud kitchen. Year 3 have been drawing their own (rather scary!) Celtic Warriors and investigating how and why hillforts were made. Coming Soon – in partnership with the PTA, we'll be introducing an online shop for second-hand uniform, saving you money and preventing waste. More information about this will be sent in the next few weeks.

Can you help us with some DIY jobs, please? Totton Volunteers We have a large wooden Ark for children to play on, but it needs some serious repairs to make it safe again. Our greenhouse also needs repairing (we have polycarbonate sheets to do it) A trolley the children use at Forest School needs welding/reattaching. If you are able to spare some time to help us, please give us a call on 02380 862530 or email admin@oakfield.academy . We are based off Sylvia Crescent, by the Co-Op on Salisbury Road, Totton. Thank you!