by calderlodgeschool

Oakenclough Newsletter
Logo, company nameDescription automatically generatedOAKENCLOUGH  NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM (1) 2026Cute Yellow Maple Leaf Clip Art Free PNG Image｜Illustoon

THIS HALF TERM AT SCHOOL

Mrs Farnworth

Welcome back to a brand-new school year! I hope you and your families have had a wonderful, restful summer break and that your child is excited for the year ahead.A special warm welcome goes to our new families joining Calder Lodge. I know our returning pupils will make them feel very welcome. I am already incredibly impressed so far this week with our children’s positive attitudes, behaviour, engagement and energy, there has also been an abundance of smiley faces.We firmly believe that a child’s education thrives when there is a strong partnership between home and school. We very much look forward to working with your child and you over the coming months.

Mrs Taylor-Heath – Class Teacher
Miss Hill and Mr Chandler – Keyworkers

Welcome to Oakenclough! We can’t wait to see what the new school year will bring. The children will be exploring lots of interesting topics and taking part in trips linked to their learning. We look forward to getting to know our new class and watch friendships grow throughout the year.

DON’T FORGET……

If your child has any medical appointments, please inform school in advance where possible – you MUST send a copy (either hard copy or a picture by email) of the appointment letter/card/text to school for our register.If your child is absent due to illness, please telephone school before 8.00 am and leave a message. Your child will not be collected for school until you inform us that they are well enough to return. 

IMPORTANT DATES

World First Aid Day 11th September, British Science Festival 16th September, Yom Kippur 21st September, Sukkot 25th September, British Food Fortnight 28th September, Black History Month – October, International Day of the Girl Child 11th October.

Cultural Capital Dates: Wednesday 23rd September 2026 – Farmer Parrs (TBC)
Wednesday 21st October 2026 – TBC

Autumn Term (1) 2026 Ends: Friday 23rd October 2026
Autumn Term (2) 2026 Begins: Monday 9th November 2026

PARENT REMINDER

Children must be in school uniform each day and wear black shoes or trainers, no sportswear.
All medication must be in the original packaging with child’s name and dosage visible. 

Children MUST be ready for transport each morning. We cannot wait any more than 5 minutes at your address. Any additional time may result in your child not being collected. 

If your child has sickness and/or diarrhoea our school policy states that they MUST remain absent from school for 48 hours after the last bout.

CURRICULUM

This term, our topic will be ‘Memory Box’. The children will think about their own experiences and how they have changed and grown, using photographs, favourite toys, books and family stories to help bring the past to life. We’ll also begin to learn about history and how people can record memories through diaries and keepsakes. As part of our learning, the children will create their own special memory boxes to collect items that are meaningful to them.

In English, we’ll be learning how to write a diary, using our own experiences and memories as inspiration. The children will explore how to write in the first person, share their thoughts and feelings, and sequence events clearly. We’ll also look at the features of a diary and practise using interesting vocabulary to bring their writing to life.

In Maths, we will be focusing on measurement. The children will explore and compare length, height, mass and capacity using everyday objects and practical activities. They’ll use language such as longer, shorter, taller, heavier and lighter, and begin to measure and compare objects using standard and non-standard units.In Science, our topic is Animals Including Humans. The children will be learning to name, identify, and describe different body parts and their functions. We will explore the five senses and take part in fun, practical activities to test and use them. The children will also be learning about a variety of animals, how they are similar or different to humans, and the body parts they use for different purposes.

CULTURAL CAPITAL

As part of our Science topic; Animals Including Humans, we will be visiting a farm to give the children a hands-on opportunity to learn about a range of animals and how they are cared for. The trip will help children connect their classroom learning to real-life experiences, developing their understanding of animals, their needs and the responsibilities involved in caring for them. It will also provide opportunities to ask questions, make observations and enjoy new experiences.