If there are revisions to the information within the Friday Flyer, we will communicate any changes directly with the parents of the pupils affected, by Parentmail.
Chichester Festival of Music, Dance and Speech
The 2026 Chichester Festival for Music, Dance and Speech has begun, and this weekend will see Speech & Drama events taking place at Oakwood in the Lyne Hall. We hope all performers enjoy the experience.
Here is a link to the 2026 Programme for the whole Festival - CFMDS 2026 Programme
*Revisions to the programme (withdrawals and late entries) - Please refer to the letter sent by parentmail on 5th February that contains further links to any programme revisions.
Tonight's Programme: Due to the rapid turnaround after school we will be offering Year 5 pupils, who are performing, supervision from 4.15pm (and a packed tea) until they are seated in the Lyne Hall with their parent(s) or guardian. Pupils should stay in school uniform, including blazers, as there is no time to change after school.
Saturday and Sunday Programme: Parents of pupils performing throughout the weekend have been sent detailed information and timings for the programme of events.
A reminder that parents are responsible for ensuring that their child registers for each performance and we advise arriving 20 minutes prior to each performance to do this.
Please can all children wear smart performance black. This means dark black/grey/dark blue trousers/ jeans, no ripped jeans or short skirts. If your child has a CFMDS long sleeved T-shirt they may wish to wear this.
Children performing must be accompanied to the Festival events by their parents and will not be supervised by Oakwood teachers during the weekend. Parents are reminded that once their child has performed, they and any family spectators must stay seated until all children have performed within their programme section and the Adjudicator has provided their feedback.
This year the Festival at Oakwood is being supported by a small Cafe, run independently by several of the Oakwood Catering Team, in the Oakwood Dining Conservatory. A range of food and drink items will be available to purchase (cash only). Timings: Saturday 8am-4.30pm and Sunday 8am-1.30pm.
Year 6 WWII Family Memorabilia request
As part of their research and topic work about WWII this term, Year 6 pupils have been asked to research any significant family experiences or military stories from this historically poignant time.
As part of this research, Miss Lee invites the children to bring into school after half term any special memorabilia or artefacts (photographs, objects, war medals etc..) for viewing and discussion in Humanities lessons taking place Tuesday 24th-Thursday 26th February.
As these historical items are always very precious to families, we can store these items safely in a locked cupboard in the school office inbetween the relevant humanities lessons. Equally, photographs of any special items can be used, if items are too fragile to come in physically.
Please can all memorabillia be brought directly to the school office on the morning of Tuesday 24th February. All items will be come home on Thursday 26th February.
Any questions? Please contact Yvonne Lee - ylee@oakwoodschool.co.uk
February Half Term Childcare - CLO Deadline tonight!
Camp Little Oaks is internally-run by Oakwood Staff, providing holiday care for Oakwood pupils in Nursery and Kindergarten.
February Half Term Booking Form - Deadline to complete is tonight (Friday 6th February)
CSS Activities are now taking bookings for ages 4-11+ children (Reception-Year 6+) for February Half Term, Easter, May Half Term and Summer Holidays 2026!
CSS Activities Holiday Camp is an externally-run provider available for all children in the local area.
Next week's diary
National Childrens' Mental Health Week - our theme and activity focus next week is "This is my place," all about helping children feel they truly belong in their bodies, classrooms and schools
Monday 9th February
- Library Parent & Child Morning Drop-In Session, 8-8.15am: Please access the Library via the rear door/porch of the main house.
- Little Green Shop Open 8.30-9am: The second hand uniform shop, run by parent volunteers, will be open after drop-off on Monday.
- Mental Health Week: ‘Dress to Express’ Charity Day: As part of Mental Health Week, we are inviting children to a “Dress to Express” Day next Monday. We invite everyone to come in clothing that expresses who they are; this could be a favourite colour, a style that makes them feel confident, or any home clothes that they feel comfortable in. To raise money for our charities we will add £2 to your school bill. We realise that Reception will be having a dress up day on Thursday of the same week for Chinese New Year, but would like to encourage them to join in this fun day on Monday.
- EYFS Chinese New Year Celebration Week (Year of the Horse): There will be a Chinese New Year Focus within Nursery, Kindergarten and Reception activities this week.
- Year 6 Rap Therapy Workshop (AM): Next Monday, Rap Therapy will be visiting pupils in Year 6 to run an innovative writing workshop helping them to use rap as a therapeutic tool to creatively and positively express themselves in their writing. This is always very much enjoyed by pupils.
Tuesday 10th February
- Library Parent & Child Morning Drop-In Session, 8-8.15am: Please access the Library via the rear door/porch of the main house.
- Year 5 & 6 Pastoral Wellbeing Conference at Seaford College (by invitation): Six of our Year 5 and 6 pupils have been invited to represent Oakwood at a Wellbeing Conferance at Seaford College. We hope they have an interesting time and we look forward to hearing from them about what they learnt from the day. They will travel to Seaford on a school minibus first thing after drop-off and will return to school by 3pm.
- National Safer Internet Day: Prep School pupils will experience an internal assembly in the Lyne Hall highlighting National Safer Internet Day.
- U11 Swimming: IAPS Qualifier @ Cranleigh School, 2-5.30pm: Good luck to some Year 5 and 6 pupils who are travelling to The Cranleigh School next Tuesday afternoon with Mrs Sarah Stevenson, to represent Oakwood at the IAPS Swimming Qualifiers. We regret no spectators are allowed, but we will be cheering the team on from school! Warm ups are from 2pm. We can't wait to hear how everyone does!
- Year 3 Parents' Evening, Lyne Hall and Gym from 4.30pm onwards: Year 3 Parents’ Evening with subject teachers will take place next Tuesday evening. A reminder of your time slots will be sent next Tuesday morning. Please contact the school office if you are unable to attend or have any queries relating to the booking system. Parents' Evening Booking Link
Wednesday 11th February
- Library Parent & Child Morning Drop-In Session, 8-8.15am: Please access the Library via the rear door/porch of the main house.
- Whole School Wednesday Wellness Wellie Walk (AM)!: As part of the activities taking place to mark National Childrens' Mental Health Week, all pupils and staff will don their wellies and take a short walk down the school drive, before morning break, between 10-10.30am (the Drive will be closed to vehicles for the event).
- Year 2 Visiting Cinematographer James Blake (PM): To compliment their topic 'Hot and Cold Places,' next Wednesday, Year 2 are very excited to have a visit from James Blake, who is an Emmy Nominated cinematographer. James served as Director of Photography for the Endurance22 expedition in 2022. He was controlling the camera at the time that Ernest Shackleton’s famous lost ship, Endurance, was found. James will share some exciting footage and photographs from the expedition with the children.
- Year 5 & 6 Weekly Sports Fixtures: Please check your child’s SOCS calendar for all fixture details, timings and team selections. Spectators are welcome at all fixtures against other schools, both home and away. Match Teas are served at Oakwood in the Heritage Room during the fixtures.
Netball: U11/U10 v Sherborne House (AWAY): 2.15-4.45pm - please note later finish time. Please check SOCS carefully for team selections & locations.
Football: U11/U10 v Sherborne House (AWAY): 2.15-4.45pm - please note later finish time. Please check SOCS carefully for team selections & locations.
Rugby: U11 v Boundary Oak & Sherborne House (Home): 2.30-4.15pm
Rugby: U10 v Boundary Oak, Sherborne House & Aldro (Home): 2.30-4.15pm
Thursday 12th February
- Year 1 & Year 2 Charity Pancake Day (AM): Next Thursday morning, Year 1 and 2 children will take part in fun pancake races during the morning, raising money for our school charities, Keep Me Breathing and The Final Straw Foundation.
- Reception Chinese New Year Dress-up Day: On Thursday, Reception will be celebrating Chinese New Year of the Horse with a dress-up day and other theme-related activities, including Chinese lunch with chopsticks! Reception pupils are invited to come to school wearing red, gold, yellow, Chinese or Horse-themed clothing or costumes if they have something suitable.
- Pupil-led Charity Sale Afternoon, Main House, 3.30-5.30pm: To finish off this half of term, come and support the stalls at the charity sale event next Thursday from 3.30pm outside the main house. There will be a hot chocolate stall and other exciting tables, all raising money for our school charities 'Keep Me Breathing' and 'The Final Straw Foundation.' Please remember to bring some pennies to the sale, and donations can also be added to school bills.
- Year 3 & 4 Weekly Sports Fixtures: Please check your child’s SOCS calendar for all fixture details, timings and team selections. Spectators are welcome at all fixtures against other schools, both home and away. Match Teas are served at Oakwood in the Heritage Room during the fixtures.
Football: U9 v Sherborne House (Home): 2.30-4.15pm - please note, in a change to published calendar, this is now a HOME fixture
Rugby: U9 v Prince's Mead (Home): 2.15pm-4.15pm - this is a new fixture added to the calendar, following the cancellation of the original fixture below
Rugby: U9 Festival @ PGS (AWAY): 2.00-4.45pm - CANCELLED BY PGS
- Half Term Break begins
Friday 13th February
- STAFF INSET DAY: A reminder that there is no Camp Little Oaks or CSS Activities provision available next Friday due to Staff INSET training.
- Reception to Year 6 Pathway Football Camp, School Fields, 8.30am-1pm: For those children who have booked, a reminder that the Pathway Football Coaches are running an external camp at Oakwood next Friday. If your child would like to attend, please book here: Pathway Football - INSET DAY Camp Booking
STAFF INSET DAY Friday 13th February - Pathway Football Camp
A reminder to parents that we have a STAFF INSET day on Friday 13th February.
Pathway football will be once again leading a camp from 8.30am to 1pm for children in Reception to Year 6.
Click here to book: Pathway Football Camp - Friday 13th February
We regret that due to staff training there will be no Camp Little Oaks or CSS Activities Camp available on this day.
Chichester Corporate Challenge 2026 - final call!
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to take part in the event that starts on Wednesday 25th February (after half term).
There is still time to sign up your Year 5 or Year 6 child (or yourself as an adult!) - please complete the form below by Friday 13th February:
Chichester Corporate Challenge Entry Form
If you have any questions please contact Yvonne Lee, who is coordinating Oakwood's participation in the event - ylee@oakwoodschool.co.uk
For further information about the Corporate Challenge please refer to the letter sent by Parentmail this week, or visit the Chichester Runners website below.
'Here to Help' Upcoming Session - Speaker James Shone
Tuesday 3rd March, 4.15pm - 5.15pm
After half term we welcome motivational speaker James Shone, from I Can & I Am. Thank you to those who have already signed up to attend this talk. James will be talking to our senior pupils at Oakwood during the school day, before hosting the parent session.
Mrs Bradbury first heard James speak over 12 years ago and he is an individual who embodies positivity and determination. He firmly believes that mental health is as important as physical health and focuses on helping young people to develop a growth mindset, recognise their strengths and maintain a positive attitude.
As this parent talk takes place outside of the school day, we will be offering complimentary childcare for those who wish to attend.
Sports News & Stars
IAPS Swimming Qualifier at Cranleigh School
Good luck to the Year 5 & 6 pupils who are representing Oakwood at this fixture next week. We will update on how they all did, in this space, next week!
Prep School Sports Fixtures - Stars of the week!
Well done to the following children for their efforts in their fixtures against other schools this week!
U11 (Y6) Rugby: Monty and Benji
U11 (Y6) Netball: Juno and Ellia
U10 (Y5) Rugby: no fixture this week - cancelled due to weather
U10 (Y5) Netball: Home fixture - Lina! Away Fixture - the whole team!
U9 (Y4) Rugby: Nicholas, Hamish and James C
U9 (Y4) Football: no fixture this week - cancelled due to weather
U8 (Y3) Rugby: Nooah
U8 (Y3) Netball: no fixture this week.
Prep School Sports Fixtures on SOCS
Please remember to regulary check your child's SOCS calendar for up-to-date information about forthcoming sports fixtures, the locations, times and team selections
SOCS Parent Login
Oakwood Prep School Sports Instagram Account
If you are not yet following our Instagram account, please check out our Prep School Sports Account - @oakwoodprepsport
Sustainability Snippets and Outdoor Learning
Sustainable Eats
Year 2 experimented with aspects of Hot and Cold temperatures in their Spring 1 Outdoor Learning morning.
We looked at how heat from a fire and acidity from lemon juice can alter the consistency causing milk to coagulate into curds which are then separated from the whey and moulded into cheese. The children added seasoning like salt and dried italian herbs to enjoy with a cracker.
This type of cooking reduces food wastage, uses zero plastic packaging, reduces carbon footprints and gives control over ingredients ensuring that no chemical additives are used.
Year 1 have been learning about field to fork as part of their work on where food comes from and how far it has to travel. The children enjoyed reading Oliver’s Vegetables by Vivian French, which follows Oliver’s journey as he tries new seasonal vegetables from his grandpa’s garden.
Inspired by the story, Year 1 made some delicious vegetable soup using fresh, seasonal vegetables. We talked about which foods are in season and why root vegetables often have fewer food miles than other produce at this time of year.
The soup was delicious — well done, Year 1!
Outdoor Learning & Forest School Clubs
Year 1 Forest School Club received their Big School Birdwatch participation certificates this week. Well done Year 1!
Mrs Charlotte Pounds
Acting Head of Outdoor Learning and Year 1 Teaching Assistant
cpounds@oakwoodschool.co.uk
Local Events and Activities
Lunch Menus
Our meals at Oakwood are homemade, using locally sourced food, by our wonderful catering team.
Printable Menu and allergen advice for 9th-12th February
Weekly Picture Gallery
Watches in school
We view the wearing of watches positively, to develop skills in learning to tell the time and to help with timekeeping throughout the school day. However, our strong preference is that children should have a modest analogue or digital watch, rather than a ‘smartwatch.’
Smartwatches are a great temptation for distraction during lessons, especially as the ever-developing technology allows for increasing numbers of apps, games and features on the watch. They are also expensive, and it can be very upsetting for children and parents if these are lost or damaged in school.
We are aware that a small number of children wear smartwatches with limited functionality, as a reasonable adjustment to their school day, arranged between parents and teachers, but we hope that the majority of our children who like to wear a watch will choose a traditional watch.
If your child wears a smartwatch, all device connectivity must be switched off, and where possible, only basic time functions enabled.
Thank you for your support helping your children to wear suitable watches in school.
Uniform Updates
The Little Green Shop is our pre-loved uniform shop, run by Oakwood Parent Volunteers. Reuse, Recycle and Relove!
Current opening hours: Monday 8.30am-9am and Friday 8.30am-9am
- We are delighted to receive items of uniform for resale.
- Labelled, donated items are sold with 75% returning to the seller and 25% to FOO funds. If any unlabelled items are left at the shop it will be assumed that these are a donation to FOO.
- PDF or hard copies of the T&Cs, uniform labels and master lists are available below or from the school office and in the Parent Section of this website.
Uniform Selling Labels
Terms and Conditions
Master List/Bank Details Form - A reminder that we do have an Astra clothing and shoes recycling bin by the Year 4 classrooms which does generate money for the school's Green Team budget should you have any generic items to recycle.
Prep School Zippies: The traditional Prep School zippies are no longer available to purchase. We are moving over to the Oakwood Bookbags with handy shoulder strap, which are available to purchase from Perry Uniform.
Perry Uniform Oakwood Bookbag link
Tiger Tags Name Labels - Fundraising Opportunity
Tiger Tags is a School Name Tag Supplier, powered by Xmas4Schools who we regularly work with.
We have partnered with Tiger Tags who provide customised name labels in both sticker and iron-on form for all your child's school uniform and equipment. Should you decide to purchase name labels from them (www.tigertags.co.uk), the school will receive a fundraising donation of £1.00 for every order placed.
Please add our unique school ID 2767 on the final page when entering your checkout details
The fundraising potential we have with using Tiger Tags is also a clear bonus and will be a very welcome addition to our other charity fundraising activities.
If you need any further information, please contact the school office (office@oakwoodschool.co.uk) who will be happy to help.
Oakwood Business Directory
Help support local businesses
There are a wide range of wonderful businesses among the parents at Oakwood. Browse the directory below and help support the Oakwood community. Some of the industries our families run businesses within include:
- Business Services
- Design & Marketing
- Home, Garden & Leisure
- Health, Sport & Fitness
Businesses of Oakwood Website and Directory
