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.
Prep School Games Pathway Choices 2026-27
For parents of children in current Years 2-5 only
A reminder that the deadline for making Sports Pathway choices, for children who will be in Years 3-6 from September 2026, is today.
Please refer to the letters regarding Sports Pathway choices for your children for September 2026, sent by Parentmail on 10th February. Although this may seem early in the year to make these choices, competitive fixtures are booked far in advance with other schools, therefore we need to think about the teams we will have available for each sporting activity.
Miss Halford, Head of Sport, would be very grateful to those who have not already done so, to complete the form below. If you have an queries relating to the Games Pathways, please contact Miss Halford - ghalford@oakwoodschool.co.uk
Games Pathway Choices 2026-27 Form
World Book Day, Charity Dress Up and Book Swap
Next Thursday 5th March is World Book Day and pupils in all year groups will take part in World Book Day activities on this day. 2026's theme is 'Go All In' - The National Year of Reading 2026 campaign to get more people reading, by bringing reading to where culture is.
World Book Day Charity Dress Up Day: Oakwood will again focus on sustainability when acknowledging World Book Day; we encourage families to think sustainably when choosing or making costumes. Pupils are very welcome to dress as a book character or theme of a book they enjoy next Thursday, and we hope that some families have been able to source a costume from the pop-up shop that took place recently. Alternatively, if children prefer, they are welcome to wear home clothes conducive to relaxed reading. We will add £1 to each child's school bill as a charity contribution to our school charities for the day.
Book Swap Event: Pupils will be taking part in a book swap event next Thursday. The Swap gives pupils the chance to exchange gently-used books, share favourite stories, and discover new reads with their peers. Please can pupils bring in any books they would like to swap and drop them into the school office, or to their class teacher.
Senior School Open Days
Senior School Transitions - Looking Ahead
At Oakwood, A Place to Grow, we believe that preparing for the next stage of education should feel exciting, positive and full of opportunity.
We are proud to prepare pupils for a wide range of senior destinations, including both state and independent schools. While formal applications may still seem some way off for many families, we gently encourage parents to begin exploring options from Year 4 or 5 onwards. Visiting Open Events early allows families to feel informed, confident and unhurried as decision-making approaches.
Each week, we will highlight forthcoming Open Days and events that may be of interest.
Please check the relevant senior school website and contact the school in advance of any open day should you wish to attend as some schools require Open Day registration prior to a visit.
Forthcoming Senior School Events
The Portsmouth Grammar School
www.pgs.org.uk
Thursday 12 March - 2.30-3.45pm
Wednesday 22 April – 2.30-3.45pm
Wednesday 6 May – 2.30-3.45pm
Churcher’s College
www.churcherscollege.com
Thursday 19 March – 2.15-4pm
Monday 11 May – 2.15-4pm
Friday 5 June – 10.15am-12pm
Seaford College
www.seaford.org
Saturday 7 March - 9am-11am
Saturday 9 May - 9am-11am
Portsmouth High School for Girls
www.portsmouthhigh.co.uk
Open Week: Monday 2nd–Friday 6th March - 9am-3pm each day
Lord Wandsworth College
www.lordwandsworth.org
Open Day: Saturday 21st March - 9.15am
The Chichester Festival for Music, Dance & Speech
The Chichester Festival Piano, Ukuleles, Singing and Choirs Programmes take place this weekend and next as below. Good luck to all pupils performing in the various disciplines; we hope you all enjoy the experience.
Piano: Saturday 28th February/Sunday 1st March AND Saturday 14th/Sunday 15th March (The Regis School of Music, Bognor Regis, PO21 1ER)
Ukuleles: Saturday 28th February (St Paul’s Church, Chichester, PO19 6FT)
Junior Singing: Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th March (Christ Church, off South Street, Chichester PO19 1SW)
Choirs: Saturday 14th March (St Paul’s Church, Chichester, PO19 6FT)
Please note: Children can now wear smart home clothes (no ripped jeans). Music teachers will provide pupils with a copy of their music to give the adjudicator.
Please contact Mrs Dabrowski, Performing Arts Administrator (mdabrowski@oakwoodschool.co.uk), with any questions about the Chichester Festival Programmes.
Diary for Week 2nd-8th March
Monday 2nd March
- 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.
- Rescheduled Nursery & Kindergarten Parents Meetings with Miss Reed and Miss Smith, Pre-Prep Hall, 3.50-5.30pm: The rescheduled meetings for parents of Mrs Anne Morley's and Miss Corina Smith's key worker children, will take place next Monday in the Pre-Prep Hall, between 3.50-5.30pm. Supervision is available in Nursery for the duration of your appointment if needed.
- Education & Safeguarding Governor Committee Meeting, 4.00pm.
Tuesday 3rd March
- Library Parent & Child Morning Drop-In Session, 8-8.15am: Please access the Library via the rear door/porch of the main house.
- Chess Fixture at Oakwood: Good luck to four senior boys who are taking part in a Chess Fixture, which we are hosting at Oakwood. We look forward to welcoming players from Westbourne House, Goldstone Primary School and St Andrews Primary School, both from Brighton.
- Inspirational Guest Speaker James Shone ('I Can and I am') visiting Oakwood: James will be visiting next Tuesday afternoon to run a motivational session to Year 5 and 6 pupils followed by a session for parents, 4.15-5.15pm. As this parent talk takes place outside of the school day, we will be offering complimentary childcare for those who wish to attend - James Shone Parent Session and Supervision - Sign Up
Wednesday 4th March
- Library Parent & Child Morning Drop-In Session, 8-8.15am: Please access the Library via the rear door/porch of the main house.
- Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 Parent/Teacher Meetings, Lyne Hall and Studio from 4pm: Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 Parent/Teacher Meetings take place in the Lyne Hall and Gym from 4pm next Wednesday. Please note, due to a Year 5 sports festival taking place, the site will be busy and parking will be very tight. Please allow plenty of time to arrive and park in advance of your appointment.
- Year 5 & 6 Weekly Sports Fixtures: Please check your child’s SOCS calendar for all fixture details. 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.
Rugby: U10 Oakwood Festival (Home): 2.00-4.15pm - please note there will be many cars on site until 4pm.
Football: U10 Oakwood Festival (Home): 2.00-4.15pm - please note there will be many cars on site until 4pm.
Rugby: U11 Festival @ PGS (AWAY): 1.30-4.45pm
Thursday 5th March
- World Book Day, Charity Dress-Up and Book Swap: Please see the information at the top of the flyer.
- 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.
Rugby: U8 Oakwood Festival (Home): 2.00-4.15pm - please note there will be many cars on site until 4pm.
Football: U8 Oakwood Festival (Home): 2.00-4.15pm - please note there will be many cars on site until 4pm.
Friday 6th March
- Special Achievement and Drum Assembly: Some of our pupils who learn drums with visiting teacher, Mr West, will be performing in assembly next Friday to show us all their skills! Next week’s assembly will also be a Special Achievement Assembly and is an opportunity for children in Reception to Year 6 to bring in any awards they have received for activities outside of school. These should be delivered to the school office by next Thursday, named and with a short explanation of the award. This assembly is for children and staff only, and invited parents of the drums performers and Pre-Prep star badge winners.
- Year 4 Trip to New Park Cinema 'The Power of Music' (am only): Year 4 pupils will be visiting the New Park Cinema next Friday morning to watch a film exploring the ways in which music is used by filmmakers. They will depart at 9am, after assembly, and will be back at school for Lesson 5. Pupils should wear school uniform, including a blazer. The school will provide an appropriate snack so they will only need to bring water bottles.
- 1L Outdoor Learning Afternoon: Please can children in 1L come to school wearing warm and comfortable home clothes, suitable for the current weather, as well as their Oakwood green coat and wellies, hats and gloves.
Saturday 7th March
- Rugby Fixture: U11 v Elite Youth Rugby Academy @ Chichester Rugby Club, 12pm: Good luck to those pupils who have been selected to attend this Elite Academy next Saturday at Chichester Rugby Club. Parents will take their children and meet Mr Pickett at the venue.
- Chichester Festival (Junior Singing), Christ Church (off South Street, Chichester PO19 1SW): Please note: Children can now wear smart home clothes (no ripped jeans). Music teachers will provide pupils with a copy of their music to give the adjudicator.
Sunday 8th March
- Chichester Festival (Junior Singing), Christ Church (off South Street, Chichester PO19 1SW): Please note: Children can now wear smart home clothes (no ripped jeans). Music teachers will provide pupils with a copy of their music to give the adjudicator.
Lunch Menus
Our meals at Oakwood are homemade, using locally sourced food, by our wonderful catering team.
Printable Menu and allergen advice for 2nd-6th March
Sustainability Snippets
Our wildlife pond is currently thriving with over 11 newts found whilst pond dipping. In late February newts are waking up from their winter hibernation (brumation) to return to ponds from underneath logs, leaves or underground.
You may see more making their sleepy journey from land to pond over the coming few weeks.
Year 4 Outdoor Learning
In Year 4 Outdoor learning we looked at the health benefits of a polarising wild plant known as Urtica which is latin for the word 'Sting.'
Can you work out which common all year round and important plant it is? If you guessed Stinging Nettle you would be right! Full of natural antioxidants and packed full of vitamins it has been a staple for civilisations over the years.
Year 4 identified it in the wild and using gloves we harvested the 6 top leaves to make a nutritious tea over the fire.
Stinging nettles as well as many other wild plants and flowers are highly sustainable because they have evolved to thrive in different adaptions of soil, requiring significantly less water and boosting the earth around them with stronger root cells that prevent erosion. Nettles are not only enjoyed by us but provide essential habitats and food for many pollinators throughout the seasons.
At Oakwood we recognise the importance of leaving wild spaces that can be enjoyed not only by wildlife but us too.
Year 5 Outdoor Learning
Spring is well and truly in the air with the Year 5 Outdoor Learning team. We took to the Potting Shed to plant up an assortment of Beetroot, Courgettes, Broccoli and Pumpkins.
This prompted a lovely discussion on food wastage and the importance of sharing fresh produce within the school and our wider community.
Mrs Charlotte Pounds
Year 1 Teaching Assistant and Acting Head of Outdoor Learning
Year 1 Charity Sale - Thanks!
A huge thank you to everyone who came and supported the Year 1 pupils and their parents who ran stalls outside the main house on the Thursday before half term, to raise money for our two school charities Keep Me Breathing and The Final Straw Foundation.
We are delighted to let you know that £522 was raised, which will be split between our two school charities.
Thank you again for all the support and donations.
Sports News & Stars
IAPS Small Schools Netball Tournament
A group of our U11 netballers had a fantastic day at the IAPS Small Schools Tournament at West Hill Park on Wednesday, coming away as winners of the Plate competition, only losing 2 games all day which were to the eventual 1st and 2nd placed teams. We are so proud of their efforts!
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! We had some super fixtures, and even the sun appeared for some of them!
U11 (Y6) Rugby: ALL players showed incredibly high levels of skill, team work and commitment.
U11 (Y6) Netball: Whole IAPS Netball Team and at home, Zoe and Bella.
U10 (Y5) Netball: Florence D, Thea and Juliette
U9 (Y4) Rugby Festival 'Players of the Day' - Charlie and Eddie Sm
U9 (Y4) Football Festival 'Players of the Day' - Iris, Isabeau and Thomas
Corporate Challenge 2026 - 1st Race!
Well done to all the children and adults who ran on Wednesday evening at the first of the three running races, representing Oakwood! The next race is on Wednesday 11th March.
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
Holiday Provision
Camp Little Oaks is internally-run by Oakwood Staff, providing holiday care for Oakwood pupils in Nursery and Kindergarten.
Easter 2026 Booking Form - please complete your bookings by Friday 20th March
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.
