Next week (15-19 May) is Outdoor Learning Week at Oaklands. We plan to be outside as much as possible doing all sorts of fun things. Please remember to send your young person to school equipped for the Scottish weather – waterproofs, warm layers, sun hats, sunscreen…….!
Remember that school is closed for two weeks for the Easter break. We finish on Friday 31st March and return on Monday 17th April.
If your young person needs a little help understanding why school is closed, there is a social story below that you can download and print out for use at home. You can tick off the days on the calendar at the end.
The pupil Eco group have been hard at work this term carrying out our 3rd Environmental Review. This has involved investigating all areas of the school to see how we’re doing as part of our mission to become a greener school. The Eco reps have been checking out the classrooms and school grounds, investigating how well we are doing in areas such as biodiversity, waste and sustainability. We hope to soon have our new Action Plan ready so that we can start working towards our 3rd Green Flag.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Wester Hailes Foodbank run by Holy Trinity Church. A group of secondary pupils at Oaklands have been visiting regularly since August and helping to put together children’s snack bags which are then given out to families alongside their weekly food collections.
We don’t turn up empty handed either! Families and staff at Oaklands have done a fantastic job of donating items for the foodbank. We now have a permanent collection point at the front of the school where pupils, staff and visitors can drop off donations.
The foodbank is open every Tuesday at 2pm. For more information visit their website.
We hope you enjoy our Oaklands Christmas Winter Walk video montage. We’ve collected photos and videos during this term’s performing arts session showing some of the elements of the session, exploring, dance, music and drama. The first section sets the scene of the story and then we tell the story of our journey. Look out for your ‘young person’ and the wonderful ways our young people communicate Christmas wishes at the end.
Jacqueline and Angela
We are absolutely delighted to let you know that a group of pupils at Oaklands have won the award for ‘Most Impactful Film’ as part of the Edinburgh and Lothians Schools Film Competition.
The Oaklands film, Who We Are, made as part of our Our Edinburgh programme last year was enrolled into this year’s Edinburgh and Lothians Schools Film Competition, which runs as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.
The film was made by Beech and Spruce Classes and their staff teams and explored life in Edinburgh for young people at Oaklands.
You can watch the short film by following the link below.
Spreading a little Christmas joy your way, Team Oaklands style!
I’m sure you’ll want to watch the whole show, but if you’re looking for someone in particular, here is a breakdown of the show and its times
Intro and PINE Class ‘The Owl Flies High – Shadow Puppets’
9.50 ASPEN Class ‘Sky Full of Stars’
16.16 WILLOW Class ‘Snowflake Dance’
21.49 HOLLY Class ‘Watch out for the Snowballs!’
26.16 BEECH Class ‘Vivaldi’s Raging Storm’
31.35 ROWAN Class ‘The Winter Trees’
36.26 LITTLE ACORNS ‘The Dance of the Owlettes’
42.30 Thanks
We were so sad to say goodbye to our wonderful Music Meg yesterday as she moves on to her next adventure, closer to home, in Devon.
Meg’s influence and talent has impacted on all our lives over the last three years and we will miss her so much.
From our first ever Oaklands School choir and their performances at the Queen’s Hall, to wonderful projects on The Lion King with Disney and the world’s most insanely catchy tunes, which are heard ringing out from every classroom at Oaklands!
Meg, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!
In true Meg style, she’s left us with a song, which we thought you might enjoy.
To help your child understand that they are going to start school or return after the holidays, and to help prepare them, please let them see you packing their school bag, and laying out their school uniform.
If your child understands and uses objects to communicate, give them their school jumper and school bag to touch and see.
If your child understands photos – show them the photo of school.
If your child understands symbols – show them the symbol for school.
If it is hard for you to show your child the photo/symbol on your phone/tablet, then please call and leave a message for Speech and Language Therapy on 0131 315 8106 – we can send out a paper one.
The SignAlong sign for school is…
(flat hand – fingers and thumb together – in front of chin – make a wee circle)
We cannot wait to all be back together.
Please know, despite the distance, you are all in our hearts.
Team Oaklands xxx
Oaklands School 