Latest News | Cherry Oak School

Updated term dates

Fri 11 Feb 2022 Cherry Oak School

Cherry Oak School Term Dates 2021 – 2022

Autumn Term 2021
Thursday 2nd September	Training Day	School closed to pupils
Friday 3rd September	Training Day	School closed to pupils
Monday 6th September	Start of Term	School open to pupils
Monday 25^th October – Friday 29^th October	Half Term	School closed to pupils
Monday 1st November	Training Day	School closed to pupils
Tuesday 2nd November	Return	School open to pupils
Friday 17^th December	Last day of Autumn Term	Last day – school open to pupils
Monday 20th December to Monday 3^rd January	Christmas Holiday	School closed to pupils

Spring Term 2022
Tuesday 4^th January	Start of Spring Term	School open to pupils
Monday 21stFebruary to Friday 25^th February	Half Term	School closed to pupils
Monday 28^th February	Training Day	School closed to pupils
Tuesday 1^st March	Return.	School open to pupils
Friday 8^th April	Last day of Spring Term	Last day - School open to pupils
Monday 11th April to 22ndApril	Spring Holidays	School closed to pupils

Summer Term 2022
Monday 25^th April	Start of Term	School open to pupils
Friday 27^th May	Training Day	School closed to Pupils
Monday 30^th May to Friday 3rd June	Half Term	School closed to pupils
Monday 6^th June	Return	School open to pupils
Thursday 21^st July	Last day	Last day - School open to pupils
Friday 22^nd July	Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday	School closed to pupils and staff

Summer Holiday 22/07/22 to 04/09/22

School re-opens Monday 5^th September 2022

Be Empowered Evening Workshops for families

Wed 02 Feb 2022

Please select the links below for the new flyer and booking form for the next set of Be Empowered Workshops (BEWs) taking place in March and April 2022.

This set of workshops is being held at Moseley Hall Hospital, Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8JL on Wednesday’s in the evening from 6pm-9pm on starting on 2nd March ’22 through to the 6th April ’22. The deadline for receiving bookings is Wednesday 16th February 2022.

BEW Flyer

Booking Form

COVID-19 Update

Mon 03 Jan 2022 Claire Kings

Good evening

We hope you have had a wonderful break.

If you are able to complete a lateral flow test on your child before school in the morning, this would be a welcome addition to the measures we already have in place to reduce the chance of transmission.

If you / your family have any queries about whether or not children should attend school tomorrow because of contact with a positive case please call the school office from 7:30am and we will try and assist you.

Currently, PCR test slots are hard to come by but they are released sporadically throughout the day so advice is to keep trying if you need one.

As a small school, our biggest vulnerability is staffing as we do not have a team of people who can cover and, as we discovered before Christmas, supply agencies are also struggling to meet need. We are already staff members down for this week due to testing positive for COVID-19 over the festive period and I know covering these members of staff will be difficult.

We are therefore continuing to take a cautious approach by maintaining bubbles, asking staff to wear face coverings around school and continuing with all cleaning routines established at the beginning of the pandemic.

We very much look forward to seeing you and your children tomorrow.

Kind regards

Ross Ashcroft

Headteacher

SEND Transport Update

Mon 06 Dec 2021

Please follow the link below to access the newsletter.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eyZ4bTlq0GJ6jNGeRtXynU4YUpA6Vgv3/view?usp=sharing

Be Empowered Workshops

Mon 06 Dec 2021

Please find attached the new flyer and booking form for the next set of Be Empowered Workshops (BEWs) taking place in January and February 2022.

This set of workshops is being held at Dyson Gardens Children’s Centre, 145 Highfield Road, Birmingham B8 3QF) on Monday’s in the daytime from 10am-1pm on, starting on 10th January ’22 through to the 14th February ’22.

The deadline for receiving bookings is Thursday 16th December 2021.

Any queries and booking forms can be emailed to BeEmpowered@birmingham.gov.uk

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eeSuvWNXsilSeR5SVIICnWrodm8Sk2tP?usp=sharing

Christmas Is Coming To Cherry Oak!

Mon 06 Dec 2021 Ross Ashcroft - Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers

As we know, the festive period of Christmas is upon us. We are already starting to see the decorations going up and Christmas lights flickering. I think it would be fair to say that we all need a little bit of Christmas cheer in what has otherwise been a largely turbulent 2021 so far.

As the Omicron COVID-19 variant has now been classed as a variant of concern, the Department for Education has asked schools to reintroduce some of the restrictions we have seen over the last 18 months. This means we are again in a position where we are risk assessing every activity leading up to Christmas in ways we would not normally need to. Although Christmas will be very different again this year, we still want everyone to enjoy the festive season and make it fun for all the pupils. I have detailed some of the ways we are keeping Christmas alight in the school but with some adaptation to keep everyone safe.

Christmas production

Normally, at this time of year, the pupils and staff would be gearing up for an exciting Christmas Production in school. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has stopped us from being able to physically come together as a community to enjoy these events in the usual way. The production this year will be pre-recorded, which I believe is in the same format as last years. Links to the production will be sent to parents directly, and consent for pupils to take part will be requested early next week.

However, we would like to invite all parents of year 6 children to an ‘Oscar’ event at the school to see the recording on a big screen with their children. I understand parents of children in other year groups may be disappointed they do not have the same opportunity, however, we hope you understand that we have extended this invite to year 6 parents as it is their last Christmas at Cherry Oak, and we can accommodate the numbers in the hall at a safe distance whereas we wouldn’t be able to if all parents were invited.

Christmas cards

Children are welcome to send Christmas cards to their peers. Each class will have its own collection box. Please ensure cards arrive between 1st and 14th December only. They will then be quarantined for 72 hours before being given out.

Christmas Jumper Day

On Friday 17th December we will be supporting ‘Save the Children’ by taking part in their Christmas jumper day. Children can wear a Christmas jumper or ‘Christmassy’ non-uniform to school on this day. If the children could bring a voluntary contribution of 50p we will ensure the money raised goes to Save the Children.

Christmas Dinner

Christmas Dinner will be served on Wednesday the 15th December 2021. If you would like your child to have Christmas dinner please let your child’s class teacher know by Wednesday 8th December 2021 at the latest.

Santa Visit

We are excited to announce that Santa and his Elves have made time to visit Cherry Oak at this very busy time of year. He will be coming in to give presents on Thursday the 16th December. Now, some people say Santa looks surprisingly similar to our wonderful Mark, and his elf is a spitting image of Phil, but I assure you these are purely coincidences and we very much have the real deal, Santa himself, coming in to see the children.

Kind regards

Ross Ashcroft

Head Teacher

Birmingham Primary Panathlon.

Wed 17 Nov 2021 Jo Gavin - Physical Lead

8 pupils were selected to participate in The Birmingham Primary Panathlon (Friday 5th November).

For three pupils this was there first experience of a Panathlon and competitive event.

All pupils participated as a team to collectively score points over a variety of multi sport activities such as boccia, new age curling, popcorn parachute, table cricket, basketball shoot and more. Please take a look at som of the photographs form the event.

All our pupils really enjoyed the experience and it was great to be back out in the community competing alongside other schools in a well organised covid - 19 safe environment.

Unfortunately we did not win !!! But we will practice and improve our techniques ready for the next event. The pupils all gained a great deal from the event, such as learning how to cope with loss, developing their social skills, improving independence skills and behaviour in the community.

Thank you to:

A big thank you to Jackie Butts & Kirsty Sullivan for supporting the event.

Chris Sugden from Panathlon for organising the event

The leaders who supported the activities.

And of course the team. Well done

Look forward to the next event

Jo Gavin

SEND Webinar Briefings for Parents

Wed 20 Oct 2021 Claire Kings

Please find attached information regarding webinar briefings for parents provided by Birmingham City Council.

Joining details are included in the posters.

Parking on Frederick Road

Wed 22 Sep 2021 Claire Kings

Just a polite request from the neighbours on Frederick Road to remind parents and carers not to block driveways when dropping off and collecting children from school.
Please remember you are able to use the turning circle if you are finding it difficult to find a parking space.
Ask in the school office if you need any information and they will be happy to help.
Many thanks.

Covid Outbreak

Thu 16 Sep 2021

Covid Outbreak

Dear families,

I am sorry to be informing you that Cherry Oak School has had at least two confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the last 14 days. In a special school, two cases or more is classed as an ‘outbreak’ and so we have activated our outbreak management plan. This plan outlines the measures that we would need to put in place to further support the children and staff in staying safe on site. Individuals who are directly affected will receive a letter today.

Regards,

Ross Ashcroft

Headteacher