Forest Oak School

Windward Way

Smith’s Wood

Birmingham

B36 0UE

0121 717 0088

Inside this issue:

Message from the

Principal

1

‘MoneySense’ 1

News from 8M 2

News from 8E 3

‘Jimmy Spices’ -

7L

3

Birmingham Cen-

tral Mosque - 7C

4

South & City

College - Year 11

4

Sponsored Silence 5

Restorative

Justice

5

Kingswood

Residential

6-8

Fundraising 9

Kindness Awards 9

6th Form 10

Mindfullness 11

Engagement

Event

12

Dates for Your

Diary

12

NEWSLETTER

Friday, 16th February 2018

Dear Parents/Carers

It has been a pleasure to see the progress pupils have made

this term. I have seen this when reading Annual Reviews

and also seeing pupils around school.

The pupils and staff have also been on some amazing educa-

tional visits that have helped them to transfer skills learnt in

the classroom into the community.

Pupils have also been helping in the community; litter pick-

ing, fund raising, collecting food for the local Foodbank and

planting bulbs at a local nursing home, to name just a few.

They are becoming great citizens. Thank to you all for all

your support and enjoy the half-term break.

PRINCIPAL

Forest Oak is now a ‘Moneysense’ Ambassador School. This

demonstrates the commitment Forest Oak shows to financial

education. We are one of only a few schools involved. Pupils

will take part in workshops over the course of the year.

which are designed to teach about money matters and apply-

ing it to real life situations. The first set of workshops will

take place on 21st March; volunteers from NatWest bank will

visit school to show their support to the school and the pro-

gramme.

All teachers will have access to teaching resources from the

‘Moneysense’ website. You can also access the website to

support your child at home. It has lots of interactive games

and activities to play and look at www.mymoneysense.com

Page 2

NEWS FROM 8M

Bradgate Park

On 22nd January, 8M went to Bradgate Park to

look at the landscape and how we keep warm.

It was part of our ‘Mountains’ topic work. Pu-

pils went on a walk, spotting deer on our way.

We enjoyed lunch at the café and pupils were

given the opportunity to buy a hot drink if

they wished. Pupils were excellently behaved

throughout the day with Nuwan commenting,

“the view is breath-taking.”

Making Soup

We have been making soup as part of our DT

work. We sourced recipes and estimated how

much it would cost before going to Aldi and

Morrison's to compare prices of the ingredients

we needed to buy. We selected ingredients to

make 3 soups: carrot and coriander, root vegeta-

ble soup and sweet potato and butternut squash

soup.

We cooked the soups and tasted each one, identifying which one we liked the best. Pu-

pil have enjoyed learning new life skills both in the community and in the Food Tech-

nology room cooking.

Litter Picking

We went litter picking at Lanchester Park with em-

ployees of Solihull MBC and AMEY. We spent a

short time helping to clean up our local area; this

was part of our Social Action Project for our PSD

work. Pupils split into groups and cleared the area.

Pupils learned about what happened to the litter

when it was collected and when it goes for recy-

cling. Pupils showed a real interest and enthusiasm

during the visit. We would like to thank the em-

ployees of AMEY and Solihull for spending their

time with us and enhancing our curriculum.

Page 3

NEWS FROM 8E

This term we have been completing community actions projects as part of our PSHE

lessons, with the aim of helping someone in the local area and making them smile!

We split into three groups; one group planned and performed a play for Year 2/3 pu-

pils, another group planted flowering bulbs for residents at a nursing home and the

others did some shopping for the breakfast club.. All three groups worked really hard

and completed their tasks with great success. Well done to everyone involved!

JIMMY SPICES—7L On 31st January, we went to Jimmy Spices as part of our topic this term, ‘All Around

the World’. Pupils

tasted different

foods and had an

amazing time.

Page 4

7C VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL MOSQUE

On 1st February, we went to the Birmingham Central Mosque. A young man greeted

us at the door and asked us to take our shoes off. We made our way to the Prayer

Room which hold 3000 people every Friday. It gets very hot in there but there are

fans to keep everyone cool. The man spoke about the religion and the pupils asked

lots of great questions. The pupils had a marvellous time and found it very informa-

tive. A massive thank you to Mrs Rogers for organising the trip!

SOUTH & CITY COLLEGE

YEAR 11

Throughout the year, four year 11 boys

have been visiting South and City Col-

lege every Friday to complete a City and

Guilds Construction Course. The past

term they have been working super hard

to construct giant chess boards; learning

a variety of new skills on the way. The

chess boards have been brought back to

school for all their friends to enjoy using

during break, lunch and merit time. A

massive well done to Ben, Anthony,

Chad and Luke for doing a fantastic job!

Page 5

SHUSH - SPONSORED SILENCE!

Taylor Henn, Year 11, managed to raise a fantastic

£57.26 towards the Forest Oak Prom 2018. Taylor took

part in a whole days sponsored silence organised com-

pletely by him. A big thank you to everyone who spon-

sored him and a massive well done to Taylor!!!

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE INFORMATION SESSION

Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend our Restorative Justice Infor-

mation Session on 31st January. It was good to have such a positive response and work

together to support our pupils with behaviour.

Hopefully, learning more about the school’s methods for supporting wellbeing and be-

haviour, gave you confidence to try restorative practice at home and that you found

sharing stories and strategies with other parents useful and reassuring.

We know those who stayed for a relaxing mindfulness session and hand massage from

Lynn Richards left a little bit more chilled and again, thank you for giving up your val-

uable time!

Anyone who wasn’t able to attend the session but would like more information about

our approach to behaviour, wellbeing and mindfulness, please feel free to contact me in

school or speak to Sam, our Child and Family Support Worker.

Miss I Jerrard

UNIFORM

We have secured the uniform prices for the coming year and we are pleased to advise

you that there will be no price increase. May I please remind you to put your child’s

name in their uniform.

Thank you

Page 6

KINGSWOOD RESIDENTIAL

On 5th February, pupils in Year 9 and 10 went on a residential to Kingswood House,

Doncaster. We started off our journey by stopping off at the services and most of the

pupils had a McDonalds.

When we arrived at Kingswood, we went straight into our first activity which was low

ropes and lasers. The pupils really enjoyed this.

After this we went to our dormitory.; it was amazing and had so much room. The pu-

pils were fantastic at making their own beds and impressed all the staff.

Dinner was next, which was lovely and we had lots of

choice then the last activity was ‘Scrapheap Chal-

lenge’. Abbie and Cameron got kited out with card-

board by their team mates and enjoyed having water

bombs thrown at them.

Page 7

We ended the night having hot chocolate and then to bed which all staff were extreme-

ly pleased as we all had a good nights sleep.

Tuesday was a fun packed day. Activities included: crate stack, bush craft, problem

solving, nightline and lastly a campfire. This was fab as we all sat around singing and

telling jokes.

We ended Tuesday night with a hot chocolate and straight to

bed as we were all shattered. Wednesday was our last day.

We were up early as we had to pack and leave the dormitory

with our suitcases.

Page 8

Wednesday’s activities included the zip wire and archery.

After lunch it was time to head off home. The pupils were really tired and some slept

on the way home. Mrs Orme, Mr Marriott, Mrs White, Mr Pierce and Mrs Smith

would like to say, “A huge thank you to you all; you were all amazing and it was love-

ly to see you enjoy yourselves”. Here is what some of the pupils had to say……..

“I didn’t think I’d do the zip wire because I was scared but I did it! It was amazing

and I was really proud of myself.” Terri

“I loved the trip and stopping at the services.” Kaine

“It was good to work as a team.” Arisha

“I enjoyed crate stacking. It was funny and exciting.” Lewis

“The laser was really exciting. I loved the zip wire, it was amazing and I got a bulls

eye in archery.” Billy

“The residential gave me loads of confidence, I loved it.” Jodie

“We all got on well and had loads of laughs.” Ashley

“I liked the crate stacking the best but I really enjoyed everything.” Kailen

“I enjoyed the archery and all activities. The food and bed was very nice.” Brandon

“I liked the Scrapheap Challenge where I was dressed up. I was scared at the be-

ginning of the trip but loved it at the end.” Abbi

“I really enjoyed it but now wish I had taken part in more of the activities.” Jordan

By Mrs Orme

Page 9

KINDNESS AWARDS

W/E 5/1/18

Lower – Daisy May Masters for collecting the printing

W/E 12/1/18

Lower – Shanice Hodgson for giving Holly-Leigh her bobble

Upper – Keira O’Grady for giving up her seat for a member of staff

W/E 19/1/18

Lower – Oliver Mills for helping Blake in ICT

Upper - Jimmy O’Brien for reloading the printer for KS3/4

W/E 26/1/18

Lower – Corey Hayden for tidying up

Upper – Nuwan Bentara-Guruge for helping Adam with his maths work

W/E 2/2/18

Lower – Keiran Seal for being nice to Shanice and Mrs Matthews

Upper – Jordan Lee-Wright for helping others in class

W/E 9/2/18

Lower – Kacie McManus-Armstrong for getting a chair and straw for Warren

Upper - Demi Brunt for helping a friend in ICT

W/E 16/2/18

Lower - Millie Burley for getting a knife for Daisy-May

Upper - Andrews Coe for donating food to 8M’s Food Bank collection

FUNDRAISING

Liz Taylor, midday supervisor, is fundraising to buy a floor level trampoline for our

Key Stage 2 playground. She is holding a variety of events including a table top sale

(date to follow) and on 14th April 2018 there is a family disco at ’Ray’s Snooker

Club’, Arran Way, Smith’s Wood.

Starts at 7.30 p.m.

Tickets £2.50 children go free

Please join us

Page 10

6TH FORM

We have been very busy in 6th Form this half term. Our Life Skills group have fin-

ished their library books so we have been back to Chelmsley Wood Library to change

them. All of the students are enjoying having some time to read whilst at the library

and also during lessons.

Some of the students choosing Elliott & Oliver reading their library books in

a book the library.

We have been to visit Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery as part of our Adventure

and Residential Course; all of the students chose a piece of art which they were inter-

ested in and took a photograph. Once we were back at school, they researched the

piece of art and wrote up their findings.

Work Experience

We have managed to secure weekly work experience placements for 3 of our students;

Shaun, Oliver and Elliott. Shaun and Oliver are now working at Colebridge Enterprise

each Friday, which is a warehouse environment putting together smalls parts for Land

Rover. Elliott is working alongside the Secret Garden staff at the farm. All of the stu-

dents are enjoying being out at work!

Page 11

MINDFULLNESS

At Forest Oak we received Mindfulness training from our behaviour special-

ist Izzy Jerrard several months ago. This has been hugely successful! Our

staff have implemented their training in classes and we practice it daily. It

has led to a much more stress-free, relaxed and peaceful environment so we

wanted to share this with you at home!

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where

we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by

what’s going on around us.

Who should practice mindfulness?

Anyone can do mindfulness practice. There are no barriers. It doesn’t matter how old

you are, what your physical ability is, if you’re religious or not.

What are the benefits of meditation?

Of course, when we meditate it doesn’t help to fixate on the benefits, but ra-

ther just to do the practice. That being said, there are plenty of benefits.

Here are five reasons to practice mindfulness.

5 Science-Backed Reasons to Meditate

Understand your pain. Pain is a fact of life, but it doesn’t have to rule you. Mindful-

ness can help you reshape your relationship with mental and physical pain.

Connect better. Ever find yourself staring blankly at a friend, lover, child, and you’ve

no idea what they’re saying? Mindfulness helps you give them your full attention.

Lower stress. There’s lots of evidence these days that excess stress causes lots of ill-

nesses and makes other illnesses worse. Mindfulness decreases stress.

Focus your mind. It can be frustrating to have our mind stray off what we’re doing

and be pulled in six directions. Meditation hones our innate ability to focus.

Reduce brain chatter. The nattering, chattering voice in our head seems never to

leave us alone. Isn’t it time we gave it a little break?

More info available on the following websites: (or just Google Mindfulness.)

https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/

Page 12

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

19th February 2018 to 23rd February 2018 - Half Term holiday

Monday, 26th February 2018 - INSET closed to pupils

Thursday, 29th March 2018 - Last day of term

Monday, 16th April 2018 - Pupils return to school

Monday, 7th May 2018 - May Day Bank Holiday

28th May 2018 to 1st June 2018 - Half Term holiday

29th June 2018 - Year 11/13 leave

9th July 2018 - Sports Day

9th July 2018 - Parents’ Evening

Monday, 23rd July 2018 - INSET closed to pupils

Tuesday, 24th July 2018 - INSET closed to pupils