Home Page

Stand By Me is a small Christian charity that supports children in a handful of schools and communities across the world.  Our school has a link with Bethany School in a town in Ethiopia. Recently, a representative from the charity visited the school to talk to the children about their work. This year, the children in each class will be taking ownership to plan and carry out their own fundraising to help raise money towards toys and equipment being provided for the pupils at Bethany School.

This year’s global theme is: Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI with a focus on making safe choices when using smart technology. During the day, we will be discussing how AI can be used for good, but safely and responsibly.

This year’s theme is ‘This is My Place’ and we will be helping the children to belong as individuals, in friendships, in school and in our wider communities.

The whole school had great fun exploring world rhythms such as Latin, Samba, African, Caribbean with Bassistry Music.  The day was interactive and energetic and involved using percussion, body rhythms, dance and song.  The following day Class 3 and 4 used music software to compose and learn using popular and world music styles.  We would like to say a huge thank you to FoSS  for financially covering the cost of both these days for the children.

We are beginning to prepare for Christmas in our hearts and minds during our daily Collective Worship and reflecting upon Advent and the celebration of the coming of Christ.  Our Christmas tree has now arrived, and the children are clearly beginning to get excited! This year Class One and Two performed the Nativity Play ‘A Twinkly Nativity and we raised £115.17 for Makaton.  This charity’s vision is to improve lives by enabling everyone to communicate successfully by using solutions that are effective and appropriate for them. Our Christmas Service at St Faith’s church is held at the very end of the term.  The children in Class 4 presented their thoughts on ‘All is Calm, All is Bright’ from the carol ‘Silent Night’.  We sang several carols, the Choir performed, Key Stage One also sang a song from their Nativity, the staff and pupils read Bible readings and led the whole school in pray.  It was a joyous occasion.

Our School Choir performed at the Oxfordshire County Music Service Big Christmas Sing event in Oxford with many other primary schools. The Choir also performed at the Carols by Candlelight Service held at St Faith’s Church in Shellingford.

The whole school experienced a wonderful day out at our annual visit to The Watermill Theatre to watch ‘THE LITTLE MERMAID’ based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen.  We all were mesmerised by this touching and magical production, the superb acting, music and dancing which brought this well-known fairy story to live with a contemporary twist.

Thank you also for supporting our ‘Challenge yourself to 25!’ Children in Need event. The children completed a variety of different challenges to 25 in their classes.  We raised £153.82 for the appeal, thank you.

We have set aside daily reflection times called ‘Space Makers’ and have introduced five contemplative practices to help children embrace some traditions of Christianity and mindfulness to assist us all in navigating the world around us.