Next week, Ox Close is featuring as Star Radio‘s School of the Week. Today Wes Stakes visited and worked with a group of children. Without spoiling it, they came out with some very interesting comments. Please tune in to Star Radio from 7:35am and 3:30pm every day next week.

Children from across the school have thoroughly enjoyed working with the writer Adam Bushnell this week. From creating dinosaurs, to describing the scary insides of a pyramid, the children have really excelled themselves. It all culminated in an amazing assembly this afternoon, with our special guest delivering some fantastic story-telling. We are delighted that Adam will return to Ox Close in the next academic year.

Life never stands still at Ox Close and 2016 has been no exception. Our facilities have been enhanced significantly, our results across the school were excellent despite several more maternities, the school council visited parliament, and the school won many awards. It was also fabulous to see 7 of our pupils being nominated for Young Peoples’ Awards, with 5 being successful. This was all achieved amid a sometimes difficult backdrop of the Teaching Assistant dispute and various other matters. Here’s to a peaceful and successful 2017.

I would like to wish everyone associated with Ox Close a very Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you again on Wednesday 4th January 2017.

Over the past week, our various Christmas performances have been watched by a grand total of over 700 parents! The 8 shows demonstrated the confidence and skill of the children. Well done to everyone! It was lovely to see traditional carols, a fabulous nativity and 2 magnificent plays in a fitting end to a successful year at Ox Close.

Congratulations go to Vera Dimitrova of Year 4, who has been chosen as the winner of the Spennymoor Town Council Christmas bauble competition. She was awarded her prize by the Mayor in a special assembly yesterday.

This week, children across the school took part in an ‘Hour of Code’ as part of a worldwide Computer Science week. The aim of this event is to give all children access and opportunity to experience computer coding. This is now a huge part of the Computing curriculum in schools, with an emphasis on children developing essential logical and problem solving skills. For more information, or to have a go with your child at home, click here. Take a look at some of our children in action.

Years 3 and 4 kicked off our season of Christmas performances in magnificent style on Thursday. Their singing and speaking during the concerts, which were held in the beautiful St Paul’s Church, was outstanding.  Well done to all of the children and staff and thank you very much to Matt and all at St Paul’s. We look forward to returning to the church for future events.