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Welcome back! We’re so excited to start the new academic year and can’t wait to see our students next week (see important dates below). Our incredible staff returned a week early for a full-on Bootcamp—reconnecting with our vision, refining our teaching, planning together and preparing classrooms. All to make sure your children get the very best from day one!
📌 Key Dates to Remember for Autumn 2026
Wednesday, 2nd September
Launch Day—parents sign up for individual appointments with their child’s new teacher via MCAS. See details below in this Bulletin.
Thursday, 3rd September
KS1 & KS2 First Day
Friday, 4th September
Nursery students will be having a reduced timetable, including Stay and Play sessions (times and dates have been communicated to parents individually).
Monday, 7th September
New Reception students will be having a staggered start from this date (times have been communicated to parents individually).
🚀 Parent/Carer Launch Day (KS1 & KS2)
We can’t wait to welcome all of our ODA students back next week. The academic year starts with our KS1 & KS2 Launch Day on Wednesday, 2nd September. Please make sure that you log on to MCAS in order to book your appointment with your child’s new class teacher. This will be a great opportunity to get to know them and receive important information about the upcoming academic year.
All students are expected to attend along with their parent(s)/carer(s) and be in full school uniform. Please note that if you do not book an appointment for Launch Day, your child will be marked absent in the register for that day.
Students in Years 1 and 2: please go upstairs to the Key Stage 1 homebase for your appointment.
Students in Years 3 and 6: your appointment will be downstairs in the lower Key Stage 2 homebase.
Students in Years 4 and 5: your appointment will be upstairs in the upper Key Stage 2 homebase.
👔 Year 1 Tie Ceremony
This year, your Year 1 child will be wearing a tie every day as part of our commitment to high standards and a strong sense of identity at ODA. We do this to foster a sense of belonging and pride—being part of something bigger, together.
The tie ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 9th September from 1:30-2:00pm in the Hall. Year 1 parents and carers are invited to arrive at 1:15pm for a prompt 1:30pm start to the ceremony.
A few helpful reminders:
- ODA provides ties. There is no need to purchase one.
- Please ensure their top button can be fastened comfortably, as this is part of the expected uniform.
- If your child finds the top button uncomfortable, consider buying a slightly bigger shirt to help them adjust more easily.
- A properly fitting tie should sit neatly and feel comfortable.
- Note that Velcro collar shirts are often less comfortable with a tie. Buttoned shirts are recommended.
Looking smart helps our students feel proud, confident and connected to our ODA community—and we appreciate your support in helping set that tone.
🌟 Year 6 Blazer Ceremony
We are extremely excited and proud to welcome our next cohort of ambassadors into Year 6! Our new ambassadors will receive their blazers in a special ceremony on Tuesday, 8th September at 3:00pm in the Hall. Year 6 parents and carers are invited to arrive at 2:45pm for a prompt 3pm start to the ceremony.
*ODA provides blazers. There is no need to purchase one.
🥣 Breakfast Club - Autumn Term
Please see this letter, which contains sign-up details for Autumn Term Breakfast Club (3rd September - 16th October; 2nd November - 18th December), along with key dates and prices. As the letter mentions, bookings will go live on Friday, 28th August at 6:00pm via MCAS. Bookings will close on Wednesday, 2nd September at noon.
🎭⚽ ODA After School Clubs (Yrs 1-6)
The timetable for the ODA After School Club offer will be shared next week, so please keep an eye out for the details on what clubs are on offer and how to sign your child up.
➡️ Secondary School Transition - ODA Information Session
We will be holding an information sharing session on Friday, 4th September at 3:45pm in The Hall. We will share key information about the secondary school application process and can provide support with the application should you need it.
If you are the parent/carer of a student starting in Year 5 and would also like to attend, please let your class teacher know on Parent/Carer Launch Day so that we have an idea of the number of people attending.
Events Held by Enfield
If you will be applying for a secondary school for September 2027, please see this leaflet provided by Enfield Council, which includes information about secondary open evenings.
On Thursday 10 September 2026, parents/carers and students are invited to a unique event run by Enfield Council offering transitioning from primary school. Please see this flyer for more details and to book your 90-minute slot.
⚕️ Medication Protocol
If you wish to bring in medicine(s) to be administered, care plans will need to be completed on MCAS for this academic year. As a reminder, no medication was kept in school over the summer holidays. Please bring medication in on Launch Day. The online form must be completed before you can leave medication and have it administered.
🛝 New Playground Equipment
At ODA, we are committed to providing a safe, stimulating environment outside and have started the first phase of our exciting renovations over the Summer. Thanks to Fairview New Homes for donating our new climbing apparatus!
A polite reminder that at pick-up, parents and carers are responsible for your children once collected from the line and for any younger (or older!) siblings that also come in. If you would like your children to use the climbing apparatus whilst waiting, it is your responsibility to ensure that your children are doing so safely and responsibly by standing with them whilst doing so. This will help ensure their safety.
💜 School Uniform Reminder
As we look ahead to the new school year, please take some time to ensure your child’s new uniform is ready to go. We kindly ask that you review our Uniform Policy to ensure all items comply, paying special attention to footwear and fastenings that your child can do independently.
Compulsory items include our ODA V-Neck Jumper/Cardigan, ODA PE Polo T-shirt and ODA Bag. From Year 1 onwards, students must wear a saxe-blue tie, reflecting the school’s official colour, as part of the school uniform. The tie does not need to be school-branded, provided it is the correct saxe-blue colour and style. The recommended school tie is available from Smiths Schoolwear. Please note, during the Year 1 Tie Ceremony, Year 1 students receive a tie from the school.
At ODA, we firmly believe the small things matter—please ensure your child's uniform fits properly and that they are able to comfortably button their own top button. Thank you for your continued support in keeping our students looking smart and ready to learn!
🥳📚 Birthday Party Bags
Birthdays are a joyful and special time, and we love celebrating with our students! However, due to severe allergies and health and safety regulations, we kindly ask that Birthday Party Bags, sweets and treats are not brought into school.
If you'd like to mark your child’s special day in a meaningful way, we encourage you to celebrate the ODA Way by donating a book to our school library in their name. It’s a lasting gift that all our students can enjoy.
Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping our school community safe and inclusive for everyone.
💜 Farewell to Some Cherished Friends
Recently, our two dear school chickens became unwell and passed away. Thank you to the ODA farmers and adults—especially Portia, Ashley, Beatrix and Jay—for all their care. We are really pleased that we could get these lovely ladies out of retirement from their battery farm so they could enjoy their last years with us and relax, surrounded by love.
We are looking to rescue more in the future and cannot wait to welcome some more friends at that time.
🆘 CAMHS Crisis Line
For a quick reminder of the details of the CAMHS crisis line, please see this flyer. The contact number is NHS 111, Option 2.
Home Learning Videos
Nursery and Reception: Check Tapestry for the latest video from the teaching team.
Y1-6: Click here for the latest home learning video from the teaching team.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @1DegreeAcademy to see photos of our week!
Many thanks, ODA