Our Saturday mornings have been transformed for First and Second Formers.
Omnia, our enrichment programme, has been carefully crafted by our teachers to benefit our youngest pupils in both their academic progression and their wider development as they move up through Oundle. From encouraging exploration to fostering climate champions and critical thinkers, pupils are presented with a myriad of activities to whet every appetite. Omnia is delivered on Saturday mornings throughout the two years, supplementing our current academic and cocurricular provision and offering the perfect stepping stone towards Third Form where all pupils have Saturday morning academic lessons.
"OMNIA REFLECTS OUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT OUR YOUNGEST PUPILS DEVELOP A WIDE RANGE OF SKILLS AND CHARACTER TRAITS BEYOND THE ACADEMIC CURRICULUM."
EMMA BYATT, OMNIA CREATOR
SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE FIELD OF WORK EACH BOY OR GIRL MAY FIND HIS OWN PART, AND SO TAKE PART IN THE CREATIVE LIFE, AND GROW BY DOING IT, AND BE ‘BITTEN’ WITH THE DESIRE TO DO, AND GAIN IN PURPOSE, IN DETERMINATION, IN SELF-DETERMINATION, IN CONFIDENCE AND IN OUTLOOK.”
Frederick William Sanderson, Headmaster of Oundle School 1892 – 1922, The Service of Schools, 1920
FIRST FORMERS
Omnia is all about enabling our youngest pupils not only to pursue current passions but to develop new interests, igniting sparks and opening up new opportunities. First Formers benefit from a bespoke programme over the first four weeks to support their induction process. The emphasis is on fun and team building to foster familiarity with each other, staff and the environment of Oundle. This is followed by a carousel of activities in small groups, with each four-week rotation focusing on a particular skill-set or character trait.
SECOND FORMERS
Second Formers rotate through four key themes across four weeks: Global Citizens, Team Players, Critical Thinkers and Climate Champions. Either side of Christmas, there is a pause on the main carousel, with the pupils changing groups, completing a First Aid course and working towards the Inter-Quarter competition.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Omnia consists of two 90 minute sessions on a Saturday morning, with a half hour break in between. Pupils from both our day House and boarding House take part together in a teambased structure. Oundle specialist teachers lead the sessions, with additional expertise drawn in from further afield when required. Most sessions take place within Oundle, but we also make the most of the inspiring places on our doorstep to add diversity to the programme.
Session 1: 08.45 - 10.15
Session 2: 10.45 - 12.15
Lunch is provided for all, followed by an optional sports session for both year groups in the early afternoon.
One Saturday per term is devoted to a whole year group competitive event and social occasion, to which parents are invited. In keeping with our aim to create a softer transition to Oundle at 11+, there is a degree of flexibililty around Saturday provision for those in First Form who might need a little more time to adjust.
A FOCUS ON CHARACTER TRAITS
INTELLECTUAL
Necessary for discernment, right action and the pursuit of knowledge, truth and understanding.
THE FOUR PILLARS OF CHARACTER EDUCATION, EACH SEEKING TO DEVELOP DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER TRAITS, UNDERPIN EACH ROTATION.
MORAL
03
FIRST FORM
In recognition that all pupils adapt to Senior School at different rates, there is some flexibility for the First Form. The move to a 6 day timetable is part of the transition to Oundle School and it is important that the pupils become familiar with Saturday school. In discussion with your Hsm, it is possible to request absence from Omnia if there is a good reason.
FIND A FULL GLOSSARY OF ACTIVITIES ON PAGE 12
INDUCTION
The first few weeks at a new school are full of new faces, new names and new information. In order to support this, we have created a bespoke set of activities during the first half of the Michaelmas Term to complement the existing induction programme. The aim is to familiarise pupils with the environment of Oundle and create opportunities for new friendships to be formed. The final session will be a whole year group trip to provide a shared experience.
WEEK 1 WEEK 1
SESSION 1
SESSION 2
SCAVENGER HUNT
WEEK 2
TEAM BUILDING
INTRO TO HEALTH CENTRE AND EWT
Compassion, Respect, Citizenship and Teamwork.
WEEK 3
EXEAT
EXEAT
WEEK 4
TRIP TO GRAFHAM WATER
WINTER
This theme is undertaken by the whole year group during the winter months. The sessions is based on building confidence to perform in a supportive environment, achieved through the three media of poetry, public speaking and singing. The latter of these takes place in Quarters alongside the Second Form, in preparation for the Inter-Quarter Singing competition in the Lent Term. Each choir is co-ordinated by a Sixth Form Music Scholar.
WEEK 1 WEEK 1
SESSION 1
SESSION 2
WEEK 2
WEEK 3
WEEK 4
POETRY DECLAMATION, SELF-DEFENCE AND SCOTTISH REELING
What do a polyglot and a robot have in common? They both understand how to manipulate the mechanics of language to achieve an objective, whether that be ordering two coffees in Croatian or ordering wooden blocks according to their colour. Pupils have sessions in both linguistics and robotics to build their skills of logic and problem solving.
WEEK 1 WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4
SESSION 1
SESSION 2
Critical thinking, Curiosity, Teamwork, Respect.
YOUNG EXPLORERS
Exploration can be both theoretical and practical. The main activity in this theme combines both while linking to Science teaching across the curriculum, with pupils tasked to investigate how they would travel to Mars, and what it would take to survive there should the journey be successful. The practical element comes in the construction and launch of a prototype rocket, as well as the development of a solar-powered oven. Running concurrently to this project is instructor-led sessions in Cycling and Climbing.
A rising human population is placing unprecedented strain on Earth’s available land. Cities are growing, reducing the space available for agriculture, while farmers are under pressure to meet increasing stringent environmental targets. In this climate, it is crucial that the pupils are educated in the importance of provenance and sourcing so that they are able to make their own informed choices. Pupils spend two mornings at a local farm where they learn about crop plants and livestock before spending two mornings at a Cookery School where the recipes are all based around locally sourced ingredients.
04 SECOND FORM
GLOBAL CITIZENS
FIND A FULL GLOSSARY OF ACTIVITIES ON PAGE 14
The world is becoming increasingly globalised and this theme is designed to broaden pupils' knowledge of different societies. Sessions with the MFL department look at different cultures, including language as well as historical context and famous figures. This is complemented by two mornings at a Cookery School where pupils have the opportunity to try their hand at producing local specialities. Intertwined through the theme are cycling sessions focussing on how to be a considerate road user; a key aspect of any society.
This theme is completed by the whole year group during the winter months. Every pupil completes a total of six hours of First Aid training, developing age-appropriate skills. Pupils also start rehearsing for the InterQuarter Singing competition, with each Quarter forming a choir of combined First and Second Form, under the guidance of a Sixth Form Music Scholar.
Compassion,
TEAM PLAYERS
The combined action of a group to achieve a common goal is one of the most powerful lessons to be learnt. In these formative activities, pupils learn to recognise their own strengths and weaknesses as well as how to get the best out of their peers. They are challenged on the climbing wall and learn to manoeuver a kayak. With their feet back on the ground, they rotate through the key backstage skills at the Stahl Theatre, with sessions led by specialist technicians.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. In a digital world, we are all subjected to a constant stream of information. The activities running throughout this theme focus on the persuasive power of advertising, with pupils creating their own campaign to sell a product. In other sessions they learn how to approach a cryptic crossword and attempt to break out of an escape room.
The influence of humans on our planet runs widely and deeply. Small changes can, however, make a significant difference and pupils will be challenged to give a new lease of life to unwanted items. They learn about textiles, reinventing items of clothes that are too small, too broken or too out of fashion. In the Patrick Engineering Centre, they upcycle an item of ‘junk’ and explore the potential of artificial intelligence to meet the UN sustainable development goals.
PUPILS LEARN HOW THEIR ACTIONS CAN IMPACT OUR PLANET
05 QUARTERS AND COMPETITIONS
Omnia is part of our broader commitment to bring pupils across our two youngest year groups closer together, regardless of whether they board in The Berrystead or are day pupils in Scott House.
As well as their House, all First and Second Formers belong to a Quarter for certain competitive events, including those in Omnia. Using constellations as our inspiration, each Quarter is named after a grouping of stars which can be seen from the northern hemisphere. Within the Omnia programme are termly competitive event and social occasion for both year groups, to which parents are invited.
Working with our Head of Charities, pupils design, create and run stalls in support of their chosen charity. From acting out human fruit machines or opting for the ever-popular ‘soak the teacher’, pupils’ ingenuity, leadership and creativity is put to the test for a good cause.
Pupils take to the stage in all manner of guises, from public speaking and debating to Inter-Quarter singing. The event dovetails with the annual Second Form Shakespeare Day while also providing a fabulous opening act for Senior House Singing on Sunday.
SUMMER TERM: SPORTS DAY
The last Saturday of the first half of term is the perfect opportunity for a bespoke Inter-Quarter Sports Day, with pupils competing across a wide range of events.
MICHAELMAS TERM: JUNIOR CHARITIES FAIR
LENT TERM: OMNIA ON STAGE
06
GLOSSARY: FIRST FORM ACTIVITIES
IT ISSUES
A troubleshooting session for pupils after using their surfaces for a couple of weeks. A chance to introduce some more advanced skills if pupils are ready.
INTRO TO HEALTH CENTRE AND EWT
Pupils meet the school nurses and members of the Emotional and Wellbeing Team (EWT).
CHAPLAINS
A session in the School Chaplaincy.
GETTING TO KNOW OUNDLE
A chance to play games to familiarise the pupils with their teachers and the geography of Oundle.
SCAVENGER HUNT
Pupils work together and use their ingenuity to work out where various objects are located around Oundle.
TEAM BUILDING
A series of carefully designed challenges which create situations requiring communication, leadership and teamwork.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Pupils are guided through the skills required for successful public speaking. They learn to declaim a poem as well as write their own speech.
MUSIC
Dedicated time for the Quarters to rehearse their entries for Inter-Quarter Singing.
CRAFTS
Pupils develop their creativity by making various items that can be donated as part of the Community Action programme, eg donating Christmas decorations.
LINGUISTICS
Led by the MFL department, pupils learn how different languages are constructed and the common threads that connect them.
ROBOTICS
An opportunity for pupils to get hands on with some Vex robots and learn the foundations of coding.
CLIMBING
Led by an external climbing coach. Pupils learn how to tie into a harness and safely belay each other.
CYCLING
Led by an external cycling coach. Pupils learn how to handle a bicycle and, when ready, progress to riding safely on a road.
Led by the DET department, pupils construct and fire a rocket before considering what might be needed to survive if they succesfully manage to reach Mars.
COOKING
Pupils learn to cook both savoury and sweet dishes as part of the theme of Farm to Fork.
FARM VISIT
A trip to a local farm. The first session focuses on crop plants and the importance of seasonal vegetables. The second session looks at livestock and flour.
07
GLOSSARY: SECOND FORM ACTIVITIES
FIRST AID
The sessions are led by the nurses from the Health Centre and focus on age-appropriate First Aid skills such as bleeding, CPR and choking/head injuries.
MUSIC
Dedicated time for the Quarters to rehearse their entries for Inter-Quarter Singing.
DEBATING
Pupils learn how to take part in a balloon debate.
COOKING
Pupils learn to cook international dishes as part of the theme of Global Citizens.
CYCLING
Led by an external cycling coach. Pupils learn how to handle a bicycle and, when ready, progress to riding safely on a road.
Led by the MFL department, with sessions exploring cultures and history as well as langauge.
CLIMBING
Led by an external climbing coach. Pupils learn how to tie into a harness and safely belay each other.
STAHL BACKSTAGE
Each session focusses on one of the main backstage areas: set design, lighting, sound and stage managaement.
KAYAKING
Led by an external kayaking coach. Pupils learn how to handle a kayak, as well as how to be safe on the River Nene.
ESCAPE ROOM
A trip to a local escape room which requires logical thinking and teamwork.
MISSION TO MARS PUZZLERS
Pupils need to think on their feet to tackle a series of challenging puzzles.
MARKETING TASK
Pupils explore how advertising can be used to manipulate our thinking and then design their own marketing campaign before delivering a final pitch.
COMMAND TASKS
A mainstay of military leadership, Command Tasks present a problem that must be tackled as a team.
AI CHALLENGE
Pupils explore how technology can be used to reduce energy consumption.
UPCYCLING
Based in the Patrick Engineering Centre, pupils take an item of scrap/clothing and give it a new lease of life.
TRASHION
Pupils learn about textiles, reinventing items of clothes that are too small, too broken or too out of fashion.
