Dear Parents and Carers,
So this week has brought our first swimming sessions of the year, a careers afternoon and more.
WARNING!
Please be aware that some older pupils at Stower Provost are creating WhatsApp groups, and passing the personal numbers of other pupils, without permission. Individuals are then being added to groups, without consent. We are talking to all the children today with regards to this behaviour, the need to request permission prior to passing on any personal information, and reiterating online and phone safety.
THIS WEEK
Swimming and PE
It was great to see the children in the swimming pool for the first time this year. Thank you for ensuring children had their swimming costume, towel, swimming hat and goggles in school.
Children should come to school dressed in PE kit on a Monday and Tuesday, and have their swimwear as well, as they will be swimming on both days.
PE & swim days are:
| Oak | Monday | Tuesday |
| Chestnuts | Monday | Tuesday |
| Beech | Monday | Tuesday |
| Hazel | Monday | Tuesday |
Think Small, Dream Big
Children in Chestnut and Oak Classes experienced three talks by individuals in a variety of professions. This was part of the school’s careers education drive, linked to the Think Small, Dream Big initiative.
Each individual spoke for around 15 minutes about:
- Their job
- How they got into the profession
- The opportunities that the profession has
- Pros and cons of working within that environment
Children rotated in groups and had the opportunity to question and find out more about each role.
My thanks to Martin, Tracey and Nick for giving up their time to talk to the children about their work; Martin in the communications industry with satellites, Tracey being a sound engineer travelling the world and carrying out work linked to theatre, the Olympic games and the Football World Cup, and finally to Nick who spoke about life as a professional trumpet player.
Animal visits
Chestnut class have had a variety of visits from animals this week, including ducklings fostered by a chicken and a rose-ringed parakeet, native to Africa and Asia.
NEXT WEEK
SATS week
Year 6 pupils across the country will be sitting their Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs). Year 5 pupils will spend time in other classrooms while testing is carried out.
Roman Baths Trip
Tuesday 12th May sees Mrs Whelan taking Chestnut class to the Roman Baths in Bath. As I have to remain at school for the Year 6 SATs, I will sadly miss this adventure, however I look forward to hearing all about it on the children’s return.
Tokes Farm
The next Tokes Farm visit will be on Thursday 14th May.
CLUBS
A free lunchtime club runs on a Monday and Tuesday for children, led by Prime Sports. This is currently a turn up and enjoy club, however is numbers go over 18 on a regular basis this will become a booked session, yet continue to be free.
Please book slots using the links provided or via the school office
| Clubs | Day & Time | Year Group | Led by | Cost |
| Lunchtime sports | Monday
12.30 – 13.00 |
All | Prime Sports | Free |
| Lego Club | Mondays
15.30 – 16.30 |
Miss Buxton | Cost per half term (see link for cost) https://kwbclubs.ecwid.com/Stower-Provost-Community-School-Monday-Dorset-Spring-Term-1-2026-Monday-p624603022 | |
| Athletics Club | Mondays
15.30 – 16.30
|
Chestnut & Oak
KS2 children |
Prime Sports | Free – school supported
Booking on the Prime sports website (first come first served basis) |
| Gardening Club | Mondays
15.30 – 16.30 |
All | Mrs Berwick | £5 per session. Numbers limited. Bookings with Mrs Pike on a first come first served basis. |
| Lunchtime sports | Tuesday 12.30 – 13.00 | All | Prime Sports | Free |
| Cricket Club | Tuesdays
15.30 – 16.30 |
Chestnut & Oak
KS2 children |
Prime Sports | Free – school supported
Booking on the Prime sports website (first come first served basis) |
OTHER NEWS
Governor vacancy
A reminder that the School has two vacancies for co-opted governors remaining on the governing body. If you know of anyone who may be interested, or you are considering the possibility yourself, do please get in contact.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
An Introduction to Autism
Please find details attached to this newsletter regarding a free parents and carers session linked to – An Introduction to Autism, run by the Sherborne Family Hub Networking Point.
The session will take place on Thursday 21st May, 9.30 – 11 am at The Sherborne Children’s Centre, Tinneys Lane, Sherborne, DT9 3DY. Please click the link or scan the QR code in the attachment to book your place.
Arts and Sports plus
Please see the attached document for half term activities. Bookings by 6th May.
Tennis
Please see the attached flyer for further information linked to half term tennis coaching.
Class News
OAK
This week has very much focused on a lead up to SATs for our Year 6 cohort. Maths has included long division, long multiplication, common denominators fractions and ratio. In English lessons the focus has been on Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPAG), with one SPAG session including a ‘cahoot quiz’ with Mrs Toy. In computing children are learning how to use charts within databases, whilst in French pupils are learning about being in town, giving directions and if places are near or far. In Art, children enjoyed learning about paper collage and the works of Henri Mattise. They tried a collage of our own. Next week Year 6 pupils look forward to their SATs festival, whilst the class as a whole, will be learning more about collage, as well as trying some Jersey Royal potatoes.
CHESTNUTS
There was much excitement at the beginning of the week, with the prospect of swimming for the first time this term. Within the classroom, our English focus on instructional writing is coming to a conclusion, with the children planning and writing their instructions on how to train to become a champion gladiator. Pupils have learnt about he different types of gladiator, of which there are many, and selected one so their instructions are specific. Continuing with the Roman link, history this week focused on the differences between states of Roman rule, and the differences between when it was a kingdom, republic and empire. In science pupils took to the grounds in search of ivy leaves, and explored how the position of a leaf, (north or south facing), will determine its size.
BEECH
This week’s writing focus has continued to be ‘how the zebra got its stripes’, where the children have been creating their own myths about how animals have gotten certain body parts; we’ve had feathers, wattles, wings, horns, tails, spots/patches, gills, fur and eyes. In Maths this week, Year 1’s have been recapping numbers from 11-19. Year 2’s have been finishing off their double-digit subtraction and addition.
In other learning, the children have been learning about how to classify animals (Science) and what a healthy, balanced diet looks like and what a healthy lunchbox might include (PSHE). The children have also been drawing self-portraits in the style of James Rizzi (Art) as well as enjoying their first swim session this week.
HAZEL
This week has been rather short, however the children really enjoyed their swimming session. In Understanding the World, we have looked at camouflage in animals and the purpose it serves, with the children creating their own colourful chameleon. We also talked about animals that are at risk of extinction or endangered, and what we can do to help our environment. In maths we have been looking at the number bonds that make 10 using our fingers. In Literacy we have been writing sentences about the animals we would invite to our party, using the story How Many Legs? by Kes Gray.
DIARY DATES
Dates in red have been added to the diary list this week.
| Date | Time | Information |
| 12th May | All day | Year 3 & 4 trip to the Roman Baths, Bath. |
| 22nd May | 15.30 | Half term starts, no After School Club |
| 1st June | 8.40 | Second half of term starts |
| 3rd June | 08.20 | Big Bap Friday orders in |
| 5th June | 08.30 | Big Bap Friday |
| 19th June | Afternoon | Sports Day – 13.15 KS2 and 14.15 EYFS and KS1 |
| 1st July | 15.00 | Chestnut violin performance (parents/carers welcome) |
| 1st July | 08.20 | Big Bap Friday orders in |
| 3rd July | 08.30 | Big Bap Friday |
| 3rd July | 15.00 – 16.30 | Summer BBQ (if wet 10th July) |
| 6th July | 16.00 | Summer Play |
| 7th July | All Day | Yr 6 Transition Day at Sturminster High School |
| 7th July | All Day | Yr 6 Transition Day at Gillingham Secondary School |
| 7th July | All Day | Move up day at Stower Provost
New Reception children in 09.30- 11.30 |
| 9th July | 14.00 | Summer Play |
| 21st July | 14.30 | Leavers Assembly |
| 21st July | 15.20 | End of Term (No ASC) |
| 21st July | 15.20 – 16.45 | Leavers swim and feast |
| 22nd July | All day | INSET |
Best wishes,
Mrs B