Dear Parents and Carers,
Unfortunately, the air source heat pumps stopped working over the long weekend, so the temperature of the pool dropped to a chilly 22 degrees, we hence didn’t swim on Wednesday. The heat pumps are now operational and we all swam today.
NOTICES
Parent/Carer Forum
Many thanks to those who took the time and effort to attend the Parent/Carer Forum today. Key points discussed included:
- Road safety and safety on entering and exiting the school. There were concerns linked to the speed at which traffic drives along the road and the awareness of drivers that there is a school, with young children and adults entering and exiting along a narrow country lane. A suggestion was made that the side blue gate be used rather than the end field side gate. Entering and exiting through this gate will be trialled starting after half term, and I will also contact county to see what measures can be put in place to highlight the need for all drivers to drive with care and reduce their speed.
- Bikability – I did explore this option for pupils in the autumn term, and will contact county again about the possibility of offering cycling courses for pupils at school.
- Parental Notice Board – this was requested. I will organise an interim board, while a closed frame for parental notices is purchased and put up.
- School uniform – please could I request that all pupils wear school PE kit, both for PE lessons and for clubs. I will print out paper copies of when children need to wear their school uniform and PE kit to school, as well as post these on the temporary parental notice board.
- Phonics – parents requested improved communication regarding new Read Write Inc groups. I will ensure parents are made aware of any movement within groups following an assessment and prior to new groups starting.
- There was positive feedback from parents regarding sporting after school clubs and all pupils accessing Forest School.
TESTS
Oak Class
SATs for Year 6 start on Monday 12th May and occur each day. Please see the table below for which tests are on each day.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
| English SPAG
English Spelling |
English Reading | Maths Paper 1
Maths Paper 2 |
Maths Paper 3 |
Year 5’s will be taught separately and be having their lessons in the hall.
Chestnut Class
All Year 4 pupils will sit their statutory multiplication test in the week after half term. This test is administered online, on a 1:1 basis. Children have 5 seconds to answer 25 random times table facts. Although children have been taught and encouraged to learn their times tables, we will be having a real focus on retaining times table facts for prompt retrieval in the forthcoming weeks before half term. Any additional help and support parents can offer at home, (or on the journey to school), would be very much appreciated; e.g. asking your child 2×4, 6×7 etc, and giving children 5 seconds to respond.
Beech Class
Year 1 pupils in Beech Class, and those who did not pass the test last year, will sit the Year 1 phonic assessment during the week of 9th June. These are administered on a 1:1 basis.
Year 2 pupils in Beech Class will be sitting their SATs during the week of 19th May. Please see the table below for which tests are on each day.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
| Reading Paper 1 Arithmetic | Reading Paper 2 GAPS – grammar, punctuation and spellings | Maths
|
Reasoning
Spelling |
Year 1 pupils will continue with their lessons, separately, while tests are administered.
14th May – Hero Day for World Vision
Our school council are keen to raising money for the World Vision charity, who help children all over the world. Pupils are encouraged to dress up and come into school dressed as a hero, this could a fictional character or real life. A donation of £1 is suggested, which will be donated to World Vision.
As Year 6’s have their SATs on Hero Day, Mrs Clasby would like to hold Hero Day for Year 6’s on Tuesday 20th May.
Parent Governor Vacancy
We currently have one vacancy for a parent governor. Those wishing to find out more about this opportunity are encouraged to contact our clerk to the governors Catherine Dunkley-Jones, who willingly share what is involved. clerk@stowerprovost.dorset.sch.uk.
ASSEMBLIES
On Wednesday our assembly focused on how to deal with a problem, and how problems can be overwhelming an the best way to deal with a problem is to confront it, and very often the problem often presents an opportunity from which we can learn and/or grow. (Mrs B)
Clubs
Summer Term Clubs
| Day | Club | Time | Children | Cost | Booking Information |
| Monday | Lego Club | 15.30 – 16.30 | Open | Book via | |
| Monday | Gardening | 15.30 – 16.30 | Open | £10 per 4 week block | Book via Mrs Pike |
| Tuesday | Athletics | 15.30 – 16.30 | KS2 | Free | Book via Prime Sports website |
| Wednesday | Athletics | 15.30 – 16.30 First half of term only | KS1 /EYFS | Free | Book via Mrs Pike |
| Wednesday | Lego
Technics |
15.30 – 16.30 | Invitation | Free | Invitation by Mr KP |
| Wednesday | Coding Club | 15.30 – 16.30 | LKS2/KS1 | Free | Book via Mrs Pike |
| Thursday | Lego Club | 15.30 – 16.30 | Open | Book via | |
| Friday | Tennis/Crick et | 15.30 – 16.30 | KS2 | Free | Book via Prime Sports website |
NEXT WEEK and BEYOND
I thought it would be helpful to highlight days the children should be doing sporting and/or Forest School activities. If swimming kit could be in school daily this would be helpful, as we may well take the opportunity to swim on days not shown on the timetable below.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| Oak Class | PE Kit if PR swim gym PR swim and gym for selected pupils. PE kit to be worn in school. | School uniform
|
School uniform Swimming | PE Kit
PE
|
School uniform
Forest School (boots and waterproofs)
Swimming |
| Chestnut Class | PE Kit if PR swim gym PR swim and gym for selected pupils. PE kit to be worn in school. | School uniform
Forest School (boots and waterproofs) |
School uniform Swimming | PE Kit
PE
|
School uniform Swimming |
| Beech Class | PE Kit
Forest School (boots and waterproofs) and PE |
PE Kit PE | School uniform Swimming | School uniform
|
School uniform Swimming |
| Hazel Class | PE Kit
Forest School (boots and waterproofs) |
PE Kit
PE
|
School uniform
Swimming
Forest School (boots, FS clothes and waterproofs) |
School uniform
|
School uniform Swimming |
14th May – Hero Day for World Vision
Our school council are keen to raising money for the World Vision charity, who help children all over the world. Pupils are encouraged to dress up and come into school dressed as a hero, this could a fictional character or real life. A donation of £1 is suggested, which will be donated to World Vision.
Sport Day
Sports Day will occur on Friday 23rd May. Pupils are encouraged to wear a t-shirt in their house colours, along with school PE shorts. If you or your child are unsure of which house they belong to, then please ask your child’s class teacher or in the office.
Hambledon – blue
Duncliffe – red
Melbury – green
As with last year parents and carers are invited to picnic with their on the field between 12.15 – 12.45.
If you are picnicking your child/ren will be your responsibility during this time.
Key Stage 2 (Oak and Chestnuts) sports day will run 13.00 – 14.00, followed by Key One and Early Years (Beech and Hazel classes) 14.00 – 15.00.
All children will gather for results between 15.00 – 15.15.
Parents, carers and friends are welcome to come and spectate.
FRIENDS OF STOWER PROVOST
Donations of clothes, plants and cakes would be warmly welcomed and can be dropped off at the school office. Any parental support on the 17th May would also be welcomed!
17th May 9.30 – 11.30 Jumble Sale – Donations welcome to be dropped off at the school.
19th June 15.30 – 17.00 Friends of Stower Provost Summer Solstice Disco
4th July 15.15 – 17.00 Summer BBQ
Easy Fundraiser
There is no time like the present to download the Easy Fundraising app on your phone, and raise funds for the school without having to do anything, other than going through the app to make online purchases. Remember friends, family and businesses can all use our Easy Fundraiser page too. Larger items like insurance and travel can also be purchased through the Easy Fundraiser page.
You can raise even more money by asking others to join the community fundraising effort- use the QR code!
How it works: easyfundraising partners have over 7,000 brands who will donate part of what you spend to a cause of your choice. It won’t cost you any extra. The cost is covered by the brand.
So why not help the school raise money and make your online purchases through the Easy Fundraising app?!
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/panel/
COMMUNITY AND OTHER NEWS
CLASS NEWS
Oak Class
Last Friday, Oak Class were very excited to have their first swim in the lovely sunshine – a lovely end to the week. In Art this week, the children have continued the new topic of Distortion and Abstraction. We have already looked closely at some abstract artists (including Wassily Kandinsky) and created a distorted picture by cutting it up and reimagining it. This week, we created an abstract portrait using line and some abstract shape representations of still life pictures. In Computing, we have started our new unit on 3D Modelling using the Tinkercad programme to move shapes around the space. We learnt how to view the 3D model we had created, from a variety of viewpoints and be more precise with positioning the shapes when creating a shape totem pole. In Music, we have been learning more notes on the recorder to accompany the musical piece, trying hard to keep to the rhythm. In French, we are completing our weather module by becoming weather bulletin presenters, with some wonderful French accents being heard! In Maths we have learnt about translating 2D shapes as well as reflecting them in a mirror line, recapping our skills in reading co-ordinates. Have a lovely weekend. Mrs Toy
Chestnut Class
This week, our mathematicians have taken to decimals like ducks to water! It has been truly inspiring to witness their confident recall of fraction concepts. Their understanding and enthusiasm have been remarkable – well done, Chestnut class!
Over in English, we focused on pathetic fallacy, using the weather and atmosphere to reflect Tutankhamun’s emotions, and vivid similes to bring our writing to life.
In Science we been focusing on conductivity. Children have been actively discussing about materials which allow electricity to flow freely (conductors) and which act as insulators, preventing the flow.
Computing lessons took an exciting turn this week with a special visit from a photo editing expert. This invaluable session was met with huge enthusiasm, and it has clearly encouraged the children to push their boundaries in digital creativity. They have been particularly engaged in learning how to use the cloning tool to manipulate and transform digital pictures, demonstrating impressive effort and developing valuable digital skills.
Finally, the week concluded with a much-anticipated swimming lesson. It was wonderful to see the children enjoying themselves and making the most of this opportunity before the weekend. A great way to end another successful week! (Mrs Sanda)
Beech Class
This week in English the children have been introduced to fables and have started to look at the story of The Crow’s Tale. Your children should be able to make a simple recount of the story, and explain the moral. In Maths the children have been introduced to fractions, specifically looking at parts and wholes. In the afternoons we focus on the extended curriculum, and have been learning about Cath Kidston in Design and Technology, commenting on key design features of a product. In History we explored different royal residences and why they are dotted around the United Kingdom and North Ireland, and slightly bigger than our own homes! (Mrs Whelan)
Diary Dates
| 12th May | The Week | Year 6 SATs Monday – Thursday |
| 12th May | 13.00 – 14.00 | Gym / Swim for selected pupils |
| 14th May | All Day | Hero Day for World Vision (children to dress as a hero) |
| 16th May | All day | Chestnut class trip to Tutankhamun Museum (letter to come) |
| 16th May | 15.00 | Friends VIP Jumble Sale slot |
| 17th May | 09.30 – 11.30 | Friends Jumble Sale – clothes, crafts and collectables! |
| 19th May | 13.00 – 14.00 | Gym / Swim for selected pupils |
| 20th May | All day | Year 6 Hero Day for World Vision (children to dress as a hero) |
| 21st May | 10.00 – 14.30 | Y3/4 Mini Tennis Festival at Port Regis (selected children) |
| 23rd May |
12.15 – 12.45 13.00 – 14.00 14.00 – 15.00 15.00 – 15.15 |
Sports Day – Wear your house colour (timings tbc)
Picnics on the field Oak and Chestnuts sports day Beech and Hazel class sports day Results |
| 23rd May | 15.20 | Half Term – No After School Club |
| 2nd June | 08.40 | Second half of term starts |
| 5th June | 12.30 – 16.00 | Athletics Meet at Yeovil (selected children) |
| 10th June | 09.00 – 14.30 | Years 4 & 5 Poetry and Music Experience at the Larma Tree Gardens |
| 16th June | Hazel Class trip (details to follow) | |
| 19th June | 15.30 – 17.00 | Friends of Stower Provost Summer Solstice Disco |
| 21st June | Flower Festival at Stour Provost village | |
| 3rd July | 10 – 12.00 | Mini Olympics at St Mary’s (Beech Class) |
| 4th July | 9 – 9.25 | P&C assembly – morning time due to Summer Fete |
| 4th July | 15.20 – 17.00 | Friends of Stower Provost Summer Fete |
| 7th July | 9.15 | School play dress rehearsal |
| 8th July | 16.00 | School Play |
| 9th July | 14.00 | School Play |
| 10th July | 12.00 – 15.00 | KS2 Swimming Gala at Riversmeet Sports Centre. |
| 11th July | 15.20 | Reports out to parents |
| 15th July | Timings tbc | Samba and Poetry at the Larmer Tree Gardens (Year 5) |
| 22nd July | 14.30 | Leavers assembly |
| 22nd July | 15.20 | Last day of term – no After School Club |
| 23rd July | All day | INSET Day |
Best wishes,
Ailsa Boardman-Hirst