21st October 2022
Dear Parents and Carers,
I can hardly believe the first half of term is almost complete, and what a busy one it has been for one and all. With the grey skies as I write, it is almost unimaginable that the children were swimming up until only three weeks ago! There have been so many wonderful things occurring in school during the first half of term that it is difficult to mention them all, however I will list a few: welcoming parents to praise and celebrate assemblies, harvest festival, Macmillan coffee and cake meet, open classroom afternoon, parent meetings, netball and football tournaments, a paramedic visit with ambulance, a parent sharing experiences of being a pilot and a visit from Gold Hill Museum volunteers to extend children’s learning about prehistory.
PTFA Disco
We look forward to welcoming the children to the Halloween Disco tonight, running from 5.30 – 7pm. Please gain entry to the event, and collect from the main front door.
Well done to all the children who entered the colour competition. I know the standard was extremely high, so praise indeed to those who were winners.
Car Parking
I would like to introduce a new approach for the car park which will be introduced after half term.
The car park will be ‘closed’ and barriered off, with NO movement of traffic allowed, in or out between 15.15 and 15.30.
This is to keep the children safe when exiting the school building, at what must be the busiest time of day. I trust one and all are willing to try this new approach in the interests of child safety. I thank you all in advance for your cooperation.
Staffing
I do hope all parents in Beech, Chestnut and Oak classes have received letters about changes in staffing. The children have been informed about these changes today. I hope the visual staffing timetables embedded within each class’ letter were useful. Should you require any additional information regarding the changes or have any questions, do please feel free to ask.
Governors
I am very pleased to inform parents that Claire Eastham and Matthew Hoskins have been elected unopposed, to our governing body, filling the two advertised parent governor vacancies. I warmly welcome both on behalf of the school and thank them in advance for their interest and the time they will undoubtedly give.
Events
Football
Eight boys from Oak Class volunteered to create a 7 a-side Stower Provost Football Team which competed on Wednesday in the North Dorset Primary Football Competition at Gillingham Secondary School. Thirteen teams competed altogether, with schools split into two leagues. Accompanying the team, I was extremely proud to witness the boys’ tenacity, resilience, excellent sportsmanship and how the team’s play generally developed over the course of their six games. Although no trophies were won on this occasion, much fun was had by all!
Stower Vale Preschool Half Term Event
Stower Vale Preschool are running a colouring and crafts morning, with autumn cake and coffee for adults on 27th October at Stour Row Village Hall, 10am – 12 noon. All are welcome. Please see Sam Wattridge if you require further information.
Open Morning for Prospective Parents for September 2023
Any parents keen to come and see Reception Class in action, prior to making an application for entry in September 2023, are most welcome on: Wednesday 2nd November 9 – 9.45am or Thursday 10th November 10 – 10.45am.
Class Room News
Oak Class
This week Oak Class have been using apparatus in maths to work out what really happens in long division. When there were multiple exchanges there were so many counters being exchanged! In computing the children examined gender stereotyping and were shocked by some old adverts. History this week allowed pupils to try and work out why black soldiers were badly treated by some people in both World Wars.
After half term, Oak Class will finish their Crumble work and finish the ‘Hidden Figures’ film.
Chestnut Class
In English children have written instructions for their light boxes which have been constructed during Design and Technology lessons. Everyone was very excited to make their sparkle light up for their light box! In Maths pupils have been continuing with addition and subtraction.
After half term the class’s topic will be focusing on the physical and human features of ‘Extreme Places’.
Beech Class
This week Beech Class have been exploring Autumn around our wonderful school grounds. In English the children have written their own traditional stories and in Maths, Year 2 have been learning how to add three one-digit numbers while Year 1 have been doing lots of practical work to embed their knowledge of number bonds to 10. Pupils have looked at the final instalment of the Gunpowder Plot and learnt three songs linked to the event.
After half term the class topic will be ‘Extreme Weather’.
Hazel Class
This week the children have been enjoying the Owl Baby Story. We had some lovely nests made from chocolate cornflakes, which I hope went down well. The pupils have had a brilliant first half of the term settling into the routines and demands of school life and have done exceptionally well. A big thank you to all Hazel class parents who took the time and effort to attend our parent meetings this week.
Next half term the topic will be ‘Terrific Tales’ and the class look forward to welcoming visitors as well as going on some interesting visits.
Diary dates for the forthcoming week and beyond. (Additions or alternations are marked in red)
| 31st Oct
|
08.50 | Second half of term starts |
| 3rd Nov | 15.00 | Beech Class – Meet the Teacher with Mrs Wild
|
| 18th Nov | All Day | Children in Need Day
|
| 30th Nov | AM | Visit to Port Regis to see a production of ‘A Christmas Carol’
|
| 1st Dec | 14.50 | Christmas Tree Service & decorating the tree
|
| 7th Dec | 14.30 | Nativity in the Hall
|
| 13th Dec | 16.00 | Carol Service at St Michael and The Angels’ Church, Stour Provost – all welcome. |
| 16th Dec
|
15.20 | End of Term |
I wish you all a very happy and restful half term