Christmas Games for all on SWGfL Merlin

The '12 Games of Christmas Game' is now available for all pupils to play through SWGfL Merlin. This features 12 educational games and activities for children in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The games have a value of £29.99 and we hope that you will enjoy playing them free through SWGfL Merlin. P.S - If you have forgotten your login details, please see Mrs. Dukes in the Library or Mr. Spracklen who will happily get you a fresh copy.

Final Reminder - Victorian Costume (THIS FRIDAY)

Just a final reminder that we will be taking the children to the Priest House Museum in Wimborne for a Victorian Christmas themed visit. We have been working closely with the museum to ensure a unique and special visit that is centred on our focus of a Victorian Christmas. This visit to the museum is in addition to our usual visit in the New Year. The trip will take place on Friday 2nd December. Throughout the course of the day the children will be taking part in Christmas activities including crafts and making Christmas pudding! We would like to go in traditional Victorian costume. For boys dark trousers, caps, braces, etc, for girls perhaps a dark long skirt or dress, apron or pinafore, bonnet, shawl, etc. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any queries. They do need to wrap up warm as it can be very cold there. For more information or another copy of the trip letter/permission slip please speak to Mrs. Webb or Mr. Spracklen.

OLYMPIC TORCH HAND OVER

On Monday 28th November 2011, pupils from our school took the DASP Olympic Torch to Manor Park. Carrying banners proclaiming the Olympic values, we walked across town to deliver the Torch. As we passed Dorchester Middle School, we were cheered on by all the pupils who had come out of lesson to see us. On our walk we were accompanied by members of the Thomas Hardye Student Voice. A large number of Manor Park children welcomed us on our arrival and watched the handover of the Torch.

Wonderful Morning

We had a wonderful morning in Year 2 collecting holly and pine cones as well as other natural decorations for our Victorian Christmas classroom. We had a magical walk and all worked really hard to find the perfect decorations. On our return, Mrs. Webb had a surprise waiting for us... HOT CHOCOLATE AND MARSHMALLOWS!

Trip to St. Mary's First School (29/11/11)

On Tuesday (29/11/11), we will be visiting St. Mary's First School in Dorchester to celebrate St. Martins Day (German Saint). This links with the work Miss. Mertens has been completing with the children which has included making lanterns and learning a traditional song. We will be walking to St. Mary's in the morning and returning in time for lunch.

Can you help us? (Christmas)

We are keen to decorate the class for our Victorian Christmas but we are short of a tree at the moment... are you able to help? If so, please see Mrs. Webb or myself.

Reminder - Priest House Museum Trip

We would like to take the children to the Priest House Museum in Wimborne for a Victorian Christmas themed visit. We have been working closely with the museum to ensure a unique and special visit that is centred on our focus of a Victorian Christmas. This visit to the museum is in addition to our usual visit in the New Year. The trip will take place on Friday 2nd December. Throughout the course of the day the children will be taking part in Christmas activities including crafts and making Christmas pudding! We would like to go in traditional Victorian costume. For boys dark trousers, caps, braces, etc, for girls perhaps a dark long skirt or dress, apron or pinafore, bonnet, shawl, etc. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any queries. They do need to wrap up warm as it can be very cold there. For more information or another copy of the trip letter/permission slip please speak to Mrs. Webb or Mr. Spracklen.

Reminder - Olympic Dress Up (THIS FRIDAY)

On Friday 25th November we are inviting all the children (and staff!!) to dress up as an Olympics competitor (use your imagination!) when they come into school. We are also asking that on this day the children and parents bring in contributions for the POWSA Christmas tombola. This could be chocolate, bottles, and other Christmas goodies! Next Spring Term we shall be organising another Olympics Week with a focus on the historical and geographical learning that can be generated. Finally, in the summer we shall be organising our own Olympics competition in a wide variety of sporting events. We also hope to take the whole school to watch the real Olympic flame proceed down Weymouth Avenue!

DASP Olympic Torch Arrives

Today (23/11/11) we received the DASP Olympic torch which is making its way around all the schools in the Dorchester Area Schools Partnership. Today children from St Mary’s Dorchester shared with us some of their learning about the Olympics. On Monday (28/11/11) November some of our children will be making their way across town to Manor Park. We shall be working with some of their classes and passing on the work we have done in making our banners. All of this will be filmed by students from Thomas Hardye School. For more information on the torch relay visit the dedicated page on the DASP website: http://www.dasp.org.uk/daspolympictorch.htm. Mr. Spracklen

MARK NEWTON - PARALYMPIC MEDALIST VISITS

Today Mark Newton, former pupil of Maiden Castle School visited us. Mark competed at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics, winning a bronze medal in the 4 X 100m relay. Mark, who has cerebral palsy, led an assembly with Mr. Spracklen and unveiled a special piece of art work that the pupils in Year 2 have created. The work includes a picture of mark made of all the images of pupils in Year 2 using a mosaic effect. Mark inspired us to think about what we could become if we are determined enough. Following the assembly, Mark worked with unit roll and other pupils on a special PE session led by Mrs. Hibberd. Mark also visited each class and had a picture taken. We now all very inspired! Mr. Spracklen

No Spellings

Due to Olympic week there will be no spelling W/C:18/11/11. Spellodrome will still be live at home though for those wanting to brush up their spelling skills. Mr. Spracklen

Movember - Mr. Trevett

You may have noticed Mr. Trevett is sporting some very funky facial furniture this month. I hear this is aid of Movember which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. Why not support this good cause by growing your own 'Mo' or if it is easier sponsoring Mr. Trevett.

A few more Christmas dates!

Christmas Parties and other fun: Friday 10th December    Christmas Technology Day We would welcome any parents who are able to help the children make Christmas decorations, cards, displays, crackers etc! Wednesday 14th December    Hot Christmas Meal A traditional roast dinner with all the trimmings! If you would like your child to join this special meal, please let the office know by Wednesday 7th December so we can cater appropriately, cost £2.00. Thursday 15th December    Party for children in Reception, Years 1 and 2. Please bring in party food. Children who usually have a hot meal are invited not to do so on this day so they can join the fun! Again please inform the office if you wish to cancel your child’s hot dinner. Friday 16th December    Party for Years 3 and 4. Please bring in party food. Children who usually have a hot meal are invited not to do so on this day so they can join the fun! Again please inform the office if you wish to cancel your child’s hot dinner. apply! (Last day of term). New term - Children return in 2012 on Wednesday 4th January! Tuesday 3rd is a teacher training day.

Christmas Concerts

This years Christmas Concerts are scheduled for Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th December. Reception, Years 1 and 2 will perform “The Bossy King” at 10.00am and Years 3 and 4 will follow at 11.00am with “Peace Child” on each day. Refreshments will be available between each performance for parents who have children in both concerts!

Parents are respectfully and cordially asked that if you wish to bring children of below school age, that you do this on the Wednesday 14th. The pre-school will have watched the shows at the dress rehearsals which will be on Monday 12th December in the afternoon. This enables us to ensure that younger children are welcomed, but also allows the children to perform on two occasions without distraction or interruption. Your co-operation with this arrangement is much appreciated! We hope to film the shows as usual and will be selling CDs, further details to follow from POWSA. If you do make your own recording of the concerts, can I please remind you that this is for your own personal family use and should not be uploaded onto the internet.

POWSA

POWSA has been very active raising money for the school through its Easyfundraising.co.uk, the Book Fair and also through our new textiles recycling bank. Thank you to everyone for your support!
POWSA’s next big effort is the Christmas Fair to be held at school after school on Friday 2nd December. We need your help by volunteering to run stalls: just put your name up on the notice which is on display on the POWSA board! We also need you to send in a contribution for the tombolas (one for adults and one for children) on the Olympics Dress up as a Competitor Day on Friday 25th November!!

W/C: 21/11/11 - Olympics Dreams Week

Next week we are planning an exciting week to introduce all the children to the excitement of the Olympic Games in 2012. This will involve them learning about the seven values of the Olympics and the Paralympics. The children will be designing and making their own Olympic banners to reflect their understanding of these values. On Wednesday 23rd we shall be receiving the DASP Olympic torch which is making its way around all the schools in the Dorchester Area Schools Partnership. On this day children from St Mary’s Dorchester will be sharing with us some of their learning. Then on Monday 28th November some of our children will be making their way across town to Manor Park. There we shall be working with some of their classes and passing on the work we have done in making our banners. All of this will be filmed by students from Thomas Hardye School.

On Friday 25th November we are inviting all the children (and staff!!) to dress up as an Olympics competitor (use your imagination!) when they come into school. We are also asking that on this day the children and parents bring in contributions for the POWSA Christmas tombola. This could be chocolate, bottles, and other Christmas goodies! Next Spring Term we shall be organising another Olympics Week with a focus on the historical and geographical learning that can be generated. Finally, in the summer we shall be organising our own Olympics competition in a wide variety of sporting events. We also hope to take the whole school to watch the real Olympic flame proceed down Weymouth Avenue!

Christmas Priest House Museum Trip

We would like to take the children to the Priest House Museum in Wimborne for a Victorian Christmas themed visit. We have been working closely with the museum to ensure a unique and special visit that is centred on our focus of a Victorian Christmas. This visit to the museum is in addition to our usual visit in the New Year. The trip will take place on Friday 2nd December. Throughout the course of the day the children will be taking part in Christmas activities including crafts and making Christmas pudding! We would like to go in traditional Victorian costume. For boys dark trousers, caps, braces, etc, for girls perhaps a dark long skirt or dress, apron or pinafore, bonnet, shawl, etc. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any queries. They do need to wrap up warm as it can be very cold there. For more information or another copy of the trip letter/permission slip please speak to Mrs. Webb or Mr. Spracklen.

Ofsted Parent View

As you know at the Prince of Wales First School we are always looking for feedback and encourage you to provide this in a variety of ways. Whether this is through face-to-face conversation, comments on our class blogs or through our annual parents questionnaire, we always welcome your feedback. Building on this, we would now encourage you to go online and express your views using the new ‘Parent View’ website from Ofsted. This 12-question survey will help other parents as they make important choices about their child’s education and provide Ofsted with information about our school that will help them inform their priorities for inspection. The questionnaire does not allow free text comments but invites responses to a series of closed questions. To express your view, please visit our school website now and click on the parent tab and look for the link to the Parent View website. Alternatively, visit: http://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/.

This week in Numeracy - W/C: 14/11/11

This week in Numeracy we will continue our work on processing and representing data. At the end of the week we will be seeking pupils to collect and sort data to test a simple hypothesis, e.g. count a show of hands to test the hypothesis: Most children in our class are in bed by 7:30pm. Taking this further we are looking for pupils that  gather information, e.g. decide what data to collect to answer a question, e.g. what is the most common way to travel to school make appropriate choices for recording data, e.g. a tally chart or frequency table.

This week in Literacy - W/C: 14/11/11

This week in Literacy we will be continuing our work on instruction writing by creating our own board games complete with instructions/rules on how to play. We will be thinking again about time connectives and imperative verbs to support our writing. Can your child recall what these are? Why not create your own board game at home this week? Alternatively, why not get an old game out of the cupboard? Can your child make up their own set of instructions/rules for the game?

I hear there was a robot in Year 2 yesterday!?!

It worries me to tell you parents, but I have heard reports that Year 2 were playing with a rather strange robot yesterday morning in Literacy. I am afraid I missed the event as I was ''in a meeting'', but on my return I heard strange stories of this unique event. Can your children tell you what made the robot speak? Can they recall the difference between an instruction and a question? Can they pretend to be a robot at home? P.S - As you can see from the picture, Mr. Hopkins was a little scared of the robot.

Welcome Mr. Hopkins

Today (07/11/11) onwards we welcome Mr. Hopkins who is following the GTP (Graduate Teacher Programme). Mr. Hopkins will be working with us until Christmas and working alongside me in my role as class teacher. I am sure you will join me in welcoming Mr. Hopkins  in the classroom as he supports the children in their learning.

This week in Numeracy - W/C: 07/11/11

This week in Numeracy we will be processing and representing data. At the end of the week we will be seeking pupils to collect and sort data to test a simple hypothesis, e.g. count a show of hands to test the hypothesis: Most children in our class are in bed by 7:30pm. Taking this further we are looking for pupils that  gather information, e.g. decide what data to collect to answer a question, e.g. what is the most common way to travel to school make appropriate choices for recording data, e.g. a tally chart or frequency table.

This week in Literacy - W/C: 07/11/11

This week in Literacy, as already previewed through this blog, we will be learning all about instruction writing. On Monday we will explore how instructions are used through four hands-on activities these will include seeing how a recipe provides us with instructions on how to cook something. Our work will develop across the week and on Thursday we will write a set of instructions on how to make a cup of tea. Why not support your child with their learning this week by breaking the steps down in how to make a cup of tea? Can they instruct you on how to make a cup of tea? Don’t forget to do exactly what they say, doing this can often lead to some funny results.

Advanced Warning - Literacy

Over the next couple of weeks in Literacy we will be thinking about, reading and writing instructions. Why not model how you use instructions at home this weekend? Are you cooking using a recipe or cooking guidelines on the packet? Will you be putting together some flat-pack furniture?

No Spellodrome this week.

Just a quick note to say that there will be no Spellodrome this week because Mr. Spracklen couldn’t get the word lists working correctly. Hopefully we will be back online next week! Children will still be bringing home their weekly spellings - if you would like an alternative e-resource I would highly recommend Mr. Thorne's Phonics at: http://www.mrthorne.com/ - this resource is amazing and we use it lots in school!

Adding Money Day 3

I wanted to share with you how we explored adding money today using the horizontal method. Today we explored how using different colours for each of the columns could be useful for some pupils (see picture). Note the different colours used and how these continued to be applied. Mr. Spracklen

Keep going.... with horizontal addition!

Mr. Spracklen recorded himself completing a sample question from Maths today - you can watch it together by clicking the Maths icon under the Year 2 page on SWGfL Merlin. Keep the practice going with horizontal addition. Mr. Spracklen.

Yesterday in Maths (02/11/11)

Yesterday in Maths we explored how to add money – we used the horizontal method we first applied to addition before half term. An example involving money is shown in the picture. Despite, a lot of work on horizontal addition we found adding money into the mix a real challenge. A lot of the pupils asked for questions to practice at home and I include some below for them try out with your support. It is important for pupils to show their workings when answering the following: 1) £1.15 + £2.31 = 2) £2.34 + £9.45 = 3) £9.56 + £3.67 = 4) 42p + £4.78 =

Can you help? (Cheese Boxes - Year 2)

Can you help? Miss. Mertens in Year 2 is on the hunt for circular cheese boxes like the one pictured above. If you have any of these boxes we would be very grateful to receive them.

This week in Numeracy - W/C: 31/10/11

This week in Numeracy we will be thinking all about MONEY! We will be looking for the pupils to use mental calculation strategies (as shared throughout the previous half-term) to solve number problems involving money. We will also be seeking pupils move between different representations of a problem e.g. a situation described in words, a diagram etc. adopt a suggested model or systematic approach, make connections and apply their knowledge to similar situations. Why not help your child with their learning this week by visiting a shop and encouraging them to purchase two or three small priced items using their own money? Can they calculate how much the three items cost altogether? How much change will they be given if they pay with a 50p piece? A £1 coin? A £5 note? You could also do this at home.

This week in Literacy - W/C: 31/10/11

This week in Literacy we will be thinking about simple information texts and we will be trying to include some labelled pictures and diagrams. We will be exploring this through our half-term holidays news which we will use to create a 'whole-class holiday brochure' in the style of adverts you may see in travel agents. Why not challenge your children to think of persuasive language to describe everyday events this week, can they sell their evening meal to you as though it is the ultimate dining experience? "Welcome to the luxury dining experience that is known as the Spracklen family tea time! Tonight we will be dinning on exquisite, slow opened, pot roasted, baked beans accompanied by seasonal electrically toasted bread".