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Happy Friday everyone!

It seems a long time ago that we were sending our year 4s off on their residential and sitting our year 6s down for their SATs-but it was only Monday.

The year 4s had a brilliant time and their behaviour was commendable. A big thank you to the children for making us proud and to the teachers for giving up their time to give the children this opportunity.

The year 6s worked hard all week on their tests and were rewarded today with a pyjama and pizza day. Thank you to the PTA for providing the pizza!

There was some confusion in assembly today as it turned out the text hadn't left the outbox to inform parents to attend their child's award assembly. Don't worry we will sort this in the next half term. Apologies for any confusion caused.

Next week is a short one but don't forget that Wednesday is crazy hat or hair day with a £1.00 donation.

We hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Well for a short week it's been very busy!

We saw the introduction of our new anti bullying song - see Twitter for the link to you tube. This was rewritten by Miss Aldis and sung by the very talented midday supervisor Mrs Middleton Wooley. We then asked Fletcher from SignSing if he would sign this for us with the result being an excellent video and message to the children. Our new anti bullying message is about building resilience and making ourselves bully proof. Our Bully proof ambassadors will be working across the school to promote the message and strategies to be used.

We had a full governing body meeting on Tuesday where we discussed staffing for September and new ideas for the school building and premises growth.

On the staffing front I need to let parents know that Mr Davies has secured himself a Headship and will be leaving us at half term. Although we are very sorry to see him go we are delighted that he has made this leap to the next stage of his career and wish him all the very best for the future.

Our staff meeting this week saw the start of our curriculum innovations. We will be looking at building on the excellent work already done in class and adding some new ideas and intent.

As I am sure your aware the European elections have now been confirmed which means school will be closed on Thursday 23rd and 24th for INSET as already planned.

Next week is an important week for our year 6s as they get to show off their skills in the national statutory standard assessment tests ( SATs). As a school we recognise that this is only a tiny aspect of the whole child and will do our very best to ensure that they get through them as stress free as possible. We know our children are great in so many different ways and feel they will have the resilience to get on with them and then move on to enjoying their last term with us here at Dovedale. 

Next week also sees the year 4 residential. So far the weather is looking more promising so fingers crossed for that. We know that they are going to have a fantastic time and look forward to hearing all the stories on their return.

We are currently looking at our before and after school club numbers. If any parents would like a place please get in touch with the office so that we can add you to our numbers so we can start expanding this very popular provision.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and look forward to a full week at school next week!

Happy Friday everyone.

What a lovely way to end a rather disjointed week with the opening of our outside classroom (gazebo) and cake sale. The gazebo has been dedicated to the memory of Taylor, a past pupil from the school. Taylor's mum and brother cut the ribbon and know this is going to be a great addition to our school grounds. 

In other news-the year 4s ended the week with their first swimming session which they thoroughly enjoyed after starting the week with a Eurovision WOW day!

The school council had their anti stigma training today. This training will help them to support our mental health awareness agenda across school.

As I know you're aware the school was closed for elections on Thursday. We have put a letter under the news and events-letters home section on this website from the council detailing their decision to use the school and acknowledging our objections. We have been told we will need to close for the European elections also. Please be assured that staff are required to work these days even if they cannot be on the premises and we find it very frustrating.

We hope you all have a lovely bank holiday weekend even though the weather has turned wintery!

What a fantastic week!

This week was our local history theme week and we focussed on Robin Hood. The activities planned by the teachers really engaged all of the pupils-check out the pictures on twitter. A huge thank you to the dinner supervisors led by Mrs Brace for our amazing banquet hall.

The film nights were well attended-thank you once gain to the PTA for organising these special activities for the children.

The Easter bonnet parade was brilliant-what talented crafty children and parents we had. A massive thank you to Mrs Gunnell for organising this!

The year 1 and 2 children visited the Church today and their behaviour was once again impeccable. Real Dovedale superstars.

We came 4th in the swimming gala-the best result so far so well done to all the children and to their teachers for coaching and supporting them.

We have received the keys to the new classroom and the year 6s have already started to move in!

Thank you to everyone for their continued support this term-we have done so much and it would not be possible without all your help and dedication. We hope you all have a fantastic Easter.

This week saw the outdoor classroom arrive and is very nearly ready to start being used by the whole school.

Thanks to the PTA for funding this.

The year 3 and 4 performances of Dragon Days was a great success. The children were confident and demonstrated excellent singing skills. We were very proud of all of them as we know you are too.

Our curriculum evening was really well attended and the feedback was great. We hope to put on more in the future to share with you what your child experiences during the school day and hopefully further develop our home school / learning dialogue. We will use the feedback we got from this to determine future events.

If any parents did not make the parent drop in sessions and feel the need to discuss their child's progress please get in touch with the class teacher to arrange an appointment.

We have enjoyed learning about autism this week as part of autism awareness week and we created a lovely spectrum of our own. (See Twitter). At Dovedale we embrace everybody's individuality.

Week 8th March is our Local area study week.

We have archery, owls and a banquet planned along with all themed lesson activities to support our children's knowledge and understanding of their local area with specific reference to Robin Hood.

Wednesday is our Easter bonnet parade, our parent coffee forum at 9.00 and our key stage 2 film night.

Thursday is Key stage 1 Film night.

Happy Friday and what a lovely sunny Friday it has been!

Busy week at Dovedale with the new classroom being lifted in on Monday -check out twitter for a time lapse of the event. The children were very excited!

Year 5 had their first aid training and an email from the instructors praised the children on their excellent behaviours. Thank you to the PTA for financing this.

The year 6s have been at the Galleries of Justice today and judging by the pictures have been having a fantastic day.

Reception had their Mummy afternoon on Thursday-Happy mother's day to all!

Next week is Autism awareness week which we will recognise on Friday with the children wearing any colour they choose to create our own spectrum.

Monday should also see the installation of a new outside classroom/gazebo - thanks again to the PTA for funding this.

Year 3 and 4 have their performances next week starting on Tuesday.

Wednesday is parent drop ins from 3.15 and then the curriculum evening from 4.45. We have had lots of responses for this but would love to see more of you coming along with your children to learn about their school activities.

Please check out our twitter page to see a snippet of the children using British sign language along with one of their favourite songs.

Welcome to this week's updates.

This week we have had 2 important visits in to school.

School council led by Mrs Gunnell held an audience with Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal. They asked him lots of questions regarding his role including if he had ever met the queen! Councillor Athwal has agreed to arrange a local area litter pick with the children, something they were very keen on and also to fix a date for them to hold one of their meetings at the council house!

Year 2 welcomed our local PCSOs ( local community police) in to their classroom to talk about being safe whilst out and about specifically 'stranger danger'.

Thursday was odd socks day and Bluebell classes assembly. They did a great job and incorporated a new song for us all to learn as well as their class song 'Eye of the tiger!' Well done Poppies.

It has been assessment week this week and the children have been working hard. You will be getting their progress updates on an interim report on Friday 29th March.

Next week the work starts for the new class block. Please be aware that heavy vehicles may be coming in and out of the staff car park and extra care should be taken when dropping off and picking up.They will be on site for about 3 weeks but hopefully Miss Berrington's class will be in the new room after Easter.

On Wednesday 27th year 5s will receive their first aid training. The PTA have kindly funded this and training for the year 6s will be booked for the summer term.

Thursday 28th is 'Mummy' afternoon in Reception and Friday the year 6s are off to the Galleries of Justice on the train!

This week we had our NSPCC assembly and workshops. These were aimed at supporting our ongoing safety and well being curriculum with messages and activities around keeping safe in a variety of ways for different circumstances. We very much value this expert input.

Today was Red nose day and what a treat it was. The children looked whacky and wonderful in their costumes as did the teachers!

Art Gallery day today was pretty amazing. The talent was evident. We are sure you were as proud of your child's picture as we are. I am certainly having some for my office!

Please remember to stick/put your children's names in all items of clothing. The lost property situation is quite ridiculous and we can't return it to its rightful owner if it's not labelled!

PTA meeting was held on Thursday. The discussions were around what to spend the current funds on and how to raise more. It was a productive meeting with plenty of decisions made. Look out for more playground equipment in the near future.

Next week

Thursday is Bluebell class assembly at 9.00 and it's odd socks day for Down syndrome awareness day.

Happy Friday!

A busy week here at Dovedale Primary school and lots to update on. 

The new classroom has been planning approved (again!) and we should see installment around 25th March. This means it may be ready for occupation after the Easter holidays.

The new outside gazebo/classroom provided by funds from the PTA is due for installation on the 1st April so lots of outside learning to be had here.

On the 11th April we will have our annual Easter bonnet parade. A letter with details about this will come out shortly.

On the 21st March it is World Down's Syndrome day and we would ask children to wear odd socks on this day in recognition of this.

I was made aware that there was some concern being expressed on Facebook that we had banned football. This of course is not the case. On some occasions the midday supervisors may need to stop football being played due to our playground flooding problem but these are rare occasions. As a school we value our physical activity as demonstrated by our achieving our Gold mark sport's award. As a school we invest fully in the importance of a healthy lifestyle and our midday supervisors have recently received further training on helping to motivate children over the lunch break. Our staffing ratio is high and we do not have any problems supporting our children during the lunch break-so rest assured we have not banned football!

Thursday was World book day which was celebrated in style with lots of lovely costumes and cosy Pjs-for the staff as well as the children. Book fair was very busy too-remember it's on till the 13th. Remember to check the twitter page for pictures of this.

Miss Norton and Miss Martin won the lower school attendance for the last half term and are busy planning their party! Mr McCarthy's class was the winner for the upper school and will choose their prize shortly.

Coming up

Thursday 14th is the PTA meeting at school this time at 6.30. Everyone is welcome.

Friday 15th is Red nose day and Art gallery day.

Happy Friday everyone!

Lots to report on this week and the newsletter is also out so check that out too!

This week year 6 had their 2nd visit to The long Eaton School library. They took back the books they'd borrowed and we were given a selection of books to bring back for our own shelves. They have really loved using the library and we are hoping to create our own specific library space in the near future!

This week 10 of our year 3, 4 and 5 children went to Trent College to be trained as Anti Bullying Ambassadors. This is a nationally recognised accreditation and will support us in this very important area of our school behaviour system.

Year 2 had a great visit from the Natwest money sense team. These workshops help children to begin to understand the importance of saving and money planning.

I'm sure you're all aware of the issues surrounding online safety and I have put some further information in the parent's tab. If any parent would like a copy of the school leaflet they are in the school foyer.

We are having quite a lot of issues spilling in to school regarding children using Whatsapp and we would ask that parent's monitor this carefully. We recognise that children like to communicate with their friends on social media however it is starting to impact negatively on classroom and learning behaviours. We will therefore be informing parents of any issues regarding individual children and ask you to deal with this appropriately.

Year 4 and 5 China trip online payment system is now open and a letter will be sent to parents today who have expressed an interest in this.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and check out your class pages for information about your child's curriculum and spellings.

NEXT WEEK

Tuesday- year 5 SRE video screening for parents at 3.30

Book fair arrives Wednesday

Thursday is world book day-children can come in their PJs or dress as a book character.