Newsletters

Dorchester News - 21st December 2023

Newsletter

21st December 2023

Dear Dorchester Families,

As we reach the end of term, I want to thank you all for the wonderful contribution you make to the life of our school.  At this time of year, staff receive a multitude of gifts as parents show their gratitude for all they do - but more valuable than this are the wonderful comments we receive from parents and children alike, whether given verbally, written in emails or included in Christmas cards.  We recognise, though, that we couldn't achieve half of what we do without the fantastic support we get from our parents and carers - from providing nativity costumes and helping on trips to supporting with 'dip and do' tasks; we are truly grateful.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful holiday.  For those who celebrate Christmas, I hope yours is full of peace and joy.

We look forward to welcoming the children back to school on Tuesday 9th January.

Kind regards

Cathy Bell
Headteacher

 


News

21 Dec 2023
Reading Scrapbook winners!
We celebrated in assembly this week by recognising our especially outstanding readers in each year group with their reading scrapbook prizes presented by our English lead, Miss Butler. 
Read more
21 Dec 2023
Well done Joshua on the cello!
Well done Joshua in Year 5 for completing his cello performance for his Junior Duke music challenge!
Read more

Sports News

21 Dec 2023
Boys football vs St Dunstans Borough Cup match
The excitement was brewing last week as the Y6’s travelled for their Borough Cup game against St Dunstans...
Read more

Class Notes

21 Dec 2023
Nursery: Can you retell the Elf Chase story?
This week in nursery we have been reading the Elf Chase story about a group of rabbits who go looking for ten elves. On their way they find lots of Christmas objects including a candy cane, robins, reindeer and Santa's sleigh. After their adventure they go to bed and when they wake up on Ch...
Read more
21 Dec 2023
Reception: What have you enjoyed learning in your first term in Reception?
The Reception children have  had an activity filled last week of term. They have trimmed Santa's beard, visited a snowy village and rounded off the week by singing one of their Nativity songs in Whole School Assembly.  Read Peek at the Week to learn more about what they have done...
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20 Dec 2023
Year 1: What features might you find in a letter?
Please enter an introduction for your news story here.
Read more
18 Dec 2023
Year 2 - What are hospitals like? How do they compare to hospitals from the past?
To finish off our topic about the History of Medicine, the children spent the afternoon looking at how hospitals today compare to the hospital Florence Nightingale would have worked at during the Crimean War. The children were able to identify some of the key features of modern hospitals, whils...
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21 Dec 2023
Year 3: What have you enjoyed learning about this term?
The children have worked really hard this half term and we have been proud of how much progress they have made. They particularly enjoyed our DT day on Monday they were able to create nets to make their structures.  We had some very interesting and creative designs!
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21 Dec 2023
Year 4 - What is your favourite time of Christmas?
During the last few weeks we have really enjoyed learning about Christmas traditions from around the world. We have been able to celebrate the diversity of our Dorchester Community with Christmas around the world. If you would like to find out more please follow this link.  https://www.whych...
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19 Dec 2023
Year 5: What facts can you recall about The Vikings?
What a first term we have had in Year 5! We have had so many amazing moments. Mrs Rankin's favourite part is definitely all the amazing drama the children have produced. These dramatic battle scenes brought our Viking topic alive and helped the children to digest the details. I don'...
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21 Dec 2023
Year 6: Which food surprised you this week in DT?
The children in Year 6 have thoroughly enjoyed preparing and tasting each other's food in our 'Come Dine with Me' DT project this week. They had to plan, prepare and present a course, then wait for the results of their group! They also researched how their hero ingredient (peppers/salmon...
Read more


Safeguarding

For lots of useful advice and information on how to ensure children stay safe over the holidays, there is plenty to read about different situations at:

https://www.childprotectioncompany.com/safeguarding-children/safeguarding-at-christmas/

and https://www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk/news/6-simple-safety-tips-to-keep-children-safe-this-christmas/

and guidance about how to keep your child safe online at

https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers

Have a safe and restful break.

Are you worried about a child?
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/spotting-signs-child-abuse/

If you think a child could be at risk of significant harm, you can call the children's social care team at the council in Sutton (Go to their website)

020 8770 6001 (Monday to Friday, 9am and 5pm)     020 8770 5000 (out of hours)

Always call 999 in an emergency


Lunch Menu

Our menus are available here.  The first week back will be Spring week 1.


Upcoming Events

To view the school calendar click here.

Last Day of Term - 1:30 finish for children
All Day
21
December
Last Day of Term - 1:30 finish for children
All Day
21
December
INSET Day - school closed to children
All Day
08
January
INSET Day - school closed to children
All Day
08
January
Children return to school 8:30-8:45am
All Day
09
January
Children return to school 8:30-8:45am
All Day
09
January
Net4Mums
9:30am – 10:30am
14
January