Newsletters

Dorchester News - 28th Nov 2025

Newsletter

28th November 2025

 

Dear Dorchester Families

Things are starting to feel very festive in school this week.  Nativity rehearsals are underway, the nativity scene is up in the entrance hall and the Advent Wreath is ready to light in Assembly on Monday.  Several of the group of DorcheStar children that I shared chocolate milk tea with today told me that they are decorating Christmas trees this weekend too. 

We are all very excited about the Christmas Fair tomorrow - thank you so much to all the people who have contributed to the organising and running of the fair.  Having so many willing volunteers makes a big difference.  If you haven't volunteered yet, there is still time - see the FODS section below for details.  The more of us that do our bit, the less work it is for everyone involved - and it is really fulfilling to be part of what I am sure will be a really successful event. 

Do look out for the 'Headteacher for a Day' prize stall, along with the bottle tombola and other favourites.  We are even expecting Santa himself to pay us a visit!

I look forward to seeing you there tomorrow.

Cathy Bell
Headteacher

 

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Latest News

28 Nov 2025
Parent / Carer Group – Supporting Children with Worries and Anxiety
Parent / Carer Group – Supporting Children with Worries and Anxiety Does your child ever feel shy, clingy, panicky, or anxious - for example, about going to school or being apart from you? Our local Mental Health Support Team is offering a free, in-person Parenting Group to help parents and...
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26 Nov 2025
Novel 'Wicked' by Gregory Maguire - 18+
  We are aware that some children may be interested in reading the novel Wicked by Gregory Maguire, particularly as the story has been adapted into a well-known film. We would like to make parents aware that the novel itself is written for adults and contains mature themes and content, inclu...
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26 Nov 2025
Wednesday 10th December - Festive Lunch and Christmas Jumper day
We will be supporting 'Save the Children – Christmas Jumper Day' on Wednesday 10th December. Children are invited to wear their Christmas jumper along with their standard school uniform for that day. If you want to make a donation to Save the Children, please hand this over to...
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26 Nov 2025
New PE Top – now available to order.
We are very happy to announce that School wear inc are now selling Dorchester Primary – Quarter Zip P.E. Top with Logo. These can be worn on PE days, and for sporting events. To order yours please visit; https://www.schoolwearinc.co.uk/school/dorchester-primary/  
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26 Nov 2025
Free trial session with Perform dance school
  https://www.perform.org.uk/contact/account/new-contact      
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Sports news

27 Nov 2025
Yr 5/6 Sports Hall Athletics
  Yr 5/6 Sports Hall Athletics   Always a fun and energy-fuelled event, this year’s sports hall athletics event did not disappoint! The team took part in both track and field events, adapted for the indoor setting, and within the two hours competed in 3 or four events eac...
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Friends of Dorchester School

 

There is still time to volunteer at tomorrow's fair. We really can't run this without your help – If you haven't already, please sign up to help on a stall.

We would hate to have to close stalls: volunteersignup.org/C7XJE

Remember everyone who volunteers will be entered into a special separate raffle to win an amazing hamper. 

The raffle closes at 2.15pm on Saturday 29th November - Don't miss out on your ticket.

Raffle - Friends of Dorchester School Big Christmas Raffle 2025

 

Being a member of your class Whatsapp group is a great way to stay connected, and to be reminded of all the important events or changes to the normal week at Dorchester. Please find QR comes below for all classes. If you have not joined your class group, please scan the code and your Class Rep will welcome you in.

 

 

 

 

 

 We have been made aware of an error with Amazon & eBay while using easyfundraising, please ensure that your basket is empty prior to shopping, or it will not register the use of easyfundraising.

Do you know about Your School Lottery? Dorchester Primary School is part of this fantastic lottery. This lottery has been set up specifically to raise money and make a difference for our children! It's a fantastic way to bring parents, carers, teachers, and the wider community together, in partnership with our school, and at the same time give something back. There are lots of amazing prizes to be won, your support is greatly appreciated, and we wish you good luck! To sign up or find out more information, please visit the website via this link: https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/dorchester-primary-school?fbclid=IwAR2UqkYQ4Yf79s9ZZul-tgcgLtJp9McVlXXqWutUrjklVom85O1EppaUonM

 

Thank you for your continued support.

 

 

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Learning Highlights

& Peek of the Week

27 Nov 2025
Nursery: What can you find beginning with the 's' phoneme?
This week in Nursery, we have been learning all about different types of homes.  We have learnt that in Worcester Park there are houses, flats and bungalows. A house has an upstairs and a downstairs, a flat is where lots of homes are in one building and there are no stairs in the flat but there...
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28 Nov 2025
Reception: Can you draw a map to get home safely from the Bear's cave?
This week Reception have been going to Drawing Club. Drawing Club opens up the magic of stories and, at the same time, enriches the children’s vocabulary by introducing challenging words with actions, associated with the story. It encourages children to explore their own creativity and challen...
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26 Nov 2025
Year 1: What 2D shapes can you name and recognise?
Our highlight of the week was creating beautiful pictures using a range of shapes in Art. 
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26 Nov 2025
Year 2: Who was Mary Seacole? What makes her similar/different to Florence Nightingale?​​​​​​​
Mary Seacole (Mother Seacole) was a British-Jamaican nurse. She had expert knowledge of herbal remedies, which she had learned from her mother, who was also a nurse. Examples of this include aloe vera for burns, or ginger for nausea/diarrhoea. She traveled from Kingston, Jamaica, because she wanted...
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27 Nov 2025
What are the physical features of Spain, Italy and Sweden?
This week, Year 3 explored the physical features of Sweden, Italy and Spain. Using maps as a guide, the children created their own versions, carefully highlighting key features such as rivers, mountains and coastlines.
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27 Nov 2025
What causes earthquakes?
Year 4 really enjoyed learning about what causes earthquakes. We discovered that earthquakes happen when tectonic plates move and press against each other. These plates are always shifting, but when they get stuck, slide past each other, or push together suddenly, the ground shakes and an earthquake...
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25 Nov 2025
Year 5 - Why was the RMS Titanic such a special ship?
This half-term we have been learning about the RMS Titanic. Did you know that RMS stands for Royal Mail ship? One of her main jobs was to deliver mail across the Atlantic Ocean. This obviously didn't happen. As a vessel, she stood out for her four funnels – only three of them were con...
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26 Nov 2025
Which aspect of the Maya village are you creating next Tuesday?
After learning about everyday life for the Maya, the children were set the challenge of designing then building at least one, if not two, structures to be included as part of a whole-class Maya village. They will be creating this on Tuesday next week, so they need to bring in the cardboard boxed tec...
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Safeguarding and Pastoral Care

28 Nov 2025
What parents & educators need to know about TIKTOK
   
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Lunch Menu

Our new Autumn menus are available here. 


Upcoming Events

To view the school calendar click here.

FODS Christmas Fair
All Day
29
November
Orange Class Assembly
9:00am – 9:30am
05
December
Donkey Visit
All Day
12
December
Open morning for prospective parents
9:30am – 11:30am
12
December
Open Morning
9:30am – 10:45am
12
December
Nursery Children End of Term Today
All Day
18
December
Years R-6 Last Day of Term - School Closes at 1.30pm
All Day
19
December
Christmas Holiday
All Day
from 22 Dec until 02 Jan
22
December