Thank you and Happy Christmas

 

Dear year 4 children and families,

Thank you very much for your kind and generous Christmas presents. They are very much appreciated. 

The children did such a great job of researching charities for us to support that it was very difficult to select just one! After a class vote, three charities were selected and donations have been made on behalf of the class. 

We hope you all have a lovely Christmas break and we look forward to seeing you in 2023!

Kind regards,

Ms Browne, Mr MacBean, Mrs Bernard, Mrs McConnell, Mis Street, Mrs Burgess, Mrs Thomas and Mrs Scott. xxx

Important notice: Dorchester Library books

 

Dear parents and carers,

During our visit to Dorchester Library, as part of our Matilda experience, the children were given the opportunity to take out a library book. These books will have a Dorchester library stamp in them. 

Please could Dorchester Library books either be returned to the year 4 classroom (there is a separate box for these so they don't get mixed up with other books) or directly to Dorchester Library by Friday 16th December 2022.      

If you have any questions or queries about this pease get in touch. 

Kind regards,

Year 4 Team. 

Macbeth Cast

 

Hello everyone,

I was delighted to share with you the cast list for next year's Macbeth production today (Tuesday). The children were told their roles in class but for any children absent or for those that may have forgotten please click here for the cast list (the list is alphabetical by first name). 

I won't be giving the children their lines to learn over Christmas (I think its much more important that they have fun and relax). However, should any of the children be super keen they may like to become familiar with the plot of the play and gain an understanding of their character. Taking a look at the BBC Macbeth class clips should hopefully give them everything they need for now. 

Full details will be given next term, however, If you have any pressing questions that can't wait till the new year please get in touch.

Kind regards,

Ms Browne

Home Learning and upcoming Dates

 

Hello everyone,

I hope you are keeping warm as the temperature drops. With this in mind, if you are sending in gloves, hats and scarves please label these as it makes it easier to reunite them with their owner at the end of the day.

I can't believe that it is almost the end of term. It has been a lovely term with your children and myself and the year 4 team have enjoyed getting to know them. 

See below for upcoming dates, home learning and an update on the Shakespeare roles and dates. 

Upcoming dates:

Friday 9th 

Tomorrow is Christmas jumper day in aid of Save the Children. Children are invited to wear non school uniform and Christmas jumper and may give a donation to Save the Children. 

 

Christmas technology day. Children will be in mixed year groups to create three Christmas based crafts. 

POWSA Christmas Fair straight after school in the school hall, library and reception classroom. Any remaining tombola items can be given to the office in the morning. 

Monday 12th 

Christmas performance dress rehearsal. Please can all costume items be brought to school by Monday at the latest. 

Tuesday 13th

Christmas performance 1. Years 3 and 4 will perform at 11am. 

Wednesday 14th 

Treehouse Theatre pantomime. Year 4 children will be invited to perform minor roles in the pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk. 

Whole school Carol Concert 5pm - 6pm. Preschool and Reception children will act out the nativity and Year 4 will be narrators (please check emails for location details) 

Thursday 15th 

Christmas performance 2 at 11am. 

It will be year 4's last swimming session on Thursday 15th. 

Friday 16th 

Last day of term. Christmas party day. No hot dinners on this day. Children should bring a packed lunch wrapped up as a present. 

Home learning:

For this week's Home learning, the children are being invited to choose a charity they would like Year 4 to support this Christmas. Children should research possible charities and then write down a few reasons why they think their chosen charity should be supported. Children will be given the opportunity to debate charity options on Monday afternoon before a whole class ballot.   

Year 4 Home Learning link.  

Shakespeare Update:

The Shakespeare play that will be performed by Year 4 in February with be Macbeth. Children will go to Weymouth Pavilion on Monday 9th January for a behind the scenes walkthrough. The final play will be in the evening on Wednesday 8th February 2023 (more details to follow next year).  

A few week's ago the children listed their role preferences.  Where possible children have been given their first choice or they were allocated roles based on what sort of role they requested and their enthusiasm for the play. The involvement of children in Snow White were also considered.  Doing the castings for the Year 4 Shakespeare play is a tricky and time consuming job. It is unfortunate but inevitable that some children may be disappointed but please be assured that the casting has been done in as fair a way as possible.

I hope to give initial scripts out for the children to take home and familiarise themselves with over the holidays. It is highly likely that the script and staging will evolve somewhat next term with lines being possibly added or removed. 

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about Shakespeare or anything in general please contact myself, Mr MacBean or Mr Spracklen.

Kind regards,

The year 4 team,  

 

Class reward tomorrow (Wednesday 7th).

 

As a treat for earning the whole class reward marbles, year 4 voted to have a movie afternoon with PJs (or onesies) and some festive treats. 

This will take place tomorrow (Wednesday 7th).  Children should come to school in school uniform but can bring in PJs and a cuddle toy to change into (if they want to).

Kind regards,

Ms Browne

Upcoming dates, costumes and other bits and pieces

 

Hello everyone,

I hope you are having a lovely weekend so far. I can't believe that the term has raced by and we only have two more weeks of term left. There is always lots to think about at this time of year so I will attempt to make a list below of upcoming events and what needs to be done. 

This week:

POW Passports - children are invited to bring their POW passports into school this week together with any evidence collected so far. 

From Sunday 3rd - 11th December

Year 4's artwork will be on display at Jubilee hall Poundbury. 

Monday 5th 

In the morning I will also be asking the children to choose what activities they are interested in for Christmas technology day. Each child will do three activities on Friday and whilst I can't guarantee that they will be able to do every activity I will try to make sure they get at least one of their preferences. If you wanted to give them a preview of the activities you can look at the choosing slip I will give them tomorrow here.  

From 5pm - 6pm there will be the musical showcase for children that have learnt to play piano and recorder this year. This will be in the school hall and the children should have been give ideas for the clothes they should be wearing. Children should arrive at 4.45pm. If you have any questions please contact the school office or Mrs McCourtie.

Tuesday 6th 

By Tuesday, the STEM figures that the children made last week should be on display at Brewery Square. They will be in a shop front next to the ice rink and under the screen. If you get the chance to go, I'm sure your child will be very excited to see their figure displayed.  

Wednesday 7th 

Please could you aim to bring the children's costumes in by Wednesday for the Christmas performance. If you are unsure of what your child should be wearing, please get in touch with the year 4 team. 

On Wednesday afternoon,  I will endeavour to do some auditions for the Macbeth performance next year. A few weeks ago I asked the children to give me their preferences of what roles they would like and how many lines they are happy to do. Where possible children have been given their first choice, however where more than one child has elected for the same first choice role I will need to do auditions. 

Thursday 8th 

There will be no swimming on Thursday. The children will be doing a special activity with their reception buddies today. Please see an email from Mr Spracklen for details.  

Friday 9th 

Christmas jumper day in aid of Save the Children. It is also Christmas technology day. 

After school on Friday it is the POWSA Christmas Fair in the school hall, library and reception classroom. 

Next Week:

Monday 12th 

Christmas performance dress rehearsal. 

Tuesday 13th

Christmas performance 1. Years 3 and 4 will perform at 11am. 

Wednesday 14th 

Christmas dinner day. Hot dinners should be ordered at least a week in advance. 

Whole school Carol Concert. Preschool and Reception children will act out the nativity and Year 4 will be narrators and do readings. If your child would like to be involved they will need to be available between 5pm - 6pm on Wednesday 14th. More details to follow soon.   

Thursday 15th 

Christmas performance 2 at 11am. It will be year 4's last swimming session on Thursday 15th. 

Friday 16th 

Last day of term. Christmas party day. No hot dinners on this day. Children should bring a packed lunch wrapped up as a present. 

As ever, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions please let me or Mr MacBean know.

Kind regards,

The year 4 team. 🎄

Home Learning Activity - Friday 2nd December

How do we celebrate Christmas?

Here’s a list of things that my family generally does at Christmas time. 

How many of these do you do? (Perhaps you could tick them off on the list.)

Visit family members and friends,   Christmas Tree – decorate,      Presents under the tree,    Sing Christmas Carols/Songs,    Receive and give presents,         Stockings for Santa,     Leave something for Santa + reindeer,       Go to church,            Special Christmas Meal,      Christmas Crackers,     Decorate the house,     Christmas cards,      Advent Calendar,       Watch a Pantomime

Can you add any things to the list that your family will be doing?

Can you do some research to find out about some of the things that people in different countries around the world do at Christmas time?