SCHOOL NEWS & Key Dates
HEADTEACHER MESSAGE
As we come to the end of this half term, I think we can all agree it has been unusually wet—possibly the longest run of rainy days I can remember. I’m sure the return of lighter days and the first spring flowers after the break will be very welcome.
One of the many highlights of this half term has undoubtedly been our Woodland Wednesday sessions. Today, Tiddlers enjoyed building a teddy‑bear den, and they returned absolutely buzzing with excitement. It has been wonderful to see how much the children have embraced these outdoor sessions, and miraculously—not a single one was rained off!
We are also delighted that Mrs Welford will begin her Forest School training on the Friday after half term. We’re excited to continue growing the project alongside the PTFA and to keep enriching our children’s outdoor learning experiences.
I wish everyone a restful and enjoyable week ahead. A quick reminder that school is closed this Friday, and we return on Monday 23rd February.
WOODLAND WEDNESDAY
This week it was the turn of Year 1 to take part in Woodland Wednesday, and we thought we would let the children tell you all about their adventure!
In Orla’s words:
We used teamwork to build our shelter. It fell down a couple of times, but we kept going and did not give up.
Arthur talked about his shelter. They made it so the birds could climb on the shelter, but it still kept the Gruffalo safe and warm.
One group made a shelter with a toilet and a lovely warm bed.
Oscar and Harvey said:
We made a shelter with a chimney to keep the Gruffalo warm. We built the walls from sticks and leaves to keep him dry.
MRS DALE AS A READER
I have been reading for as long as I can remember. I was fortunate that reading held no barriers for me and my teachers encouraged me to read from an extensive choice of books. I remember reading stories from the Silver and Gold series and loving their shiny book covers.
As I grew older I read; Enid Blyton, Hardy Boy mysteries, the Chalet School series and Mallory Towers, to name but a few. I remember laughing out loud at the Just William books – which I shared with my own children. I also enjoyed, ‘The Naughtiest Girl in the School.’ These books probably give you a clue as to my personality!
I find books take me away to a parallel universe for an hour or two, the ultimate relaxation or therapy.
Nowadays I read on a daily basis, anything and everything. I love to learn through books especially about ordinary people doing extra- ordinary things. I am especially interested in spy and resistance books based around the two World Wars.
Jane Thynne wrote a wonderful series based upon the rise of Hitler and his Third Reich, but from the wives point of view. The main character is a female spy, working with the resistance undercover.
The latest book I have read is called, ‘The Eights’, written by Joanna Miller, about the first women allowed into Oxford University. I learnt so much about the history of the place. Did you know that the institution is over 1000 years old? Another fact that has stayed with me is that children were required to go to school from the ages of 5 to 14 from 1921. Apparently there was a lot of consternation because there were not enough slates to go round! (Some things never change - but it’s laptops now!)
As you can probably tell, I am a bit of a book worm! I could go on about poetry, autobiographies, factual books and faith books. But I fear I will take over the newsletter!
One further memory of my childhood were the typewriters I received as Christmas presents. I wrote stories all the time, pages and pages of them.
To me, story telling and the written word are the greatest inventions of all time. They both free the mind and expand the mind, even if someone is lying poorly in their bed.
Apart from maybe numbers, now there is something very magical about those too……..
HANDBALL DEVELOPMENT TOURNAMENT
On 11th February, we took 12 Year 6 children to a Handball Development Tournament at TGS. This event provided a fantastic opportunity for the children to apply the knowledge and skills they had developed during the Autumn term in a competitive setting.
The pupils were split into two teams and, over the course of the afternoon, played an impressive seven matches. They demonstrated great teamwork, determination and sportsmanship throughout the tournament, representing the school brilliantly.
Well done to all the children who took part – you should be very proud of your efforts and achievements.
ELMERS SUPEHEROES TOPIC
As part of our ‘Do all Superheroes Wear Capes’ topic, we have had lots of visitors in Elmers to talk about their job role!
This has included members of our school teaching staff who spoke to the children about their roles, and we were also visited by a charity worker from the Select World Travel Foundation, a psychotherapist, a design engineer and a representative from the Royal Air Force.
Arron and Rosie also came to visit us from Hampshire police. The children loved learning about their role, trying on different uniform, and sitting in the back of a real police van! The children listened with great interest, asked thoughtful questions and began to understand that being a superhero is often about helping, caring and solving problems.
It has been a wonderful topic that has inspired curiosity, respect and excitement for the world around us. A big thank you for those who visited us and made our topic extra special!
BREAKFAST AND AFTER SCHOOL CLUB BOOKING
Booking is compulsory for both Breakfast Club and Afterschool Club. Due to limited spaces, a place must be booked before the session begins.
Bookings can be made via your child’s Arbor account and must be completed at least 48 hours in advance of the session.
WORLD BOOK DAY
We are looking forward to World Book Day celebrations at Twynham Primary on Thursday 5th March.
In addition to the option to dress up as your favourite book character, there is also the chance to enter a brand‑new competition this year.
Over the half‑term break, we invite children to decorate a hard‑boiled egg as a favourite book character — perhaps a Mr Men friend, Where’s Wally, The Gruffalo, or anyone else from the stories they love. Finished creations should be brought to school on 5th March in a named egg box for safe keeping.
Three winning entries will each receive a £10 book token, and we can’t wait to see the imaginative designs that come in.
BRITISH SCIENCE WEEK IS COMING!
British Science Week will be happening this year between the 9-13 March, in preparation for our annual Science Fair taking place on 17th April!
This year’s theme is ‘Curiosity: what’s your question?’ leaving lots of room for individual ideas and thoughts.
Get thinking about it now. More information to follow closer to the time!
CLASS ASSEMBLIES
We are delighted to invite Parents and Carers to view their child's Class Assembly.
Please arrive by 2:45pm and enter via the School Hall entry door.
Details of the dates they will take place are provided below.
| 26 February | Year 5 |
| 30 April | Year 4 |
| 14 May | Year 3 |
| 11 June | Year 2 |
| 18 June | Year 6 |
| 25 June | EYFS |
| 2 July | Year 1 |
BOURNEMOUTH BAY PARTNERSHIP
We are pleased to announce that we now offer full time and part time teacher training courses.
Our part-time teaching course offers a route into teaching for people balancing work, training, and family life. The course structure supports part-time employment, enabling you to maintain financial stability while developing your teaching career by training with Bournemouth Bay Teacher Training Partnership.
Bursaries are available for both training routes in eligible subjects.
THURSDAY DANCE CLASS
We have a new dance class for KS2 on Thursdays 3:05 to 4:05pm.
Please see the below link for booking and attached flyer.
Thursdays Crew (7 - 11yrs) at Twynham Primary School, Dorset | dh dance | Powered by ClassForKids
If your child is in receipt of pupil premium, please contact the school office.
FOLLOW TPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Did you know TPS has accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter?
We keep these pages up to date with the latest news and events, so may serve as a handy reminder for parents.
If you would like to follow us on social media you will find the links to our Facebook and Twitter Accounts on our website homepage, at the top of the page. You will find a QR code below which will direct you to our Instagram page.
PTFA NOTICES
VACANCIES
To review all of the current Twynham Learning vacancies please follow this link.
https://www.twynhamlearning.com/187/staff-vacancies
Key Dates
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|
DATE | YEAR | START | END | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O2 YOUNG VOICES CHOIR | 25 FEBRUARY | 6 | ||||
| YEAR 5 CLASS ASSEMBLY | 26 FEBRUARY | 5 | 2:45PM | |||
| WORLD BOOK DAY | 5 MARCH | ALL | ||||
| SCIENCE WEEK | 9-13 MARCH | ALL | ||||
| RED NOSE DAY | 20 MARCH | ALL | ||||
| PTFA EASTER DISCO | 24 MARCH | 1-6 | ||||
| HOUSE DAY | 26 MARCH | ALL | ||||
| LAST DAY OF TERM | 27 MARCH | ALL | ||||
| EASTER HOLIDAY | 30 MARCH - 10 APRIL | ALL | ||||
| FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL | 13 APRIL | ALL | ||||
| SCIENCE FAIR | 17 APRIL | 3,4,5 & 6 | 2:30PM | 3:00PM | ||
| YEAR 4 CLASS ASSEMBLY | 30 APRIL | 4 | 2:45PM | |||
| MAY DAY BANK HOLIDAY | 4 MAY | ALL | ||||
| YEAR 3 CLASS ASSEMBLY | 14 MAY | 3 | 2:45PM | |||
| HALF TERM HOLIDAY | 25 MAY - 29 MAY | ALL | ||||
| INSET DAY | 1 JUNE | ALL | ||||
| CLASS PHOTOGRAPHS | 3 JUNE | ALL | ||||
| PTFA CAR BOOT SALE | 7 JUNE | |||||
| YEAR 4 RESIDENTIAL TRIP | 9-10 JUNE | 4 | ||||
| YEAR 6 RESIDENTIAL TRIP | 10-12 JUNE | 6 | ||||
| YEAR 2 CLASS ASSEMBLY | 11 JUNE | 2 | 2:45PM | |||
| PTFA DOUGHNUT SALE | 12 JUNE | ALL | ||||
| YEAR 6 CLASS ASSEMBLY | 18 JUNE | 6 | 2:45PM | |||
| PTFA MUFTI DAY | 19 JUNE | ALL | ||||
| EYFS CLASS ASSEMBLY | 25 JUNE | EYFS | 2:45PM | |||
| SPORTS DAY | 2 JULY | ALL | ||||
| YEAR 1 CLASS ASSEMBLY | 2 JULY | YEAR 1 | 2:45PM | |||
| PTFA ENTREPRENEUR FAIR | 3 JULY | ALL | ||||
| PTFA SUMMER DISCO | 14 JULY | ALL | ||||
| LAST DAY OF TERM | 22 JULY | ALL | ||||
| SUMMER HOLIDAY | 23 JULY - 28 AUGUST | ALL | ||||
