Inclusive sports Fortnight

 Dear Parents and Carers,

What a wonderful fortnight of inclusive sporting activities we have had at Prince of Wales School. I've included some photographs of the activities the children have enjoyed at the end of this blog.

We are rapidly approaching the end of term, with only one full week of learning remaining. Next week, the children will continue preparing for their Tenner Challenge stalls while also taking part in their usual learning across the curriculum.

PSHE Next Week

On Tuesday, the children will have their first PSHE lesson on how their bodies change during puberty. I have decided to teach the girls and boys separately on this occasion to help them feel comfortable asking questions openly.

During the lesson, we will revise the names of the male and female body parts and introduce the concept that mammal babies are created from an egg and a sperm. 

I will not be covering how the sperm and egg meet during this lesson. Depending on the scheme used by middle schools, this may be taught in Years 5, 6 or 7. If children ask questions beyond what is covered in the Lower Key Stage 2 curriculum, I will explain that these topics will be covered later at middle school or encourage them to discuss them with their parents or carers.

The Tenner Challenge

The children will be running their Tenner Challenge stalls straight after school on Wednesday 15 July and Thursday 16 July. Any parental support would be greatly appreciated, although we hope the children will take the lead in running their stalls.

HomeLearning

There are no spellings or home learning sheets this week. However, the children are welcome to work on the Tenner Challenge projects should they wish to. 

Upcoming Dates

Friday 10 July – Please note that Dance Day has been cancelled due to the hot weather.

Tuesday 21 July 2026 – Last day of term

Wednesday 22 July 2026 – INSET Day

Thursday 23 July 2026 – Summer holidays begin

Tuesday 1 September 2026 – INSET Day

Wednesday 2 September 2026 – INSET Day

Thursday 3 September 2026 – All children return

Year 3 Dance Day Cake Sale Cancelled

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Unfortunately, the Year 3 cake sale planned for Dance Day has had to be cancelled.

Due to the high temperatures forecast, the format of Dance Day is likely to change, and it will no longer be appropriate for the children to sell cakes.

We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

Kind regards,

The Year 3 Team

What's happening in Year 3 Next Week

 

Hello everyone,

Year 3 have enjoyed a fabulous first week of Inclusive Sports Fortnight. A highlight for me was observing their resilience and perseverance during our skateboarding sessions with the wonderful Harry. Sporting activities are a fantastic way to show children that perseverance and repeated practice really do pay off. It was lovely to watch this happen in real time and to witness the children's pride as they mastered new skills.

Next week, our timetable of activities will continue. Please could I ask that the children come to school wearing their PE kits on Monday and Tuesday. A list of upcoming dates can be found at the end of this blog.

Next week, the children will begin working in groups for the Tenner Challenge. They will be bringing home their group information and the letter below today.

As ever, please email or speak to a member of the Year 3 team if you have any questions.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Over the next two weeks, your child will be taking part in our Year 3 Tenner Challenge. Working in small groups, the children will receive an initial investment of £10 to develop a product, activity or game and aim to make as much profit as possible.

The main Tenner Challenge will take place after school on Wednesday 15th July and Thursday 16th July. During the school day, the children will work together to design posters, prepare their stalls and make some of the items they plan to sell. If you are happy and able to support your child at home, creating additional products for sale can also form part of their homework over the next two weeks.

The children will run their stalls after school on both days, supported by parents and members of the Year 3 team.

Each group will have a budget of £10 to spend on any additional resources, materials or prizes they may need for their stall.

If you have any questions, please speak to a member of the Year 3 team.

All profits raised will go towards an activity chosen by the children and will help enrich their learning experiences in Year 4.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Please note: Due to rising costs, we have increased the initial investment from £5 to £10. Although the project has traditionally been known as the Fiver Challenge, we have renamed it the Tenner Challenge to better reflect current prices.

Upcoming Dates:

Friday 3rd July - Summer fest

Tuesday 7th July - Sports Day from 9.30am

Tuesday 7th July - Hooke Court presentation (directly after sports day)

Tuesday 7th July - Bump up afternoon

Friday 10th July - Dance Day (PM)

Wednesday 15th July - Tenner Challenge (directly after school)

Thursday 16th July - Tenner Challenge (directly after school)

Tuesday 21st July - Last Day of Term

   

PE Kits tomorrow please

 

Hello everyone,

Please could all children come to school in their PE kits tomorrow (Thursday 2nd July). We will send home any PE kits that are currently in school today.

As part of our Inclusive Sports Fortnight, the children will be taking part in a sports-themed day on Thursday, so they should remain in their PE kits throughout the day. They will also begin painting the Roundhouse, so please could your child bring a set of old clothes to change into for this activity—something you don't mind getting paint on.

With the warm weather continuing, please also ensure your child comes to school wearing sunscreen and brings a named sun hat and named water bottle.

Kind regards,

The Year 3 Team

The Etches Collection

 Hello Y3 families

Year 3 had a fantastic day exploring the incredible Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life in Kimmeridge as part of their history and science learning.

The children were fascinated from the moment they arrived, discovering an amazing collection of fossils that have been found right here on Dorset's Jurassic Coast. They learnt about the remarkable work of Steve Etches, whose lifelong passion for fossil hunting has led to one of the world's finest collections of Jurassic marine fossils. The children were amazed to hear how many important discoveries have been made just a short distance from our school.

Throughout the day, the children became young palaeontologists as they investigated a variety of fossils and rocks, learning how they were formed millions of years ago. They explored how fossils provide evidence of prehistoric life and discovered what Dorset looked like during the Jurassic period, when dinosaurs roamed the land and incredible marine reptiles swam through warm tropical seas.

One of the highlights of the visit was learning about the famous fossil hunter Mary Anning. The children were inspired by her determination and curiosity, discovering how her discoveries transformed our understanding of prehistoric life and continue to influence scientists today.

The visit also helped the children develop a deeper understanding of why the Jurassic Coast is recognised as a World Heritage Site. They learnt how millions of years of geological history are revealed within the cliffs and coastline, making Dorset one of the most important places in the world for studying Earth's past.

Throughout the day, our pupils demonstrated excellent curiosity, asked thoughtful questions and represented The Prince of Wales School brilliantly. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm grow as they handled real fossils, explored the museum's fascinating exhibits and connected their classroom learning with the rich history of our local area.

A huge thank you to the staff and volunteers at The Etches Collection for providing such an engaging and inspiring experience. The children returned to school full of excitement, eager to share their new knowledge and continue their learning about fossils, rocks and the incredible story of Dorset's Jurassic Coast.

Well done, Year 3, for being such enthusiastic learners and fantastic ambassadors for our school!