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!

Friday update

 

Hello everyone, 

Tomorrow (Friday 12th June), we have several exciting events taking place.

It is our Teddy Bear Takeover Day, and children are invited to bring a teddy bear and a £1 donation to help raise money for Julia's House.

Please note that children should still come to school in their full school uniform, as school photographs will now be taking place on Friday.

We would also like children to bring their Forest School kits so that they can get changed for a catch-up Forest School session that was missed last term. This is for tomorrow only.

Spellings and home learning will also be sent home tomorrow.

As part of our science learning, children are invited to collect three small rocks (ideally different types) and bring them into school. We will add them to our collection and sort them according to their characteristics.

Children are also invited to get creative with pebbles. They can create a piece of pebble art, take a photograph of it, and email it to me at c.browne@princeofwales.dorset.sch.uk  Alternatively, if their creation is small enough, they are welcome to bring it into school to share with the class.

Thank you for your support. We look forward to a busy and exciting day!

 

River Lab trip

 Hello Year Three families

Our pupils enjoyed an exciting and educational trip to River Lab in Wareham, where they had the opportunity to become real-life scientists for the day!

Throughout the visit, the children explored the fascinating world of rivers, habitats and wildlife through a range of hands-on activities. They worked collaboratively to investigate the local environment, collect samples and observe a variety of creatures that live in and around freshwater habitats.

One of the highlights of the day was taking part in practical fieldwork. The children used specialist equipment to explore the river environment, identify different species and learn more about how living things depend on healthy ecosystems. They showed great curiosity, enthusiasm and teamwork as they carried out their investigations.

The visit also provided a wonderful opportunity to develop scientific enquiry skills, including observing, questioning, classifying and recording findings. Pupils were encouraged to think like scientists, making predictions and discussing their discoveries with confidence.

It was fantastic to see the children so engaged in their learning and making meaningful connections between their classroom studies and the natural world around them. Their behaviour throughout the day was exemplary and they represented The Prince of Wales School brilliantly.

A huge thank you to the staff at River Lab (including Bournemouth University and the FBA) for providing such an inspiring learning experience and to our volunteers who helped make the trip possible - a special mention must go to Dan Franklin who bought this trip to fruition.

We are incredibly proud of all the children and look forward to building on their learning back in the classroom.

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Year 3 Team