Back in the fold...

 Hello and welcome back to the Dorchester Middle School Blog!

I can't begin to tell you how totally and utterly wonderful it was to have virtually everyone back on Monday. I don't know about you but I felt quite apprehensive when I was driving to school - it felt like the first day of the school year in September, not the 8th March. 

The anxious feeling disappeared the moment I saw the children arriving in their various zones. 

It was like no one had ever been away!

The week flew by didn't it?

When we got to Friday, it really did feel like the last two months were a distant memory. 

A HUGE 'Thank You' to everyone, and I mean everyone, for such a successful and positive return - you are all amazing!

Right, enough gushing and on with the Blog...

Connecting Creatively Day

On our first day back, our focus was very much on the mental health and wellbeing of the children.

In order to do this, we focused on the 'Tree of Life' enabling the children to reflect on their strengths, the people in their lives who are important to them, their hope and aspirations and thinking about their roots and the things that keep them grounded. 

Here are a few of the finished products:

Once the individuali-trees had been completed, it was time to move onto a class version of the same tree.

I was incredibly impressed with what the children produced. Each class tree was slightly different which was fabulous to see.

 

There are still a few trees that are still in the assembling stage but I will look forward to sharing them once they have been completed. 

In the afternoon, we introduced the new Behaviour for Learning Expectations and looked at ways that we can support each other to make sure that we can meet them. 

The children were asked to think about what made them safe in school and relate them to the expectations. From that, displays were created with the completed (and signed) hands to support our Behaviour for Learning.

The MyEd app that we use in school is now reporting the Achievement Points directly to parents. Fingers crossed that this is working.

Anyone for Cricket?

The children in Key Stage Two were lucky enough to receive some terrific cricket coaching. I was lucky enough to go outside with 5MW who had a fabulous time.

 A massive thank you to Mr Roberts for organising this terrific opportunity for the children.

Here is the information that the coach (Sean) shared with me for those who would like to sign up.

Out of this world

For those of you who read the Blog on a regular basis, you will be aware of the fantastic Solar Systems that were produced at home and at school.

Mrs Whiting asked everyone to contribute to a display that she was creating in the Year Five Cloakroom and here is what we have received so far...

Testing, testing 1,2, 3...

In Key Stage Three, the testing of the children has been a high priority. The whole process has been incredibly well organised as per usual. The children were swiftly tested and in lessons before you knew it.

The Visitor's Car Park was a hive of activity - who knew that it was so multi-functional!

Mr Benham came out of the Science Lab for a brief break from testing - I couldn't resist taking this picture!

 

Well done Team DMS!

Waste Warriors

Isla, Ryan and myself met in the week to discuss the future of the Waste Warriors and we have come up with a plan. 

We were hoping to start on Friday during Golden Time but as you will see in a moment, rain really did stop play!

Mia updated our logo - it's brilliant isn't it?

Rain stops play!

Oh my Goodness me! We got completely and utterly soaked on Friday! The heavens opened and we were well and truly caught in it.

However, after we had all piled inside the sun came out (why does it do that?!) and the most amazing double rainbow appeared.

I think I have only just dried out!

Wellbeing Check

I hope that you are still all making sure that you are following the Five Ways to Wellbeing so that you are looking after your Mental Health.

Olivia has been busy again and has made these fabulous pom pom animals.

 Having had a hectic week (my step count has never been so high!), I took some time out this weekend and went for a walk with my friend Zoe. We connected, got active, took notice, gave and learned something new.

 

We walked to and around Spetisbury and managed to experience every single type of weather that exists with the exception of snow. Zoe's dog Rosie saw a stoat and chased it around a field (I had never seen one before!) and the horse that I took a selfie with was incredibly friendly and kept nudging me with his nose - he probably thought that I had some food on me. Isn't the Shetland Pony cute? He was hard to take a selfie with. 

We bumped into loads of people who I knew (the joys of growing up locally) and had a lovely coffee and piece of Millionaire's Shortbread. By then, we had really earned it! 

I came home feeling happy and content. 

I definitely ticked all of my wellbeing boxes!

Comic Relief

Next week is Comic Relief Week. 

As Ms Pluck wrote in her letter this week, we would like the children to dress up on Friday with the theme being Superheroes. We are hoping that, if possible, you can come to school dressed as a superhero but if that isn't possible then PJs and Onesies is a great alternative. 

We will be asking for £1 towards this excellent cause in return.

We would also like you to bring in your favourite joke that you will get write onto a special poster from the organisers of this event in school. These will need to be submitted by Thursday afternoon where a team of Judges will decide on their top three jokes. These jokes will be published on next week's Blog and on our Facebook page along with their authors. Ms Pluck will present the prizes on Friday.

Well, that's it for another week. 

I hope you have an excellent weekend and that you all manage to spoil the lovely people in your life who love you and look after you on Sunday.

Mrs Ray

(who is the very proud mother of this lovely young lady)