Film Premiere Big Success

See below for extract from Dorset Echo (CLICK HERE TO READ ON DORSET ECHO WEBSITE) - A PARALYMPIC-inspired film created by Dorchester school children has had its first screening. Pupils from the Prince of Wales School enjoyed the premiere of their creation, Running Blind. The film, which was shown at Dorchester Middle School, tells the story of the country’s leading blind goal scorer David Clarke as he prepares for the Paralympic Games. A lost match ball is mysteriously heard moving around the pre-Games venue at Maiden Castle and the ensuing adventure features an angry bull, a Dorset farmer and the Team GB Paralympic training camp. The film project was inspired by a visit from Paraympian and former Prince of Wales School pupil Mark Newton and was made possible by lottery funding from the First Light project and support from West Dorset District Council. Project producer and drama therapist Sharon Hayden has been working with the pupils for the last month as they came up with the story ideas as well as drawing, animating, voicing and directing the three-minute film. She said: “Through drama sessions and working with our scriptwriting mentor, they have produced a great story – and done it justice with some lovely drawing and animation. “We are incredibly grateful to funders First Light and West Dorset District Council who have given these children the opportunity to make something which will be seen by thousands during the Olympics .” The youngsters benefited from visits by a number of industry experts including visual artist Nic Rawling, music producer Mickey Wills, scriptwriter Peter Snelling, photographer Celeste Hayden and animator and coordinator Alistair Nisbet, whose company was the school’s production company. Mr Nisbet said: “The school has had a big focus on the Paralympics – so to make a film about the Paralympic Games seemed a wonderful way to round off their year. “They have been fantastic hosts during our time in residence – we love their enthusiasm and their ‘can do’ attitude towards everything they do.”

Breakfast Club

We are starting a Breakfast Club! Details have been provided via ParentMail and newsletter on Friday. The club will start from Monday 10th September.

CONGRATULATIONS Mr. Hopkins

Today we say farewell to Mr. Hopkins (in his GTP capacity) at the Prince of Wales First School and wish him luck in his first teaching post at Wyke Regis Junior School, Weymouth. We know he has a bright future ahead of him (bright green that is!) and we thank him for his work this year.  GOOD-BYE AND GOOD LUCK MR. HOPKINS!

FILM PREMIERE TONIGHT!

The Prince of Wales First School invites you to a film premiere: Running Blind at Dorchester Middle School on Thursday July 19th 2012 at 6pm. Please let the school office know if you are able to attend - phone 01305 257121 or email: office@princeofwales.dorset.sch.uk. Light refreshments will be served by POWSA. Dress: smart or smart casual. (No school uniform)

Film Premiere this Thursday

The Prince of Wales First School invites you to a film premiere: Running Blind at Dorchester Middle School on Thursday July 19th 2012 at 6pm. Please let the school office know if you are able to attend - phone 01305 257121 or email: office@princeofwales.dorset.sch.uk. Light refreshments will be served by POWSA. Dress: smart or smart casual.

Gunge a Teacher 2012

A big thank you to all the children, parents and staff at Prince of Wales School for raising £138 from Gunge a Teacher 2012!  Thanks to our compare Mr Rae and POWSA photographer Mrs Staddon. Click this post title on the school website to see a selection of photographs from the event. This includes Mr. Hopkins' 'Gunge Angel' and Mr. Farrington receiving an unexpected gesture of affection from Mr. Spracklen.

 The top five voted teachers awaiting their fate.

Mrs Webb mixing the Gunge (worms and fish eyes already added).

Mr Farrington cannot escape from the gunged Mr Spracklen

 

Mr Hopkins and his 'gunge dance'

Mr Farrington still cannot shake off Mr Spracklen (or the gunge)

Mr Hopkins and the 'gunge angel'

Olympic Rings

Please make sure you take a look at our Olympic Rings art work at the front of the school!

Results of Friday afternoon!

Football match one was a draw 4-4.
The children won the netball match 7-4.
The second football match was also drawn 5-5.
Well done to everyone who took part!

Another Olympic torch bearer visits the school!

Thanks to Mr Butcher who introduced us to another torch bearer today who carried the torch yesterday through Chickerell! Mr Butcher also inspired us this morning with an account of his amazing trek in the Himalayas and how the Olympic Values of determination, friendship and courage can be demonstrated in sport and other activities!

Olympic Torch at Poundbury

We all had a great time watching the torch coming through yesterday despite the rain! Well done particularly to our brave band of musicians who kept everyone entertained! Thanks to everyone for your support for this memorable event!

Olympic Torchbearer Visits

We had a special visit from Olympic Torchbearer - Wendy Pittendrigh on Tuesday 10th July. Wendy ran with the torch on the first day of the torch procession in Penzance, Cornwall. Some classes have been collecting donations for the photos taken with Wendy and the Olympic Torch. Apologies for telling some of you that the charity Wendy raises money for is Breast Cancer Care when it is actually Cancer Research UK/Race for Life. The link for Wendy's JustGiving page where donations can be made is https://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/wendypittendrigh You can read all about why Wendy was nominated to carry the torch by clicking this link: http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/torchbearers/torchbearers=wendy-pittendrigh-7622/. Mr. Spracklen

Circus!

Come to the Circus on SATURDAY 21ST JULY 2012 at Frome Valley First School, Crossways. The performance starts at 2pm until 4pm, but the fun starts at 12 noon for FOR BOUNCY CASTLE, FACE PAINTING, REFRESHMENTS, BBQ, JUGGLER, CIRCUS SKILLS & SILENT AUCTION TICKETS ONLY £7 (AGE 2 AND UNDER FREE) Available from the Prince of Wales School Office or from Fiona Staddon.

Olympic Rings Video

Many thanks for supporting our Olympics Colours Day! Despite a bit of drizzle, we made a great film of all the classes making the Olympic Rings. To watch this video, click the blog title on the school website and press the play button.

Courage and Inspiration!

Wheelchair users in Reception and Year 1 performed a dance routine in front of the whole school this morning! Their costumes were brilliant. They demonstrated great concentration and focus and inspired the rest of the school with their courage in performing to everyone at such a young age! Well done to them and their choreographers!

Half way through our Olympics Fighting Fit Fortnight

With a week to go, all four Olympic teams have everything to play for! Leading at the moment with 238 points is Aaron Cook's team, closely followed by Sarah Ayton on 225, Maxine Moore on 208 and not far behind on 201 Mark Newton. With Sports Days, Year 4 swimming gala, Gymkhana and many other activities to come next week, everyone needs to keep thinking about Friendship, Respect, Excellence, Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality to gain more points for your team!

Olympic Rings dress up day

Don't forget that on Friday we are asking the children to wear clothes in different colours. This is to make a film of all the classes forming a human set of Olympic Rings! Reception: something Green. Year 1 : something Blue. Year 2: something Red. Year 3: something Yellow. Year 4: something Black. You don't have to provide a whole costume in these colours as long as your child wears something in the appropriate colour!

South West Digital Educator of the Year!

I am very pleased to announce that Gary Spracklen won a prestigious regional award yesterday! This was for his innovative and exciting ICT work across the school. Mr. Spracklen won the ‘South West Digital Educator of the Year Award’ at SWDEC (South West Digital Educators Conference) at Plymouth University. The conference, organised in partnership between the Open University, Plymouth University and the South West Grid for Learning, highlighted the very best practice in teaching with technology from across the South West of England. Mr. Spracklen's win was made even more significant by the fact it was voted for by the conference delegates. The winning work was focused on how Mr. Spracklen has inspired colleagues at school to embrace and apply new technologies to support, engage and develop all our pupils. Mr. Spracklen showed delegates how new technologies have transformed pupils learning at our school, leaving a lasting impact in pupils lives.

Well done Mr. Spracklen!

Gunge a Teacher

Have you voted yet? Mrs Webb is preparing a lovely bucket of gunge for your favourite teacher to receive on Friday 13th July in the afternoon! 20p a vote! All proceeds go to buy new equipment for the school!

Whizzkidz

Today, our wheelchair users will be starting an intensive three day training course under the watchful eye of Whizzkidz. Parents are welcome to come along to join in!

Fighting Fit Fortnight

Our focus on fitness and sport got off to a great start yesterday with Box2Bfit where all the children undertook a range of fitness related activities. Bouncing blueberries and special skipping ropes can be purchased from the school office for £5 each! We also welcomed our link school from Aldershot who led some boccia and curling events!