Merley News
Environment Week 20th - 24th MayMost of the school week was spent outside as much as possible enjoying our lovely school grounds. The main objective was to ensure the children have a better understanding of the term; ‘Reduce, reuse and recycle’.
As well as Environment Week it was also our annual ‘Walk to school’ week and all the classes competed to win the schools Green Trainer award! This year the winners were 4B. To view the variety of activities each class got up to please look at the class blogs. Success for Merley Netball Team.Our Year 4 netball team attended the Poole School's Netball Tournament at Oakdale Middle School.
|
The team played their first match against Branksome Heath Middle School, winning 3-1 with some superb scoring by Ellie W. and fantastic team work by all the team!
The next match was against Oakdale Middle School. Once again the team produced a fantastic performance, winning 1-0. This meant Merley First School were the overall winners of the tournament.
A big thank you for all the fantastic crowd cheering from our supporters, and a big well done to all the netball team for an excellent performance.
The next match was against Oakdale Middle School. Once again the team produced a fantastic performance, winning 1-0. This meant Merley First School were the overall winners of the tournament.
A big thank you for all the fantastic crowd cheering from our supporters, and a big well done to all the netball team for an excellent performance.
Nature Area Working Party - 28th April
A big thank you to all the volunteers who came to clear the raised beds and get the school Nature Area ready for outdoor learning.
What a great team!
With everyone working together so well we quickly saw improvements.
Keep an eye on this area this term to see how things develop.
What a great team!
With everyone working together so well we quickly saw improvements.
Keep an eye on this area this term to see how things develop.
New Barn 24th - 26th April 2013
Here is a small sample of what Year 3 got up to on their residential visit to New Barn.
Enterprise Week 2013
4th-8th February
Building on the success of previous years we held our third
Merley First School Enterprise Week.
Merley First School Enterprise Week.
The school has been buzzing with small businesses, with each year group making different products to sell. All classes got involved in designing, making, marketing and selling a product.
During the week the children learnt about the world of work, fair-trade and the value of money. Thank you to all the adults who took the time to come and talk to the children about their careers.
The children demonstrated creativity, co-operation and
tons of enterprise. All the classes competed for the highest profit margin to donate to Comic Relief, the chosen charity for this year. The charities aim is to "bring about positive and lasting change in the lives of poor and disadvantaged people."
On Friday the children were able to buy and sell their products at our Enterprise Market. It gave all of our children practice at choosing what to buy, working out what they can afford and choosing the coins themselves.
The success of the venture was proved by nearly a complete sell out. We would like to thank everyone for supporting our Enterprise Week once again.
Our donation to Children in Need was £587.35, with 2R raising the most money.
Please remember to look at the class blogs for more photos and information on the weeks preparations and events.
Our donation to Children in Need was £587.35, with 2R raising the most money.
Please remember to look at the class blogs for more photos and information on the weeks preparations and events.
All of the children and staff would like to say a big thank you to Mrs Tricket for creating our new fabric hanging which will be permanently on display in our school hall. Mrs Tricket has
hand-stitched all of the wild animals associated with our schools class names - ladybird, butterfly, sparrow, robin, hedgehog, rabbit, owl, kestrel, badger and fox.
hand-stitched all of the wild animals associated with our schools class names - ladybird, butterfly, sparrow, robin, hedgehog, rabbit, owl, kestrel, badger and fox.
Father Christmas visits
We don't know how he does it but Father Christmas found time to spend the morning at Merley First School.
All the children were given the opportunity to share with him what they wanted for Christmas while their class friends listened and watched quietly. Father Christmas gave each of the children a small gift to take home as well as handing them presents to share with their class and use in class Golden Time.
All the children were given the opportunity to share with him what they wanted for Christmas while their class friends listened and watched quietly. Father Christmas gave each of the children a small gift to take home as well as handing them presents to share with their class and use in class Golden Time.
Merley First School Tumbling Team
On Sunday 18th November the Merley Tumbling team went to Rossmore for the Year 3/4 Dorset schools Tumbling Competition.
Thirteen schools from all over Dorset took part our team of five girls - Tali, Lydia, Libby, Alyssia and Charly produced outstanding routines and managed to finish in second place.
All of us at Merley First School are really proud of our Tumbling Team and we would like to give a big thank you to Mrs Blake for coaching them. Thanks also must go to all the parents for the early start and for the cheering and support!
Children in Need - Pyjama Day
On Friday 16th November children and staff were all able to wear pyjamas to school in order to raise money for Children in Need.
Well done Merley First School. A cheque for £362.82 has been sent off to Children in Need, the charity that helps children across the UK that are less fortunate than ourselves.
Look at the class blogs for more photos.
Look at the class blogs for more photos.
Global Family Day 2012
On Global Family Day we learnt about and celebrated the diversity in our world and on our own doorstep.
The whole school took part in a variety of activities that helped everyone to learn about a different part of the world. One session was run as a workshop so that the children could choose a country that was of interest to them and learn alongside children from other year groups.
Look at the class blogs for more photos and information about the day
The whole school took part in a variety of activities that helped everyone to learn about a different part of the world. One session was run as a workshop so that the children could choose a country that was of interest to them and learn alongside children from other year groups.
Look at the class blogs for more photos and information about the day
Poland
In RB the children were told some traditional Polish legends and looked at the Polish flag.
Here the children are learning the 'Carousel' a traditional Polish dance.
Australia
The children recreated Aboriginal dot paintings as well as learning interesting facts about the county in 2R.
Africa
The sound of drums and singing took over the hall as the children created the sounds we all associate with Africa.
Uganda and Kenya
In 1R the children watched a video of Ugandan children playing with recycled footballs. The children made their own using scrunched up newspapers, a plastic bag and wool.
India
In 3K the children learnt about Divali and they looked closely at the patterns on the sari. They tried to recreate the rangoli patterns using coloured pens and chalk.
Canada
The children learnt about Canada in 2H. They were told about the history of the totem pole and they designed their own.
Italy
Having Bournemouth Airport as a link to our local town and Pisa. The children visiting 4B were able to produce a collage of the Leaning Tower.
Scotland
In 4F the children learnt about Scottish cultures, family clans and they even produced their own tartan pattern.
New Zealand
Kiwi birds, Poi toys and even learning the Hakka meant the children visiting 3O were kept very busy. The children found out that Poi spinning has its origins from traditional Maori culture.
Wales
The school was filled with the arroma of traditional welsh cakes baking on a traditional stone. Apart from cooking the children learnt how to count in welsh, and had a go at singing the national anthem of Wales.
Jubilee Street Party Lunch
To celebrate the end of Great Britons week we held a Jubilee Street Party. Plans to have the party in the playground has to be changed because of the 'summer' weather, but Mr Charman and his team of TA's and lunchtime supervisors worked hard to transform the school hall with bunting, streamers and Union Jacks. The children with their decorated hats and lunch boxes enjoyed the party atmosphere (and so did the adults!).
Carey Camp Outdoor Education Centre 2012
72 Merley school children and staff enjoyed two nights and three days at a 'rain-free' Carey Camp.
7:00 am
Each morning at 7am the Carey leader blew her whistle and the children stood on the duck boards in front of their tents ready to sing the Carey song "I'm alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic!"
After the first night everyone was alive, alert and awake, but, it was a different story after the second night!
After the first night everyone was alive, alert and awake, but, it was a different story after the second night!
Activities
During their time at Carey the children experienced a range of activities. These activities included a low rope trail, a traversing wall, a blindfold trail, shelter building and various team building games.
Meal times
The children enjoyed breakfast and dinner in the barn shelter. After each meal the children were expected to wash, rinse and dry their own plates, dishes, cups and cutlery. As you can see by the pictures most of the children enjoyed this!
Duties
During the three days each tent were allocated a duty to do while they were at Carey. The duties could include washing up, tidying the barn shelter, preparing the tables in the staff cabin or even collecting wood for the campfire.
Zoe was given the opportunity to write a blog for the web site.
(Click on the link to read Zoe's blog)
Campfire
Each evening was spent around the camp fire with the Carey Camp leader. The children enjoyed a mug of hot chocolate and a biscuit.
Some children were awarded a tent mascot to look after overnight for recognition of an achievement during the day.
Thursday afternoon activities
North Carey Nature Trail
On the Friday morning before leaving the camp the children enjoyed a walk
along the North Carey Nature Trail.
along the North Carey Nature Trail.
Enterprise Week 2012
Building on the success of last year we held our second Merley First School Enterprise Week.
The children learnt about Fair Trade and found out about different jobs. Thank you to all the adults who took the time to come and talk to the children about their careers.
The children learnt about Fair Trade and found out about different jobs. Thank you to all the adults who took the time to come and talk to the children about their careers.
Once again each class became a small business during the week 26th to 30th March.
All classes got involved in designing, making, marketing and selling a product. Then on Friday the children were able to buy and sell their products at our Enterprise Market. It gave all of our children practice at choosing what to buy, working out what they can afford and choosing coins themselves.
Reception
The Reception children provided us with their hand-made playdough selection. A variety of different colours and smells on sale for 50p was a hit with all the children in the school.
Year 1
The aroma of popcorn enticed many hungry children and adults into the Year 1 classes during the morning of the Enterprise Market. As well as popcorn the children had prepared Chocolate Crackles and Rice Crispie Cakes.
Year 2
Both Year 2 classes joined forces and provided us with deliciously tempting treats. Lush Ladybird cookies, Owlfull Owls, Giant Gingerbread, Dragon Claws, Wicked Witches Fingers and even Dollops of Dragon Dung were available for us all to purchase.
Year 3
Moshi monsters arrived in Merley, and proved to be a hit with all the children. Year 3 provided us with an assortment of Moshi goods - door hangers, cakes, decorated boxes and glumps.
4F
A variety of jars filled with enticing goodies were available in 4F. Appropriately named 'Jars R Us' offered us the chance to buy lucky jars from 20p to £1. The product was a hit with lots of children. In addition to the jars they had football cards on sale for 20p each.
4B
The selection of cards for sale in the Year 4 class was endless. Easter cards, Father's Day cards etc were available from 60p or you were able to get a discount if you bought two!
All the children designed their own cards for their business named 'Card Cascade', some of them incorporated 'pop-ups' in their designs using the skills they had learnt in their DT lessons.
All the children designed their own cards for their business named 'Card Cascade', some of them incorporated 'pop-ups' in their designs using the skills they had learnt in their DT lessons.
One of many satisfied customers!
Each of the classes competed to see who could make
the highest donation to the two chosen charities - The Lunchbowl Network and Canford Churches Romania Project.
The class with the highest amount of profit was 4F with £93.02. Running a close second was 3K raising £82.60.
£584.67 was the total raised.
Book Week 2012
To end Book Week pupils and teachers were invited to dress up as their favourite book character.
Here is a sample of our outfits.
Here is a sample of our outfits.
On Monday 27th February all the children spent a small part of the afternoon sharing books with chilldren from other classes in school.
Above - Alfie (from Year 3) is sharing his book with Lucy
(from Year 2) and Reece (from Reception).
Above - Alfie (from Year 3) is sharing his book with Lucy
(from Year 2) and Reece (from Reception).
Maths Roadshow Week - February 2012
Merley children, parents and staff enjoyed a variety of number related activities set up in the school hall for our annual maths roadshow. The year groups were allocated a morning each to enjoy the challenges.
Thank you to all those parents who were able to join us.
Check out your class blog for more photos.
Thank you to all those parents who were able to join us.
Check out your class blog for more photos.
Reception
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
What a busy Christmas!
Harvest Assembly
On Wednesday 19th October the whole school joined together for our Harvest Assembly. Each year group performed a song or a poem to celebrate Harvest Festival.
Thank you for your generous donations of food that have been taken to the Poole Food Bank.
Thank you for your generous donations of food that have been taken to the Poole Food Bank.
Our Ofsted Report
Year 1 children celebrate our 'Outstanding' achievement.
After a visit in July, Ofsted inspectors judged our school to be outstanding. We are very proud of Merley First and the work of all the children and staff.
Click here to read the report on the Updates page.
After a visit in July, Ofsted inspectors judged our school to be outstanding. We are very proud of Merley First and the work of all the children and staff.
Click here to read the report on the Updates page.
Biomass Boiler
During the summer we have had a Biomass boiler installed. It burns wood pellets to provide our heating and hot water needs. The boiler is government funded and is the first Borough of Poole biomass boiler.
Carey Outdoor Education Centre
72 children and staff enjoyed two nights and three days at Carey Camp.
Each tent were given a duty to do while they were at Carey. The duties could include washing up, tidying the barn shelter, preparing the table in the staff cabin or even collecting wood for the campfire.
Over the first couple of days a range of activities were
planned for the children. These activities included a low rope trail, a traversing wall, a blindfold trail, shelter building and various team building games.
planned for the children. These activities included a low rope trail, a traversing wall, a blindfold trail, shelter building and various team building games.
Each evening was spent around the camp fire with the Carey Camp leader.
On the Friday morning before leaving the camp the children enjoyed a walk along the South Carey Nature Trail. During the walk the children experienced a variety of enviromental encounters. Some children were lucky enough to see some deer.
Mini BSO Visit - 28th March 2011
Merley First School were treated to a musical extravaganza in the school hall with a visit from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
The five talented muscians took the children on a musical journey around the world. After which each class received a personalised workshops from the musicans.
MSA "Outdoor Spring Clean"
- 19th March 2011
A team of volunteers met up on a sunny spring morning for the MSA "Outdoor Spring Clean"
in the nature area.
Everything was given a good general tidy-up. The paths were improved in the nature area by laying new wood chip. Logs were positioned in the story-telling area to provide extra seating and there was even time to prepare the raised beds for this seasons planting.
Enterprise Week - 18th March 2011
Merley Enterprise Week was a great success with lots of money raised for both Comic Relief and the Romanian mission.
This was the first whole school Enterprise week held at Merley. As well as earning lots of money for their charities all classes learnt about the world of work, fair-trade and the value of money.
All the children and adults involved had a lot of fun during Enterprise Week.
Reception
Our Reception children made their own playdoh and sold each pot for 50p. Their customers were overwelmed with the selection of different colours and smells.
Class 1B
Hearts was the theme in 1B. The Year 1 class produced lots of hearts to sell. Decorated red hearts to hang were popular and sold for 30p and you could buy a box (decorated with hearts) for 20p. There were even heart shaped peppermint creams in a bag for 30p. Lovely!
Class 1P
1P were mass producing Red Nose biscuits. Packets of biscuits were sold for 50p, and they proved very popular.
Class 2C
Easter was the theme in 2C. The chocolate nests were sold (with eggs) for 20p and proved to be a hit with both children and adults.
Class 2W
All the B's - books, bookmarks and braids were for sale in 2W. There was an enormous, variety of donated children's books available to buy from 20p, as well as novelty book marks. Braids were also available from 30p.
Class 3L
The children in 3L joined forces to make fridge magnets. The novelty magnets sold for 50p each and came with a free sweet.
Class 3P
3P were really busy making a variety of things for their Enterprise Market. Handmade desk top tidies and sweet dispensers were on sale for £1. For the birds 3P made bird feeders priced at £1 and 50p, and fir cone bird feeders from a very cheap 10p.
Class 4H
The selection of cards for sale in the Year 4 class was endless. Easter cards, Mother's Day cards etc were available for 50p each. All the children designed their own cards, some of them incorporated 'pop-ups' in their designs using the skills they had learnt in their DT lessons.
Class 4J
A variety of novelty door hangers were on sale for 50p each. The range of designs took into account the different age groups and interests of the children throughout our school.
Guiness World Record Attempt...
Congratulations Merley First School - we DID IT! We helped to break the nationwide record attempt at having lots of children all dancing at one time!
Year 3 Performance
On the 27th and 28th January our Year 3 pupils successfully performed their World War 2 docu-drama to two packed audiences. The production portrayed what life was like for the children of Britain.
Click here to go to the Year 3 blog.
Global Family Day - 25th November 2010
Why have a Global Family Day?
It is a day when as a school we learn about and celebrate the diversity in our world and on our own doorstep. We want everyone to feel valued and special about who they are and where they come from.
What did we do to prepare for the day?
Every child and grown up in the school was asked to contact someone they knew who lived in a place away from Merley. It could have been in a different town or a different country.
Here is the picture of the display in 2W". The children were very proud of it.
3P had lots of postcards, letters and emails to show Mrs Pope.
What did we do on Global Family Day?
As well as displaying their postcards, letters and emails, the children in Year 3 used atlases to find where in the world their replies had come from.
Each class thoughout the school experienced a range of activities that helped the children to learn about different parts of the world.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4 |
