We thoroughly enjoyed celebrating World Book Day and our love of reading this week.  Thank you for your support in enabling such a fabulous day.  We hope that everyone is able to use their book token.

Following an inspiring series of assemblies delivered by Severn Trent Water on Monday afternoon, the children of Dunalley have pledged to drink more water to maintain healthy hydration and to endeavour to prevent plastic waste from polluting our precious waterways. 

Years 5 and 6 Mixed Football Teams both played matches verses Prestbury St. Mary's, just before the half-term holiday, and both finished with a positive result.

The Year 5 game was especially challenging as the opposition included many Year 6 players, but our squad were not overawed by their older opponents. Despite playing determined and skilful football, we went into half-time 3-0 down.  Following a positive team talk, our players returned to the action and with 5 minutes to go, the score was 3-3; Oliver with a hat-trick.  Cue the most exhilarating period of football this season.  Anywhere!  With one minute to go, St. Mary's scored.  Disaster? Never!  The whole team rallied round our keeper which inspired us onto great things.  From the kick off we launched an attack down the left wing, winning a throw.  From that throw the ball was crossed into the St. Mary's penalty area, only for their 'keeper to part-stop it.  Step up Poppy to shoot the ball into the empty net for our equaliser and delirious celebrations; it was the last kick of the game!  Congratulations and well done to all our squad who played an important role in our awesome fightback. 

The Year 6 match was slightly more comfortable with an 11-1 victory.  Fun games at breaktime, plus a lot of natural talent,  allowed our players to exhibit super teamwork, smooth passages of play and demonstrate some super technical skills, baffling our opponents at times.  Everyone played their part again with some fantastic communication from all areas of the pitch.  The most pleasing aspect of the game was how the boys welcomed Mia into the squad.  She was given unwavering support: verbally in terms of encouragement; and physically in terms of passing options or a defensive partner to double up on stopping attackers.  Top marks, gentlemen.  Mia was sometimes on the receiving end of some rough play, but she persevered and did not shy away from any tackles, winning out in the end.  Top marks Mia, too.

Dear Families, 

Ofsted update 

We are delighted to share our Ofsted inspection report with you.  

You will find that the inspection team found our school to be securely good in all areas and have shared many great findings in their final report.  Here are some of the highlights –  

Pupils are valued and differences are celebrated at Dunalley. 

Pupils are happy and safe at school.  They say there are always adults they can talk to if they have any worries. 

Parents feel that ‘Dunalley is a very special place’ because each pupil is cared for.  Staff understand pupils well. 

Leaders are ambitious and make sure staff have high expectations of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). 

The curriculum is well designed because leaders have thought in detail about what pupils should learn. 

Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school.  They are motivated to learn. 

Pupils know how to be supportive and kind to one another. 

Leaders prioritise pupils learning to read successfully. 

Teachers take careful account of what pupils know, can do and understand, to decide what pupils need to practise in lessons in all subjects, including the foundation subjects. 

Staff appreciate the support of leaders to manage their workload, and they are proud to work at Dunalley. 

To read the full inspection report, please click HERE. 

As well as acknowledging the exceptional team-work and commitment that has led to this success, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you, and your children, for your contribution to making Dunalley such a fabulous place to work and learn.  We will continue to enhance and refine our practice and look forward to the next steps in our school development journey. 

Yours truly, 

Alison Godfrey                              Angela Pilling

Headteacher                                 Chair of Governors

We will be taking bookings for summer term Earlies & Lates from 7pm on Monday 6th March to 8am on Friday 10th March.  Please keep an eye out for the link, which will be sent out via text and our App at 7pm on the 6th March.

Bookings will be on a first come first serve basis and places are limited.

• Please only book the dates required. Regular non-attendance will result in future bookings being cancelled.
• Parent Pay account must always be in credit. Arrears on the account will result in future bookings being cancelled.
• Earlies costs £3 per session and starts at 8am.
• Lates costs £7.50 per session and finishes at 5.30pm.  

Our Class OPAL BINGO Game is really making a difference and has proved very popular with the children.

We are getting the 'Golden Welly' award ready to hand to the winning class very soon, certainly in the next couple of weeks. 

Other items we are always on the look out to enhance our stock of loose parts as many people may start to have a spring clean now the days are seeming a little brighter.  Please feel free to bring in any of the items listed below:

• Saucepans
• Washing Up bowls
• Colanders
• Utensils
• Hats
• Handbags
• Wooden Planks
• Small Brushes (Dust Pan and brush)

If you are in a position to or would like to give a voluntary donation towards school funds you can do so in two ways via Parent Pay.

You can pay a donation to the PTFA using the 'Donations for PTFA' payment item or you can pay more than the recommended amount towards a Visit & Visitors contribution.  There are two ways you can do this, either pay more than asked for whilst paying for your child or add a contribution to the 'Visits and Visitors Additional Donation' payment item.

Our Visits and Visitors programme provides invaluable learning opportunities for our children however, not receiving enough financal support from families sadly leaves our trips in jeopardy. We work hard to encourage all families to contribute and are very greatful of any additional funds received.

Thank you to everyone that has been able to donate to the PTFA or our Visits & Visitors programme.