In the first of a new regular section in the Dorset Echo, we visit St Andrew’s CE Primary School in Weymouth, where, since the return to school after months of closure, pupils are working hard on exciting projects and new initiatives.

TRIM TRAIL

Last year the school spent a lot of time raising money for a new outdoor play area called a Trim Trail to make the playground more exciting. Over the summer it was installed and youngsters are enjoying playing on it at playtimes. A school spokeswoman said: “We’re really grateful to all of the people who helped us to get it built.”

READATHON

All of the children have been taking part in a sponsored Readathon to raise money for Read for Good, a charity which provides books and storytellers for children who are ill in hospital.

TASTING

Turtle Class (Year 1/2) have been thinking about their senses. They tried tasting lemon, and were a bit surprised by the taste!

FOREST SCHOOLS

Wellbeing is being made a priority for the children this year to help them to bounce back from all of the time they spent out of school in lockdown. Weekly sessions are being held in the forest school doing activities such as scavenger hunts.

BIKEABILITY

Year 5 and Year 6 children have just started social-distanced Bikeability Cycle Training.

#HelloYello

Children from pre-school to Year 6 wore yellow on #HelloYellow Day to raise awareness of mental health. They talked about they we could support each other and help other people feel happy and set some challenges to do things like give a compliment, thank someone for something they might take for granted or remind someone of a good time they’ve had.

LITTLE PRINCESS TRUST

Emily in Year 1 has had her hair cut short so that she can donate it to the Little Princess Trust, the third girls in school to donate her hair this year!

OUTDOOR STORYTIME

The Mulberry Bush Pre-School we like to do things differently used a variety of movements to re-enact the story of Jack and the Beanstalk.

CHRISTMAS

Youngsters have started designing our Christmas Cards! St Andrew’s Friends have arranged for them to be printed onto cards, bags and mugs in time to give at Christmas.

GINGERBREAD

The pre-school children received a letter from the gingerbread man asking for their help crossing the river. They designed a variety of boats and bridges to help him out.

PLAYING OUTSIDE

To be as Covid-safe as possible, the school is trying to get the children outside to play every day - even when it’s raining. To start with the children were a bit surprised, but now they’re loving a bit of running around in the rain and jumping in muddy puddles.

*If you would like all the good work in your school to be featured in the Echo’s School Report pages, contact Joanna Davis by emailing joanna.davis@dorsetecho.co.uk or call 07702 809608.