This week the children have been learning about National Tree Week and Advent. The class started the week off by making their Advent promises and learning about the Advent wreath. They then went for a walk in the school grounds, looking at the features of different trees. This was followed by a technology session with the school iPads, where the children enjoyed exploring the Joy Noodle app and using it to create their own tree pictures.

On Tuesday, the children had a huge surprise; some tree fairies had been inside their classroom and in the outdoor area, leaving a trail of fairy dust behind them! The children then realised that some of the candles from the class Advent wreath were missing! The fairies had borrowed them and had left a note explaining why. They also asked the children lots of questions in the letter. The children immediately set about following the fairy dust trail, looking for the fairies and writing letters back to them. It was so exciting!

The children have also been very busy rehearsing the class Nativity in full costume. They are very excited about the filming taking place on Monday and can’t wait to watch it on Wednesday afternoon!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend,

The Reception Team

The whole school focus this week has centered around National Anti-Bullying Week and in Reception, the children have been thinking a lot about what makes a good friend.

The class started off the week by listening to the story ‘The Rainbow Fish, a book well known for it’s message of selfishness, friendship and sharing. The children discussed what it feels like when you feel included, cared for and respected by others. They also discussed what to do if you are feeling left out, upset by someone’s behaviour towards you, or if you are ever physically hurt by someone. Reception also learnt about how to keep safe online and cyber-bullying.

The theme of how to be a good friend continued all week long.  Amongst many other things, the children made friendship bracelets for one another, decorated hearts and gave them out, made cards with messages of friendship inside and wrote about who their special friends are and why.

This week, the children got to choose their parts for the class Nativity; rehearsals will begin next week!

You will not need to provide any costumes, as we have our own, thank you.

Have a wonderful weekend,

The Reception Team

Despite the shorter week, Reception have managed to squeeze in a lot of learning!

This week, the children have been learning all about Diwali- the Hindu Festival of Lights. They listened to the story of Rama and Sita and learnt about how Hindu families prepare and celebrate this special celebration.

Over the course of the week, the children had the opportunity to make their own diva lamps from clay, they have made Mendhi hand prints, created Rama and Sita shadow puppets and have produced Rangoli patterns.

Yesterday, the class learnt all about Guy Fawkes Day, the failed Gunpowder Plot and how King James I wanted everybody to celebrate this day annually. The children discussed how to keep everyone safe on Bonfire Night and made some posters. They also thought about what would be needed to host their own fireworks celebration.

During November, we especially remember our loved ones who have died and so on Tuesday, Reception participated in a very special whole class Act of Worship, where they offered up prayers for their own families and friends that have passed away.

By now, you should have all received your activation email for Tapestry, the online learning journal platform. Please check your junk folders if you haven’t. A huge well done and thank you to the parents who have already added some observations/ photos of their own. These are hugely helpful to us, as they give us a more rounded picture of your child’s capabilities and interests!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend,

The Reception Team

Dear Parents,

It was lovely to speak with you all this week at the parent consultations. Thank you so much for your positive responses and ongoing support.

This week, Reception have been very busy thinking about how much they have grown, from the day that they were born until now. They have enjoyed sharing their baby photos and talking about the things that they can do now, that they couldn’t do when they were babies. They have also been thinking about birthdays and how we all become a year older every time we celebrate one. The children went on to make birthday cards, invitations, banners and presents which were used in the new birthday party role play area. This area has proven to be so popular, that the children have had to sign themselves up, just to take a turn in the room!

In RE this week, the children have been thinking about how they can be stewards of the earth and look after God’s world. The teachers were so impressed with their knowledge about recycling, saving water and energy and preventing pollution!

In Maths, Reception have had fun exploring everything there is to know about the number 3. Amongst other things, they have learnt how to play noughts and crosses, how to make 3 by adding objects together,  how to write the number 3 and they have enjoyed playing with and exploring the properties of triangles. Today the children thought about all of the words that start with ‘tri’, the Latin word for three. Surprisingly, they came up with: tripod, tricycle, triceratops, triathlon and of course, triangle!

Thank you so much for sending in baby photos this week.

We hope you have a lovely weekend,

The Reception Team

What another busy week Reception have had!

The class started off the week by reading this week’s book, Stick Man by Julia Donaldson. Inspired by the story,  Reception then went for a walk, exploring the grounds in the search for Stick Man and his family. Sadly, they didn’t find him, but they did manage to collect lots of natural material to use in their learning back in the classroom. The children particularly loved the Peace Garden and took a moment to sit and just listen to the birds and all of the other sounds around them. Back in the classroom, the children enjoyed using their new natural resources to create their own stick people. They also had fun thinking up lots of different uses for Stick Man.

In RE, the children learnt about the Creation Story, and showed their understanding through role play and art.

This week has been  ‘Healthy Eating Week’ and Reception have played their part by promoting the ‘Drink Plenty’ aspect. They made a class collage, now framed and displayed in the dining hall and took part in an activity where they tried different flavoured water made from lemons, lime and mint. Lime infused water seemed to be the most popular, with many of the class asking for more!

Next week, Reception are starting the phonics program ‘Letters and Sounds’. Please look out for their phonics home learning book in book bags on Monday. This needs to be kept at home this year. We will be sending home a new phonics sheet every day except Friday. This will need to be stuck into their phonics book and completed daily, in order to reinforce the day’s new letter sound. Thank you!

Have a wonderful weekend,

The Reception Team