PRE-PREP

Happy New Year!

You could sense a fizzy energy in the air as we all came together again for the start of the Spring term. The grey, bitterly cold January morning that we’d all experienced soon faded into the background, as the children eagerly described new toys and gadgets, waggled their tongues through fresh gaps in teeth and shared their tales of family outings and visitors.

Spring Term Topics

There were a few ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as the children entered into their classrooms. Many new displays and imaginative role-play areas have popped up, carefully designed to ignite the children’s interest in their new topics and promote plenty of questions. In Reception, there is an eclectic mix of toys, both old and new, such as teddy bears, programmable robots and wooden construction kits with many more making an appearance as their new topic ‘Toys’ unfolds.

Year 1 are venturing into the historic world of ‘The Egyptians’. Noticing a large, gold-topped pyramid, shadowed by a swaying palm tree and numerous images of ornate pharaohs, one parent declared, ‘It’s looking more like Egypt in here every day. I wouldn’t be surprised if we turned up and discovered a camel tomorrow!”

Up the stairs or across the playground to Year 2, there is much excitement surrounding their new topic of ‘Chocolate’. Taking a deep dive into Mayan culture this week, the children created an array of spirit animal masks, which the Mayans believed would bring great protection in times of battle. To complement their topic, I know the children (and staff!) are really looking forward to visiting a chocolate factory at the end of this month.

Spring Term Calendar Events

There are numerous exciting events to look forward to this term, including year group trips and assemblies, World Book Day, Rock Your Socks Day and, of course, our very special and heart-warming ‘mothering’ themed assembly in March. Further information, if needed, will be sent out in advance, but it is worth keeping an eye on the calendar link at the bottom of this newsletter, to ensure that you have all the relevant dates in your diary.

Numbots

If you have encountered conversations about Rusty the Robot and his friends Unicorn-bot, Kitty-bot and Ninja-bot, from your Reception child, this is because they now have their very own logins to Numbots, to which every Pre-Prep child is subscribed to. Numbots is a fun, user-friendly computer program which immerses the children in opportunities to enrich their number skills. From place value, subitising, counting and ordering, to more complex addition and subtraction, the program develops children’s ability to understand and recall important number facts at speed. Screen time on devices is always something that needs to be managed carefully. However, regular, short bursts of activity on educational programs can prove valuable – all the children’s login details can be found on the back of their reading record books.

Pre-Prep Pupil Achievements

Many congratulations to the following children who have successfully gained their next grading in martial arts – Jeevan Soomal (2A) red belt, Rudy Boswell (1S) red belt, Daya Soomal (RG) white belt with red stripe and Cole Purcell (1S) white belt with green stripe.

Very well done to Sybil Bromwich (2M) for achieving a Bronze award for her skills in Tennis.

Congratulations to Clara Kecker (1S) for achieving her Level 2 Swimming Award.

A further well done to Arthur Ablett (1N) who gained a certificate for his effort and skill at Little Kickers football club.