From Mrs Hall

Only this morning was I reminded of how amazing our school environment is too. On their way in, a parent had spotted a heron by the river. I quietly slipped down to the river to have a look and returned with some very eager Reception boys! We were silent, they were mesmerised by the long legs and long dagger-like bill. Rory spoke very quietly “this is amazing, this is the first time I have ever seen a bird like this”! What a great start to the day!

As it has been National Storytelling Week this week, we have listened to many exciting stories throughout the Pre-Prep. In assembly on Monday, I spoke to the boys about how sharing stories is a great way to help us relax and escape! It is also a great way for people to tell their own stories, not always having a book or pictures to show. We talked about using our voices in different ways, varying the rhythm and tone of the voice. Does this help bring the story to life? We then listened to Tony Wilson re-telling the story of the Gingerbread man. All the boys were engaged, it was also interesting to watch them pick up on his visual clues and actions when retelling the story. Mr Rainer then joined the Year 2 boys on Monday afternoon to read a story too.  Storytelling is vitally important to our children and their development, whether these stories are read from books, or relayed orally. Storytelling helps our children's imaginations to grow, can teach them lessons and can give them opportunities for their future.

Our final week of the half term sees us focus on both Chinese New Year and Children’s Mental Health Week – more about these in next Friday’s newsletter!

 

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Pilgrims' Shell Awards

Year 2 - to Leonardo for demonstrating a love of reading and expressing himself verbally about the stories he hears.
Year 1 - to Dario for his clear and steady speech whilst looking at his audience when delivering his Show and Tell objects. Well done, Dario!
Year R - to Willoughby for his excellent imaginative skills all round, but especially for making up super stories and play ideas using small world objects.  

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Save the Dates!

Friday 9 February	Pre-Prep Celebration Assembly 1115 Half-term begins 1200
Monday 19 February	Term resumes at 0830
Wednesday 6 March	Year 1: Mother's Day in the Woods 0930-1100
Thursday 7 March	Year R and Year 2: Mother's Day in the Woods 0930-1100
Monday 18 March	Pre-Prep Parents' Evening 1630
Monday 25 March	Pre-Prep Open Classroom 0815
Tuesday 26 March	Pre-Prep Open Classroom 0815 End of term 1630

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Notices

Menus for next week are available here on My School Portal. 
^{Reminder: no food is to be brought into the school and/or given to boys at any time, especially at sign-out.}

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From the PPA

 

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Year 2

Year 2

This week it was the boys' turn to become storytellers. Having enjoyed stories written by Atinuke, they were asked to create a story set in England. After reviewing where Atinuke’s adventures took place, the boys were given three scenarios; a holiday or special outing, a visitor comes to stay, or the character gets into trouble. First, the boys created their main character(s), before deciding on a scenario. They have worked hard to use punctuation and were encouraged to have at least one dialogue exchange and use inverted commas. They are very much looking forward to sharing their stories with the Reception boys early next week.

Thank you to Mr Rainer who came and read The Lion and the Mouse to the boys. We are looking forward to listening to another story next week.

Mrs Kent

 

Year 1

Maths - In Numeracy this term, we have focused on securing the numbers between 11 and 20 and what they represent. Now we have that skill under our belts, we are learning to add by counting on using a number line between these numbers. We are using our knowledge of number bonds within 0 and 10 to help us see relationships between higher numbers.  

For instance, if 3 + 6 = 9 then 13 + 6 = 19.  

And, we are working on starting from the bigger number to make additions quicker and more accurate for us to carry out.  

For instance, if the question is 3 + 11, why not start at 11 and count on 3 rather than the other way round. This skill can also be applied to tens and ones numbers.  

If the question is 13 + 6, why not work out 16 + 3.  

The boys have enjoyed playing with numbers this week in this way and spotting relationships and patterns. This is the start of them gaining the skills to become independent mathematicians and choosing the method they prefer to work out the question.  

Next week, we shall be exploring doubles! 

Topic - As I have mentioned before, the class has become extremely interested in mythical creatures this term. It was rather exciting to find more mythical beasts along the boarders of the Bayeux Tapestry when investigating it this week. We decided to have a go at creating our own mythical monster. We traced the outlines of two animals, which took serious patience and a careful pencil line. The concentration of the boys is evident in these photos. We then thought about how best to fit them together. Next week, we shall continue our work with sketching pencils to develop texture using different artistic methods, just like the fantastic castles we produced earlier in the term.  

Mrs Ford 

Year R

Here is the 'Kandinsky masterpiece' I promised last week!  The boys are very proud of their collaborative efforts, and have enjoyed chatting about their own individual squares and circles to others.  It has been a super Art project with lots of learning about colouring, mixing, shapes and imagination.  

With this in mind, the boys have used the colour mixing skills they have learnt to paint and decorate Gingerbread people for our text of the week, The Gingerbread Man.  I have been very impressed with how quickly brown was mixed, and it has been very interesting to see how many different shades have been created; a great talking point.  

Great anticipation and excitement has arisen this week with the mention of baking Gingerbread people of or own!  The day finally arrived and what fun we had.  Melting, weighing, mixing, rolling, cutting, decorating, baking, waiting, tasting, sharing and fun were all key vocabulary used during our afternoon.  The photos really do speak for themselves!  I really hope the Gingerbread people tasted as good as they looked.  

The boys have very much enjoyed this Traditional Tale.  Most have said so far, that this has been their favourite.  We have had a very successful, enjoyable, learning and fun week. Well done boys, super work!

Mrs Huntley

 

Forest School

This week, Years R, 1 and 2 were treated to a fire pit session, which is always hugely popular, as the boys get to cook popcorn and toast on the open fire.

Year R were most excited, as this was their first session around the fire pit. They very much enjoyed listening to the story ‘Fiery Fox’ which helped them understand about fire safety.

Year 1 and Year 2 boys were also reminded about the various safety procedures that need to be followed when dealing with a fire. Sticks were enthusiastically collected by all the boys, the fire was carefully constructed, and the popcorn was eagerly eaten.

The boys in Year 2 also had an opportunity to learn how to use a fire striker to light a fire. It proved to be quite challenging, but several of the boys managed to create a spark!

Mrs Walker
Forest School Leader

 

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