NEWSLETTER - SUMMER TERM 2016
Term Dates:
Closed on Monday, 2nd May 2016 (May Day Holiday).
Closed on Thursday, 5th May 2016 (Hall used for Election Day).
Half Term – Monday, 30th May to Friday, 3rd June 2016.
Closed Thursday, 23rd June 2016 (Hall used for EU Referendum).
End of Term – Thursday, 21st July 2016. We will be closing at 12 noon.
(There will be no Lunch Club on this day.)
We are now in our Summer Term and eagerly await some warmer weather! We would like to welcome the new children joining us this term as our register rapidly continues to increase.
As we have mentioned previously children learn by doing (‘Learn through Play’) and here is an example of a recentafternoon at preschool, showing the importance of play and active learning.
Today we problem solved using water.
A child had noticed that a pot was stuck in a water/sand tray. They asked me if I could get this out and I explained that I had tried before and I couldn’t do it. A child had suggested that maybe it was because there was sand in there too.
The children asked how we can get it out. I said I didn’t know but maybe we could try some water and the children chose their own containers to collect the water in. Some used pots that were already out, some went inside and claimed containers from the home corner. They then relayed water back and forth, going into the kitchen, putting the tap on and walking carefully with their containers of water so as not to spill any water. They poured the water over the stuck pot and they asked me to try and get itout. I squeezed the pot but it did not budge. I asked one child if they wanted to have a go. They tried but it did not budge!
They repeated collecting their water and asking me to keep trying, eventually the pot began to move and make an indentation. At this point the children and I were on a roll and were determined we were going to get that pot out! The children continued relaying water and guess what? We did it! We all cheered!!
The learning that came from this is endless, and I will endeavour to show you some but also show what learning was missed and could be extended:
Maths – measuring, shape, space, capacity, length, problem solving.
Not only this but personal, social and emotional development, working together (teamwork!), listening to each other.
They were engaged and the learning lasted for a good amount of time.
I could have extended the learning by asking someone to keep a tally and mark make and count how many times we needed to collect the water.
This is what learning through play looks like, it’s not sitting them down and making them do something they are not interested in.
Grantham Sunrise Rotary Club - Sunflower Charity Challenge: Each child will be given a packet of sunflower seeds to plant at home together with a sponsor form and a letter explaining the details. We would like children to take part in this Grantham Sunrise Rotary Challenge, your participation will help to support local charities as we do in the Swimarathon. We look forward to seeing some wonderful sunflowers!
The Queen’s 90th Birthday - Celebration Tea Party – Thursday, 21st April: We will be celebrating this occasion with a children’s tea party. This is open to all children and if it is not your child’s day and they would like to come, would you please add your child’s name to the list on the door. A list will also be placed on the door for party food donations.
We will be decorating the Pump House in the village with a Royal celebration theme, so please go and take a look.
Bags 2 School – Tuesday, 26th April 2016: A reminder to sort out unwanted clothes, handbags, shoes, belts, jewellery and soft toys. Please ask family and friends if they have any unwanted items. Please Note: No bedding, curtains, towels, clothing with logos on or bric-a-brac.
Quiz Night/Fish & Chip Supper – Friday, 20th May 2016:Start at 7.30pm prompt (doors will open from 7.00pm). Cost is £10 per head plus a free raffle ticket. Extra raffle tickets will be sold during the evening. Teams of 6. If you are interested please give your name to Rosey.
Sainsbury Vouchers: A reminder to keep the vouchers coming in. We have until the 3rd May 2016. Please remember to ask family and friends for any donations.
Future Dates for your Diary:
Family BBQ – Sunday, 3rd July 2016.
60/70’s Disco – Saturday, 1st October 2016.
Indulgence Evening – Thursday, 20th October 2016.