Well I am sure you are all aware that we have had a Gingerbread Man on the loose in the unit this week. It has been quite an adventure. We mixed all the ingredients together and put him in the oven. The children kept checking to see if he was cooking. At 10.15am when he was ready to come out of the oven the children went to check and the door was open. HE HAD DONE A RUNNER!!!!!!!!!
This created an absolute buzz around the room. The children began to investigate and search for clues to find out what had happened. We decided to ring Mrs Custis to tell her and she suggested we made some lost posters to put around the school. She said she would notify the Police to see if they could help us. On Friday we interviewed some of the teachers in the school and lots of them said they had seem him. He has shouted to them "Run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man." They told us which direction he ran and in the end we went to Mrs Cutis's office. We searched in her room and found him hiding in her cupboard. At last he was found. All the children were pleased as there only desire was to eat him.
Have a great weekend
Mrs Robinson

This week we have had a dinosaur running around the garden. The children have realised that this must be our own dinosaur, Bridget that hatched out of the dinosaur egg last week. There has been so much excitement and this has triggered some really good investigative learning. The children have made dens and traps to see if we can catch her. Apparently she is very tame and will not hurt anyone so if you see her around Potters Bar can you bring her back to us please.
We are going to be continuing with a similar idea after the holidays involving a gingerbread man, goodness knows what will happen with that.
The stories we have been looking involve sequencing and pattern. The children have a good understanding and are learning how to apply this in their own story telling and writing.
We are all looking forward to a break and hopefully we can clear some of the nasty bugs we have had since November.
I hope you all have a lovely break and we look forward to seeing you in a weeks time.
Mrs Robinson:)

This week we have been reading the story of The Enormous Turnip. The children have been sequencing and acting out the story to each other. The children have really understood the sequence of the book and have enjoyed pulling the turnip out of the ground.
On Wednesday reception went to the snow dome. We were not able to take the nursery children to this as they have an age restriction. We will be having our trip a little later in the year when we hope to take the nursery children horse riding. Information about this will be sent out nearer the time.
I am sure you have all noticed sand coming home this week on clothing. This is because we opened the sand pit for the first time since before Christmas. The children were very excited to start digging for treasure. I do apologise for the sandy clothes but it means they have had lots of fun and learning opportunities.
Next week is our last week before half term and I think we are all ready for a break. I am hoping when we come back all the horrible coughs that have lingered this winter will have gone.
Have a great weekend.
Mrs Robinson:)

We have a had a very Chinese week in the unit with lots of exciting activities relating to the Chinese New Year. The children have made Chinese dragons, prepared and eaten noodles using chop sticks, looked at China on our map and learnt about the Chinese Zodiac story. It has been a very busy week. The children have also tried to do some Chinese writing which was fantastic. We always enjoy this festival as it really captivates their interest  especially as we are looking at other countries each day on our map.
Next week we would really like to go to the woods on Tuesday. So far we have not managed to go as we have not had enough helpers so please if you can spare the time could you come along on Tuesday morning. Our walk only takes 45 minutes. If it raining heavily then we will to go but we will make that decision on that morning.
Have a great weekend.
Mrs Robinson:)

It is good to be back at work after a few days off sick. The children certainly had a busy week last week and the enthusiasm for our map and dinosaur area is still going strong. We have another dinosaur egg that is actually hatching in the viewing box. The children have been observing and recording the changes every day. We have build a den home for the baby dinosaur in the unit and the children have given the dinosaur some food. Hopefully he will not make a mess over the weekend!
Please could you bring in some photos of any travelling you have done with your family. We are putting places on our map that the children have been to so the more we have the more the children will learn about other countries.
Can I remind you that the children need to bring back their library books on a Monday so that we can change them.
Have a great weekend.
Mrs Robinson:)

This week we have introduced a map of of the world to our classroom. Each day we gather around the map and discuss the latest news from around the world e.g. the bush fires in Australia, the volcano eruption in Philippines. We also look at the places where our family members come from. We would like the children to bring some pictures or drawings of places they have visited or have a connection with. As a part of our science learning we have carried out a volcano experiment. The children were very excited while listening to the bubbling lava and have created amazing volcanoes in art and construction.

In order to develop children's number knowledge and counting skills, we have created a new piece of maths equipment. We have recycled our milk bottles and have designed a hundred square grid. The children use the equipment during teacher lead sessions and independently during free play. We have quiet few keen mathematicians in the unit.

Have a great weekend!
Mrs Robinson

Happy New Year to you all. We have had a great start to the year with the arrival of some dinosaur eggs. The children have been fascinated with this topic and have been exploring and finding things out about dinosaurs through books and the internet. We are going to be extending our theme over the next few weeks. We have also introduced a café system for our milk. The children have to buy their fruit and milk from the shop keepers. This activity helps develop language skills along with the concept of money. They are very good at it and we will be introducing real money into the shop next week.
On Monday your child will bring home a library book to share with you. Please can you return the books every Monday so that we can change them. We are also going to start our wood walks and would appreciate the help. We can only do our walks if we have enough helpers. We will be leaving school at approx. 9.00am and will be back at 9.45am. This activity is always dependant on the weather so if it is heavy rain we will not go. I plan to do our first walk on Tuesday next week.
Have a great weekend.
Mrs Robinson:)

We have finally arrived at the end of term and we are all looking forward to a brilliant Christmas break.
Thank you for all the wonderful gifts. We hope you all have a happy and safe Christmas and we look forward to seeing you on January 7th 2020.

From all the staff in Foundation:)

The children are now officially in Christmas spirit and we have had a lovely week decorating the unit. We were very pleased with the performance and the children enjoyed singing to you. I think they are all getting ready for a rest as a change in routine does have an impact on their ability to control their emotions.
Next week we have our Christmas party and the children can come dressed in party clothes on Wednesday 18th. The children will be having a disco and they will play some games followed by a  visit from Pappa Noel.
Please could you send in a SMALL amount of food to share at the party. This can be anything simple, eg a packet of crisps or biscuits. Please speak to me if you have any concerns regarding the food.
We break up on Friday 20th at 2.00pm WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO.
I will leave you with a photo of the children on the stage.
 Have a great weekend.
Mrs Robinson:)

We are really in the swing with our concert rehearsals now and the children are looking forward to performing to you  next week. Please do not worry if your child suddenly decides they are not going to sing when they get on the stage or if they get upset. This is completely normal and often happens. Hopefully they will all prove me wrong.
We have started to wrap present up with Christmas wrapping paper and this has got everyone very excited. Next week we will be decorating the unit for our final 2 weeks. Here is a reminder for next week as things are a little different. Please adjust your hours if you wish your child to be involved in all the performances but it is completely ok if you want to keep the hours the same.
Have a good weekend.
Mrs Robinson:)

Week commencing 9^th December

 

This week the children will be performing:

·       Monday to the school

·       Tuesday to parents (AM)

·       Wednesday to parents (PM)

·       Thursday to parents (AM)

The children will need to wear Christmas colours all week.     Friday is Christmas jumper day so no uniform all week.

     We will endeavour to keep them clean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!