claremont school

11
CLAREMONT SCHOOL Weekly Newsletter Monday 18th January 2016 Contact Us Claremont Prep and Nursery School Baldslow St Leonards-on-Sea East Sussex TN37 7PW Tel.: 01424 751555 Website: www.claremontschool.co.uk General Enquiries: [email protected] Newsletter Editor: [email protected] HEADTEACHER’S MESSAGE Dear Parent, School Interviews, the online booking system for Parents’ Evenings, was a real success last week and this week’s Year 6 booking system went live last Friday. Parents have praised the ease with which they can utilise the system, but for me, the really impressive aspect of the scheme was seeing that parents no longer had to queue; the evening was calm and stress-free; and that working parents could arrive later, safe in the knowledge that they would be able to talk to all of their child’s teachers within the allotted time. The parents to whom I have spoken have been very positive about this new and exciting development. Staying on the topic of technology, some of our departments are now using Google Classroom with the Year 6, 7 and 8 children. This platform allows teachers to set and mark work remotely and for pupils to ask questions outside of the school day. Teachers can set differentiated tasks which target the specific level at which individual pupils are learning and this has a lot of potential, not only to support children in precise areas, but also to really stretch and challenge our most able children. Mr Sutherland was on fine form in assembly last week as he extolled the many benefits of reading. This theme was taken up on Friday when Mrs Edmund’s Year 6 pupils spoke to us about their favourite books and why they liked them so much. Every single title that they mentioned is in our School Library which has recently been restocked, and all the children are being encouraged to embrace reading as part of their daily lives. Practising what he preached, Mr Sutherland took a group of Year 8s to Roedean on Friday evening, for the Southern Schools Book Award where they met some impressive authors, including the current Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell. More on this next week! Last Friday, was also our Wear Orange to School Day which raised money for Myeloma UK and SUDEP. During assembly, as I looked out at our pupils, I saw a riot of brightness from entire orange onesies, to more subtle flecks of peach and apricot. We are delighted to be supporting Harrison Bardrick and Thomas Samuel’s chosen charities, as the day was a resounding success, and I look forward to sharing the total sum raised. We will be welcoming the author Paul Dowswell to the school this week, who will be leading some workshops with years 6, 7 and 8. Claremont Senior School’s Open Day is this Saturday 23 rd January, from 9.30am 1pm. It is a really good opportunity to tour the school site, see its impressive facilities and talk to existing pupils about their experiences. Abra Stoakley INSIDE THIS ISSUE Prep News ............................. 2 Pre-Prep News ...................... 4 Senior School News ........... 5 Birthdays & Match Reports ................... 7 Menu, Welcome & Head Teacher’s Commendations. 9 Nursery News ....................... 10 Polite Notice: During this cold spell, please can you make sure that your child is warmly dressed and that they bring in a coat to school? WEEK 3 Jan 19 Tue Swimming Gala v Benenden, Yrs 7&8 Girls (A) 5:30PM Pre Prep - Parents Meeting - Phonics & Reading 6:00PM 20 Wed Rugby v Bede's. 1st XV, Colts (A) 2:30. U10, U9 (H) 2:30PM Netball v Gildredge House (Coaching Games) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th (A) 2:30PM 21 Thu Rugby v St Ronan's. U9A, U9B Tag (A) U8 ABC (H) 2:30PM Year 6 Parent Consultation Evening 4:30PM Hockey v Marlborough house U9AV, U9BV (A) U8V, U8BV (H) 2:30PM Author Visit AM 22 Fri Y7 Science Enhancement trip - 5 pupils only 23 Sat Senior School Open Morning 9:30- 1:00PM

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Page 1: CLAREMONT SCHOOL

CLAREMONT

SCHOOL

Weekly Newsletter Monday 18th January 2016

Contact Us

Claremont Prep and Nursery School

Baldslow

St Leonards-on-Sea

East Sussex

TN37 7PW

Tel.: 01424 751555

Website: www.claremontschool.co.uk

General Enquiries:

[email protected]

Newsletter Editor:

[email protected]

HEADTEACHER’S MESSAGE

Dear Parent,

School Interviews, the online booking system for Parents’ Evenings, was a real

success last week and this week’s Year 6 booking system went live last Friday.

Parents have praised the ease with which they can utilise the system, but for

me, the really impressive aspect of the scheme was seeing that parents no longer

had to queue; the evening was calm and stress-free; and that working parents

could arrive later, safe in the knowledge that they would be able to talk to all of

their child’s teachers within the allotted time. The parents to whom I have

spoken have been very positive about this new and exciting development.

Staying on the topic of technology, some of our departments are now using

Google Classroom with the Year 6, 7 and 8 children. This platform allows

teachers to set and mark work remotely and for pupils to ask questions outside

of the school day. Teachers can set differentiated tasks which target the

specific level at which individual pupils are learning and this has a lot of

potential, not only to support children in precise areas, but also to really stretch

and challenge our most able children.

Mr Sutherland was on fine form in assembly last week as he extolled the many

benefits of reading. This theme was taken up on Friday when Mrs Edmund’s Year

6 pupils spoke to us about their favourite books and why they liked them so

much. Every single title that they mentioned is in our School Library which has

recently been restocked, and all the children are being encouraged to embrace

reading as part of their daily lives. Practising what he preached, Mr Sutherland

took a group of Year 8s to Roedean on Friday evening, for the Southern Schools

Book Award where they met some impressive authors, including the current

Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell. More on this next week!

Last Friday, was also our Wear Orange to School Day which raised money for

Myeloma UK and SUDEP. During assembly, as I looked out at our pupils, I saw a

riot of brightness from entire orange onesies, to more subtle flecks of peach

and apricot. We are delighted to be supporting Harrison Bardrick and Thomas

Samuel’s chosen charities, as the day was a resounding success, and I look

forward to sharing the total sum raised.

We will be welcoming the author Paul Dowswell to the school this week, who will be leading some workshops with years 6, 7 and 8.

Claremont Senior School’s Open Day is this Saturday 23rd January, from 9.30am

– 1pm. It is a really good opportunity to tour the school site, see its impressive

facilities and talk to existing pupils about their experiences.

Abra Stoakley

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Prep News ............................. 2

Pre-Prep News ...................... 4

Senior School News ........... 5

Birthdays & Match Reports ................... 7

Menu, Welcome & Head

Teacher’s Commendations . 9

Nursery News ....................... 10

Polite Notice: During this cold spell, please can you make sure that your child is

warmly dressed and that they bring in a coat to school?

WEEK 3

Jan

19 Tue

Swimming Gala v Benenden, Yrs 7&8

Girls (A)

5:30PM

Pre Prep - Parents Meeting -

Phonics & Reading

6:00PM

20 Wed Rugby v Bede's. 1st XV, Colts (A)

2:30. U10, U9 (H)

2:30PM

Netball v Gildredge House

(Coaching Games) 1st, 2nd, 3rd,

4th (A)

2:30PM

21 Thu Rugby v St Ronan's. U9A, U9B Tag

(A) U8 ABC (H)

2:30PM

Year 6 Parent Consultation Evening 4:30PM

Hockey v Marlborough house

U9AV, U9BV (A) U8V, U8BV (H)

2:30PM

Author Visit AM

22 Fri Y7 Science Enhancement trip - 5

pupils only

23 Sat Senior School Open Morning 9:30-

1:00PM

Page 2: CLAREMONT SCHOOL

Meet the Technical Team. Behind all of our fantastic

plays there is a very special group of people, who are

our ‘Tech Team’. We would like to thank them for

working so hard and introduce them to you all. They

are often found working in the O’Byrne on various

different topics and work tirelessly throughout the

year.

From left to right back row: Lucy Bate, Cathryn

Garner, Ruairidh Handyside, Oliver Marshall, Oliver

McInnes. Front row: Julia Malcolm, George McGee

and Henry Strevens.

Year 4 have been enjoying maths,

especially this week when they used

Smarties to find equivalent fractions.

Christmas is a magical time of year

Where everyone is full of good cheer

When everyone gets presents with

big bows.

It’s even better if it snows!

Rudolph’s nose glows on Santa’s sleigh

tonight:

Stockings full of joy

For every girl and boy

We’re busy as a bee

As we put up the tree.

Christmas is a magical time of year

Where most people drink his beer.

This has been a good year.

Saffron Andrews

Page 3: CLAREMONT SCHOOL

A record number of people turned out to a charity fun-run

with a twist. The 'Great Brook Run' in the Oxfordshire

Cotswolds involves icy water, thick mud and enclosed

spaces.

It had been expected that the Prime Minister would take

on the challenge, but major flooding in the north of

England meant he was unable to attend.

Isabella ran brilliantly and was the first girl home. She

came 74th out of 249 competitors.

Here are the Associated Board Music Exam Results:

Galina Baxter Theory grade 3 Merit

Arjun Kolani Theory grade 2 Distinction

Charlotte Turley Singing Prep Test Pass

Nancy McInnes Violin Prep Test Pass

Diya Binodh Violin Grade 1 Distinction

Sebastien Starr Trumpet Grade 2 Pass

Alfie Saunders Bflat Cornet Grade 3 Pass

Jodie Cornford, Community Fundraiser Designate, St

Michael's Hospice was really pleased to let us know that

we raised an amazing £224.70 with the Christmas

badges, which is fantastic. She wanted us to pass on our

thanks to everyone who gave so generously, and said that

they really do appreciate everyone’s continued support.

Some of our proud pupils with their Certificates. From

left to right Diya Binodh, Galina Baxter, Charlotte Turley,

Alfie Saunters and Sebastian Starr.

Year 7 had great fun dressing up for ‘Orange Day’. Thank

you to Harrison Bardrick and Thomas Samuel for bringing

SUDEP and Myeloma UK charities to our attention. Orange

is their emblem colour.

Page 4: CLAREMONT SCHOOL

No sooner had Michalina Pilka got

her Level 5 gymnastic award she

quickly progressed to Level 4.

She is working on Level 3

already!! Well done Michaelina.

Pre-Prep now offer two

sports clubs at break

times, run by Mr

Henham and Miss

Flanigan. On Tuesday

the children competed in

team games that

required skill, patience

and the ability to show

they had a sense of fun!!

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Mr Cook’s

Football Club, somehow I managed to get roped into

helping. Mr Cook taught directional skills while Mr

Henham taught foot position skills. It is doubtful I will

be competing in any football matches soon! However,

it’s lovely seeing some girls join the club, with Lilia

Cockerill, Sarah Biddle and Ava Edwards all having been

keen members for a while now. I was amazed by Ava’s

skill and speed. Miss Flanigan.

Miss Flanigan’s and Mr

Henham’s phonics group

are firing on all cylinders

- they had to match their

phrase words and did it in

record time. Miss Flanigan.

The following people have already

earned their Yellow Badge:

Georgia Crossley

James Furnival

Alfie Hawkes

Emily Kynvin

Isabella Latuskie

Esme Perrin

Michalina Pilka

Thomas Willis

Amy-Lou Hammond

TERM’S TOTAL HOUSE POINTS:

Purple: 182

Orange: 159

Yellow: 126

Page 5: CLAREMONT SCHOOL

Claremont Senior School Open Day

We look forward to welcoming prospective parents, and their children, to our Open Day on Saturday, 23rd January, from

9.30am until 1pm.

Year 9 Music Students hit the right note with BBC Initiative Year 9 have hit the ground running this term with an introduction to BBC Ten Pieces II music project aimed at secondary

schools. BBC Ten Pieces II is a nationwide initiative to encourage more students to be creative with classical music. Claremont

Senior has signed up to this. The first stage is viewing a film based on ten selected pieces of classical music, ranging from

Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries and Haydn's Trumpet concerto to Gabriel Prokofiev's Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra

(premiered at the BBC Proms in 2011) and Anna Clyne's Nightferry. Year 9's are now at the stage of starting to be creative,

their initial challenge is: 'Making music out of unmusical objects'... Watch this space!

Mrs Bartle, Head of Music

Year 9’s Silver Making in Co-Curricular Activities

These photographs show a selection of silver bracelets made in Co-Curricular Art by Lily Gamon, Lily Marsh and Javier Navarro

in Year 9.

All three students showed considerable skill and accuracy in cutting out their silver

charms and mastered lots of new techniques, including soldering. Lily Gamon designed

a cat-shaped charm using metal stamps to add detail; Lily Marsh made a circular

charm with a letter stamped in the middle for her friend, and Javier cut three

different charms with stamped letters as a present too. Well done to all three.

Mrs Scott, Art Department

Javier Navarro’s silver bracelet Lily Marsh’s silver bracelet

Lily Gamon’s silver bracelet

Page 6: CLAREMONT SCHOOL

Claremont Student signs up for Scouts Overland Hike Competition

Elliott Glynn, in Year 9, has committed to taking part once more in the 2016 Scouts Overland Hike, which will be held over the

weekend of 20th March in Sussex. The Overland Hike is a two day competitive hike for teams of Scouts over 12 years old and

Explorer Scouts. The hike involves walking approximately 15 miles on the first day and 10 miles on the second, negotiated over

the South Downs, but the route is always kept a secret until the day of the event. The teams of four hikers visit a number of

checkpoints en route where they complete challanges and are awarded points. Teams must carry all their equipment for the

weekend, including the overnight camping gear.

Elliott has started training and was recently out in Ashdown Forest with his other three team mates, plus some Explorers,

practising their orienteering skills. This weekend, his team will head to Firle, each with a 5 kg pack, to hike more than seven

miles. He will walk increasing distances with increasing weight in his pack every weekend until the competition, come wind, rain

or shine! We wish him luck.

U15 A & B v TWGGS

On Tuesday, 12 January our A and B netball teams had their first matches of the season against TWGGS in Tunbridge Wells;

we came up against very tough opposition. Our girls were making great passes and there was lots of movement on the courts,

but they just could not get free from their opponents’ impressive defence. Well done to Emily Bewsher and Amelia Phipps in

the A Team for their constant hard work in defence and also to Grace Compton in the B Team. Miss Blackman, Girls’ Games

U14 & U15 v Benenden

A mixed squad of U14s and U15s travelled to Benenden, on 12th January, for their first taste of netball this season. These

were training games; designed to get the students focusing on their netball skills (after a term of hockey!) and give coaches

the chance to experiment with different combinations of players in attack and defensive roles.

In the pure U14 team, our Issy Barrington (Goal Shooter) was voted most valued player by Benenden, for scoring 6 of

Claremont's 9 goals, and Hollie Pooke (Centre) also caught the eye. In the U14/15 mixed team, Poppy Ellis (Centre) was voted

our most valued player by Benenden, and Anna Collins (Wing Defence) also worked tirelessly in defence.

Well done to all the girls who took part, we have much to look forward to this season.

Miss Taylor, Girls’ Games

Page 7: CLAREMONT SCHOOL

Congratulations to everyone who

celebrates their birthday this week:

Joshua Key 20th January

Emma Cook 21st January

Thomas Bottomley 22nd January

Elizabeth Morley 22nd January

Harriet Bligh 23rd January

Pearl Tyrrell 23rd January

Samuel Webster 23rd January

Adam Chowdhury 24th January

Staff:

Mr Gary Marsh 22nd January

1st XV

The 1st XV had a really exciting game vs DPS 2nds on Wednesday. We conceded

an early try but fought back well to take the lead with two tries from Sam

Carter. Some stern defence led by Max Wookey and Arran Guy thwarted the

fast DPS runners. The forwards had also done a good job of tackling and

competing for the ball, but a few errors saw DPS take the lead 12-10. An

exciting end saw Sam Webster finish off a sharp break by Daniel Morris to

clinch the game 15-12.

Won 15-12. Man of the match: Arran Guy

U10A 45 - 5 Ashford Prep A

Our first fixture of the new year and having had very little tackling practice

since we have been back, this turned out to be a fantastic performance by the

boys. Each player made some excellent tackles. Ashford played their part in a

very good game and the score line didn't reflect how well Ashford played.

However it was the way we were able to rip and turn over of the ball at every

opportunity that was so good. Our ball retention was excellent along with our

rucking. The movement of the ball along the backs with our passing was clean and

crisp and we looked to pass before the tackle. On the whole it was a very good

all round team performance. Tries scored by James Gardiner -3, Freddie

Saunders - 2, William de Wilde, Charlie Glasper, Alfie Saunters and Jae

McDuffus.

U10B 45 - 35 Ashford Prep B

The U10B’s played out a very exciting end to end game. Some of the boys were

playing their first match of the season. We played U9 contact rules and the

format worked very well for both teams. Some of the tackling was good but the

focus in the coming weeks will be to get lower. The pleasing factor was our

running with the ball and our off-loading in the tackle. Very few drops and lots

of running onto the ball made it difficult for the Ashford team to get a tackle

in. Tries scored by Harrison Bardrick - 3, Ellison Ventnor-Rathbone - 3, Joseph

Patel, Stanley Willard, and James Gardiner. Man of the Match - Kieran Morris-

Abberley for his fronting up and making good tackles.

U9 A 6 - 10 St Andrew’s A

The U9's went over to St Andrew’s in what were very chilly and windy conditions.

The boys started a little slowly but as the game grew on, the boys were more

than a match for their opponents. St Andrew’s were 6-1 up at half time,

however, with our tackling improving and the directness in our running, we broke

through and won the second half 5-4. Tries scored by Javier Gomez - 3, Finlay

Gibbon-Brooks, Arjun Kolani and Eddie Fox. The whole team deserved Man of the

Match.

U9 B 6 - 2 St Andrew’s B

The B's played a fantastic game against St Andrews. Their forward running and

passing was excellent. Try of the game was a good run by Theo Davies who

passed just as he was about to get tackled to an on-rushing Louis Lewis who took

the ball at speed to get round the last player. Tries scored by Louis Lewis, Theo

Davies and Ciaran Day. Again the whole team played very well.

Page 8: CLAREMONT SCHOOL

Week 2 Coaching Games V Bedes Prep

Team POM Player of the Match

Comments

1st VII

Millie White The 1st netball squad played a 'training game' against Bede's this week to kick off the

netball season. The Bede's team were very strong and have already played a number of

fixtures allowing them to gel as a unit. The Claremont girls had a couple of players missing

this week and had to adapt by playing out of position; something that they did very well.

Millie White moved to Centre and Julia Malcolm switched to Goal Attack and scored

after a cheeky pass to herself off the post which caught the Bede's defence off-guard!

Lucy Bate worked hard at WD and Grace de Wilde and Tippi Willard played well. The

benefit of playing a training game is that it highlights the main areas to work on in the

coming weeks. Miss Hurst

2nd VII Mary Woodfear A very encouraging first trip out for 2nd VII squad. The girls linked well together and created

many scoring opportunities, fed in by Lucy Fresson and Mary Woodfear (POM) which Ella

Stockdale (10) and Abi Vaughan-Smith (6) capitalised upon. The defensive team of Annie

Wilson, Harveigh Treen and Beth Saldana ensured we kept opposition attacks few and far

between. Miss Holmes

3rd

VII

Eleanor Amber-Perrin Similarly to the 2nd team, the newly formed 3rds had a good first outing. Amaya Gomez (4) and

Eleanor Amber-Perrin (4) combined well in the first quarter to build a comfortable lead. This

gave us the opportunity to play the girls in a variety of positions, which they thoroughly

enjoyed. Other scorers were Erin Winter (2) and Amelia Coomber (1). Marysia was busy all

over the court and found space well. Miss Holmes

U11A Gen Davies

(voted by Ashford)

Jess Cooper

(voted by Miss T)

This was our first taste of netball this year and, despite a good team effort, today's

match flagged up a few key points we need to work on in training (namely, creating and

penetrating space, and only passing to a player who is free). Individually, Emilia Hudson

(WD) made some good interceptions and Tilly Littler (C) worked hard all game. Miss Taylor

U11B

Isabella Moloney (voted by Ashford)

The girls made some good passes and moved around the court nicely however, they must

improve on decision-making skills while they have the ball. Miss Compton

Vs Ashford Prep The Y3/4 girls had a very busy afternoon, playing not only hockey but also a game of netball first (making up for the one they missed out

on last term).

U8

Netball

Darci Bailey (voted by AP) Tabitha Lowe

(voted by Miss H)

The Y3 girls battled and competed well against an older Y4’B’ team, who had the advantage of

one year’s more height! Although we conceded 4 goals we also created opportunities of our own.

Tabitha impressed this week in both defence and attack, as did Heidi Mellon. Miss Holmes

U8

Hockey

Olivia Wilson The U8's played their first hockey match against U9's but this didn't seem to phase

them. They started well and took an early lead thanks to some quick thinking and good

dribbling from Olivia Wilson. Ashford fought back and dominated for the rest of the

game and finished overall winners.Miss Hurst

U9

Netball

Lizzie Simou The U9's had most of the possession in their netball match and had numerous chances to

score throughout the match but sadly we couldn't put our shots away. Ashford Prep

however did capitalise on their chances scoring three times in quick succession making

them 0-3 winners.Miss Hurst

U9

Hockey

Emma Patel In their first hockey match the girls had plenty of opportunity to put their skills into practice

in small 4v4 games. Emma Patel demonstrated lovely stick skills, great teamwork and was top

goal scorer. She was a well deserved POM.

Page 9: CLAREMONT SCHOOL

Pork Ravioli

or Sausage Rolls

Pesto Pasta

Plain Pasta

Jacket Potatoes with various fillings

Please ask! (Available to Pre Prep)

Mixed Peppers and Sweetcorn

Salad Bar Available

Petit Filous or

Glazed Pastries Fresh Fruit

Roast Chicken

and Gravy

Quorn Wraps

Baked Potato Cubes

Jacket Potatoes

with various fillings

Please ask!

Leeks and Carrots

Salad Bar Available

Profiteroles with Warm Chocolate

Sauce or Fruit Pavlova Fresh Fruit

Beef Filled Taco Shells

Vegetable Filled Taco Shells

Plain Taco Shells or

Saute Potatoes

Jacket Potatoes with various fillings

Please ask! (Available to Pre Prep)

Tomato Salsa

Salad Bar Available

Ginger Sponge with Toffee Sauce

or Sliced Melon Fresh Fruit

Toad in the Hole

with Onions and Gravy

Vegetarian Toad in the Hole

Pudding Cup and Creamed

Potatoes

Jacket Potatoes with

various fillings Please ask!

Ratatouille

Salad Bar available

Baked Banana Bread or

Ice Cream Fresh Fruit

Fish Fingers or

Baked Cod

Tomato Soup and Wholemeal Bread Rolls

French Fries

Jacket Potatoes with various fillings

Please ask! (Available to Pre Prep)

Baked Beans and Peas

Salad Bar Available

Chocolate Brownies Fresh Fruit

Head Teacher’s Commendations: Harriet Hawkes, Galina Baxter, Elizabeth Simou, Isabella Willard,

Harrison Bardrick, Isabella Moloney, Joshua Mathew, Thomas Samuel, Raffiella Chapman, Harry Barron-Reid, Monty Zaltzman,

Olivia Wilson, Elisabeth Parsons, Matthew Brand, Arjun Kolani, Chantelle Welsh, Alfie Saunters, Lauren Perry, Lucy Fresson.

Claremont welcomes Yu Cheng Wang (Clark)

to the school. Please make him feel welcome

and if you see him looking lost try and help

Clark find where he should be!

TERM’S TOTAL HOUSE POINTS:

Athens: 941

Corinth: 853

Sparta: 664

WEEK’S TOTAL HOUSE POINTS:

Athens: 617

Corinth: 557

Sparta: 506

Page 10: CLAREMONT SCHOOL

In French we began to learn a song about a hat and listened to a story about a magical New Year

wishing star.

We have made symmetrical paper cuts to hone our scissor skills and develop

our understanding of bilateral (reflective) symmetry.

We have played with the number bean bags, making a number line with them

and predicting which numerals would fill the gaps as we constructed it.

We used assorted materials such as paint, embroidery threads, glitter glue and table salt to create

mixed media “Frosty day” pictures. The results were simply stunning and all unique.

We have had a go at making papier mâché - it was extremely yucky - but we persevered with it in order

to build a class volcano.

To boost our threading skills, we strung various tube pasta shapes onto stiff string and then painted

the “beads”. We will explore threading further by stitching on Binca next.

Forest School fell on a perfect sunny winter’s day, but with a rather chilly wind nipping at our fingers we

ditched plans for modelling clay outside and instead went to the Faraway Tree to gather soft pine cones,

and to Dine’s Wood to harvest hazel

sticks for our woody kitchen. We looked

for signs that Spring is on the way there

and found bluebell leaves springing up all

over the place and catkins beginning to

dangle freely.

Badgers have been busy baking, writing, painting and being little phonics geniuses!

We have focused on the letters A and S; recognising it in words and also

watching the very popular Geraldine The Giraffe, who has now introduced

the new letter ready for next week, which is I. Earlier in the week, the

children also asked if we could do some baking, so we decided to make

some interesting flavoured cakes; banana, orange zest and we also sneaked in some chocolate

chips! Each child was given a bag to keep their cakes safe and we then tried to write some

letters of our name - each child tried very hard to do this and then later enjoyed their cakes!

We also enjoyed 'Orange Day' where we decorated a dinosaur with our handprints and our

fingerprints. Thank you to Zachary's parents for this wonderful idea!

Lastly, we have been exploring ICT more this week, using the computers to help develop our

number recognition, phonics and co-ordination skills further!

Page 11: CLAREMONT SCHOOL

Squirrels have had a busy week learning about reflections. We

watched Snow White and other stories about mirrors. We

dressed up as Snow White and sang "whistle while you work"

whilst we tidied our room just like Snow White and the

animals. We then looked into mirrors to discover what we could

see. We could see ourselves, things behind us and things to the

side of us. We were so fascinated; it was like having another pair

of eyes! We then made our own beautiful hand mirrors. As we

are also learning about shapes, we made our mirrors using circles,

squares and triangles.

In Robins, we have been

busy making farm animals.

We really enjoyed making

baa baa sounds, we also had

lots of fun playing in the

magic couscous play.

The Ducklings have welcomed Marshall and Penelope into nursery. In Butterflies, they’ve had lots

of fun exploring with water and magic snow (flour and baby oil).

Hedgehogs have done an experiment with couscous, warm

water and food colouring. They looked at how the couscous

grew bigger with the water and then slowly changed colour

with the food colouring. The Hedgehogs then enjoyed playing

with the couscous with the small world people and

pretended it was snow. Hedgehogs have also been busy in our

new role play area which is now a post office!