Pre-Prep Newsletter - 20 Oct 2017 - Stephen Perse Foundation

Dear Parents and Guardians

The Pre-Prep children have been concentrating on developing good learning characteristics, and from our Reception class exploring what it means to be collaborative, to a Year 1 child receiving a Headteacher's Award for showing empathy when supporting their class mates, the children are discovering that being a good learner encompasses a wide range of skills.

Since I last wrote we have welcomed many visitors to the Madingley and City schools for our Open Mornings. During both mornings visitors heard how good learning habits and developing thinking skills are woven into the children's experiences both inside and outside the classroom. Even in the after school clubs the children have the opportunity to try out some of their newly acquired learning habits and skills. In 'Around the World' Club the children were taught origami and relied on their sense of humor when their first attempt did not go as planned. In Dance Club the children have been collaborating and working on watching cues so that they all move at the same time and in Construction Club the children challenged themselves to think more creatively about making animal models with duplo.

The first half of term has been packed full of trips, performances and plenty of tasting, making and eating we look forward to what the topic has in store for the second half of term and I wish all of our families a restful half term break.

Kind regards

Mrs Sarah Holyoake

Forest School

Our Madingley Reception children have been enjoying their weekly Forest School lessons exploring the outdoor environment around the Madingley school. Alongside watching for signs of the seasons changing they have been learning how to assess a situation for risk, making decisions about whether it is safe to jump over a puddle or to run down a slippery hill of grass and mud.

They have become more independent in how they manage their own safety and now have an awareness of checking the safety of those around them a great achievement at such a young age.

Year 2 - Assemblies with creativity and confidence

Last week our Year 2 classes performed their assemblies to packed school halls in Madingley and the City. Both assemblies showcased the children's creativity and their confidence in being the oldest members of the Pre-prep school.

In the City, Year 2 gave their audience an insight into how they use the thinking tools to support their learning. The light bulb enables them to think creatively. I was particularly impressed with their updated version of the 'Gingerbread Man', how original to swap the Gingerbread character for a Pombear character!

Madingley Year 2 acted out their version of the well-known tale and replaced the Gingerbread man with a jelly bean cat that was chased to Latham Road because the footballer wanted to eat it. Both assemblies caught the attention of the Kindergarten children and they excitedly joined in with the repeated phrases and songs.