As artists this week, we have been learning how to print by dipping different shaped lids in paint and pressing them on paper. The children talked about the shapes and the patterns they had made.

As communicators, we have continued to get to know each other by talking and playing together with our friends and teachers. We have been sharing our thoughts and ideas, developing narratives during play outside, in our small world area with the dinosaurs, home corner and construction area, where we enjoyed learning how to join Kid K'nex.

During our key group times, we continued to focus on developing an understanding of our Golden Rules. There are 5 Golden Rules that we follow throughout school. These are: We are kind, gentle and helpful; we don't hurt anyone or their feelings. We listen and don't interrupt. We work hard and don't waste time. We look after property and don't damage things.
Later on in the week, we started to explore different feelings and emotions focusing on happiness and sadness and the children shared things that made them happy and sad. We will continue to explore this further next week so that we can understand different emotions and communicate how we are feeling effectively.
We enjoyed lots of story times and songs in our key groups and also learnt a poem called, 'Anger'. I wonder if your child can recite the poem at home?
We have had lots of fun developing our fine motor skills and perseverance by using tweezers to pick up pom poms- it was very tricky!
The Reception children started their phonics sessions this week. The children learnt the sounds m,a,s,d. All children have beeen given a green phonics sound book. Please support your child to practise saying and writing the sound at home each day. The teachers will date the page so that you know which sound has been learnt that day.
The Reception and Pre-school children had a wet visit to Forest School this week, but the wet weather didn't stop them from having fun exploring the natural world.
The Reception children enjoyed their first Karate sessions with Sensei Chris, learning the rules and some karate moves! On Tuesday, the Pre-school children took part in their first Tatty Bumpkin Yoga session. This takes place every Tuesday where children are immersed in storytelling, active play and music, helping to build physical, social and emotional confidence.
Each Thursday, the Reception children attended a musical theatre class where they began to learn words and actions to the song 'You Got a Friend in Me' made famous by the Toy Story film. 

Next week:
We will learn the Nursery Rhyme Humpty Dumpty with actions. We will continue to develop an understanding of feelings and emotions through story and circle times in our key groups so that we can understand different emotions and communicate how we are feeling effectively.
Reception children will continue their daily phonics sessions in small groups learning how to read and write the sounds with the help of our froggy friend Fred.

To help children develop greater independence, we encourage them to carry their own belongings into school. You can support this by ensuring that backpacks or larger bags of spare clothing are left on their pegs, and by providing a lunchbox or bag with a handle if your child brings a packed lunch.

All Reception children must bring their book bag to school each day. We will be sending home a storybook for you to read to your Reception child at home. These will be changed every Monday. Children must bring in their green phonics sound book too. 
We recognise that morning drop-off has been a little busy, and the wet weather hasn't helped this week. To ensure that the morning drop-off runs smoothly, your child's key person will be waiting on the playground ready to greet you and help your child get into school safely. A reminder that gates open at 8.10 and close at 8.20 

On Monday, Reception parents will receive a home-school agreement. This must be read, signed and returned to us by Friday. 

Reminders:
All children need spare sets of clothes to keep at school, this must include tops, bottoms, socks and underwear. We do not stock spare clothes at school. Part of our learning through play means that your child will get messy at times!
All children need a pair of wellies that are named. The children wear these when playing in our garden and at forest school.
All children need a water bottle that is named- water only please!
Children should be appropriately dressed for the weather each day.
Please name bags, coats, bottles, Jumpers, shoes and wellies. The children are learning how to look after their own property, and don't always put their belongings away correctly. If items are named, we can make sure they are returned to you.
If you need to share information about your child or contact us, please drop us an email. We are unable to respond to emails during the day when we are teaching, but emails are checked before and after school.
For Pre-school parents: Anemones@stfrideswides.co.uk 
For Reception parents: Coralreef@stfrideswides.co.uk 
For any matters regarding your child's attendance, please email: Attendance@stfrideswides.co.uk.

For matters regarding pre-school sessions or funding, please email Sarah Thepod@stfrideswides.co.uk 

Need to Know:
TUESDAY MORNING DROP-INS
These are for parents/carers to come into school from dropping off at the gate, every Tuesday at 8.10am. You might have had one of those mornings and just need a cup of tea to help you on your way, parenting advice or support with your child's sleep or toileting. Tracey Walton is our in-school Wellbeing Practitioner. She has many years of experience in school, has 3 children and knows how stressful mornings and family life can be. She has a wellbeing and counselling background and is here for the parents as well as the children. Please do pop in if you are able to.
Monday's school lunch is Macaroni cheese- a change to the published menu.

Thank you again for your support and patience this week as we implement new routines and establish our Early Years Unit. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work to ensure a smooth and positive start for all the children.

Have a lovely weekend