Islands Reflect & Review20 March 2026 (by Stefan Mitsis (Stefan)) |
What an amazing week of learning it has been in Islands! The children have been incredibly busy and it has been wonderful to see just how much learning, creativity, and enthusiasm has taken place across the week.
Our main focus has been Design and Technology, where the children have been learning about healthy eating by designing and making their own portable snacks. The children began by exploring what makes a snack healthy, discussing different food groups and ingredients they could use. They shared ideas and thought carefully about how to make their snack both tasty and nutritious.
The children then moved on to the design stage, where they planned their own snack. They considered important factors such as taste, appearance, and how easy it would be to carry, showing thoughtful decision-making and creativity in their ideas.
During the making process, the children followed simple instructions and used tools safely and sensibly. They learned important skills such as holding utensils correctly, preparing ingredients carefully, and keeping their workspace clean and organised. It was fantastic to see their growing independence, confidence, and teamwork as they worked through each step.
Once their snacks were complete, the children took part in an evaluation, where they tasted their creations and reflected on their work. They talked about what they liked, what worked well, and what they might change next time, using simple but thoughtful language to explain their ideas.
This project has helped the children develop a wide range of important skills, including following instructions, making healthy choices, problem-solving, and reflecting on their learning. We are incredibly proud of their effort, creativity, and positive attitudes throughout this hands-on experience.
As we approach the Easter period, we would also love to encourage children to begin creating their own Easter bonnet hats at home. This is a great opportunity for them to be creative and expressive, and we look forward to seeing all of their wonderful designs. The Easter bonnet event will take place next Friday — please see the details at the bottom for more information.
Key Information:
Easter Bonnet Parade On Friday, 27th March, all children in Barrier Reef and Islands will be taking part in our annual Easter Bonnet Parade. All parents and carers are invited to come and watch. The parade will start at 11:00 am. We ask that parents and carers arrive at the Barrier Reef gate by 10:50 am, where a member of staff will open the gate and guide you to stand around the playground. Please remain standing until the parade has finished. A member of staff will then call you to collect your child. To ensure safety, we will lock the gate at 11:00 am. Unfortunately, any late parents or carers will not be allowed to enter after this time. Please ensure that all bonnets are brought into school by Wednesday, 25th March. Our School Ambassadors will be judging the hats, and there will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. All children will receive a piece of chocolate for participating. Pre-school children who attend the afternoon session are also invited to take part; however, parents will need to stay for the duration of the parade. Islands will be taking all belongings home on Thursday, 26th March. Children do not need to bring any belongings on Friday, as they will be dismissed by their class teachers from the playground after the parade has finished. If you have any questions, please speak to your child’s class teacher. We look forward to seeing the children’s beautiful creations! Barrier Reef Team and Islands Team