School’s newsletter 24/25 – Term 3, newsletter 16
Hi All
Happy New Year and welcome back. I hope you all had a lovely break and are ready for the year ahead 😊
Our returning children have come back and it is like they have never been away, which is a really positive sign. This term we are welcoming eight new children to Nursery School, some of whom have had their first settling-in visits, these have gone well and will continue to happen this week. Our older children have been great at helping to settle the new children by showing them around and helping them with the routines in place.
Inside focus
This week some of the children enjoyed doing an experiment with Marlena where they placed yellow roses in different coloured pots of water to see what would happen. They were amazed when the roses changed colour, this allowed for children to be curious and ask questions to help deepen their understanding.
We introduced a ‘reading rocket tent’ in our book area which has gone down well with the children. The wrapping station has been transformed into a Chinese Kitchen where the children have engaged in role play and have been busy cooking and pretending to eat a range of foods.
Outside focus
Outside the children have building with the large blocks, concocting potions with ice, powder paint and other natural resources. We have some new bikes and helmets which the children have been keen to test out amongst many other learning opportunities.
This term
Our overarching theme will be ‘Winter & Investigation’. We will be introducing woodwork as our ‘Wow’ activity, our maths focus will be ‘Shape’ and phonics will be ‘Body Percussion’.
Please see our website to see the Medium term plans – https://www.ace-chipping-norton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Medium-Term-Planning-2024-25-Term-3.pdf and for our key curricular experiences and cultural capital – https://www.ace-chipping-norton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Medium-Term-Planning-Term-34-2024-25-Key-Experiences-Cultural-Capital.pdf
Information / Reminders
– Please do bring in your weekly snack donations if you can, any day of the week is fine to bring in your donation.
– Please name all items of clothing, if you have lost any items of clothing please do look on the table in the reception area (by back door), any items of clothing remaining at the end of the week will be placed in our spare clothes or donated.
– Focus Children: Please do look out for memos for when it is your child’s focus week, it is really helpful to get your viewpoints before the week and then your child’s key person will arrange a parental call for the following week to discuss how your child’s progress, this is also a good chance for you to ask any questions or discuss any worries you may have around your child’s development.
– Forest School groups will commence this week, please find updated lists. Your child will partake in Forest School once a fortnight, please ensure you child has sufficient layers on and a pair of wellies in school for forest school days. We have waterproof’s but you are welcome to bring in your own for your child to use.
– Applications for Primary School: If your child is due to start primary school in September 2025 you have until this Wednesday (January the 15th 2025) to apply. Please do ask if you need any help. Here is the link to the application page – https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/schools/apply-school-place/reception-applications/make-application
We all look forward to seeing you next week for a another busy and fun week.
Kind regards
Zoe