FOUNDATION STAGE AND JUNIOR PRIMARY FUN SPORTS DAY 2022
We recently hosted our annual Fun Sports Day, where all the Foundation Stage and Junior Primary students were dressed in their class and house colours, disguising the field as a moving rainbow.
It was also an exceptionally important day for Nursery, as it was the first time our students partook in such an event, and it definitely showed. Some of our students jumped over the mini hurdles, instead of under them and some even skipped the obstacle course completely – all for a chance to tackle their tutu-wearing teacher waiting at the end.
When it came to the races, we had a few tears, a few walkers, and even a few crawlers. I could have sworn that we practised the week before, but that’s no biggy – because they did eventually get to the finish line, and I suppose it’s all we could ask for.
We ended the day off with much-deserved ice cream and said our goodbyes to the students, thinking the day was over, and that they would not remember the few short hours we spent in the sun. However, on Monday, I was greeted with big smiles and lots of burning questions about that special day. “Did you see my daddy, teacher?”, “When can we go to the big field again, I want to practice for mommy?”, “Why were you and Teacher Lissa wearing tutus?”, “Where were your school shorts teacher?”
I realized that it may have been a few short moments for us but for our students, as little as they are, they engrained every detail in their heads. They were able to participate in a big kid activity, and they were so proud! So, even though the obstacle course and the races didn’t go quite as planned, they still remembered everyone who showed up to support them, and they laughed about how silly their teachers looked.
So, I think if we can take anything away from that day, is that it was the first of many happy sports days for our students and that it is not the activities that make them memorable – it is the people that cheer on the side lines.
Thank you to everyone who came and cheered for our little ones – they remembered you.
Jo-Anne Dickason
Foundation Stage Teacher
(Photo Credit: Brendan Atti – BIS Year 10 Student)
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Junior Sports Day 2021
Fun Sports Day!
There was great excitement in the junior campus as the students arrived for Sports Day this past Saturday. The students proudly marched onto the field to the song “We are the Champions”.
We then rotated between the different stations of sprints, potato and spoon race, obstacle course and the sack race. Mr Swart even got the teachers to have their own potato and spoon relay, much to the delight of the students. The highlight of the morning was the sibling and parents’ races, with the students eagerly cheering on their families from the sidelines.
The students returned to their classrooms for a well-deserved treat of an ice-lolly before going home. We would like to say a big thank you to all who participated in this memorable event.
Bronwen Nuthall
Reception Year Teacher
Foundation Stage Experi-Buddies Inting
The Foundation Stage was very excited to have Experi–Buddies visit us for an inting to teach us more about Space. Experi–Buddies is an educational extra mural program that uses experiments to show young children that the world of Science can be fun.
The students could not wait to put the lab coats on! They learned that Neil Armstrong was the first astronaut on the moon and that astronauts have to wear weighted moon boots to stop them from floating around because of no gravity in space. They spoke about the Solar System and were delighted to learn the planet song.
They all participated in the experiments and took great pleasure in watching the rocket take off outside, when Mentos were added to Coca-Cola and it “exploded”!
Students should do experiments for the same reason that they listen to stories, take part in sport, etc. Experiments encourage them to be inquisitive, creative and build their self-confidence. Experiments also help to teach children to observe, compare and to predict outcomes while having fun!
Cindy Nunan
Pre-Reception Teacher
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Learning About Space
For the last two weeks, we have been learning all about Space in the Foundation Stage.
The little ones have been very busy, making beautiful rocket pictures and alien pictures. We even have a few astronauts floating about our classroom.
It is a very exciting topic and the students are always eager to share some of their own knowledge with their friends. It is so encouraging to see their love of learning when they share their stories.
We have even incorporated our sensory play into the theme. Simple flour and oil has magically been turned into “moon sand” by our very imaginative little ones.
It is such an amazing privilege for the teachers to experience every learning opportunity with the little ones. Their excitement and enthusiasm make every day special.
Monique Meyer
Reception Year Teacher and Foundation Stage Coordinator
Measurement In Reception Year
In Reception Year, we have been learning about measurement. First, we learnt about length and more recently, we have been learning about capacity.
The students learnt that capacity means how much space a container has that can be filled. At this stage, we measure with non-standard units and therefore used smaller containers to fill larger containers. The students watched eagerly as the water trough was filled with water. Green food colouring and glitter was added for fun.
They then had so much fun using spoons to measure into cups and cups to measure into larger containers. The students had to count how many spoons of water would fill a cup and how many cups would fill a larger container.
They learnt so much from this activity and had a lot of fun in the process.
Bronwen Nuthall
Reception Year Teacher
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Learning About the Farm in Pre-Reception
For the next two weeks, the Foundation Stage students are learning about the farm. It is a very exciting theme for them and they look forward to it every year.
The Pre-Reception students have been practicing saying farm animal names, baby animal names and noises that they make. They have been playing fun farm animal games and activities with farm animal toys, creating wonderful farm pictures, singing farm songs such as Old Mac Donald and listening to a collection of farm stories.
They are not only learning about farm animals, but also about all the different farms you get, and the crops harvested from them. They thoroughly like investigating planting seeds and farm machines too. Some students were fascinated to find out those potatoes, carrots and apples, etc. come from farms and then get distributed to the Supermarkets.
We even planted some tomatoes at school and the students are watering them and watching them grow with great anticipation.
Next week Friday, we are ending off the theme by having a Farm dress up day and a Petting Zoo is coming to visit us in Foundation Stage.
The students are enjoying all the activities and are learning so much as they explore and discover new things about the Farm.
Cindy Nunan
Pre-Reception Teacher
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Under The Sea
In Reception year we have been learning about all the wonderful animals living under the sea. This week, our little ones had the opportunity to come tell their friends all about their favourite sea animal. Show and Tell is an integral part of the Foundation Stage curriculum, not only does it give the students the opportunity to share some of their personal experiences and general knowledge, but it also teaches them valuable skills such as speaking with confidence and listening to their peers.
We had lots of fun learning all about the scary sharks, playful dolphins and silly crabs.
Here is what some of my students had to say about sea creatures:
“I like dolphins because they do those big splashes” – Clara Chassungo
“A dolphins has two tummies and they don’t even chew their food” – Leah Karstel
“I drew the jelly fish ’cause it’s Mrs Meyer’s favourite” – Ozioma Jangayiso (Thank
you Ozzie for such a beautiful under the sea picture!)
“The shark’s skin feels like sandpaper” – Alessio Gomes
Monique Meyer
Reception Year Teacher and Foundation Stage Coordinator
Fun Day
As the end of term has arrived, it was with great excitement that the little ones came to school dressed in Civvies ready for their Fun day.
The teachers planned various activities, mostly making a big mess, because making a mess is always the most fun. The little ones painted the most beautiful pictures, dancing, playing outside and generally having lots of adventures.
We would like to thank our parents for everything they do to support their children’s learning journey. We cannot do this without them.
Wishing everyone a fantastic holiday!
Monique Meyer
Foundation Stage Coordinator
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High Frequency Words
Last week we had a High Frequency Word Hunt. The students had to go and find flashcards of words on the playground according to a list in pairs. They thoroughly enjoyed this activity and excitedly showed the teachers all the words they could find from their lists.
Learning to read is a complex process, which involves many skills. Two of these skills is phonological knowledge and the other is memorising High Frequency Words. Phonological knowledge helps students to decode or sound out words. That is why it is more important to know the phonetic sound of letters rather than the alphabet name, so that words can be spelt out phonetically, like the word c-a-t. Knowledge of High Frequency words is important for those words that cannot be sounded out phonetically, such as the word ‘you’ or ‘the’. These words commonly occur in sentences, hence the term High Frequency Words. That is also why students have greater confidence and fluency when they have been spending time memorising High Frequency Words as part of their reading homework at home.
It’s important that parents try to make learning High Frequency Words fun. Here are some helpful ideas in the links below:
https://www.curiousworld.com/blog/sight-word-games
https://www.weareteachers.com/sight-word-activities/
https://www.themeasuredmom.com/25-low-prep-sight-word-activities/
Bronwen Nuthall
Reception Year Teacher
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The Importance Of Outside Play
One of the main ways children learn and develop their gross motor skills is through playtime, on the playground, during outside time. As they play, their gross motor skills improve even without them knowing they are actually working on these abilities.
How playground equipment helps develop these skills:
- Climbing a ladder up to a slide or steps helps children learn to start balancing and shifting their weight. Going down a slide, children experiment with different body positions while working on balance and control of their bodies.
- While they are on swings they are in motion which helps them work on balance and coordination. When kids learn to pump up their feet to propel themselves on the swings, they work on sequencing and coordinating their body parts and movements to control the swing.
- The jungle gym strengthens arms, legs, their core and even their fingers. It provides an excellent way to work on balance, coordination and sequencing of which hand or foot moves next.
- The monkey bars strengthen hands and upper body strength as well as developing coordination and sequencing.
While there are many physical benefits to outside play, it provides a huge opportunity for social development in children as well. They also develop stronger reasoning and observation skills, giving them the opportunity to explore the world from a different perspective.
There are endless benefits to playing outside!
Cindy Nunan
Nursery and Pre-Reception Teacher
