Story time in Pre-Prep
Are you sitting comfortably…. All of Pre-Prep, from Nursery to PP2, had a wonderful morning listening to stories. Their special visitors were Lamby and Jude from Little Lamb Tales. Jude told the children some traditional stories: stories she wrote herself featuring Lamby and stories that she created with the children’s help. All the children thoroughly enjoyed these special workshops which also incorporated the topics that each year group are studying this term which range from ‘Toys’, ‘The Carnival of the Animals’ and ‘The 1970’s’. The morning has inspired the children to write their own stories in class and at home.
Pre-Prep take to Judo
All of Pre-Prep had the opportunity to take part in a taster session of Judo this week. Clive Greenhalgh and his Judo team showed the children some basic moves which the children then had a go at themselves. They all enjoyed this experience. If any of the children would like to try Judo, Clive comes to school as part of our Saturday school programme in Pre Prep and teaches the children from 11.15am – 12.00noon. If you would like more details please see Mrs Clarke.
A fluffy treat for Pre-Prep
This week Pre-Prep had the opportunity to see some chicks hatching. Mrs Wick kindly brought in her incubator and a selection of different hens eggs ranging from Lavender Pekins, Welsummers, Aracanas and Golden Selkies. The children enjoyed watching the chicks hatch and by the end of the week we had seventeen chicks. Everybody had the chance to hold the chicks and listen to the beautiful cheeping. Thank you Mrs Wick.
Hearing dogs visit
On Thursday 1stMay Pre-Prep had the privilege of meeting the volunteers from Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. They brought along Faith the black Labrador and Dylan the Spaniel who are both in their puppy training phase. The children learned about how the volunteers train the dogs and the difference between altering their owner to a sound or an alarm. They also heard that the dogs can learn to wake up their owners in the morning and pull the duvet off children that don’t want to get out of bed! The volunteers also explained the phases of training and how Dylan and Faith had both got their first star. To end the session the children were all lucky enough to pet Faith and Dylan and ask their trainers some questions. It was a great session enjoyed by all the children and staff. Thank you very much to the three volunteers who gave up their time to come and talk to Pre-Prep.
Cundall Kite Festival
What a delightful morning we had on last day of the Lent term. Children, parents and staff took to the playing fields with the most creative and colourful assortment of kites. The huge majority of the kites were homemade and as such displayed a wealth of engineering and artistic talent amongst our pupil body. Despite less than perfect conditions (this was one of those rare days when we would have welcomed a strong wind) the children made a sterling effort to launch their kites into the skies, many to great effect. It really was a wonderful occasion; how lovely to see so many “children” (including those amongst our parent and teaching body!) enjoying such traditional and enchanting play. Congratulations to those who won a prize for design, decoration or flying prowess, and thank you to every single pupil who took part in the kite festival.
Pre-Prep do their bit for Sport Relief
On Friday the 21stof March Pre-Prep had their Sport Relief Day. The event began with the children and staff coming to school dressed as their favourite sports stars. From Andy Murray to Bradley Wiggins, there was a tremendous array of sports personalities. During the day PP1 had a bun day to raise money and then the whole of Pre-Prep had a fun afternoon of sports down on the field. The children had an opportunity to try hockey, rounders, football and athletics. Pre-Prep managed to raise a massive £119 for sports relief. Thanks must go to all of the Pre-Prep staff who showcased their sporty talents for the day!
PP2 become teachers
Last week PP2 investigated how to make electrical circuits. They had to use problem solving and team working skills to make a working circuit. Next the children had to explain to the class how each part of the circuit works and why it works. They then wrote an explanation text in draft form and then in neat. Finally PP2 had the opportunity to become teachers and they taught PP1 how to make a circuit with a bulb or buzzer. PP2 proved to be outstanding teachers asking lots of questions, offering praise and making sure that PP1 learnt a lot as well as enjoying themselves.
Shrove Tuesday celebrations
Whilst the Early Years celebrate Pancake Day… The children of Reception and Nursery took part in a pancake relay! The Reception children competed to earn points for their house, and it was a very close contest! Normans got off to a great start on the first run, with George Hill taking an early lead. Tom Moody put the Stuarts out in front with a fine second run. Tudors fought back in the 3rd, with a fantastic effort from Austen Clarke. However, the Stuarts proved difficult to beat and, despite a late surge by Emilia Sample for the Saxons, the Stuarts were crowned Pancake Relay Champions! Well done to Tom Moody, Jack Potter, Harry Baxter and Alfred Abbey! …Leckby celebrate Crepe Tuesday Mme Cooke’s Leckby French pupils from Leckby celebrated pancake day French-style. In the new kitchen, they learnt the names of the ingredients and followed the recipe in French. The highlight of the afternoon was obviously eating the very tasty ‘crepes’. Nutella (a French favourite) was generously generously spread over them and pupils commented: “C’est délicieux!”. All pupils involved had a fantastic time and would like to thank the Friends of Cundall for allowing us to have such a fantastic resource as the new kitchen.
World Book Day
Last Thursday was a colourful day. Pupils from Pre-Prep all the way up to Thornton dressed up in costumes reflecting their favourite literary characters in a mass celebration of World Book Day. At the top end of Upper School, the theme appeared to be ‘Fairy Tales’ and girls and boys alike entered into the spirit of the theme with gusto. It was an extraordinary sight seeing Mr Sample teaching in full costume (Long John Silver?) and Mrs Ballantyne (Miss Haversham) and the rest of the English department leading by example. In Main School, the costumes were as varied as they were plentiful, with some amazingly colourful and inventive creations on view. In Pre-Prep, the theme was ‘Where’s Wally?’ and it was lovely to see all the children in their costumes. After a competition to design a new outfit for Wally, the winners were Joely Kay, Xenia Nettleton and Imogen Newbould, well done girls!
St Mungo’s Natty Hat and Silly Wig Day
The whole school showed their support of St Mungo’s charity for the homeless by turning out in an amazingly colourful and inventive array of head gear. Amongst the highlights had to be the organiser of the day’s events Miss Kuit who sported a very avant garde Mohican style wig! Thank you to everyone who helped raise over £220 for St Mungo’s.