PRESTWOOD INFANT SCHOOL
Smile, Enjoy, Achieve
NEWSLETTER 18
w/e 3rd March 2017
Dear Parents,
Please see below for this week’s updates.
Preschool
In Preschool the children had a chance to toss a pancake and to taste them at snack time. We also had
World Book Day, it was lovely to see so many children dressed up as their favourite book title and we all
enjoyed “story evening” along with yummy hot chocolate. We continue to talk about healthy eating and have
changed our role play area into a supermarket, if you have any empty food boxes we could have please bring
them in. We are also looking at numbers, please help us with this by pointing out numbers in the environment
for example numbers on doors etc. We would like to welcome Miss Marcia to our team. Preschool is now
fully staffed. We have found a “first shoe” from Clarks in Preschool if any siblings have lost one please ask a
blue lady.
Reception
Last week Reception had a lovely time learning all about the author Julia Donaldson. We read the stories of
The Gruffalo, A Squash and A Squeeze and Room on a Broom. The children wrote about their favourite
stories in their books too. We had such a wonderful day dressing up for World Book Day. It was lovely to
see some unusual and exciting characters. Thank you all for your enthusiastic effort! We also had a
wonderful time wearing our PJs at the story evening on Thursday. A big thank you to the Friends for
helping set up such a lovely evening. The children loved the hot chocolate. Last week in maths we were
learning how to subtract, double and half numbers. We will be continuing to learn these skills this week too.
We will also be learning all about magic and Magicians in Literacy this week. The children will be learning
all about the sorts of acts that are performed in the circus. I wonder if we can learn a trick or two to show
you? A quick reminder that our Stay and Play session is quickly approaching. The first session is on the
10th of March. Thank you to everyone who has put their name down to visit. The children will love showing
you how they learn through play!
Year 1
Last week year one explored lots of different things! We looked at doubling numbers and challenged
ourselves by solving word problems. The children rose to the challenge and had great fun! Keep practising
those doubles to 10 at home! In English we did lots of work exploring books and characters. We thoroughly
enjoyed the author visit and had a go at creating our own characters for a story. In science we explored all
of our senses and put them to the test!
Year 2
What a busy and exciting week, not only in Year 2, but across the whole school! In Year 2, we began the
week by developing our Lighthouse Keeper stories. We made pancakes on Tuesday, which was great fun.
On Wednesday, we had a wonderful visit from a local author and an illustrator, Bernie and Sarah, who read
their clever book, Big Baboon Breakout, which was an imaginative rhyming story. World Book Day meant
that we could dress up as one of our favourite book characters; we went outside and did a parade of all of
the lovely costumes. We then did a Pyjama Night, where a fabulous story was told by Miss Ford, our English
coordinator, which was followed by other stories and hot chocolate in our classrooms. The children listened
wholeheartedly and enjoyed the group experience. In Maths, we focused mainly on work around the 2, 5 and
10 times tables. In our topic, we began to learn sea shanties, which we are hoping to perform soon. A special
thank you to those of you who have kindly donated an entire class set of whiteboard pens and glues.
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Updates from the Office
Star of the Week
We are really proud to let you know that this week’s the Star of the week is Jacob P. in Maple and the
Writer of the week is Kylon in Oak class. Well done to Jacob P. and Kylon for all their hard work.
School Council
We are pleased to announce the new School Council Representatives for our Reception classes are as
follows:
 Cherry Class - Lacey and Ethan
 Apple Class - Mae and Thomas
Author Visit
As part of the lead in to World Book Day local author, Bernie Thomas and
her illustrator Sarah Peart visited the school to show the children how they
created their book, "Big Baboon Breakout". Bernie and Sarah ran sessions
with each of the classes to talk to them about the process of writing,
illustrating and publishing books. The children also got to try their hand at
their own illustrations and writing.
World Book Day
As ever, World Book Day proved to be a great success with the
children really getting into dressing up for the day. A huge range
of characters joined us in the playground for our World Book Day
Parade. The children had great fun talking about their costumes
and the books that inspired them. Thank you all for supporting
your children with their outfits, a huge amount of creativity on
display. Don’t forget to use your book tokens which are valid until
26th March.
Pancake Day
Y2 had fun in the school kitchen with the Y2 teaching assistants making, and of course tasting, pancakes.
None were reported to have stuck to the ceiling despite some enthusiastic flipping.
Friends Story Evening
Thank you to the Friends, all parents and teaching staff who were involved in another very successful Story
Evening. The children had great fun settling in for a story with their cookies and cocoa. We don’t have a
total fundraising figure yet but will share this with you when details are confirmed.
New Communications Provider - ParentMail
Important note, if you haven’t completed your ParentMail registration please do so as a matter of urgency
as this will be the main channel of communications for the school from 6th March. If you have not received
your sign-up email or text, then please contact the school office.
Tissues
We have lots of sniffles at school at the moment and request that parents provide tissues for their child if
they are suffering from colds (or allergies as we move into the hay fever season). Thank you.
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Prestwood Litter Picking Weekend
Message from Jeanette Headly: “The Litter Picking Weekend was
a phenomenal success. Thanks to YOU, an unprecedented
amount of rubbish was collected from around Prestwood. What a
difference it has made to our lovely village. I would like to thank
everyone who participated and especially welcome the new
parents and children who joined in as a result of the School
newsletter. Never, in five years, have we had 51 people litter
picking, and you will see from the attached photograph that over 80
sacks of rubbish and a huge amount of fly-tipped junk is now
awaiting collection by C.D.C. THANK YOU ALL!
If you still have a litter picking tool or hi viz top in your possession, could you please make sure it is
returned to me as they are on loan from the Council and Prestwood Events Group. Check the Prestwood
Village Association website later this week for a full report and news of the next litter pick. Keep on
Wombling! Best wishes from Jeanette (and Orinoco)”
This Week’s Events
Please see below for a few highlights of this week’s events.
Mon 6th
Last Super Science Club session.
Thurs 9th
Y2 FA Skills (morning) – please ensure all Y2 children have trainers (not
plimsolls) and a light waterproof in school.
Fri 10th
Reception – Stay and play session (08:50 – 9:30 am).
For the full calendar of events please see the school website.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Best wishes
Miss Amanda Cook
Headteacher
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