newsletter
Issue No 12 | 2014-15 | Friday 24 April 2015
Page 1
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Introduction - Acting Head of Pre-prep
Dear Parents,
Welcome back, to what will hopefully prove a sunny summer term. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and from
speaking to you it seems as though many have been enjoying the sunshine and been able to get out in the garden
or away. At Madingley all the children have come
back enthused about the garden and gardening and
Kindergarten have taken it upon themselves to take
extra care of their surrounding environment with
watering, pruning and the first mow!
The children, just like the Spring flowers, have come
back in to school with a sense of new life and are
‘crawling’ with excitement, not only due to our
minibeast topic, but with all the events happening
this term. Everyday we have sightings or rescues of
minibeasts and thanks to the parents too who have
provided the children with wormeries, stick insects and
chrysalis.
As we all start a fresh new term, my new role, and
return to the Pre-prep, bring a new chapter in my
adventure through the Foundation. We look forward
to the children’s adventures continuing through the
Preprep as little chicks, and into the Junior School and
beyond until they fly the nest as big strong birds, just
like our new chickens, Ana and Elsa. Please see the key
dates list to give you full information about this term’s
experiences.
newsletter
Issue No 12 | 2014-15 | Friday 24 April 2015
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At this time of new life, we can also welcome Mrs Holyoake’s baby boy Beren Daniel who was born on 4 April 2015.
Both mother and baby are doing very well and the children are excited to meet him soon.
In their first few days back the children have fully immersed themselves into our minibeast topic and with each
Early Years class looking after their own minibeasts the older children are on the lookout for escapees. Using their
microphones many questions have arisen in Reception….What is a butterfly’s favourite food? Why do wasps sting?
People are often scared of spiders, why is that? Do grasshoppers hop in the grass? Do worms eat chocolate?
For the younger children in the Foundation it is always exciting to see their reactions to those creatures that are
even smaller and how they interact with such creatures without inhibition, a lesson from which we can all learn. Do
encourage your child to look around for minibeasts and see how the change in weather encourages life around them
in these small habitats. Their magnifying glasses will be in constant use to look closely and reflect on what life is like
for a tiny ant or flying bee. As a result of their engagement playtimes are now filled with minibeast hunts, habitat
newsletter
Issue No 12 | 2014-15 | Friday 24 April 2015
Page 3
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creation and insect inspired games.
KS1 Country dancing began this week and many children are already talking with excitement about their performance
in June. I know that Miss Milne looks forward to seeing the children progress from their Pre-Prep country dancing to
her own Scottish Dancing club in the Junior School. Engaging and moving to music develops the children’s listening
skills and timing while enabling them to hone their performance skills in an active way. The children really love their
country dancing and I look forward to this event later in term.
In EYFS, Mrs Lee and the Early Years team have created a wonderful collaborative day of learning at Madingley for all
of the EYFS children. Amidst navigation through a giant spider’s web, habitat building, bug juice creation, make your
own butterfly wings and antennae we also had minibeast speed counts. The children were using their full range of
newsletter
Issue No 12 | 2014-15 | Friday 24 April 2015
Page 4
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learning characteristics: creativity, physical development and all the while collaborating with new groups of children.
So the children challenge you - How many ants can you find in a minute? These collaborative experiences enable the
children to develop a range of skills, work with different groups and engage in different learning spaces but ultimately
have the best time possible learning. In the words of one Kindergarten pupil, ‘I want to be a butterfly now!’
With kind regards,
Alice Heywood
Acting Head of Pre-prep
Check out our Tumblr pages to find out what else the Pre-prep
classes have been up to: stephenperse.tumblr.com.
The Stephen Perse PFA warmly invite you to a Quiz Evening on all things food & drink, on Friday 15th May 2015
at the Senior School Hall from 7.30pm. Teams are to be 6-8 people and the ticket price of £10 includes a delicious supper of
either Grilled Chicken, Moroccan Meatballs or Sweet Potato Falafel - all served with super slaw and Italian brown rice.
Please feel free to bring any liquid refreshments.
Please return the form below to your school office by WEDNESDAY 6th MAY. We look forward to seeing you there,
The Stephen Perse Foundation PFA
Friday 15th May 2015
7.30pm at Senior School Hall
Teams of 6-8
£10 per head to include supper
Bring your own drink
-------------------------------------------------------------Order Form
Team Name: ...............................................................................................
Number in team: .......................................................................................
Supper Choice (number of each):
Grilled Chicken: …………………. Moroccan Meatballs: ……………..
Sweet Potato Falafel (V): ……………….
All served with super slaw and Italian brown rice
Please make your cheque payable to: The Stephen Perse Foundation PFA
and hand this form along with your cheque to your child’s School Office
or the Senior School Reception