Applying for a primary school place?
If your child is due to start primary school in September 2022, you can apply for a place from 01 November 2021. The deadline for applying is 15 January 2022.
You can apply for a place online at: www.leeds.gov.uk/apply
Use this link to download and read further details and FAQs.
Creating our sculptures.
We have finally begun to make our sculptures. Following inspiration from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, we have designed and sketched out or own ideas for sculptures that are similar to the Family of Man by Barbara Hepworth. Each child is creating a different section of their teams sculpture – it is based on a member of their family. They had to use cardboard boxes (thanks to everyone who sent these in) and manipulate them into their desired shape. They are at the initial stage of the creating process whereby they are creating a maquette. Ask your child what this means. There was a lot of discussions, a lot of cutting and I think we used the worlds supply of masking tape, but we are ready to move on to the next stage now.
Art topic : colour and colour mixing
We have thoroughly enjoyed our art topic and learnt lots of new skills and knowledge. We have been learning about primary (red, blue, yellow) and secondary colours. We learnt how to mix primary colours to make new, secondary colours. We added colour to the artwork we created during our visits to Leeds Art Gallery.
Shapes
This week, we’ve been learning all about 2D shapes. In group time, we started by sorting some shapes by their colour and size. Next, we tried to find the same shapes and sorted them into circles, triangles, squares and rectangles. We’ve used lots of new mathematical vocabulary as we described the properties of shapes, including some formal and informal language such as sides, corners, curved, straight, round and flat.
On Wednesday, we went on a shape hunt around school. Children were really good at spotting some common shapes in the environment. Have a look for some shapes around your house or on your walk to nursery. At the moment, we’ve been learning about common 2D shapes, but you may spot some other shapes or 3D shapes too.
We also enjoyed listening to these shape songs – see if you can spot some shapes as you sing along. Shape song 1 and The Shape Song Swingalong
Outside, we’ve been working on our physical development by practising balancing and jumping as we made our way around an obstacle course. Lots of children were a little bit wobbly to begin with, but after a few attempts, they were really pleased to be able to balance along the beams without any assistance.
Parent Consultation Meetings
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend a meeting this week. It was great to speak to you all (despite a few Zoom hiccups) and share how pleased we are with how well children have settled into Nursery life. It’s amazing how much children have already progressed, growing in both confidence and independence since joining Nursery in September.
If you couldn’t make your appointment, please get in touch with us to rearrange.
Reminders
- It’s definitely got colder this week. We play outside in all weathers, so please make sure that your child has a warm coat every day. You may also want to send a hat and some gloves, too. Please try to name them somewhere, there’s often a label inside gloves, or you can use a Sharpie pen in the wrist band.
- Please send your child with a named water bottle every day, and fill it with water. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
- Look out for the Christmas information letter that we will be sending home soon. It contains all the important dates and information about our Christmas party.
The Night Box
This week we have continued to explore light and dark, by learning about animals that are more active at night.
The children loved learning new vocabulary – nocturnal and diurnal.
We have read the story – The Night Box.
These were some of our predications based on the front cover.
I think the boy will go into the box into the realm of night. Stanley
I think the boy will jump in the treasure chest. Leo
In the areas, we have explored nocturnal animals.
In maths we have deepened our knowledge and understanding of the number five.
Check out our other learning too!
Tuesday 30 November- Toys from the past day…
On Tuesday 30 November, Reception Classes will take part in a virtual workshop with Abbey House Museum on Christmas Toys and Games. We will be comparing toys and games from the past, with those we enjoy now.
On this day, children are welcome to bring in a toy from home that does not require any electricity or batteries. Please ensure the toy has your child’s name clearly labelled, so that they can be safely returned at the end of the day.
Thank you.
Art gallery trips
1A and 1,2B had amazing trips to Leeds Art Gallery today. We were art detectives – looking for shapes around the gallery. We drew what we saw and discussed the abstract art that we saw. We also visited the Henry Moore Institute next door, looking at sculptures and talking about how they made us feel. It was also very exciting going on a coach together!
Wonderful writers!
The children have begun writing a descriptive narrative linked to our art topic. The children have generated ideas and a plan for a piece of writing that involves a sculpture from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park coming alive. They were able to research different sculptures and choose which one they wanted to include in their writing. Ask your child which sculpture they chose. They have worked hard to include figurative language, expanded noun phrases and vocabulary for effect. The children have already created some amazing descriptions involving the weather, the landscape and changes in mood.
Fundraising
A massive thank you to everyone who donated to our recent fundraising events – you were all unbelievably generous. We managed to raise £126.25 for our school charity – Leeds Autism Services. This was following our Odd Sock Day at the start of anti-bullying week. Last Friday we raised money for Children in Need and managed to raise £410.30.
Thank you all so much.
Science with Skittles – observing closely, asking and answering questions
We enjoyed our science lessons this week. We poured water onto a plate of Skittles and observed closely to see what happened. The children offered suggestions as to what they thought.
What happens to Skittles in water?
The water washed the colour off.
The colour got sucked away by the water.
The water absorbed the colour.
The colours all ran off together.
Christmas Performance
Nursery and Reception Christmas Performance
Unfortunately, this year, we are unable to invite you in to watch our Christmas performance but this won’t stop us from getting dressed up and singing for you all. We will still be performing and you will be able to see us from the comfort of your favourite chair.
We will be filming the performance and emailing it for all of our parents and carers to enjoy on Monday 13 December.
This year, we will be performing a play aptly named “Our First Christmas Play”
To get into the Christmas spirit, the Nursery children will all need a Christmas top or jumper, trousers, leggings or a skirt to wear when taking part in the play.
Please bring these to Nursery in a named bag by Wednesday 1st December please. The clothes will need to remain at Nursery until we have filmed our play.
Thanks for your support with this, the children are really enjoying learning the new songs and we are sure that you will enjoy watching them perform.