Dear Parents and Carers                                                              9 February 2018

This week, the warmer and drier weather enabled the children to engage with our ‘loose parts’ play. Loose parts are about real-world learning. The process both of introducing them and of playing with them involves collaboration, sharing thinking, problem-solving and decision-making where the outcome is evident – better play experiences. I observed children making; well-balanced bridges, wobbling towers and the inevitable drumming with sticks on a tub.

Find out about ‘provocations’ and ‘perfume bottle’ play in our nursery news on the school website.

P2/1 had an exciting trip to Pizza Express where they had fun learning about cooking and good food. Everyone had the chance to knead the dough, make it smooth, and create the perfect base. They learnt about the importance fresh ingredients make to the pizza’s flavour. The final touch? Eating their pizzas for lunch! Thank you Pizza Express.

Congratulations to our Hermitage Park Stars of the Week:

am nursery Brandon	P1a Aiyet	P2/1 Aiden	P3a Finlay	P4a Millie	P5a Shakira	P6a Paige	P7a John
pm nursery Paul	P1b Archie	P2 Harris	P3b Daisy	P4b Alex	P5b Charles	P6b Zac	P7b Kalina

Generation Science were back this week with the Forces and Motion workshop: Ready, Teddy, Go for P1 and P2.  Forces, movement and motion were investigated by the teddy bear team in a series of fun and engaging whole class activities. The inquisitive bears reveal the principles of gravity, friction and movement demonstrated through challenges that connect science concepts to the real world.

Mrs Black and Mrs Browning led our new ‘Seasons for Growth’ group this week.    ‘Seasons for Growth’ is a loss and grief peer-education programme to support children who are affected by change, loss and bereavement. It aims to strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of children by teaching them that they are not alone in dealing with the effects of change. Communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills are developed within a peer support group.

“I feel happy I am being listened to” (P4 member)

“I wish we could go to Seasons for Growth everyday” (P3 member)

“I like the chocolate biscuit” (P5 member).

Please take note of the areas signposted ‘No scooters beyond this point’. This will keep us all safe and accident free. Thank you.

Last week we launched our Hermitage Park online Learning Journals; which the teachers have been working hard to populate with all the exciting learning happening in their classes. This week we have added all main contacts, who have provided the school with an e-mail. You should have received an e-mail from Learning Journals with Login details. If you have not received this, please contact the school and we will be able to re-send the information. If you have any questions, please do contact the school to discuss.

The next School Association fundraiser will be a joint Chilli night for adults and Movie Night for the children. The events will be held on Thursday 1st March between 5-45pm and 8-15pm. The School Association are looking for volunteers to help at the movie night, where they will be showing the film Boss Baby.  Please email if you would like to attend. hp.schoolassociation@gmail.com. Tickets will be on sale before and after school outside the gym hall from Thursday 8th February.

Huge thanks to the School Association, who on behalf of our parents and carers, donated half the cost of a new projector, screen and speakers for the hall. This will be a wonderful addition to our assemblies. The school community support is much appreciated.

Dates for your diary:

Monday 19 February- all return from February break                                                        Thursday 1 March: HP School Association movie night                                                             Thursday 1 March: World Book Day                                                                                                 Friday 16 March: Mindfulness Workshop for Parents and Carers

Have a lovely February break.

If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.

Kind regards,

Natalie Borrowman