It was an exciting first day for the team down in Foundation Stage today as they were joined by the first groups of children in their new classes. A small group of pupils from Hedgehogs, Robins and Dormice spent the morning exploring the classroom and the Early Years garden whilst the teachers and teaching assistants who will be caring from them played with them in order to help settle them in and get to know their new little learners better. It was a great start to the week and we are looking forward to welcoming new children each day until we have three full classes.

Meanwhile, outside, the children in Squirrels used their Forest Friends session to investigate how to built large scale shelters as a team. Under the guidance of the lovely Miss Chandler, the children worked together to find the best logs and branches based on their strength and size which they then arranged to create one large shelter which they took turns to sit inside. The session helped develop their communication skills as well as their ability to negotiate and take on the ideas of others.

The theme of being a team player, one of our Earls Hall Qualities, was also the focus for Year Four this afternoon. The children discussed what it felt like to be part of a team as well as the benefits of working harmoniously as a group towards shared targets before contributing ideas of how to display their ideas.

Upstairs, in Willow, the children completed a drawing spirals activity for Art where they explored pencil control.  Each child then received their own sewing pack – they practised threading their needles and learnt how to independently start a running stitch.