Festive Fun

It has been a very busy week. It is definitely looking a lot like Christmas!

The children have been learning about Advent, how it is a time for Christians to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. They learnt the word ‘Advent’ comes from a very old word ‘Adventus’ which means the arrival of something or someone important. We talked about the advent wreath and the meaning of the candles. The children drew pictures from the nativity and made an enormous traditional advent calendar. We will be opening a door each day. 

The children have enjoyed recording scenes for the nativity, we have had lots of fun. When we finish filming, we will hold a movie premiere for the children. As a treat for all their hard work we would like to give the children popcorn and snacks to enjoy whilst enjoying watching. Please ensure your child’s medical records are up to date. We will then e-mail you a link to watch the nativity with your families at home.

On the 1^st December, two elves arrived in the classroom. The elves, who have been named Elfie Bob and Oscar McFluffytoes, have been found in different places in the classroom and have been leaving challenges for the children.

Home Learning

• Check your book bag or Seesaw for this week’s phonic activity.
• Enjoy listening to the story on Seesaw.
• Read our festive book recommendations – do you have any of these? Which one would you like to read? Tell us on Seesaw.
• Talk about Advent with your grown up. Can you share one thing you learnt?
• Can you follow the instructions on the Seesaw activity to build a Christmas tree?

‘Winnie’s Amazing Pumpkin’ by Valerie Thomas

recommended by Errin

I like this book because it is funny and I like sharing the story with my brother and my cat. In the story Winnie love pumpkins and she grows them in the garden and tries to use a spell. Winnie says Abracadabra and there was a big snail, a big cabbage and a big pumpkin.

‘Terrific Trains’ by Tony Mitton

recommended by Caspian

This book is about trains and I like to pretend me and my family are the characters in the book. It tells me about the parts of the train so I can learn about it; train tracks, horn, signal, coaches. I like the book because I really like different parts of the book. The trains arrive late and have to stop at the signals.

‘Animalphabet’ by Julia Donaldson

recommended by Alice

It is my favourite because I love animals and it has lots of flaps. The flamingo is my favourite animal in the book. The book compares lots of animals and asks lots of questions. I like reading this book to my family.

Reading is at the heart of our curriculum. We would like to share some of our favourite Christmas books with you. We have put together our recommendations at the end of the newsletter. We hope they inspire you to enjoy lots of stories.

Messages

• Please remember that you can also view this newsletter on the school website where you can also see any photographs that we include.
• Please continue to contact the school office by email admin@preston.torbay.sch.uk or phone 01803 607075 with any questions or queries.
• In the event of your child being poorly, please call our absence line is 01803 607589 where you can leave a voice message.
• There is also lots of useful information, as well as event dates and term dates, on our school website  https://www.preston.torbay.sch.uk/

Important Dates

• Christmas lunch – Wednesday 15^th December. Please book in advance on the Aspens Select webpage.
• Last day of term – Friday 17^th December. Children can opt to wear a festive jumper on this day. Children will need to wear school uniform with their festive jumper. 

From Mrs Bastin, Mrs Clague and the Foundation Stage Team