Welcome to Tuesday and the start of another fantastic day.
So yesterday was a brilliant day in school – I was so proud of all of the children (and parents) who arrived at school yesterday with big smiles on their faces. All of the children walked on to the playground as if they had been doing it for years and lined up sensibly and socially distanced from each other. We had no tears – from anyone, adults or children! Throughout the day, it was so good to hear the teacher’s voices teaching in classrooms again, the giggling of children in the corridors and even the basic things like the phone ringing in the office. At the end of the day, everyone (teachers included) went home happily, slightly more tanned than this morning and with a big smile on their faces! We are already looking forward to day 2!
I was also very excited to see all of the Zoom lessons that went going on remotely yesterday. I know it has only been a week but the teachers have missed seeing you on line over half term and it is so good to hear about all of the things you were learning about. Ms Kenny came and told me all about her MFL Zoom sessions (sorry Yr2P, I did try and join you but the computer said no!), Mr Greenfield called to tell me all about the Q&A’s with Yr6W and Ms Jones was very impressed with the answers Yr3W gave to her ‘Would You Rather?’ questions.
Today in school we also had some impromptu visitors in the form of a swarm of bees! The bees decided, very usefully, to descend on the Pre-Prep playground at about 7:30am in the morning, just as we were getting ready to welcome the Swans into school. Lucky a very nice man – a local beekeeper – came and help to move them on to a new location. He came with all of his equipment and gently encouraged the bees to move into his temporary hive to enable him to take them away back to his colonies. The Swans children watched the whole process from inside and were full of questions. The bees have now bee-n (!) safely removed and are living in a new hive making some delicious Highclare honey! I have attached a few pictures that we took of the beekeeper bee-sy (!) helping the bees to relocate!
I have also attached a new house challenge grid for you. This is being run for the whole school and the explanation of what you need to do is on the poster. It looks really exciting – I think I am going to have a go at completing it as well, even if I am not in a house. Mr Bennett and I might have a Bennett House Competition to add a little fun element! If you are in Yr 3 or below and some of the distances are too long, that is fine, please just halve them! Please don’t forget to send through lots of photos and tag us in if you are sharing on social media (twitter – @Highclare_Prep or Instagram – highclare_prep).
So each day I promised I would be sending you a life skill task to complete and also a joke, poem, picture, fact or reflection. Here we go for Tuesday 2nd June:
Life skill of the day: Can you label an envelope correctly?
Day of the year themes: ‘Rocky Road Day’ (hint, hint Mrs Griffiths!!), ‘Rotisserie Chicken Day’ and ‘Leave The Office Early Day’
Thunk of the day: Remember, Thunks are unusual questions that are designed to make you think. There are no right or wrong answers -just your answer. The only rule is that you must be able to justify and explain your answer. You cannot just say the first thing that comes into your head. Really think about the question and discuss with your family!
Question: If the hands fall off my clock, is it still a clock?
TOPS activity of the week: Can you find an audiobook and listen to it to relax? Maybe share this book as a family or listen to it alone for a bit of downtime. I know I will definitely be taking part in this activity this week! I love reading and I love being read too.
Poem of the Day:
Happiness
We often wonder,
where happiness starts.
The journey usually begins,
in our individual hearts.
Each of us possesses,
our happiness view.
We must stick to our values,
in the mirror we must be true.
Spending time with others,
who we love and deeply care.
It’s these simple moments in time,
every day we’d love to share.
All the fortunes in this world,
shall not make our spirits sing.
It’s amazing how much joy,
a baby’s laughter seems to bring.
Happiness is processed,
a million times inside each mind.
The secret is no secret,
just be positive and kind.
This feeling that we seek,
does not depend on age.
We truly hope it follows us,
as we turn another page
Quote of the Day: “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it” – Nelson Mandela
Sleeps til Santa: 206
Have a wonderful day,
Take care and stay safe,
Mrs Bennett 😊