Well, that year flew by!! We are now at the end of the summer term and what a term it has been!! So very busy but making so many wonderful new memories and learning along the way! What a combination! We have had the best year together in Meithrin this year - and we have welcomed many new faces to our expanding Penclawdd family!! 

Here's a little peep at what we have been busy doing!! 

Numeracy

We have some very inquisitive minds in the class and there are always lots of questions - which we love!! Numbers always spark lots of curiosity and this term some children were keen on writing numbers, some wanted to count and count again and others wanted to pour and fill on repeat! We have had some wonderful meals made for us, special drinks to make us strong and maybe a cocktail from a holiday!! Whatever the task, the language is rich and the children are interested and engaged. 

 

Literacy

WOW!!! What progress the children have made this year and term! We have so many keen writers who love to create and write! The development of this skill has been amazing! Most children hold implements correctly and are mark-making independently. Others are eager to write their names and small simple words such as mum and dad. We are so proud of the effort the children put into all of their work, and we love how proud they are too!! We have loved exploring all things farms and animals this term and the children have loved designing puppets and making them. Scissor skills have continued to be a firm favourite this term with lots of activities and fun!

 

 

Health and Well-Being 

We often discuss what keeps us happy in our class. The most popular answers are snacks and being outside! I would have to agree. The children beam when they are active, and it's evident that it is important to them. We value exercise and fresh air highly, and it's important to us all that we have a little bit of this each day. Sports Day was an absolute hoot with all the children joining in the fun!! The little jumps over the hurdles will stay with me forever!!

Gym day is also a firm favourite and always raises smiles and laughter while having fun and improving our gross motor skills. The children have become stronger and more resilient through climbing, running and jumping. The children also enjoy creating their own obstacle courses encouraging them to be confident independent learners. 

 

Humanities

We talk about the special people in our lives daily. The children will always make that special someone a picture or make them a cup of tea in our home corner.  The children are happy to share why they are so special too. It brings a lovely sense of community and family into class when we chat about our extended family and friends.

The Welsh language is super important to us, as is living in Wales. We are very proud of where we live. We have been learning the national anthem inspired by the Wales team playing in the Women's Euros football tournament. We showed our support by wearing Welsh colours to school and having our very own Urdd Jambori! 

 

Science and Technology 

We have spent so much time outside this term. The weather has been kind to us! We have loved looking after our garden, watering it and harvesting our crops!! We have some crunchy radishes, delicious lettuce, juicy green courgettes, yummy raspberries and some delicious baby tomatoes. How amazing that the children have planted these, helped them grow and can now eat them. I hope they take this experience with them as they grow, and it will inspire them to do more of it! 

 

Expressive Arts

Not a day goes by without a song or dance in our class!! We absolutely love to be performing - from singing on the rainbow rug to Irish dancing (most mornings!) we have the best time!! The improvement in the children's confidence and self-belief has been such a joy to see! I am so proud of them all! The N2 children led a celebration assembly for their grown-ups to celebrate their time as a Penguin!! They were amazing!! They learnt lines, songs and dances, and they performed with such pride and enjoyment! There wasn't a dry eye in the house!! 

 

 

To finish the year off, we held our annual trip to Folly Farm with all the children and their families!! It was an amazing day! We thought we were going to get caught in the rain, but thankfully it held off!! The children loved seeing the Penguins and watching them swim and jump in the water. We even caught the lions being fed their lunch - that was an experience!! They were so loud!! We all came home very tired but full of smiles!! A huge diolch to our families for supporting us again this year! 

As we draw another year to a close, the children are happy, healthy and, above all, loved. This is evident every day in our school and the children love coming to school!! I will miss you all over the summer holidays, but we will be back in school before we know!! Have the best summer, lots of love always Mrs T, Miss T and Miss H xx