Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School Newsletter – Summer Term 2021 – Week 2

This week’s newsletter for Rossall Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School.

YEAR 6

Year 6 have dived right into our new topic on underwater exploration and we have been fascinated by the book, ‘Manfish’, about the life of the amazing Jacques Cousteau and his pioneering advancements in deep-sea diving.

The children have loved coming together as a year group and have begun researching selected areas of interest about the sea. This is an opportunity to develop their learning skills in small groups with the intention of exhibiting their work to the other year groups before half term. 

The Rossall Rotation is always an enjoyable afternoon each week and the class enjoyed planting a whole range of fruit and vegetable seeds to see what we can grow this term.

It has certainly been a wonderful week with fixtures enjoyed by all, and with ‘bikability’ coming up this term has been full of action and fun!

YEAR 5

Plastic has been on our minds in Year 5 this week. We have started investigating the terrible impact it is having on our world, particularly our oceans and the creatures that live in them. The children have made some posters highlighting the damage that a plastic bag or bottle can do to a creature. They were amazed just how many things in our homes and at school are made out of plastic. It really is all around us. 

We continue to work hard in Mathematics and are well on our way to mastering decimals. We had great fun on Friday using and applying our Mathematical knowledge to solve some tricky problems.  

We enjoyed learning about the artist, Marc Quinn. Marc is a British artist whose sculptures explore the link between science and art. He uses unusual materials to create his sculptures. With this in mind, we went to the Rossall Kitchen to create our own sculptures out of salt dough. The children had great fun making salt dough (and a small amount of mess) and then turning it into sculptures of their own hands.

YEAR 4

Year 4 have certainly been making the most of the lovely, sunny weather this week as we have made a start on all our new learning for this half term.

The grassy area in front of Prep School was the perfect place to plan and share ideas, carousel-style in preparation for our first writing task – it worked. The challenge for the children was to ‘paint a picture with their words’ and describe four very different environments, and they didn’t disappoint me. By the time I’d finished reading I felt like I’d been around the world visiting the polar regions, deserts, rainforests and ending on a beautiful, tropical beach (if only!).

We also used the school grounds to inspire our artwork. Like the French artist Henri Rousseau, who never actually visited a jungle, despite being famous for painting them. We will be using the plants and flowers around the school to inspire our own rainforest artwork. I’m looking forward to seeing the results.

YEAR 3

Another fun-filled week of learning in Year 3.

In Science, we have dissected flowers to learn about the different parts of flowers and their jobs.

In English, we have begun our journey into ‘Journey’ and have also enjoyed some outdoor reading in the sun.

In Maths, we have continued to explore fractions – this week we looked at fractions of amounts.

In topic, our TARDIS has landed us in Ancient Sumer where we learnt about the first ever cities. In addition to all this, we also loved our first lesson in the Rossall swimming pool, it was great fun.

Well done for a fantastic week Year 3.

YEAR 2

This week Year 2 have had a busy first full week back. In our Topic lessons, we have read the book ‘Katie and the Dinosaurs’ and have planned our own version of the story on a story mountain. So far, we have written our beginning, (who we visit the museum with), our build up (entering the dinosaur world for the first time) and our problem (meeting an angry dinosaur!). In Maths, we have become fraction experts and can find 1/2 of numbers, objects and shapes. Yesterday we all enjoyed our first swimming lesson of Year 2 and had great fun.

YEAR 1

This week in Year 1, we have started our new unit ‘Frozen in time’. We have started looking at our new class text ‘The Curious Case of the Missing Mammoth’ by Ellie Hattie and Karl James Mountford and made predictions about what we think is going to happen in the story.

In Maths, we have started to learn about multiplication and have been finding equal groups and counting in 2s, 5s and 10s.

On Tuesday, we had a message to say that some bones had been discovered in the Secret Garden, so we went to explore and were surprised to find dinosaur skeletons buried in there, although very small ones.

In Science, we carried out an investigation to find out what helps ice to melt quickest. We made predictions and observations and recorded the time it took the ice to melt. We thought it would melt quickest in the sunshine, but we were wrong. In our investigation we found that it melts the quickest in water.

We have even had time to squeeze in our first swimming session too, which we were very excited about.

RECEPTION

Let’s go on a Worm Hunt!

This week the Reception children have become nature explorers.

We took part in a Worm Hunt to discover more about the incredible creatures beneath our feet. Worms are vitally important on farms to allow farmers to produce food for both us and animals to eat, as well as keeping the soil healthy in our gardens, parks and other outdoor spaces.  There are 26 different species of worm in the UK and three main types of worm that we found:  Common red worm,  Blue-grey worm and European nightcrawler (the children’s favourite as it’s BIG!) We used different methods to find the worms such as turning over stones and dead wood, looking under leaf litter and digging in bare earth. The children also enjoyed jumping up and down, soaking the soil and twanging. 

The children also learnt to be gentle. Worms breathe through their delicate skin, so we handled them carefully so we didn’t hurt them. We have made a wormery for the worms collected and will remember to put them back in their home once we have observed them closely in class.  

If you would like to do your own worm hunt at home, all the information and where to share your findings can be found if you go to www.soilassociation.org/worm-<wbr>hunt.

NURSERY

Sanderlings have enjoyed a variety of sensory activities this week. ‘Crazy soap’ was a great hit with the children and they enjoyed manipulating the soap with their hands, trying to squash it and also scooping it up and throwing it. These types of skills are also good for helping our babies learn to feed themselves, which is why we have been focusing on this skill, this week. At times it can get messy but the development rewards far outweigh the mess. As the saying goes practise makes perfect.

Mealtimes are one of the most sensory-rich experiences for babies. New tastes, smells and textures, as well as touching and feeling food are all great ways to fully engage babies’ senses in the process of eating. Chasing cereal around is a great way to improving grasping and coordination skills. In the process of practising feeding themselves, they learn where their mouths are and how much force it takes to bend their arm to bring the spoon to their mouth. Mealtimes offer multiple practice times each day to help create a foundation of lifelong awareness and coordination skills.

Sandpipers have enjoyed a couple of trips to the beach this week. Walking on the uneven surface of the beach is a great gross motor activity that will help them improve their balance as well as improve body control. The children enjoyed touching the different surfaces of the stones and, of course, throwing them! They took spades with them but unfortunately, they did not find any buried treasure. Being outside allows the children to express themselves freely, as there are no space constraints, meaning they can jump, shout, run and explore to their heart’s content.

This week, Pre-school have planted their beans outside and the potatoes are coming on quite nicely. Hopefully, we will soon have some tomatoes to add to our little veg plot. During circle time, they have been learning about shapes by looking at all the sides that make up a shape. This has sparked an interest in objects in the environment with the children looking for all sorts of shapes. They were terribly excited to find triangle flags on the cricket pitch. The younger children in preschool have been practising their pencil control by creating circles to make into bugs which they have seen in the ‘Super Worm’ story.

The children have also created some amazing imaginative play in the garden by constructing a drive-through and a pirate ship, using large scale loose parts.

It’s been another great week.

CLASS PHOTOGRAPHS

Tempest Photography will be at Rossall Pre-Prep and Prep School on Thursday 29th April for class photographs.  Can you please ensure your child is wearing a full School uniform. 

No Summer dresses should be worn.  Thank you for your cooperation.

TOP TENNIS COACHING FOR PUPILS IN YEARS 3-6

We are thrilled that Top Tennis Coaching will be hosting morning tennis sessions for our students in Years 3-6.

Beginning on Tuesday 27th April we are running a 5 week coaching program for students at Rossall School

Year 3 & 4 – Tuesdays, 7.45-8.30am
Year 5 & 6 – Thursdays, 7.45-8.30am


at the Rossall Sports Centre.

Head to www.toptenniscoaching.co.uk to book your child’s spot!

INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS

At Rossall Preparatory School, all pupils have the opportunity to receive one-to-one instrumental tuition.

Whether students wish to learn purely for fun or to achieve ABRSM/Trinity/Rock School qualifications, we have a dedicated team of expert teachers to support and guide them along the way.

Lessons take place before, during and after the school day (subject to availability). Students who take instrumental lessons will have the opportunity to participate in co-curricular clubs and perform in school concerts and external events.

We offer tuition in: Piano, Organ, Singing, Guitar, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Flute, Bassoon, Oboe, Saxophone, Clarinet, Drums, Violin and Cello.

Lesson packages of 10 one-to-one sessions (30 minutes each) cost £210.
In the Summer Term, we are launching shared 30-minute violin lesson packages for students who are interested in playing the instrument. The loan of a violin, equipment and music is all included in the cost of the package, which is £105 per child for 10 sessions.

Please click here to apply for instrumental lessons.

All fees are subject to periodic increase in accordance with Rossall School’s Terms and Conditions. Please note that a half-term’s notice is required to cancel lessons.

If you have any questions regarding instrumental lessons at Rossall Preparatory School, please contact Mr Adam Dobson on [email protected].

AWARD WINNERS

RECEPTION – This week’s certificate of achievement goes to Alicia and Junior.

Alicia was a little apprehensive about swimming but was a fantastic risk-taker when in the swimming pool and attempted all activities to the best of her abilities.

Junior quickly got changed after swimming and then very kindly began helping all his friends to get their uniform back on too.



YEAR 1 – This week’s certificates go to Wyatt for his fantastic effort with online learning and Stanley for improved effort and concentration in his Language work.


YEAR 2 – Eryn for amazing writing in her own ‘Katie and the Dinosaurs’ book and Spencer for ‘being brave whilst swimming’. 


YEAR 3 – This week’s certificates in Year 3 go to Sophie for building her confidence in Maths, and Rhiannon for being responsible and helpful.

YEAR 4 – This week’s certificates in Year 4 go to Oskar for being a great communicator and writing an outstanding description of a jungle, and Jessica for being a great communicator and writing an outstanding description of a desert.

YEAR 5 – This week’s certificates in Year 5 go to Betsy for her excellent work in English and Maya for her excellent work in Art.


YEAR 6 – This week’s certificates in Year 6 go to Adhil (6R) for sharing his knowledge, Michael (6R) for being open-minded, Rafa (6S) for his contribution in class and Alicia (6S) for her enthusiasm, effort and contribution in all areas of school.


Well done to all!

SPORT

Goals Galore for The Rossall Rhinos and Rams Against AKS!
The excitement was palpable as all the boys in Year 5 and 6 welcomed our friends from AKS for an afternoon of football.

The Rhinos (U11) and Rams (U11/10) were like caged tigers as they took to the field and relished the opportunity to display their skills after a year away from competitive fixtures.

Both teams were in scintillating form and wonderful teamwork created plenty of goal scoring opportunities. There were goals aplenty for everyone with Rossall claiming two impressive victories winning 9-4 and 5-2.

We all agreed that it was great to be back in action, and the children were extremely proud to represent the school team once again. Well done, Rossall!

Hockey fixtures are GO!
There was a palpable excitement on the Rossall minibus heading down to AKS on Wednesday afternoon. This was the first fixture in over a year. The Year 6 girls could not wait to get on the pitch. Furthermore, we had many of the girls making their Rossall debut.

Team morale was excellent in both of the Rossall teams. Rossall Reds lost against a very experienced AKS team, but we managed to score a goal and battled until the final whistle. Rossall Whites were dominant throughout the match, and the game resulted in a 1-1 draw.

Well done to all of the girls for representing Rossall so admirably.

CLUBS & ACTIVITIES

The All New STEM Club with Mrs Cohen!

The Year 6 children had lots of fun building structures out of marshmallows and spaghetti this week. Teamwork was the key to success as well as patience and not eating the marshmallows!
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PICTURES FROM THIS WEEK