Important dates for your diaries:

Winchester House Pre-Prep

Manor Road

Brackley

Northants

NN13 6EE

Phone: 01280 703070

E-mail: preprep@winchester-house.org

We spend a lot of time in school helping

the children to become independent in

using a knife and fork correctly, tying up

shoelaces, turning their clothes around the

right way, doing up shirt buttons and zipping

up their coat. Some practice at home would

be much appreciated.

Watches

We encourage children to wear watches to

help them learn to tell the time. We do ask

however that they are analogue watches and

a suitable size for school.

General Notices Please read the bulletin published each week it does contain important pieces of Pre-Prep information

Mobile Phones

In the interests of courtesy and our

children's safety, we politely request,

that mobile phones are not used within

the building.

Playground Safety

The playground equipment is out of

bounds to all children before and after

school. In icy weather the red area

under the climbing frame should also

be avoided as it becomes very slippery.

Please do not assume that First Aid

provision is available.

Headlice

Please check your family’s hair for

headlice on the Tuesday evening before

returning to school.

Uniform

Please check your children’s uniform

over the holiday, especially in PE bags.

Permission for absences

Please could all permissions for

absences of 1 day or part of a day,

including for appointments, be

directed for the Pre-Prep to -

sarah.leftley@winchester-house.org .

If the absence is for longer than 1 day

or includes Upper School siblings,

permission should be sought from

Mrs Goldsmith via Mrs Blake -

jenny.blake@winchester-house.org.

All schools have a legal obligation to

record any absence, along with the

reason, when children miss any part of

the normal school day.

Hats and Gloves

As the Winter is here, please ensure

that your child has a school hat and

navy gloves in school. All items of

clothing need to be named.

Day Date Event

Wednesday 10th January 09.00 Pre-Prep children return - No Breakfast Club or Early Birds today

No Pre-Prep After School Clubs this week except Mini Winnies and Mini Winnies Plus

Thursday 11th January Coffee and catch up for Pre-Prep and Upper School Parents in the Forum 08.30 - 10.00

Monday 15th January Pre-Prep After School Clubs begin

Friday 26th January

12.00

Pre-Prep Interim Reports issued

Home Clothes for School Charity day

EXEAT

Tuesday 6th February 10.30 - 11.45 Nursery ‘Come and Play’

Year 1 and Year 2 trip

Friday 23rd February Whole School Open Morning

Author/Illustrator visit: Paul Geraghty

10.30 -13.00

Tuesday 27th February 16.15 Public Speaking Evening for Years 2-4 in the Forum

Thursday 1st March World Book Day - Come dressed as a character from a wintery themed book Tuesday 6th March 16.00 - 20.00 Pre-Prep Parent Teacher Meeting (a crèche is provided for the duration of your appointment

until 18.00) No Pre-Prep After School Clubs

Friday 9th March 11.30

12.00

Pre-Prep Cake Sale

EXEAT

Wednesday 14th March 14.00 Year 1 and Year 2 visit to Juniper House

Monday 19th March No Pre-Prep After School Clubs this week. Mini Winnies and Mini Winnies Plus continue

Wednesday 21st March 09.30 - 11.45

14.30

EYFS Fabulous Finish Families morning including Easter crafts

Year 1 and Year 2 Fabulous Finish Families afternoon

Friday 23rd March 10.15 - 11.30

12.00

Pre-Prep Easter Egg Hunt

Pre-Prep End of Term

to tell us their snow-day tales. Although it poses logistical issues it is so lovely for the children to see, and play in a proper snowfall. Watching the EYFS parents and grandparents getting creative with the children was wonderful at the Christmas craft morning. The excitement was bubbling all morning and the atmosphere was very festive indeed.

We have welcomed Mrs Squires back to school this week and Mrs Berrie will be returning from maternity leave in January. Both teachers have been busy with us throughout the term, to ensure a good handover. We are sorry to be saying farewell to our gappers Miss Berner, Miss Packe and Mr Howard-Vyse, as they continue their journeys. The help they have given us each day is priceless. The children love playing with them in the playground, they read with the children and their help is paramount to being able to run the number of clubs that we offer. We are so lucky to have had Miss Bray and Mrs Gow with us over the last year and are very sad to be saying goodbye to them at the end of term. Each has brought something special to Pre-Prep and we are going to miss them greatly. We wish you both all the best for the future.

We have had a busy term with our topic ‘A Walk in the Woods’. Year 1 enjoyed a visit to Millets Falconry Centre where they learned about birds of prey, especially owls. The children then produced some lovely pieces of artwork and reports about owls on their return. They learned by heart the story of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. How perfect for our current weather.

The Nursery children were absorbed in their fabulous finish as they used the story where a mouse takes a walk in the deep dark woods! They were thrilled to find the Gruffalo hiding in the Secret Garden. Then the children led a very sleepy (as he had been woken from his hibernation) Gruffalo back to their classroom where he shared a special story before all tucked into a very special tea party.

Year 1 and 2 had a special time in

the woods learning bushcraft skills. They had fun building dens and dancing in the leaves with Mr Silman and Mr Ashton.

The children in Year 2 had a visit from Mr Butler from Macintyers Estate Agent. As part of their topic, the children were looking at how to advertise Mr Wolf’s house using persuasive language. The children then made their own adverts for the house and took a trip to see them being advertised in Macintyers’ window. Reception children have focused on the stories of Hansel and Gretel and Goldilocks to facilitate their learning. The children have made gingerbread houses and then followed instructions to build a healthier house. Maths has been great fun using different types of sweets to help the children with their number work. One of the ways in which the children explored science was with porridge. How can we cool it down the quickest?

Thank you to the Pre-Prep parents who volunteered their time to help run the Pre-Prep room at the Advent Fair. The children all enjoyed the fun and festive activities. A special thank you goes to Mrs Hammon for coordinating the event and the supplies. The children have been so excited

Mini Winnies

Issue 2017-2018 #3

Date December 2017

P A G E 1

Housepoints

Children receive housepoints for displaying qualities which show them being their

best self. These behaviours are known as The Winchester House Way.

Housepoints are also awarded for their attitude to learning and classroom

achievements. Monday morning assemblies are exciting as each week the

housepoint totals are revealed and the weekly winning team receives the applause

they deserve. The running totals are shown in the main corridor in school so the

children have a daily reminder to do their best. At the end of the term, the

winning team is announced in the final assembly so all children should strive to be

their very best self to the end of term.

The houses are Bryant, LeachmanLeachman, Priestland, and Gascoigne

The Best Self Board is in the main corri-dor where we celebrate children's special achievements. These children have received certificates in assembly. All the stars in the photo above represent a Best Self Certificate.

Well done to all!

The Winchester House Way

Please help the children to be their best self by promoting these values at home.

Treat others as you would

be treated

Forgive

Share

Listen

Be honest

Be kind and helpful

Be gentle

Do your best to be your

best self

P A G E 2

The winning

house this term is:

LeachmanLeachman

P A G E 3

Year 2 hosted an assembly where we learnt

about the Christingle; why we make them

and the meaning behind each part of this

much loved tradition.

Christmas in Pre-Prep We are very proud of our children’s performances this

week. Despite losing rehearsal time with our Snow

Day, each performance was a festive treat of

enthusiasm and joy. With these heartwarming

moments, the snow just melted away!

You can view the photos online, at :

www.carolinerushtonphotography.co.uk

The gallery logins are below

Year 1 and Year 2 - Y12WHS

EYFS - EYWHS17

Thank you so much for all your

orders for Christmas cards. We

hope your relatives and friends enjoy

them. With the proceeds from these

and the retiring collection at the

nativities we have raised a staggering

£290 for the School charity of the

year - Lepra.