We hope you all had a lovely Simchat Torah.

Literacy
This week, we continued exploring rhyming words by reading Oi Dog and The Gruffalo. The children loved playing Silly Soup on the interactive whiteboard, working out which objects rhymed to add to the soup! You can support rhyming at home by spotting words that rhyme together in stories, songs, or during everyday play.

Maths 
We continued learning about patterns and repeats. The children enjoyed playing a pattern game on the interactive whiteboard, where they had to work out what came next in the sequence. You can play this game with your child at home – please find the link below (start with Level 1):

Top Marks: https://www.topmarks.co.uk/ordering-and-sequencing/shape-patterns
The children also had fun making Gruffalo crumble, linked to the story The Gruffalo. They helped to measure out and mix together the different ingredients.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Linked to the topic All About Me, we started talking about different feelings and why certain things make us feel that way. We introduced a feelings chart where children can place their name next to the emotion they are experiencing. If their feelings change, they can move their name accordingly. The four feelings we are focusing on are happy, sad, worried, and angry. This activity helps children learn to be open about their emotions and feel comfortable talking to others about how they feel, especially when they are sad, worried, or scared.

Jewish Studies
This week we visited Raanan's beautiful Sukkah for songs, games and delicious snacks! Thank you Raanan for welcoming us so nicely to your Sukkah! We made Simchat Torah Flags to wave in shul. 
We also looked at Parashat Bereshit, and the way that Hashem created the world in six days and had a rest on the Seventh day- which was Shabbat. We too have a rest on Shabbat. Each of the children made a fabulous Bereshit crown. Well done children!

This week’s Shabbat stars were Olivia D and Raanan.

Shabbat Shalom.

Reminders:

• Fri 24th October: Finish at 2:00 pm.
• Library Books: Please return by next Wednesday.
• Autumn Walk – Thursday 24th October: Please drop your child off at the normal time, no later than 8:40 am. If you are joining us on the walk, please make sure you are back by 8:50 am, when there will be a quick briefing. We aim to leave punctually at 9:00 am.
• Focus Meeting Dates: You should have received an email letting you know the date for your child’s focus meeting.
• Show and Tell: You should have received an email informing you of the date your child can bring in their Show and Tell.

Finally, please share photos on Tapestry of activities your child enjoys outside school, so they can share with their friends.

We hope you all had a lovely Sukkot.

Literacy
This week, we introduced the concept of rhyming and explored what rhyming words are. The children enjoyed listening to and identifying words that sound the same at the end. We also began reading a fun rhyming book series featuring Oi Frog and Oi Cat, which helped the children engage with rhyming patterns in a playful and memorable way. 

Maths 
We learnt about patterns and repeats, seeing how shapes, colours, or movements can repeat in a regular and predictable way.

Finger Gym
This week, we continued our finger gym activities to strengthen hand and finger muscles. The children enjoyed Tap Tap, threading beads to make necklaces, and using chubbie paints to create dotted patterns, all supporting their fine motor skills and coordination.

PE
In PE, the children worked on their agility and jumping skills using the jumping boxes, hurdles, and hoops.

Jewish Studies
The highlight of the week was visiting Serena Newman’s Sukkah. The children enjoyed discussing the reasons why we sit in a sukkah, listening to a story, and tasting some special treats. They also had fun eating their snacks and lunches in our very own sukkah. We made paper chain decorations for the EYU sukkah to fill it with colour. The children also had the opportunity to shake the lulav and etrog in the sukkah.

We have started to learn about Simchat Torah and have begun working on our flags to wave in shul.
This week’s Shabbat stars were Eden and Lennon.

Shabbat Shalom and we hope you have a lovely Simchat Torah! 

Reminders

• Mon 13th October: Early finish at 12:30 pm (no lunch). Please send in a larger snack — no sandwiches, please.
• Tues 14 & Wed 15th October: School closed
• Fri 17th October: Finish at 2.00pm
• Library books: Return by Thursday next week
• Recycling: Please send in a named kitchen roll tube

Finally, please share photos on Tapestry of activities your child enjoys outside school, so they can show and tell their friends.

We hope you all had a meaningful fast.

Even in this short week, the children have been wonderfully busy!

Literacy
We explored rhythm and rhyme, enjoying stories with repeated refrains such as The Gingerbread Man and Chicken Licken. The children loved joining in with the familiar lines and also began learning about syllables by clapping out beats in names and objects—something fun to try at home.

Maths & Creative Play
Linking to Jewish Studies, the children baked fish-shaped biscuits while learning about Jonah and the whale. They helped weigh, mix, roll and cut the dough, before enjoying their tasty creations! We also read Whatever Next!, sparking role-play with rockets, helmets and lots of imaginative junk modelling. 

Art & Topic
Children painted beautiful autumn trees, experimenting with colour mixing and sponge printing. In our All About Me sessions, they continued sharing special items from home—building confidence as they spoke in front of the group.

Ivrit
This week in Ivrit we learned all about building a Sukkah! We discovered how to use a patish (hammer) and masmer (nail) to build a lovely Sukkah for Sukkot. The children enjoyed a new song (link attached: Rinat and Mimi “פטיש מסמר”), used wooden blocks as musical instruments and even built their own mini Sukkah. We also made beautiful decorations to get ready for the holiday.
https://youtu.be/TODTgzdUfH0?si=296K5DiuWuA2LWUm

Jewish Studies
We explored Yonah’s story through puppets, pictures and Big Fish models. Looking ahead to Sukkot, the children learnt about the mitzvot of the sukkah and Arba Minim, and created colourful decorations to bring home and to brighten our EYU sukkah.

This week’s Shabbat stars were Alice and Ron.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sukkot Sameach! 🌿

Reminders

• Mon 6 Oct: Early finish at 12:30pm (no lunch)
• Tues 7 & Wed 8 Oct: School closed
• Fri 10 Oct: Finish at 2:00pm
• Library books: Return by Wed/Thurs
• Recycling: Please send in a named kitchen roll tube
• Autumn Walk: Thurs 23 Oct, 9am. Parents welcome—RSVP by Fri 10 Oct

Finally, please share photos on Tapestry of activities your child enjoys outside school, so they can show and tell with their friends.

We hope you all had a lovely Rosh Hashanah.
It has been a fun few days in Nursery!

Literacy
We continued exploring environmental and instrumental sounds. The children enjoyed passing around socks filled with different objects to shake and guess what was inside. These included rice, pasta, and coins.

Mathematics
We introduced the calendar by singing the months of the year and the days of the week. Together we worked out the day, month, and date. We also talked about the seasons, learning that we are now in Autumn. The children discussed the changes that happen during Autumn - such as leaves changing colour and falling from the trees. Please encourage your child to talk about what they see, so they can begin to describe and understand the changes happening around them.

Creative Activities
Some children made handprint bees linked to Rosh Hashanah. We looked at the stripe patterns on bees’ bodies, and the children designed their own. They also enjoyed apple printing and colour mixing, combining blue and yellow to make green for their green apples.

Understanding the World
The children explored sinking and floating by testing different objects in water. They discussed why some floated (because they were lighter or full of air) while others sank (because they were heavier or solid).

Topic: All About Me
This week, we discussed families, including extended family members such as aunts, uncles, and cousins. Some children enjoyed drawing family pictures. It was lovely to hear the children beginning to share what they had brought in their All About Me bags. This activity helps to build confidence in speaking in front of the class and further develops their communication skills.

PE: The children worked on their balance, coordination, and hand–eye skills using tennis racquets and balls.

Jewish Studies: Welcome back, Nursery class, from your Rosh Hashanah break—it was wonderful to hear all about your celebrations at home! This week, we began focusing on Yom Kippur and some of the rules we try to keep. We learned that grown-ups don’t eat on Yom Kippur and that we don’t wear leather shoes. Each child made a beautiful slipper collage to take home and cherish. We also touched on the story of Yonah, which we will explore in more detail next week.

On the Shabbat table this week’s Cochavim were: Hannah and Boaz

Shabbat Shalom, and we wish you all well over the fast.

Reminders

• Wednesday pick-up: Children finish at 12:30pm on 27th September (no lunch). School will be closed on Thursday 28th September.
• Recycling: Please send an empty kitchen roll holder.
• Library books: Return books in named folders by Wednesday (or Thursday if school is closed for a festival) so your child can borrow a new one.
• Autumn Walk: We would like to take the children on an Autumn walk on Thursday 23rd October. Parents are warmly invited to join us. We will leave after teffilah (approximately 9am) and we anticipate being roughly 1 hour. In order that we can confirm our numbers, please let us know by Friday 10th October. We completely understand that it may not always be possible for working parents to attend. Please know that we truly appreciate the balance you are managing between work and being present for these moments. If you are unable to join us, you are welcome to send another family member in your place, but if that is not possible, we will make sure your child is paired with a school adult.
• All About Me Bags: If you have not yet returned your child’s bag, please send it in so they can share it with the class.
• Punctuality: It is very important that children arrive at school no later than 8:40am. We will be starting the day punctually, and the children need time to settle before beginning the routine. The gate will now close promptly at 8:40, and children arriving later will be brought in by the guard. Thank you for your support with this.

It was lovely to see many of you at our curriculum evening and enjoying some of the fun activities the children take part in.

What another amazing and busy week in Nursery! The children continued developing their social and communication skills. We introduced the visual timetable to help them understand the daily routine.
Each child now has a place on the carpet in a fruit group (pears/apples). Groups are called for activities, snack/lunch, PE, and Ivrit.

In Literacy, we explored environmental sounds. The children made “listening ears” and wore them on a walk around the building to notice different sounds.

In Mathematics, the children enjoyed baking honey cakes. Mrs Dagul introduced recipes, step-by-step instructions, and ingredients. They helped weigh and mix everything.

We read It’s Mine! and discussed using words, sharing, and taking turns. Please practise this at home—for example: “I had that first, please can I have it back?” or “When you’re finished, may I have it?” Modeling words instead of hands is so important.

Our All About Me topic continued, focusing on the body, inside and out, including the skeleton.
Children are now encouraged to self-register each morning by placing their named bee in the pot, helping them recognise their names.

In the library the children enjoyed hearing a story and then choosing a book to take home. Please return books in named folders by Wednesday, or Thursday if school is closed for a festival, so they can borrow a new one.
In PE, we practiced hand-eye coordination with throwing and catching. In music, we played singing games, listened, followed instructions, and explored instruments. In Ivrit, we learned Rosh Hashanah words—Tapuach (apple), Dvash (honey), Rimon (pomegranate)—and practiced “Shana Tova.” The children enjoyed singing, dancing, and making Rimon cards.

In Jewish Studies, we prepared for Rosh Hashanah by exploring the shofar (Tekiah, Shevarim, Teruah) and learning about special foods such as apples dipped in honey and the fish head symbolising leadership. In Parashat Nitzavim, we learned how Hashem gathered all the Jewish people, reminding us that everyone is important in recommitting to Him.

We look forward to welcoming back Morah Cassie next week! 

On the Shabbat table this week’s Cochavim were keira and Joseph.

Shana Tova—wishing you and your families a sweet, happy, and healthy new year!
Shabbat Shalom

Reminders

• Snacks: Please cut fruit/vegetables safely (e.g. grapes quartered, blueberries halved).
• Clothing: Send spare clothes, aprons, wellingtons, and waterproofs.
• ‘All About Me’ bag: We are sending home a bag to be returned by Thursday 25th September. Your child should choose 5–6 special items to help us learn more about them. Please only send objects your child is happy to leave at school.
• Monday pick-up: Children finish at 12:30pm (no lunch).
• Nature items: Please collect conkers, acorns, or fir cones for school.
• Recycling: Send an empty kitchen roll holder.
• Conversation starters: Use the question list from curriculum evening to help your child share about their day.

What a fantastic start to the year we’ve had in Nursery! The children have settled in so well, and it has been wonderful to see so many beginning to walk through the classroom doors independently. They’ve spent time exploring their new environment, finding their pegs and trays, and learning about class expectations. We’ve also played some name games to help everyone get to know each other, which we’ll continue next week.

One of our favourite moments was reading The Kissing Hand, a story about a raccoon who feels nervous about starting school until his mother gives him a kiss to keep in his hand. The children made their own “kissing hands” and shared their feelings about their first days. Alongside this, we began our new topic All About Me, talking about how we are all different and creating self-portraits by looking carefully in mirrors.

The children have already been busy developing new skills. They’ve taken part in “finger gym” activities to strengthen their fine motor skills, explored comparisons of more, fewer, and the same in maths, and listened carefully to environmental sounds as part of our new phonics programme. Outdoors, they loved riding bikes, cooking in the mud kitchen, playing in the sand, and even planting herbs and vegetables together.

We were delighted to start our specialist lessons too. In PE, the children practised running, jumping, and balance. In music, they sang songs and discovered the sounds their bodies can make by clapping and stamping. In Ivrit, they learned to greet each other with “Shalom” and enjoyed meeting Podi the Hedgehog and Racheli, two friends from Israel. And in Jewish Studies, we have been preparing for Rosh Hashanah through songs, crafts, stories, and, of course, tasting apple and honey.

It has been a busy and joyful first week, filled with learning, creativity, and new friendships. We are so proud of how quickly the children are settling and can’t wait to see all the progress they will make this year.

Shabbat Shalom,
 

Reminders

• Snacks: Please cut fruit/vegetables as per guidelines: grapes quartered lengthways, blueberries halved lengthways. This is essential for safety.
   
• Pick-up: Send in a photo of regular collectors. For playdates/other collectors, email us in advance or we’ll need to call you before dismissal.
   
• Clothing: If not already done, send spare clothes, aprons, wellingtons, and waterproofs for activities.
   
• Morning activities: Fine motor sessions run 8:30–8:45; please arrive on time so your child can benefit.
   
• Curriculum evening: Tuesday 16th September, 7:30 pm – we look forward to seeing you there!