Happy New Year

Date: 16th Jan 2020 @ 1:01pm

So, Christmas has been and gone and it is hard to believe we are already over halfway through January.  Having enjoyed 2 weeks rest over the Christmas period it has been a few weeks since our last blog and I don’t think it will come as much surprise to hear that we were extremely busy on the run up to Christmas hence the lack of communication.  Between taking part in a number of arts and crafts such as crackers, cards and party hats, children enjoyed making mince pies and decorating cupcakes as well as welcoming Santa and participating in individual setting Christmas parties – you never can beat a traditional game of pass the parcel can you!!

We started the year with the opening of another highly attended new club in North Wales - welcome on board Penyffordd!!

Children at Parkgate couldn’t wait to share all their news when they returned in the new year and, by all accounts, had a particularly lovely Christmas break.  After a couple of weeks off, staff were keen to help the younger children with a spot of reading and writing so broke into the glitter early where children were encouraged to practice writing letters and their names with their finger.  Needless to say they were sparkling for the rest of the week.

January activities have so far focused on new year and Winter themes with children making calendars, cards, winter snowflakes and bracelets, new year hats and wish wands where children have been encouraged to think of what they would like to achieve in 2020. 

Children have also been discussing their new year resolutions with children at Highlegh having a clear idea of what they want to achieve from reading a higher level of book to trying lamb chops and gravy!!  Rivacre also have some wishes/resolutions for 2020 including entering a cheer-leading competition, winning the football league, winning "The Chase", learning piano, to be better at reading and listening to stories and for Rachel (staff) to win her next masked wresting match!!! Good luck with all of those Rivacre!!

Whilst Willaston have been busy doing talent shows and bingo competitions, Parkgate have been sharing news and learning a spot of sign language.  Rivacre have continued in their quest to 'hide 'n seek' the dinosaur as well as creating a Mossasaurus, Stegosaurus and some Velocoraptors out of lego.

This week, children at Woodlands have ‘stepped out’ of the usual activity routine and focused on the terrible fires in Australia and what can be done to help.  Without a second thought, children donated money from their ‘early riser’ breakfast fund and adopted a koala called Tolley from the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary in Australia.  As a result, children have taken it upon themselves to research and learn more about the cause and have, without any staff intervention, produced enough koala-related artwork and writing to create a beautiful display.  Having just acquired a ‘quiet room’ adjacent to the hall, I can think of nothing better than a koala display to decorate it. You can follow Tolley's progress here.

Over the next few weeks we will, despite the current lack of snow, be continuing with a snowy Winter theme in our activities before submerging ourselves in a bit of Chinese culture and tradition as we welcome in the Year of the Rat.