Give Thanks

Date: 22nd Nov 2019 @ 6:57am

Much of the last two weeks at S4YC has been a time of remembrance and gratitude with children being encouraged to think about what they have to be thankful for as well as thinking about those less fortunate than themselves.  Children spent a number of after school sessions learning about Remembrance Day, creating poppies in a selection of different media from tissue paper poppies to felt brooches as well as colouring cards and embellishing the poem ‘In Flanders Field’.  Children also took the opportunity to talk about their own involvement in parades and acts of remembrance over the weekend as members of organisations such as Brownies and Cubs.

We touched on the topic of ‘Anti-bullying’ as part of ‘Anti-bullying’ week by completing little booklets, discussing the difference between ‘tattling' and 'telling', and creating our own posters.  Woodlands enjoyed making posters on the computers and staff were encouraged by their comprehensive understanding of bullying and the effect it has on their peers.

Friday was ‘Children in Need’ so we were inundated with children dressed in a weird and wonderful outfits whilst taking part in a number of charity events such as ‘Crazy Hair Day’ and ‘Pyjama Day’ where vast amounts of money was raised. Well done to all who took part.

Huntington rewarded their children’s efforts with a film and hot chocolate night with extra marshmallows for the children with crazy hair. 

Out of school children and toddlers also made Pudsey masks and pictures with toddlers enjoying a touch of cake decorating too!!

This last week has been a week of being thankful. Despite traditionally being an American custom, we annually celebrate ‘Thanksgiving’ before the Christmas season. Not only is it good to look at ways different countries celebrate around the world, but it is also a valuable opportunity for children to stop and think about what they have to be thankful for.  We did this not only through conversation but also through the making of ‘Thankful Trees’ and a number of other arts and crafts.

It seems that several of our clubs felt inspired to do a spot of painting this week.  On discovery of some old oversized T-shirts, Woodlands took the plunge to get the ‘messy’ paints out and managed to send all children home without a speck of paint on their clothes (which has to be a first!!)  Parkgate were also feeling artistic but kept it safe with the pallet paints!! It is always fascinating to see what the children create purely from their own imagination without any adult intervention.

Playdough has also been an added bonus for some clubs which is always popular whatever the age!!

With the nights drawing in children have made the most of getting outside when they can.  Despite it being bitterly cold (something the children don’t seem to notice!) we have been lucky with the weather and Willaston especially have made the most of their beautiful Autumnal surroundings. 

Our sports sessions have continued to prove popular, with Huntington getting a lovely surprise last week when Coach Marc popped in to do a dodgeball session before school (which I am sure the teachers were extremely grateful for).  All the children enjoyed the energy burning session, with even the nursery children joining in (even if they did opt to hide behind the bigger children throughout).  Woodlands have continued to enjoy after school football, dodgeball and gymnastics.

Upton have had an eventful couple of weeks moving into their new build which, as you can imagine, has come with its ups and downs.  Needless to say, there are a few logistical issues to tackle before everything is up and running to its full potential  but we are hopeful that everything was to the satisfaction of an unexpected visitor earlier this week!!

As we head towards advent and Christmas, we are calling in at Scotland to celebrate St Andrew and his Dragon before the real Christmas countdown begins...