Hello Reception Families!
What a fantastic week we had in Reception as we rounded off our Julia Donaldson half term with a deep dive into one of her most loved stories – The Gruffalo! The children were full of excitement as we explored the deep, dark wood together, using our imaginations, storytelling skills, and creativity every step of the way.
We began the week with a magical moment as we released our class butterflies into the world. The children have been carefully observing the caterpillars' transformation over the past few weeks and were full of wonder as they watched them flutter away. This was a lovely way to deepen their understanding of the natural world, encouraging curiosity and respect for living things.
Tuesday took us on a real-life adventure as we headed to the local park for our Gruffalo walk! Equipped with scavenger hunt sheets and plenty of excitement, the children hunted for natural treasures and clues that hinted at where the Gruffalo might be hiding!

On Wednesday, our little scientists investigated the magical world of shadows. Using torches and the mouse from The Gruffalo, the children experimented with light to create the biggest and scariest shadow possible—just like in the story The Gruffalo's Child! They then measured the shadows using cubes, developing both scientific enquiry and early mathematical skills in a fun and engaging way.
On Thursday, the classroom was filled with giggles and dramatic flair as the children roleplayed
The Gruffalo using character masks. Whether they were the brave little mouse or the fearsome Gruffalo, the children threw themselves into their roles with enthusiasm. It was a joy to see such confidence, creativity and understanding of story structure.
Friday was filled with awe and wonder as we visited Thomas Hardye School for a special science morning. The children were fascinated by a real chemical reaction that produced a large flame—just like a rocket taking off! They also explored how different chemicals can change the colour of fire, and had a blast making their own slime. These experiences encouraged hands-on investigation and introduced early concepts of chemistry in a fun and accessible way.
To celebrate the end of the half term, we hosted a Gruffalo-themed party on Friday afternoon. A HUGE thank you to all the parents who attended and to those who kindly brought in themed food—we were so impressed by the creativity and effort! The children sang beautifully, proudly showcased their artwork, wrote invitations to families and friends and of course enjoyed a spectacular tea party. It was a joyful celebration of all they’ve learned and accomplished this half term.
Going into the next half term
In Summer 2, Reception have lots of exciting adventures lined up! We’ll be soaring into a new topic all about Superheroes—both the imaginary kind and the real-life heroes who help us every day. Later in the term, we’ll explore our spectacular Jurassic Coastline, learning more about our local environment and history. Finally, we’ll spend time preparing for our next big adventure: Year 1! It’s going to be a wonderful way to finish the year.
Keep a look out for upcoming blogs as we are keen to get parents involved over the next half term where possible.
🌞 A Quick Reminder for Hot Weather
As the warmer weather approaches, we want to make sure all children are comfortable and safe during the school day. Please could we kindly ask that:
-
Children come to school wearing sun cream (applied at home before the day begins). We advise using the 8hr protection sun cream so children do not need to reapply.
-
They bring a named sunhat each day
-
They have a water bottle in school (clearly labelled with their name)
-
Footwear is suitable for outdoor play (no open-toe sandals please)
Thank you for your continued support in helping us keep the children happy, healthy and ready to learn. And hope you have all had a wonderful half term and we look forward to seeing you all back tomorrow.
Best wishes from Miss Godden and the Reception Team