It was a lovely surprise for all of our children to see a transformation of our outdoor space when they returned

from their Easter holiday. The Mud Kitchen is our standout feature. Why? Not only is a kitchen a lovely familiar link to children's own 'home' setting, but this sort of familiar, secure play offers up lots of opportunities for cooperative play and interaction as well as a million other things. Also, the great thing about our mud kitchen is that it will develop with the children. It has got so much potential for many learning experiences that it is going to be a year-round asset to our outdoor space. It includes elements from indoor play cooking; experiences are hugely enriched through the special nature of being outside and the ability to mix soil, water and other natural materials. Children can see physical transformations and are encouraged to use their imagination to really build on their experiences and subsequently develop expression and language.

Children of all ages love to pretend, to role-play and to use their imagination. A child's imagination is an amazing thing -- especially when it's properly nurtured. As children grow, the ability to think creatively and use their imagination will help them learn and develop their talents. In our new environment, we encourage them to find their own way with mostly natural materials. There is only one rule: take care of our stuff and each other! Children create their own parameters for how they want to play and they naturally develop their collaboration and social skills as they facilitate the outdoor space. Heres a selection of photographs of them in action!

As well as role-playing, there are huge benefits to our childrens health. To be outdoors in all weathers, to be digging, raking, lifting and rolling are all good for their bodies!

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Above all else, children of all ages at Rosemary Works School are having fun, getting outdoors, interacting with each other and new friends and loving the new features outside and we havent finished! Throughout this term we will be adding to it gradually and developing the older children s space more.

Out door Space Th ank Yous

I would like to thank Magalie, Pam, Amrik, Adam, the Early Years team and everyone else who made months of planning turn into a reality over the Easter holiday. The play space is a wonderful addition to the many features we have at school and I look forward to seeing how it continues to grow and how the children use it. To see children from Big Playschool use the space for the very first time, press here to see a short video.

Donat ions Please

The older children are welcome to join the fun in the mud kitchen and surrounding spaces, but we do not have overalls or wellies for them. If you could please donate any that would be amazing. Please leave them with Ingrid or your childs class teacher. Also were always collecting recyclable card and paper. Dont leave it to the recycling collectors at home; bring it in for our children to upcycle!

Foc us for Next W eek

As school resumed midweek, we didnt have the usual artist, musician and stars of the week, but we did have an assembly and told the children that the focus for next week, with a chance to win a prize, is for showing respect and care for our lovely environment. Lets see wholl be in the photo and winners list this time next week!

Sch olastic Book Fair NEXT WEE K

Next Tuesday (29th) and Wednesday (30th) in the school hall, were running our regular book fair. This not only allows us free books for the school with all purchases made by parents, but it also has a 50% off books sale FOR TWO DAYS ONLY!! The fair is open after school on both evenings and you will also be able to buy books Wednesday morning too. A flyer should have gone home yesterday or today with more information, but if youd like to know even more, press here.

Nex t Years Teac her Appointme nts UPDATE

After spending Easter short listing the many candidates for the Year 1 and Year 3/4 teaching positions for next academic year, we will be interviewing five strong candidates next week and observing them teach. Student Voice children will also be giving me their feedback on what they thought of each of them and they will also be involved in the interview process. Things are looking very positive for next year, and we feel confident that were, again, spoilt for choice when selecting the perfect teachers for our school.

How tos on the Bl og

As requested from the Parents Network, the blog now features a section under the Parents tab with a selection of Howtos. This will be an ever-increasing resource, and you are very welcome to email me your suggestions for additional items you would like me to add. Press here to access the page.

Sum mer Fete 2014

Save the date for our summer fete! This year itll be on Saturday 12th July 2014 at school.

Me nu Changes
We discussed menu changes with the Parents Network and we have made some important tweaks to the menu. There is now more whole-wheat pasta and brown rice, more filling teas and lunch puddings and, most importantly, an alternative for the few discerning children we have. The menu cycle for next week is below and I have attached the whole cycle in an email to you, but we would like the children, in the main, to have the dish of the day. It is only when children absolutely do not like this option that they can choose the alternative option. This could be a plainer version of the same dish, a jacket potato or a sandwich. Teachers will be completing a lunch register each day to send down to the kitchen, so if you know your child does not like an upcoming meal, please let us know so we can provide a satisfactory alternative for them, This menu is subject to last minute change (if suppliers let us down) and to further minor tweaks. In both instances, you will be informed at the earliest opportunity of these changes.
Alternative Option Sandwich selection Plain omelette or sandwich selection Sandwich selection Jacket potato or sandwich selection Sandwich selection Salad Selection Mixed salad Mixed salad

Week 2 Monday Tuesday

Dish of the Day Pesto pasta Cheese omelette Jacket Potato with choice of: cheese, beans, flaked salmon, cauliflower cheese or chilli Veggie Curry Wholewheat Pasta bolognaise

Vegetables/Sides Green beans & broccoli Baked beans & sauted potatoes

Dessert Fresh fruit Jam Sponge

Tea Beans on toast & flapjack Minestrone soup & fruit with yoghurt Tomato bake & flapjack Cheese on toast & apple crumble Tomato pasta & fresh fruit

Wednesday

Guacamole

Mixed salad

Yoghurt

Thursday Friday

Brown rice and peas Sweetcorn

Mixed salad Mixed salad

Fresh fruit Rice pudding

The sandwich selection is a choice of: Egg Mayo, Cheese or Tuna Mayo to order. A more plain option can be made available should you child not like dairy products. Children will need to tell their class teacher at registration which theyd prefer and remember their selection for lunchtime. We will always have baked potat oes available if children do not wish to have the dish of the day nor the alternative option.

For Your Diary

Mapping out the rest of the academic year so you can book time off to not miss a thing!

5th May ..................................................................................... Early May Bank Holiday (SCHOOL CLOSED)

WB 12th May ..................................................................................... Science Week 19th May ............................................................................................ Summer Recital 10:10am 26th May 30th May ......................................................................... Half Term (NURSERY & PLAY SCHEME OPEN) 17th June ........................................................................................... Sports Day WB 23rd June..................................................................................... Parent/Teacher Consultation Week 8th July................................................................................................ Summer Show 3pm 9th July................................................................................................ Summer Show 3pm 12th July ............................................................................................. Summer Fete 17th July ............................................................................................. Last Day of Term (Picnic in the Park) 18th July ............................................................................................. Teacher INSET + Play Scheme + Nursery OPEN