Reception Welcome Derek the Pony

All Creatures Great and Small’ was our theme this week with visits from Derek the pony with Dr Walter and Mrs Rochford, a parent and local vet!

The children had a fantastic time riding Derek and finding out about pony care, diet and how to stay safe around horses. On Wednesday, Mrs Rochford brought in her vet’s kit and Ron Weasley (the Dachshund) and the children were involved in ‘diagnosing’ what was wrong with him, they then practised their bandaging skills on their own poorly teddies. Under the professional guidance of Mrs Rochford, they learned how to do a clinical examination and then looked at anatomy models for different animals. The role play vets practice in the classroom has become a hive of activity following her visit and the children have been undertaking some complicated procedures with the cuddly toys! It is wonderful to see the impact of her visit on the language the children are using in their independent learning time.

In other news, we have released our tadpoles and froglets back into the school pond and we are waiting very patiently for our chrysalides to open. Our sunflowers and poppies have started to grow, and we have a very healthy crop of pea shoots to add to our salad at lunchtime! It truly feels that spring is in the air!