We have loved exploring this special theme with the children. The concept of “real” Easter is quite a difficult one to teach the children as the story isn’t appropriate for our children just yet.

So instead we spent our time telling lots of tales of the Easter bunny and how he brings us the yummy chocolate eggs we eat at Easter time to remember the real meaning of Easter! He looks different to our children – depending on who you ask. Some think he is big like a man (typical of the Easter bunnies you see in malls at this time for photo opportunities) and he hops around the garden hiding eggs for a fun Easter egg hunt on Sunday morning! Other children have an idea that the Easter Bunny is a real bunny that “lays” Easter eggs. How cute?! We loved hearing the excitement in their voices when they spoke about the Easter eggs they are expecting and the happy, hopping bunny who brings them! Spending time with children all day makes us see the magic in all the small things, and the wonder in events that as adults we take for granted.

Another thing we spoke about this week was Autumn, as the weather has definitely taken a cold turn! Winter is well on the way and after a long, hot summer, it is very cute to see the children coming to school in jackets and beanies again. They look adorable. On that note parents, please make sure your child has an appropriate change of clothes in their bags for any accidents that may occur. In winter, sleeves get wet when children attempt to wash their hands but forget to pull up their sleeves and then having wet sleeves is very uncomfortable. Please add an extra long top, an extra jacket/jersey and an extra pair of socks – all labelled obviously. At this time of the year we experience a LOT of missing and lost property as children tend to undress themselves on the playground when they get warm while running around and then they leave it out there. At clean up time it is collected but if most of items are not marked, we simply can’t keep track of every child’s clothes. Please send us a beanie in the new term for use during play time.

As the leaves start turning even more, please take the opportunity to collect some from your garden and maybe do an artwork with your child during the holidays. We spoke about how, now that it’s colder, the leaves on the trees fall off and turn yellow orange and brown as the tree goes to “sleep” for the winter. Some trees stay green, and these trees are called “evergreen”. The oak trees on Great North road are a sight to be seen when all the leaves start changing colour. Keep an eye out and collect some differently shaped leaves, give your child a cereal box and some glue and let them create something for you. You will be amazed at what they are capable of!

 For our art activities this week, we made the most gorgeous, recycled plastic packet and magazine paper bunnies. The children each got a chance to stuff scrunched up paper into the packets, which we then turned into little bunnies.

We made beautiful Easter cards by water colour painting onto an egg drawn in white crayon to create a magic Easter egg for the front of our card.

We also made adorable little power paint dipped Easter decorations.

For Autumn art, we used our little fingers to fingerprint  falling Autumn leaves onto a tree, and then used glitter to decorate some bigger leaves and stick those around our Autumn tree.

Parents, thank you for a wonderful first term. Your children have grown up so much! They are becoming more independent and their personalities are shining through more every week! We are honoured to be their teachers!

Have a very blessed and happy Easter, and have a wonderful and restful holiday. If you are going away, please travel safely and enjoy yourselves, and come back rested and refreshed! Keep warm and germ free!

 This week’s secret question: How do you eat your marshmallow eggs?

1. Frozen
2. All the chocolate picked off first
3. Get in my face!!!!!
4. Nah, keep your marshmallow egg. Hehehe!

 School opens next term on 4^th May

Happy, Hoppy Children!