Prep 1: Building Friendships and Teamwork!

Back
Blog Header Image
News ‐ 14th Oct

Prep 1 have made a fantastic start to the term, settling confidently into their new classes and routines. The children have embraced the changes with enthusiasm and positivity, and it has been a joy to see new friendships forming across the year group. 

Our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education lessons have focused on teamwork – one of our school’s five core values. Through games, discussions, and small group activities, children have been learning how to work together respectfully and support one another in shared goals. These sessions have helped to build a sense of community within the classroom, while also laying important foundations for social and emotional development. 

This focus has linked beautifully with our English learning, where we have been reading Meesha Makes Friends by Tom Percival. This thoughtful and beautifully illustrated book explores themes of friendship, understanding, and the challenges some children may face when trying to connect with others. Using this story as a starting point, the children have engaged in meaningful conversations about kindness, inclusion, and empathy. 

Through role-play, drawing, and writing activities, the children have been encouraged to reflect on what it means to be a good friend and how we can support each other both in and out of the classroom. This work not only supports literacy and language development but also nurtures emotional intelligence and confidence. 

Across both PSHE and English, there has been a strong emphasis on recognising and celebrating differences, understanding how to manage social situations, and practising kindness in everyday interactions. These are essential skills that contribute to the children’s overall wellbeing and help them thrive as members of a respectful, inclusive school community. 

By linking our curriculum learning with real-life experiences and social contexts, we are helping children to see the relevance of their learning and encouraging them to apply these lessons in meaningful ways. As we continue through the term, we will build on these early foundations, supporting the children to develop further resilience, creativity, and cooperation in all areas of their learning. 

Photos: A joyful moment from our English session – Prep 1R children built their own junk model “friend ", celebrating the qualities that make a friend special.

Mrs Roberston 

Head of Infants