Hi all,

We kick-started our first day back at school by learning all about Diwali!

We read ‘Dipal’s Diwali’ and discovered how much preparation some families make for Diwali, including cleaning the house, giving away unwanted toys and going shopping for supplies.

We looked at some beautiful clothes from India and even got to try some of them on! We watched some traditional Indian dances and tried to recreate some of the movements.  The children bravely stood on the stage in the garden and twirled and stomped to the beat in their sparkly and special clothes.  The speaker was on in the garden and we hope everyone heard our happy voices as we laughed and giggled while dancing.

We then found out more about beautiful Rangoli patterns and how the temples are decorated with pretty, bright colours.  The children then drew their own rangoli patterns onto the garden floor with colourful chalks.  Lots of children really took their time to create their patterns.  One child worked especially hard to draw an intricate rangoli pattern on the interactive whiteboard screen using the electronic pen.

Later this week, we will be making coconut burfi sweets and decorating our hands with henna.  If you have not spoken to a member of staff to grant or deny permission for your child to have mehndi patterns on their hands, please do so before Wednesday.  We will also be making clay diva lamps and finding out more about the story of Rama and Sita (one of Mrs Toms’ favourite stories ever!).

Keep up the good work wonderful Receptions!