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We’re on the move.
Caution construction zone ahead!
Crew Frost have had a wonderful week exploring all areas of our provision! It has been lovely to see the children so engaged and independent in their play.
This week, many of the children have been particularly interested in developing their small world play, creating different homes and habitats for our animals. Through this, they have been using their imaginations brilliantly and building detailed role-play stories together. This strongly supports their Communication and Language development, as they listened to one another’s ideas, shared their own thoughts, and worked collaboratively to extend their play.
We have also seen fantastic examples of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, with children taking turns, negotiating roles, and working as a team to achieve a shared goal. It has been wonderful to watch their confidence grow as they solved problems together.
In addition, the children really impressed us with their critical thinking and perseverance while experimenting with balancing and manipulating different materials. This hands-on exploration links to both Physical Development(developing control and coordination) and Mathematics, as they explored concepts such as balance, size, and stability through trial and error.
These experiences reflect the EYFS Development Matters guidance by providing meaningful, play-based opportunities for children to think creatively, communicate effectively, and develop resilience.
Out door maths
Over the past few days, the children have thoroughly enjoyed exploring maths through our outdoor provision. Using our “fast maths eyes,” we have been identifying and talking about shapes we can see in the environment, developing our early numberical skills and deepening our understanding of shape in meaningful, real-life contexts.
The children have also been busy creating simple two-part repeating patterns using natural resources such as sticks, leaves, twigs and stones. This hands-on exploration supports the Mathematics area of learning, particularly by recognizing, continuing, and creating patterns, while also encouraging problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration.
Crew Frost have also been given opportunities to write numbers using chalk and other outdoor materials which has strengthened fine motor control and pencil grip. As the children formed numbers, we used fun phrases such as “around the tree, around the tree, that’s the way we make a three” to reinforce correct formation in an engaging and memorable way.
These experiences offer rich, practical, and play-based opportunities for Crew Frost to build strong foundations in number, shape, and pattern through active exploration.
Well done, Crew Frost — amazing mathematical thinking.
Sharing our Stories: 13/02/2026
Beautiful work this week
Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust!
To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.
Top of the Blogs
G30 Beautiful Work @ XP Gateshead
Chinese New Year Festival @ Norton Infants
An Unforgettable Ski Trip to Pila with Our School Students @ XP East
Magnificent Mathematical Treasure Hunt @ Norton Juniors
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
Reading Rewards
These four children have successfully completed our Willy Wonka reading challenge and have read 30 times this half term. Enjoy your rewards!
Academic Crew – personalised learning
Recently, during Academic Crew in Year 6 we have been showing independence, collaboration and hard thinking to help us get smart. During these sessions, we have our own learning target that we are focusing on. Some of us are improving our writing skills, some of us are becoming better readers and others are becoming better mathematicians. Last week, postcards were given to Rory, Tommy and Tiarna for their effort during this session. This week, postcards were given to Charlie, Ruby and Toby. Follow us to find out who will be next!
Rain, Rain Go Away
On rainy days, the mood within Crew White is a little melancholy. Going outside at break time, letting off some steam and doing some exercise is one of the best parts of the day for many children. Earlier this week, we didn’t let the rain stop us from having a well-earned brain break and we went into the hall to play bench ball.
Baking buns
Today in life skills the children got to bake some buns that they then added melted chocolate and jellies to the top.
P.E
Today in p.e they did an obstacle course where that had to use lots of balancing skills
We’re looking for Cleaners across XP Trust
We’ve got vacancies for cleaners across our Trust – visit xptrust.org/vacancies to find out more and #JoinOurCrew