Bells Brae Nursery

Galley Shed Visit

We were kindly invited to visit the Galley Shed prior to Up Helly Aa by the Committee. We got a tour of the galley shed, saw the finished galley and watched a video of Up Helly Aa last year. The children had the opportunity to hold a real viking torch which would then have been used by a guizer in the night time procession and thrown into the burning galley. They also got to steer the galley boat and sit in the Jarl’s chair.

Up Helly Aa Day – Outing to see the morning procession

On Up Helly Aa Day we walked from Nursery to watch the morning procession. We got to see the procession begin and saw the galley which we’d been so lucky to visit at the Galley shed the week before. We saw the whole Jarl Squad marching along the street, singing and cheering as they passed by with crowds lining the streets to watch.

Viking Visitors to Nursery

We were very lucky to have some members of the Jarl Squad come to visit us at Nursery in the afternoon on Up Helly Aa day. They kindly showed us their viking outfits and accessories and even let us try some of it out!

Up Helly Aa Crafts

During January the bairns had the opportunity to create viking crafts including their very own viking helmet and shield.

Up Helly Aa has remained a very popular interest with many of the children at Nursery, with groups often using various items as torches and cheering as they march around Nursery with their squad!

Week Beginning: 24th February 2025

Our story of the week is We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story being read by the author.

Our song of the week is The Bear Went Over the Mountain. Click on the link below to sing along to the song.

Our Signalong sign of the week is Now.

The pre-school children are enjoying weekly visits from Eleanor Hutcheon who is the Shetland UHI STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Outreach Co-ordinator. Eleanor is running workshops on Wednesday mornings in the General Purpose room in the school where the children have the opportunity to explore computational thinking through using Botley which is a programmable device. The children have used a remote control to enter a set of directional instructions in order to get Botley to move along a planned route. They have also learned that a set of instructions is called an algorithm.

The workshops are a great learning experience for the children as they are not only developing an understanding of computing science but also the ability to listen carefully to information and instructions. In addition, they are learning important maths skills relating to position and movement while also developing the ability to solve problems.

‘I love playing with Botley.’

‘Botley is a computer robot.’

‘You use the controller to tell Botley where to go.’

‘The green arrow is forwards.’

‘The blue and yellow arrows make Botley turn left or right.’

Week Beginning: 17th February 2025

Our story of the week is The Perfect Fit by Naomi Jones.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story being read by the author and illustrator.

Our song of the week is The Shapes Song. Click on the link below to sing along to the song.

Our Signalong sign of the week is More.

Week Beginning: 10th February 2025

Our story of the week is Incy Wincy Spider by Keith Chapman.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our rhyme of the week is I Have a Little Spider. Click on the link below to listen to the rhyme.

Our Signalong sign of the week is I/Me.

Week Beginning: 3rd February 2025

Our story of the week is How Many Legs? by Kes Gray.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our rhyme of the week is Show Me Five Fingers.

Show me 5 fingers,

Let me see.

Show me 4 fingers,

Touch your knee.

Show me 3 fingers,

Touch your nose.

Show me 2 fingers,

Touch your toes.

Show me 1 finger,

Let me see,

With this finger, point to me!

Our Signalong sign of the week is good.

Week Beginning: 27th January 2025

Our story of the week is The Viking Who Liked Icing by Lu Fraser.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our song of the week is Row, Row, Row Your Longship.

Row, row, row your longship,

Across the open sea.

Vikings, Vikings, Vikings, Vikings,

It’s a warrior’s life for me.

Our Signalong sign of the week is goodbye.

As you know we are planning to take all the nursery children to the street on Up Helly Aa morning, Tuesday 28^th January to see the Jarl Squad weather permitting.  We are aiming to leave just after 0900 on this morning so we ask that you arrive prompt at Nursery.  If your child is going to be absent we ask that you let our office staff know prior to this.  If your child has a waterproof suit/outdoor suit please wear this on the day.

Many thanks to those that have offered to help on the day.

Mrs Tait

Week Beginning: 20th January 2025

Our story of the week is The Dinky Donkey by Craig Smith.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our song of the week is Donkey, Donkey Don’t You Stop.

Donkey, Donkey don’t you stop

Just let your feet go clippety-clop!

Now let your ears go wiggle-waggle-wiggle!

Next let your nose go sniff, sniff, sniff!

Donkey, Donkey don’t you stop

Now let you tail go flip, flap, flop!

Next it’s time for Donkey’s lunch!

Hee-hee-haw!  Hee-hee-haw!

Munch and apple, crunch, crunch, crunch!

Our Signalong sign of the week is hello.