Term 2, 2026-27

Dear Parents and Carers, 

As we begin a new term, we would like to share some of the wonderful developments in our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) journey. 

In Term 1 it has been fantastic to see children making the most of the growing range of play opportunities available at play times. Whether building dens from cardboard boxes, creating imaginative role-play scenarios, exploring loose parts, dressing up, being creative with art materials children have shown incredible creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of OPAL is seeing children of playing together, developing friendships and learning important life skills such as communication, resilience, cooperation and independence. The enthusiasm and engagement from the children have been wonderful to witness. 

Looking Ahead to Winter 

As we move into the colder and wetter months, outdoor play remains an important part of our day. We are committed to ensuring children continue to benefit from active, adventurous play throughout the year in line with OPAL ethos. 

To help children fully enjoy these opportunities, we would encourage you to consider practical clothing and footwear for your child. Children are much more likely to join in confidently when they are dressed appropriately for the weather. 

We recommend:

• Named Warm, water resistant coats with hoods.
• Suitable BLACK trainers – not the ones with breathable mesh as this lets in water.
• Layers such as school jumpers or fleeces
• Named Hats and gloves on colder days
• Black joggers or warm leggings

Please remember that some play activities can be muddy and messy.

This is often where the best learning happens!

How You Can Help

As always, we are very grateful for donations of materials that can be repurposed for creative and imaginative play. If you are having a clear out or have access to spare resources, we would particularly welcome:

Construction and Loose Parts

• Plastic guttering
• Pipes and tubing
• Buckets
• Crates
• Large reels/spools
• Pots, pans and kitchen utensils
• Child gardening gloves

Role Play

• Toy food
• Handbags
• Old telephones or keyboards

Creative Materials

• Wool
• Cardboard
• Coloured card
• Sewing equipment
• Fabric offcuts
• Craft materials

Please put any donations into our OPAL bins situated near the office and top entrance. If it is smaller items you can also drop to the office.

This term Broadstairs College Forest School students will be clearing an area on KS1 playground to develop our mud kitchen zone. The Broadstairs college woodwork department will be making the mud kitchen furniture and a whole host of other exciting things for OPAL. We are very grateful for their support. The college are always looking for wood to use for these sorts of projects, so if you have any connections or able to donate some wood do let Mrs Frith know (afrith@cliftonvilleprimary.co.uk) so we can coordinate with the college to drop off wood and on future projects needed for OPAL.

Thank you for supporting our OPAL journey. Your donations, encouragement and enthusiasm have helped us create a richer play environment where children can thrive. We are excited to continue developing our outdoor provision next term and look forward to sharing even more play opportunities with the children.

Term 1, 2026-27

We are delighted to have started on our OPAL journey and hope that you have heard from your children about some of the things they have been up to at playtime. 

Over the summer staff created two calm sheds with craft activities, books and beanbags to relax on. A stage was built in the KS2 playground, which will also have music and dressing up to use. Lots of toys have been donated so the children are enjoying having Barbies, small world, puppets and lots more to play with.

This term we have created a sandpit with donations from Mountfield pallets and Watling tyres. We will be introducing the sandpit to the children in our OPAL assembly and then will be available to play in later this term. 

Lego trays are in both playgrounds which are proving popular.  

A pupil leader team of year 5 and 6 children have been appointed as play leaders, and will be helping implement OPAL at playtimes, sharing ideas, organising tidy up time and much more. They are looking forward to their Hi-vis jackets arriving! 

We have lots more plans in the pipeline for the coming year. OPAL donation bins are located near the school gates. If you have any of the below, we would be grateful for you dropping them off into the bins. 

• Pots and pans 
• Sieves 
• Buckets and spades 
• Cardboard boxes 

If you are able to help with donation or collection of tyres which we continue to need for further projects or indeed in any way that you think maybe of use, please email office@cliftonvilleprimary.co.uk or see Mrs Frith on the Year R door/gate before and after school. 

Thank you for your continued support

The OPAL Play Team