This week...

Everything was going so well this week…the sun was shining and we were loving being warm and in the garden, then Wednesday arrived along with the rain! Never mind it saved us having to water the garden!

I must say the garden is looking spectacular. All the seeds we lovingly planted have germinated and are growing well. This week we have started to send home the childrens sunflower plants. Please encourage your child to look after them and then send us a picture when they have bloomed. We will have a little competition to see which sunflower is the tallest! No pressure!

Emma’s blog

Hello everyone,

I can't believe how fast this half term has gone. You know what they say, time goes fast when you are having fun and that's exactly what we have been doing.

Here's what we have been up to.

Mr Murray has had us working our legs in a running race, ready for Sports Day. The children were put into teams and had to compete with each other (without wandering into another teams running lane!). It was made tricky as Mr Murray changed the movements to include hopping, jumping, galloping and finally, running backwards (this was really tricky). The children really enjoyed it and are getting very excited for Sports Day. 

Everyone has been busy being bug detectives in the garden. As our garden is growing, the children are starting to notice that the bugs are enjoying our garden too.

We have been very brave, picking them up to explore them in more detail. We can't wait to see what we can find when the garden has fully grown. Here is a bug matching game for you try at home. Click here. Enjoy!

It's show time! The children have been busy putting a show on for their friends. They have been dressing up, dancing, telling jokes and singing too. It has been fantastic to see how the children's confidence has grown. The nursery ladies really enjoyed it too. 

As the worms in our wormery have had babies, we have made our own little baby worms out of string for our wormery display. I measured the children's and nursery ladies little fingers, cut the string to that size, before sticking them up onto the wall. We played a size ordering game. The children had to work out the order from longest to shortest. We noticed that some of the strings were the same size. Although we have had a wonderful time exploring our wormery, it’s time to put the worms back into our garden so the babies can grow.

Have a wonderful 2 weeks off and I can't wait to hear what you've all been up to. Have lots of fun. 

Emma

Michelle’s blog

Hello and welcome to this week’s blog.

This week has been super busy and I can’t believe we only have one half term left of this school year.

This week we have had lots of practising for Sports Day. We have been kept very active in PE, as we tried really hard with our throwing and catching. We have also had some practice on the field, running in races.

We have also been practising our writing, trying to remember to use our ‘duck fingers’ also known as a tripod grip, with lots of name writing this week.

Every day in May we are keeping a tally of how we get to school, as we hope to help the environment by walking, cycling or scooting to school. Please join in with this if you can, as good habits started now will hopefully last a lifetime.

Michelle

Worship

As you will know we have been learning about Mary and the Rosary. We have all made our own Rosary and made Rosary pictures as our nursery devotion to Mary. We have also created a small shrine dedicated to Our Lady and each day we have said the Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be.

We have also visited the school worship area to pray and Mrs Gregan has been joining us.

Jim Jam Jog

Your sponsor forms have been out going out for our annual JIM JAM JOG - a firm fixture on the school’s calendar. Every Summer, 240 children, staff and parents come dressed in their pjs ready to run as many times around the school field as possible. The funds raised always go towards the development of the school; this year that is our outside area and break time equipment. This year, it will take place on Monday 17th June at 8am.

In addition, this year we wanted to help another cause. It is very important that our children are aware of their community and causes that are close to them and us. There have been a number of significant events that have really made us stop this year and reflect. We hope that this summer, we can raise money for them both.

On 15th September 2023, we lost a very dear former pupil of ours, Harrison Bretheron. In a couple of week’s time, the family and friends of Harrison will be running his 22nd mile. Harrison never made it to 22 years of age; this is their tribute to him. All money raised from the run will be donated between Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and The Firefighter’s Charity; both of which have supported many of our current and former families. So far, they have raised over £15,000 - it is remarkable. We want to do our bit as well. Please support this event as much as you can - get your pjs ready!

We will be hosting a second charity towards the end of the year which our Year 5 children will tell us all about in a few week’s time.

Sports Day

Foundation Sports Day is being held on Tuesday 18th June at 2.00pm. All children are invited to attend this event. If it is not your childs usual day/session they are most welcome to join but they must be in nursery no later than 1.45 pm wearing shorts and trainers.

Things to do in the holidays

Butterfly spotter
Sounds of Nature
Gardens Spotter
Woodland Spotter
woodland wander leaf checklist

Purple Mash

Don’t forget there are lots of exciting learning opportunities on Purple Mash! Check to see what there is to do.

Story time

How to catch a rainbow. Click here.

Finally, I have just one thing to say…have the most wonderful half term holiday and may God send us the sunshine.

Keep safe and I will see everyone on the 10th June.

God Bless

Barbara

Year 3 Homework- Tuesday 21st May

Spellings

This weeks focus is common exception words
Spelling quiz will be on the first Monday back after half term.

Don’t forget spelling quizzes can be accessed online on Purple Mash each week.

  1. difficult

  2. famous

  3. extreme

  4. guide

  5. heart

  6. history

  7. minute

  8. popular

  9. natural

  10. believe

Reading
Just one week left to work towards reading targets. I am so pleased with the progress the children have made so far - I think this may be the best half term with had with our reading this year. After half term the children will complete the star reading assessments again and their book levels and reading targets will be reviewed. Keep going Year 3…You are amazing!

Summer Term Optional Homework

As mentioned on Mrs Gregan’s weekly blog, the Summer term sees us launch our new Home Learning Policy. Below is a link to this half terms home learning tasks.

Summer Term Homework Tasks





Year 5 Weekly Blog 17.05.24- 'Punishment is not for revenge but to lessen the crime and reform the criminal'

What a week it has been! Monday through to Wednesday was just our usual working week with lots of English and Maths making up the majority, with us squeezing in our final crime and punishment lessons before Thursday’s trip.

As you may of heard, Thursday saw us take a trip to Lancaster to visit both the castle and the police museum. It really did feel like taking a trip through history with the castle being an old 15th century prison and the museum being a more modern 20th century prison. Due to some of the courts still being active in the castle, we were not allowed to take photos but we did manage to get some inside the museum.

We finished the week in a very vibrant way with everyone in green to celebrate ‘Green Day’, in order to raise money for our eco budget and to find more ways to support and grow our environment. Photos are available over on the eco/play blog.

Due to popular demand and with the presence of Miss Liddell (Speech and Language specialist) on our school trip, we used our class council time as an opportunity to learn a new language- sign language. The children were instantly hooked in the idea of learning a new diverse language and have focused on the alphabet, numbers 1-12 and personal statements such as hair/eye colour and names.

What have we been learning this week?

English- After starting our new topic of non fiction texts, we looked at the feature of an article and techniques that reporters/publishers use to hook their reader in.

Maths- Lots and lots of scaling up/down this week, especially with this being such a common skill used in Year 6. This has been used across both of our units with us needing to do this to find percentage of amounts (especially 10%) and also to convert between units.

French- It has been all things family in French these past few weeks. We looked at some basic family statements for us to practice and then created a basic french family tree. The children then had a go at drawing their own family tree- from siblings all the way up to great grandparents.


Deeper thinking questions

Every week now, we would like children to explore their weekly learning at home by discussing interesting questions with family members. This may be at the table during dinner, before bedtime or when out for a walk. However you choose to discuss these questions is up to you but this may give you more of an insight into what we have been learning in class.

What was you favourite part of the Lancaster Castle tour?

Which was your favourite room in the police museum and why?

Can you tell your parents your name in British Sign Language?


Let’s Celebrate

  • Esther for being an enthusiastic learner- You have shown such intuitiveness and interest during our history topic this half term. You really took in all of the information that was delivered on our school trip and I could tell that you found this information both useful and exciting. You deepened your knowledge even further by asking lots of curious questions throughout the day.


  • Sophia for being a reflective learner- Reflecting on feedback is such as vital skill in Year 5, especially when it comes to tricky methods in maths or constant use of grammar but you always reflect on this. You never underestimate the power of the purple pen and understand its importance. Your ever present perfect behaviour out on the playground also shows me that you reflect on what I share during council sessions.



  • Virtue Butterflies- Our virtues for this half term are learned and wise. Our butterfly goes to Layla. I love the way you have been playing this week with lots of different people. Your variety of play and your bubbly energy really make you a brilliant playtime partner.


    Lunchtime Certificates

    • Marvellous Manners- Erin

    • Role Model of the Week- Luke

Notices

  • Homework- Can all children make sure that they are practicing their spellings and making sure their homework books are back in on Thursdays.


  • Thursday 23rd May Eco afternoon- Fraizer from Fylde Rangers will be joining the class this upcoming week for a big project in the environmental garden. Children are to wear jogging bottoms and long sleeve clothing to protect themselves from nettles.

  • Thursday 23rd May food tasting- The children will be making their spaghetti boloneise this week in food technology. The children will have the opportunity to eat their final dishes and to try other children’s. If you have any queries about this and would not like your child to take part then please let me know.


  • Half Term- School to close for half on Friday 24th May at normal time. School will reopen on Monday 10th June.


  • Tuesday 11th June Sports Day- This will be the second day back after half term so feel free to practice the events over half term. The events and set up will be identical to last year- starting at 1:30-3:00.


  • Friday 14th June Swimming Gala- Due to our longer half term and availability at the YMCA pools, we won’t be able to host a trails morning to take race times in order to pick our swimmers for the gala. Therefore, the children who have registered an interest in taking part are to record their own times for freestyle (front crawl), backstroke and breaststroke. It will just be one length of a regular sized swimming pool (25m). Please can a parent or guardian record these times and then let me know their time either via email or written down and brought into school. Ideally, can these times be completed before half term but anytime over half term is great- allowing us to collect everyone’s times and choose who will be competing.


  • Monday 17th June Jim Jam Jog- Sponsorship forms have gone out to all children. Get fundraising for a brilliant cause. Money to be brought in on Jim Jam Jog Day.


  • Music Wider Opportunities- For the past year, your child has learnt a musical instrument as part of the Wider Opportunity Scheme in school. For our Year 4 children it has been the flute, and for Year 5, the clarinet. As your child progresses to their next class, there will be the opportunity for them to continue to learn the instrument that they have learnt this year, in small groups, if they choose to do so. If your child wants to continue, there will be a cost to these sessions. That will be worked out once we know how many children want to continue their instruments into the next year. 

    Please complete the form below as an expression of interest.

Music- wIDER Opportunites in Year 6

Year 1 Homework 17.5.24

Reading

Please continue to read regularly at home and sign the challenge boxes, just a reminder it is one box per day.

Phonics

I have made every child a phonics pack, please use it over the weekend and over the half term holidays. The work you do at home makes a huge difference and we can tell when you have worked at home. Two weeks is a long time so please try and fit it is as much as possible, it only needs to be a few mins per day. You can take the pack on holiday and the RWI videos are great to watch. This is the only homework I would like you to focus on as it is our priority over the next few weeks.

Below is a copy of the letter that is in your phonics pack:

In this pack there are a selection of flashcards and games to help practise our phonics reading skills. Please can you practise this at home, as we are off for two weeks it is really important that we continue our phonics during the holidays as the Phonics Screening will take place from Monday 10th June to Friday 14th June. Please note these screenings will take place over the week, so please continue to practise during the week, we are back at school. I will let you know when you child has completed their screening, but I cannot give results as the score threshold may change. You will find out if your child has passed or will retake in year two in their report. If there is anything your child needs to focus on, I will write it on the pack and I have put specific sound sheets in so you can practise these at home.

 

When reading these words it is important we are accurate not speedy, I know for RWI we have been focusing on being speedy readers to move up in groups.

The Phonics screening is about accuracy, we have been practising in class please can you follow this at home, the children will know what to do:

 Scanning for the special friends

Fred talk

Read the word

During the screening I can’t prompt them so it is best they get in the habit of the above. By practising they will do it automatically.

If you have any questions about the phonics screening please email me.

Ask your child which sounds they have been learning this week, you can watch the videos to practise at home.

Help your child at home
Set 1
Set 2
Set 3
Set 2 pinny time
Set 3 Pinny time
Speeding up word reading Purple
Speeding up Word reading pink
Speeding up Word reading Orange
Speeding up Word reading yellow
Speeding up word reading blue
Speeding up word reading Grey
Word Time

Have a lovely weekend

Miss Drummond

Year 3 Weekly Blog 17th May - The Earth is God's gift to us, it's full of beauty and wonder - Pope Francis

Hugo, Lettie and Mia-Grace led class worship outside this on Wednesday. It’s lovely to be able to get outside with the better weather. We listened to them read Fire from Heavens Acts 2 and sang My Lighthouse and Mary did you know. Our word of the week has been “care” we have spoken about how we care and what and who we care for.
In RE we have read about St Paul and his journey to Damascus that changed his life.

Read more

A busy week in the garden!

This week, the children have been extra busy! We have started to transfer the plants into the raised beds, planted our final batch of potatoes and have added carrots. The allotment area is certainly starting to take shape and we can.t wait to taste the fruit and vegetables, when they are ready.

Year 5 Homework 17.05.24

Homework will look slightly differently from now on, with us offering optional homework across the half term aimed at accessing the wider curriculum, engaging in fun and active tasks and to share your learning with your parents. Compulsory homework will still be live which will consist of:

  • Spellings

  • SPAG

  • Reading

  • Times Tables

The optional homework will have no deadline with this being optional but this can be documented/evidenced in a separate homework book marked ‘Learning Journal’.

Compulsory Homework

Spellings

  1. mischievous

  2. muscle

  3. necessary

  4. neighbour

  5. nuisance

  6. occupy

  7. occur

  8. opportunity

  9. parliament

  10. persuade

  11. physical

  12. prejudice

SPAG

The weekly SPAG sheet consisting of 10 questions has been stuck into the children’s homework books ready to complete.

Times Tables

Congratulations if you have ‘Gone Green’ on TTRS. Many of you are so close to getting green so keep practicing. If you are already green, focus on getting your time down to under one second- you know what the score to beat is! Check the new TTRS scoreboard just outside the create room.

Reading

We have really upped our reading this half term, with some children in the millionaire club, some doubling their word count for the year and lots of others making really good progress.

This week...

A lovely week. We have spent most mornings learning alongside Reception and we have really enjoyed it! It was lovely to catch up with friends that we made last year and also brothers and sisters. A true learning community.

Emma’s blog

Hello everyone, 

The weather has been wet this week but it hasn't stopped us having a fun packed week of learning. 

On Monday, Mr Nays PE class was brilliant. He taught the children how to play cricket! One team of fielders and the other team ‘throwers’ of the ball. We had to run around the a set cones before the fielders retrieved the ball. It was a very competitive but in the end it was a draw.

The children have been busy decorating their t-shirts for Sports Day, we can't wait for you to see our designs, they all look fantastic.

The children have been practicing writing sounds using the sound rhymes to help them to form the letters. It's lovely seeing the children having a go, just like Tommy Turtle. 

We have some very exciting news about our wormery. They have been working hard turning their food into compost, but also, they have had babies! The children have been investigating with magnifying glasses, watching the tiny worms move in the soil. It’s all very exciting.

This week we have been rhyming words. We had a rhyme bag with lots of different rhyming objects, the children had to work out the rhyming objects. It was a bit tricky. We used things like cat and bat, fish and dish. We also played a rhyming game on the computer. The children have asked for it to go on the blog, so here it is. Have fun rhyming. Click here. 

I can't believe we only have one week left before we break up for May half term.

Have a wonderful weekend. 

Emma 

Michelle’s blog

Hello everyone and welcome to this week’s blog.

This week has been a little different as we have been able to spend some time with our friends in Reception. We did impress Mr. Nay and Mr. Murray in PE this week , as we played a team game practising our throwing and running skills.

Its been a very active week this week with lots of outside activities. We have really enjoyed going on the trim trail this week, and being very adventurous as we climb, but always keeping safe as we do it.

We have been lucky with the weather and have enjoyed outside picnics every day. We even had a picnic in the castle.

Thank you for sending in your t shirts for Sport Day. We are looking forward to showing you all our kills we have been learning and practising hard.

Have a lovely weekend everyone and we will see you next week.

Michelle

A big thank you to everyone who managed to pop in to see us on Tuesday after school. It is always lovely to see you and share your child’s achievements.

A gentle reminder to to send in a plain white t shirt to decorate in readiness for Sports Day (18th June at 2.00 pm).

Jim Jam Jog

On Monday, sponsor forms went out going out for our annual JIM JAM JOG - a firm fixture on the school’s calendar. Every Summer, 240 children, staff and parents come dressed in their pjs ready to run as many times around the school field as possible. The funds raised always go towards the development of the school; this year that is our outside area and break time equipment. This year, it will take place on Monday 17th June at 8am.

In addition, this year we wanted to help another cause. It is very important that our children are aware of their community and causes that are close to them and us. There have been a number of significant events that have really made us stop this year and reflect. We hope that this summer, we can raise money for them both.

On 15th September 2023, we lost a very dear former pupil of ours, Harrison Bretheron. In a couple of week’s time, the family and friends of Harrison will be running his 22nd mile. Harrison never made it to 22 years of age; this is their tribute to him. All money raised from the run will be donated between Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and The Firefighter’s Charity; both of which have supported many of our current and former families. So far, they have raised over £15,000 - it is remarkable. We want to do our bit as well. Please support this event as much as you can - get your pjs ready!

We will be hosting a second charity towards the end of the year which our Year 5 children will tell us all about in a few week’s time.

Ideas for the weekend!

If you happen to be at a loose end this weekend here are some ideas to do as a family.

Coastal Spotter
Make time for Nature
Wild Flower Spotters GUIDE

Sound Starters Game

If it’s raining and you can’t get out and about here’s a fun (noisy) game to play indoors.

Click any of the yellow bubbles on the game to hear a random sound. Some are real sounds and others are funny sound effects. Some start off quietly and gradually get louder, some are long and some are short so there’s lots to talk about. Click here.

Phonics learning opportunities

To develop listening skills.

To describe sounds and talk about the differences between them.

To know a range of words that can be used to describe sounds.

Have fun!

Whatever the weather, enjoy just being together with loved ones.

God Bless

Barbara