Come to the manger..

It has been such a wonderful week in nursery as we have travelled to the manger to greet baby Jesus.

I am sure you will agree that the childrens portrayal of the the birth of Christ was truly magical. Each year when I watch the children perform the Christmas Nativity I am overwhelmed by their joy and happiness. You should be very proud…we are!

Even though we have been so very busy with the Nativity this week we still have had time to doing our learning! We are so exhausted!

We have played ‘what number’ Christmas hook a duck -great fun

How many baubles can you balance on a Christmas plate?

We have decorated the Christmas tree!

Played a tricky Christmas pattern game, see if you can have a go at home, click here

Make my shape Numberblocks

Capacity and counting at the Supermarket

and our favourite…number shapes using Numicon (we have a new number shape, 6)

Worship

This week in Worship we have continued our ‘Prophecy and Promise’ topic. Our key words were MANGER, ANGEL and SHEPHERD.

We watched a different video telling the wonderful story of the journey Mary and Joseph took and the birth of Jesus. We are so good at re telling the story – especially as this week we re told the story for our grown ups in our Nativity performance.

We had to decide if some statements were true or false by showing a thumbs up or down. Why not have a go at home:

Jesus was born in a hospital

Mary laid Jesus in a manger

Angels told the shepherds about Jesus

The shepherds stayed in their field

Maybe you could come up with some new ones of your own!

Our child led worship this week was all about the three kings. They saw a big star in the sky and we thought about the questions: ‘What could it be?’ and ‘What did it tell the kings?’.

We added our three kings to our display in the classroom and listened to the hymn ‘We three kings of Orient are’. The display is looking great – maybe next week we will make a donkey and some camels!

You will have noticed that we have not sent home the children’s white t-shirts We are going to keep hold of them so in the Summer the children can decorate them in readiness for Sports Day. If this is problem please do let me know.

Walking Nativity

On Friday we joined the whole school and some parents to take part in a walking Nativity. The story began at the Year 6 classroom and then led us all the way to the chapel, where we sang carols and said prayers. It was such a lovely event to be part of…and Mary rode a real donkey!!

Later on in the day we visited the stable again! We read the story ‘Room for a little one’. It was truly magical.

Take a look at the photos!

Spare clothes

This is a huge plea for spare clothes. We have no longer got any spare socks, underpants/knickers, boys joggers/trousers, leggings…in fact everything! Also, if your child has been sent home in any nursery items would you please send them back in. Thank you.

Don’t forget…Family Mass at church is this Sunday. Please try and come along, we would love to see you.

Have a fabulous weekend and I will see to all on Monday

Stay safe and God bless

Barbara

Year 6 Home Learning 5.12.25

Homework is to be completed and brought back to school next Thursday.

Read- Read as much as you can this week- let’s get quizzing and get to target by half term!

Maths- Please keep going on TT Rockstars- 5 minutes every night!

Reading- Keep reading as much as you can- we are on biography unit now so would be great to see you reading some more biographies!

Christmas song practice

The big focus this week for homework in ensuring that all of us know our lines for the concert and we keep practising the following songs below, so we know all the words off by heart. The french ‘silent night’ Year 6 only need to learn verse 1 and 3 off by heart.


Year 3 Homework- To be handed in Tuesday 9th December



Spellings

This week we are focusing on words ending in ‘ture’


1. mixture
2. sculpture
3. picture
4.nature
5.scripture
6.departure
7.creature
8.temperature
9.fixture
10. adventure

Maths - Please complete the questions in your homework book.

Reading
Only 3 weeks left of this half term - will you reach your reading target?

Christmas songs practice

Every year, our wonderful KS2 children prepare a carol service in church for the community. The service is full of prayer, scripture and song - it really is a special afternoon and evening. The children have been practising the songs in school and have all been given a song booklet so that they can pratise along with our recorded videos at home.


Autumn 2 Optional homework

Autumn 2 Optional Homework





Year 5 Weekly Blog 28.11.25- 'Advent is a time for waiting for the Lord, who will visit us in all of our hearts'

In preparation for the beginning of Advent, we have been looking at the joyful mysteries of Jesus (can you remember these 5 in chronological order?). We turned the classroom into a scavenger hunt in order to find these key descriptions. We have also made our advent promises along with Christmas cards for our library- the Christmas spirit is really starting to come alive in Year 5.

In Maths, we have been working super hard with multiplying 2 digit by 1 digit numbers, using a variety of written methods. We have focused our learning on short multiplication as it is the most efficient choice of jotting. We have been practicing regrouping in different place value columns and using these methods to solve word problems. In English, we have finished planning our first news article- reporting on Peter’s first battle in Narnia! Due to nativity practices taking place all throughout the week, our PE lesson was moved to the classroom in which we took part in some class activities including ‘clapball’ and ‘don’t break the chain’. We also took a trip to see our Year 1 partners to share our pop up books, which have been created over the half term.

Conversation Starters

In RHE this week, we have had some personal and mature conversations about how our bodies are going to change over the next couple of years. As we know, these conversations are often awkward and embarrassing but very important to open up about so please make sure to ask your trusted adults any questions or worries that you may have.

Riddle of the Week

I have a head and a tail but no body.

What am I?

Let’s Celebrate

Virtue Star of the Week: Our virtues for this half term are faith-filled and hopeful. Our winner this week goes to Lettie. You are always offering a helping hand Lettie to both your classmates and teachers. You thrive in your positions of responsibility and I am so hopeful in you carrying these tasks out in the best of your ability.

Learner of the Week: This week, our learner of the week goes to George for being an reflective and enthusiastic learner. You have really thrown yourself into our English unit this half term George. I loved how you have you applied our previously learnt descriptive skills and new grammar skills into our article writing. I can’t wait to see your finished articles over the next few weeks.

Notices

  • Homework- Please check the homework blog for your child’ weekly homework, including the deadline date.

  • Travelling Nativity has started to go home so please use this as a special time to connect with Jesus and to get you in the Christmas spirit! This will need to be brought back in the following school day.

  • The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Parental Guidance- We are currently reading this book as our class novel. We are due to finish the book just before Christmas and are hoping to watch the film during Christmas memory week. If you have any queries or issues about your child watching this film, please email me. If no emails are received, I will take this as a yes to your child being okay to watch the film.

  • Thursday 4th December- We will be having an own clothes day in order to raise funds for our Christmas raffle. Instead of bringing £1, could all children bring in a bottle of something, which will be a part of the raffle. This can be juice, alcohol, bubble baths, shampoo etc

  • Christmas Bake Off- This will be returning on Friday 12th December. I can’t wait to see (and mainly taste) your chocolatey crimbo creations!

  • We have began to prepare for our KS2 Christmas Carol Concert which is taking place on Tuesday 16th December. Song lyrics and recordings of our songs are on the homework blog for you to practice.

Year 3 Weekly Blog Friday 28th November -"Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern." - Mother Teresa

This week, Year 3 have been getting ready for Advent. We thought about how Advent is a special time of waiting and preparing our hearts for Jesus. Each child created a colourful handprint and wrote a personal Advent promise on it—something kind, thoughtful or helpful they want to focus on over the next few weeks. These look beautiful on our classroom display and remind us daily of the true meaning of the season.

Read more

Year 1 Weekly Blog 28.11.25 - "Advent is like a springtime, when everything is renewed and is so fresh and healthy." - Mother Teresa

This week in RE our focus has been on angels, we have discovered that they are messengers sent by God. We have studied art work and the children led a wonderful discussion about what they thought angels look like. We listened to a piece of scripture about the shepherds who were visited by an angel who gave them a message about the birth of Jesus. God wanted all people to know about the birth of His Son, not just the rich. Our prayer and liturgy has been very special because we have been thinking all about Advent. The children are so excited and we have reflected on how we can prepare ourselves and grow closer to Jesus during Advent. The children have all made their Advent promises which will go on display in the entrance of school.

Today we have sadly said goodbye to our wonderful student teacher, Miss Edwards who has been with us for the past 6 weeks. Miss Edwards has developed lovely relationships with all of the children and has been a delight to work alongside! We will all miss her lots, and we hope that our paths will cross again! We wish you all the very best on your next placement and throughout the rest of your PGCE year!

Going deeper in conversation

Question to ask: Why have we made Advent promises? Why is it important for us to prepare during Advent?

Magic moments

All the children have been SO excited to get on the stage and rehearse for the Nativity. All the children have now had a session practising in the hall for their special dance within the Nativity. It has been such a joy to see the absolute joy and excitement on their faces! They are all super confident and are singing each song so clearly!

Let’s celebrate

A huge well done to Harry, who has been a curious and inquisitive learner this week. Harry, your curious attitude towards our learning has helped you to take big steps this half term. You have looked at ‘problems’ with an inquisitive mindset, which has allowed you to spot patterns and solve the problems whilst confidently articulating your reasons. This is a tremendous way to grow your brain! Well done Harry!

A huge well done to Summer who has been awarded the Star virtue this week. Summer throughout our Math’s lessons you have shown yourself to be a learning partner that others can have faith in. Faith that you will show them patience, kindness and respect. Creating an environment and partnership such as this, gives others the confidence to be brave and have a go. Thank you for bringing such an important virtue and quality into our learning environment. Well done Summer!

Reminders

Hot snack menu - The order form is on Mrs Gregan’s blog, if you would like to order any hot snacks for your child this coming week. Please complete your orders ASAP (before Monday).

Own clothes day: Thursday 4th December we have own clothes day again, this time we are asking for bottle donations to go in our Christmas hampers.


Nativity: Our Nativity is on 10th and 11th December at 9:30. We cannot wait for you to see the children on the stage retelling the Christmas story.

Our Lady’s Great Christmas Bake Off: This was a great success last year and will be held again this year on Friday 12th December.

Forest school: Sadly our take over day had to be postponed due to high winds, once a new date has been arranged we will share this with you!

Emails:

c.bassett@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

s.hartley@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

Have a lovely weekend!

Year 5 Homework- Due Thursday 4th December

Compulsory Homework

Reading

Only a couple of weeks left to hit your reading target- lets aim for at least 20 minutes of reading per day. You will be amazed by how much you can read in a week if you stick to this routine.

English

We have today been learning about relative clauses and how these add information to our sentences. They all start with relative pronouns (who, whose, whom, which and that). Complete the sheet and highlight the different clauses in the sentences and circle the relative pronoun in each sentence.

Maths

The children have got 2 sheets to complete in their homework books.

  1. Multiplying 2 digit by 1 digit numbers using short multiplication

Spellings

We have changed our spelling practice lessons in school to focus more on retrieval spellings- especially our high frequency and common words.

Practice writing these words three times on the line in your BEST handwriting. Make sure to complete lots of mini spelling tests in preparation for our weekly test on Friday.

  1. whose

  2. weight

  3. source

  4. through

  5. witch

  6. who’s

  7. grown

  8. wait

  9. bury

  10. sauce

  11. which

  12. threw

  13. groan

  14. allowed

  15. bawl

KS2 Christmas Carol Practice

This week, we have learned three songs for our Christmas celebration which will be in church on Tuesday 16th December. Please practice and learn these off by heart - a whole song booklet will be sent out next week.

This week...

A week full of shape, space and measure!! Everyone has enjoyed the Numicon this week. It was a little bit tricky to start with: seeing number shapes, spaces and patterns which could fit together to fill a peg board…. mmmm big thinking!! Following our challenge of patterns we completed tow colour pattern and movement patterns! That was great fun! We will continue this next week…can’t wait!

Our phonic game was a huge challenge. We had to match the objects to the sound pebbles…fabulous! We kept changing the sounds to make it a lit more difficult. I can’t believe the resilience the children have developed this term. They don’t give up, just like Tommy Turtle!

Worship

This week in Worship we have continued our ‘Prophecy and promise’ topic. Our key words were BETHLEHEM, STABLE and MANGER.

In our first session we learnt what a manger was. We watched a lovely story all about a little mouse who found a stable and got into Jesus’ cosy bed. You can watch it here:

We are so good at remembering the wonderful story of how Jesus was born. We had some pictures and we had to put them in the correct order. We also love re-telling the story with our figures at our worship table. We sang ‘Away in a manger’ around baby Jesus is the crib – it was beautiful!

Our child led worship session was all about the shepherds. They were visited by an angel and were initially afraid but then travelled to visit baby Jesus. We watched a video that really made us think about how it was for them – we could hear the sheep and we saw the angel speaking to them. Here is the video for you to watch at home:

We finished our worship by listening to ‘While shepherds watched their flocks by night’ and we added our shepherds to our display in the classroom – I wonder who we will add next week?

 Our Faith Friends

This week Rachel came to school to tell us about the Jewish festival of lights- Hannukah. We found out about the foods they ate and the games they played. Rachel told us about a special candelabra called a hanukkiah, one candle for each day of the celebration. Nursery and Reception all had a play with a dreidel which is a four-sided spinning top, with a Hebrew letter on each side. The dreidel game is often played during Hanukkah. Players take it in turns to spin the dreidel, and win or lose pieces, depending on which letter it lands on.


Christmas events

We are hurtling at the speed of knots towards Christmas, and it is hard not to get caught up in the excitement it brings. Advent is my favourite time as we prepare and come together in lots of different ways. The nativities that we will see and the carol concerts that we will hear will, I am sure, enable us all to stop and reflect a little more.

This is also a period of fun and enjoyment and we are very good at that too. Next Thursday, the children are invited to come into school in their own clothes, but they must bring some chocolate with them that can be added to our raffle hampers. The following week it will be a bottle - any bottle (ketchup, bubble bath, alcohol) the choice is yours. All of these goodies will be collated for the hampers which can be won in the raffle. Thank you so much for the prizes we have received already; Stringers Voucher, Avanti Train Voucher, Beaverbrooks Necklace, Christmas tree and skirt, hair vouchers - please keep them coming in.

Pottery Night - last year we held our first pottery event in school and it is back again on Thursday 4th December. Please do come along after school ready to paint a decoration for your Christmas Tree. Decorations and paint will be provided, as well as refreshments. Please complete the booking form below with the people who are coming and support our fundraiser for school. Each person’s ticket will be £10 which includes the tree decoration and refreshments. Please see Mrs Gregan’s blog for the booking form

Family Mass

On Sunday 7th December, we will have our next family mass. This is the second Sunday of Advent so it will be special to spend time together. Following the mass, there is a Christmas Fair taking place at the Parish Centre, which we hope you will be able to attend.

EYFS Nativity

Don’t forget that next week is EYFS Christmas Nativity. Have you got your tickets?

All the nursery children are invited to take part in the Nativity but if it is not your child’s usual day we kindly ask that you collect them straight after the performance, approximately 10.30 am. All children should be in nursery no later than 9.00am

Tuesday 2nd December will be our dress rehearsal. If possible it would be great if we could have all the children in nursery. This is also the day the Nativity DVD will be filmed.

If your child will not be present for one of the performances can you please let us know.

Have a lovely weekend and see you on Monday.

Stay safe and God bless

Barbara

Year 6 Home Learning 28.11.25

Homework is to be completed and brought back to school next Thursday.

Read- Read as much as you can this week- let’s get quizzing and get to target by half term!

Maths- Please keep going on TT Rockstars- 5 minutes every night!

Complete the multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1000 in your book.

Spelling- We are continuing to look at the ending of words with ‘cious’ and ‘tious’. Please complete the spelling sheet in your books and make sure you focus on your handwriting- joined up and cursive please.

Reading- Please complete the reading comprehension on ‘the first man on the moon’

Christmas song practice

This week, we have practised three extra songs for our Christmas celebration which will be in church on Tuesday 16th December. Please practice and learn these off by heart - you have the whole Christmas booklet. I have left last weeks songs to practise too. All of year 6 have now been given ther script for the Carol concert, it would be great if childrne could be practising these to learn off by heart.