Our topic this term is learning about ‘Dinosaurs and Animals’.

We have a wide range of exciting activities planned for the next coming weeks. Children will learn to name small and large animals and recognise their differences, identify dinosaurs and ocean creatures and investigate habitats for different animals. Remember to send your child in with a named coat, a bag with spare clothes and a water bottle to the nursery. Please note, if children have juice in their drink bottles it will be kept for snack time only. Water is available in a cup during the session. This is to promote the importance of healthy habits.

It has been a truly “roar-some” time in Reception lately as we have traveled back millions of years to the age of the dinosaurs!

The children have turned into mini-palaeontologists, showing incredible curiosity as we explore how these prehistoric giants lived.

Our Literacy Adventures

We’ve been diving into some fantastic books to fuel our imagination. In fiction, we’ve enjoyed the rhythm of Tyrannosaurus Drip, the heart-warming tale of The Littlest Dinosaur, and the exciting journey of Tom and the Island of Dinosaurs. We also turned to our non-fiction First Big Book of Dinosaurs to gather facts for our writing. The children have been working hard on:

• Labelling different dinosaur body parts.
• Describing what dinosaurs looked like and the habitats they called home.

Mathematical Explorations

In our Maths sessions, we’ve been busy with various “dino-themed” challenges:

• Capacity: Exploring “full” and “empty” by filling and pouring in our prehistoric water station.
• Number Skills: Strengthening our 1:1 correspondence (counting one object at a time) and mastering our number bonds to 5.
• Geometry: Identifying 2D shapes to see if we can spot them in the world around us.

Creative Paleontologists

Our creative area has been a hive of activity! We have been getting our hands dirty making our very own dinosaur fossils and building intricate dinosaur skeletons. The children even had the chance to “evolve” their own unique species by creating their very own dinosaurs from scratch.

It has been an incredibly busy and inspiring few weeks in Year 1!

From exploring the depths of the Antarctic to trekking through tropical rainforests, the children have shown fantastic curiosity and a real love for learning.

English: Stories of Friendship and Kindness

In our Shared Reading sessions, we have been exploring three very different stories that have sparked wonderful discussions:

• “We’re All Wonders”: We’ve been thinking about what makes us unique and writing explanation texts about the character Auggie and his hopes for a kinder future.
• “Lost and Found”: The children did a brilliant job retelling this heartwarming story, focusing on the journey of the boy and the penguin.
• “The Slightly Annoying Elephant”: We’ve had a lot of fun using adjectives to describe Sam, the very demanding elephant who turns up uninvited!

Maths: Master Mathematicians

In Maths, we have been building a strong foundation with numbers up to 20 and beyond. Our key focus areas included:

• One More and One Less: Quickly identifying numbers neighbour to neighbour.
• Comparing Numbers: Using vocabulary such as greater than, less than, and equal to.
• Number Lines: Learning how to use a number line as a tool to help us add and subtract accurately.

Science: Our Senses and the Animal Kingdom

Our young scientists have been using their five senses to explore the world around them through various experiments. We have also been learning how to classify the animal kingdom. The children are becoming experts at naming and identifying:

• Mammals and Birds
• Reptiles and Fish

Geography: Exploring Our World

Our geography lessons have taken us across the globe! We have been:

• Exploring different climates and how weather patterns change in different countries.
• Discussing the four seasons and how they affect our local environment.
• Locating rainforests on a world map and learning about their unique, tropical conditions.

In Year 2, we have been working hard with multiplication and division this term in maths.

In our reading and writing, we have been reading The Climbers, where we have written character and setting descriptions.

In science, we have been looking at the human body, including the food we eat and how being healthy is good for our body.

In topic, we have been studying geography, and we have been looking at tropical rainforests and how certain animals have adapted to living there.

Year 2 has been working incredibly hard this term and have learned so much!

In 3S we have been working on multiplication and division.

Whilst it was a bit tricky at times, we used our perseverance to push through and have improved our mathematical skills greatly and we are very proud of the class!

In geography we have been learning about tropical rainforests and the impact of global warming on our planet.

Within science lessons we have been looking at the topic of electricity – specifically static electricity and how certain charges cause objects to attract and repel. We have thoroughly enjoyed looking at various experiments to show this!

In Year 4 this half term, pupils have been reading Matilda by Roald Dahl.

They have enjoyed finding out about the tricks Matilda plays on her parents. In Science we are looking at Electricity and Energy, we have completed some interesting experiments about static electricity.

In Geography our focus has been on Tropical Rainforests, the Australian outback and Global warming.

The children have been using British Sign Language to learn key vocabulary and they are really enjoying using it.

In year 5, the pupils have been working hard on their comprehension skills, focusing on Goodnight Mister Tom.

In Topic, this half term, year 5 have been learning about the effects of deforestation and what palm oil is, exploring the pros/cons of each.

Year 5 also visited The Red House in Aldeburgh. The children got to explore the house of Benjamin Britten, a famous composer and conductor. In the afternoon, the children created their own opera, which was performed at the end of the day.

In year 6, pupils have been working incredibly hard on their reading skills.

We have been working on increasing our reading speeds as well as being able to identify different types of comprehension questions. Remember pupils should be practising these skills through reading plus at home as well.

Year 6 are also working on developing their writing skills and have practised this through writing a discursive text and character description this half term. Keep up the great work year 6!

It has been a wonderful term in SEU 1, filled with both fun and fantastic learning!

In Topic, our Reception children have stepped back in time to become dinosaur experts, exploring prehistoric habitats and diets, while Years 1 and 2 have been busy discovering the wonders of the Earth, from the changing seasons and weather to the power of volcanoes.

In Science, we have explored various topics within “Animals including Humans”; Year 1 has focused on animal types and body parts, while Year 2 has investigated life cycles and the importance of exercise.

Alongside this, the children have explored other fascinating areas of animal and human biology to further their understanding. We’ve also stayed active in PE, where the children have thoroughly enjoyed showing off their creativity in dance and their teamwork in dodgeball.

We have had a fantastic start to the term exploring New Life.

The classroom was transformed into a “Jurassic World” for our messy play sessions. Using a variety of edible-safe foods, the children had a wonderful time exploring textures and imaginative play. We even saw some “prehistoric” science in action as we created erupting volcanoes using a fizzy (and sticky!) mix of baking soda and lemon juice.

Our sensory circuits have some exciting new additions! The children have been loving the new sensory rocker and “squeeze me” seat, both of which have been brilliant for helping them find focus and calm during the day.

We are also thrilled to share that TACPAC has been a huge hit with the group. What is TACPAC? It stands for Touch and Communication Pac. It is a sensory communication method that uses music and textured objects to help children develop self-regulation, connection, and communication skills.

The children have engaged beautifully with these sessions, and it is wonderful to see them building their confidence and social bonds through these sensory experiences.

We have had a busy and exciting time in SEU3 lately!

In PE, the children have been developing their ball skills, practicing different ways to move and pass to one another. It has been wonderful to see their coordination and teamwork improve as they master rolling, throwing, and bouncing.

In Geography, we have been “travelling” the world to look at different climates and the amazing animals that call those environments home.

This linked perfectly with our Science lessons, where we have been learning about animals, including humans. The children have enjoyed exploring different species and learning how to group them based on their unique characteristics.

Art has arguably been our most fun subject recently! We have been perfecting our printing skills, experimenting with a variety of colours and techniques to create vibrant repeated patterns and designs. Over the next couple of weeks, we will be building on these skills.

We plan to move further into our exploration of animal habitats in Science and Geography, while in Art, we will be using our printing techniques to create a large-scale collaborative piece. We look forward to more active PE sessions as we introduce more complex group games.

In Music we have been looking at lots of different styles of music.

This has ranged from folk to minimalism, focussing on our understanding of music from around the world whilst practising essential musical skills such as performing in time with others.

We also welcomed our new music teacher, Abi, who joined the team with Amie this term. The choir have been practising for the Young Voices concert at the O2 Arena in London. We are all excited to join the hundreds of other schools in the concert on Friday!

This term in Computing, our students are embarking on an exciting unit focused on Connected Systems and the Internet.

The goal is to move beyond simply using technology to understanding how it works—specifically, how devices communicate and share information. We believe that learning these concepts is best done through practical, engaging activities, moving beyond screen time to grasp the foundational principles of networking.

Connected Devices – Students will learn how information travels between devices, using real-world examples like sending a document to a shared printer or browsing the internet at home. We will use real-world examples and visual diagrams to trace the path of data, helping students visualise the invisible infrastructure that makes sharing possible.

Basic Terminology – Students will be introduced to essential vocabulary, including: Network (a group of connected devices), Node (any device on a network, like a phone or computer), and Router (the device that directs information traffic). Through engaging role-play activities, students will act as ‘nodes’ and ‘routers’ to physically map out a small network, making abstract terms concrete.

Types of Connections – We will explore the difference between wired (using cables) and wireless (using signals like Wi-Fi) connections, discussing the benefits and drawbacks of each. A classroom treasure hunt will challenge students to identify different types of connections found around the school (e.g., ethernet cables, Wi-Fi hotspots).

Security & Safety – Students will learn about basic network security concepts—why it’s important to protect your information when connecting to the internet and simple ways to stay safe online. Discussions will focus on the responsible use of shared systems and the importance of passwords and privacy in a connected world.

The Internet as a System – The most complex idea is understanding the Internet as a “network of networks.” This explains how small local networks (like our homes or schools) connect to massive global networks. We will use large-scale diagrams and model demonstrations to show how local networks link up to the global infrastructure.

Learning Through Fun and Movement

Our hands-on approach this term includes:

• Role-Playing: Students physically moving and passing “data packets” to simulate how routers direct traffic efficiently.
• Diagramming: Creating visual maps of imaginary home or school networks. We are looking forward to a term where the students gain a deep and practical understanding of how our digital world is held together.