English - this week we have been continuing to work in our three RWI groups, lead by me, Miss Evans and Miss Connolly. All children have been working on their set 1, 2 or set 3 sounds, learning to recognise the special friend, how to read it, how to write it and how to find it in an unknown word. The children are being asked to ‘have a go’ and their own writing and they are all making good progress with this.

We are also working on the formation of our pre-cusrive letters and learning how to read and write the common exception words for Year 1.

Maths - this week we have been working on comparing numbers using the terms of greater than and less than. We have done lots of practical work with counters, showing numbers and we have used tens and ones to make the signs with the numbers inside them. This has proved tricky, but I have been very impressed with how hard the children have all worked. Tried using these terms at home this weekend.

RE - we have continued with our topic on Creation by looking at the Creation story as a symbol of God’s love and care for us. This week we have focused on the letter Laudato Si, written by Pope Francis about the state of the world and how we must all take a role in caring for our planet. We have talked about the practical things each one of us can do to help others – like our Harvest collection.

History – this week the children shared their lovely photos that they brought from home, thank-you parents, telling their talk partners all about their special memory. The children then had a go at writing a sentence to match their picture. What a lovely afternoon we had.

To support our History topic on Our Family could I please ask you to send in a picture of your child with their family for our display board. I know it is tricky to get a picture of everyone, but if you have one and our happy to share, please send one into school. We will ensure you get these pictures back. If you don’t have a hard copy you can email one to me at year1@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk Thank-you.

Thank-you for all those that have come in already - either through the children or through email.

Science - we have continued our topic on the human body by focusing on our senses - this week on the sense of smell! Much fun was had by all with the collection of foods that I brought into class – although none of the children were too keen on raw garlic or blue cheese! The classroom has had an interesting smell this week.

Art - the children been working on examining the effects of various mark making through the medium of paint.

I am delighted to announce this week’s winners….

Golden Award – Sonny for showing a respectful attitude towards all adults in class and his peers. Sonny shows great behaviour for learning and a willingness to try even when things are tricky.

Writing Award – Cody for fabulous independent writing in our History lesson on memories, writing a beautiful sentence all about his photograph.

Maths Award –Ella for her super comparing work this week showing greater than and less than.

General pieces of information

  • PE will be on Monday and Friday so please send the children into class in the PE kits on those days. No earrings can be worn for PE so please ensure that they are taken out at home.
  • Trainers - if your children is wearing trainers with laces for PE they must be able to tie them by themselves. This is a health and safety issue - please ensure your child can tie their laces before sending them in lace-up trainers.
  • Water bottles - all the children were given a new school bottle this week. This will come home each night to be cleaned and re-filled. Please only use the school bottles and ensure your child brings theirs each day. Lost water bottles can be replaced at the school office, but I am afraid you will have to pay for those. Year 1 have orange tops.
  • I will not be in class on a Thursday afternoon, as it is my release time. This will be covered by Mrs Connolly and Miss Evans and is also when the children will have Music with Mrs Watson.
  • Party Invitations - I am afraid that Miss Evans and I will not be able to give out party invitations in class. Please do not send your child into class with them for them to give out - it creates upset and fuss about something that takes place outside of school.Thank-you for your understanding with this matter.
  • Key Rings - please do not put key rings onto your child’s school bag, it create fuss in class and then upset if they are lost.
  • School bag - please continue to use the red book bag that your child was given in Reception, we don not have the room to store large bags. Many thanks for your help with this matter.

Homework Expectations - please see the Homework page for what I expect the children to do at home…..don’t worry, it’s mainly just reading!! HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS - YEAR 1 — Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School (squarespace.com)

 

MONDAY 13.10.25 – In school Harvest Assembly – JUST FOR THE CHILDREN but please send in your donation of rice, pasta or noodles if you are able to.

TUESDAY 14.10.25 - Year 1 class liturgy in the hall 9.05am. We would like to invite you to a short liturgy (10 mins) lead by the children. Please support our daily act of worship by joining us, if you can.

FRIDAY 24.10.25 - school closes for half term. Children return 4.11.25

MONDAY 24.11.25 - Parent/Teacher meetings - early heads up for this date when you will be able to make an appointment from 1-5.30pm to come and see your child's class teacher. This is a great chance to celebrate their progress so far and look at next steps. Keep an eye out for your booking email!

 

Please take a look at what the PTFA have planned this term….

Autumn disco: 10th October for both key stages (4.30-5.30 KS1, 6-7 KS2) There will be a payment option on parent pay for tickets (£2.50 inc a drink and snack)

Family bingo night: 14th November

Christmas movie nights: KS1 - 28th November, KS2 - 5th December

Christmas Fair: 12th December (after school)

 

Catholic Life of our school.

We are delighted to be able to share with you the Good News Gospel readings for families. Please follow the link to share the Gospel at home with your family. These are really child-friendly resources to share at home. https://www.paperturn-view.com/wednesday-word/good-news?pid=MTA101634&v=163.4

 Please take a look at these Ten Ten resources to support prayer and worship at home.

http://www.tentenresources.co.uk/prayers-for-home/parent-newsletter/

 

Reading Books - Miss Evans has begun her Guided Reading groups so the children will have read their GR books, applying the skills they are developing in RWI, and will have had their books changed. This will happen once a week, on the same day for your child that it did this week. Please ensure your child’s reading things are kept in their bag and are in school each day - but particularly on this day. The children will be heard reading to an adult EVERYDAY in their RWI lesson where they are taught the skills of reading, this GR session is to develop, practice, apply and refine these skills.

Please ensure that you sign your child’s reading records as they can have a sticker on their book mark for each day that they read to an adult at home. Once the book mark is full the children will receive a certificate. Also Miss Evans will give out a Golden Ticket every third time your child’s record is signed. These will be added to a draw which will take place at the end of the half term with the chance to find a book themed prize. The more tickets you have in the draw, the more chance you have of winning a prize!!

 

At Our Lady's we like to support our parents/carers in Online Safety matters. 

Keeping children and young people safe online is one of the biggest challenges facing society today and it is all of our responsibility to ensure that children are educated to make positive, informed choices when they are online.

This month’s online safety guide gives helpful advice about…

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Snapchat  This updated online safety guide examines Snapchat’s latest features, including AI tools, Snap Map, and subscription content, and the potential risks they pose to young users, from screen addiction to sextortion.

We hope you find these guides informative and helpful in promoting the positive use of technology to make the online world a better and safer place for us all. Thank you.

 

And finally……have a lovely weekend…..Mrs Hollinghurst, Miss Evans and Mrs Connolly

Welcome Letter all attachments can be found on the Homework Page.