Good afternoon everyone,

It has been lovely to return to class and see so many excited faces, eager to begin a new term.

This week we attended Mass with Fr Frank where he led us in learning about the Feast of the Epiphany and how being present is much more important than bringing presents.

English - Key Stage 1 have taken a different approach to writing and phonics for the next few months. Miss Heim-Sarac has been busy assessing all of the children's phonics skills to help us all to identify and plug any gaps which may hinder their progress. You may find that your child currently does their phonics learning with another teacher, similar to what happened in Year 1, please don't worry about this. The children are assessed half-termly and are quickly able to move to higher groups.

Maths - In Maths we have been consolidating our addition and subtraction work. We have added two-digit numbers, subtracted two-digit numbers and learned how to exchange tens for ones to solve trickier subtraction problems. We have also been looking at missing number problems and reasoning.

Science - In Science we learned about the 7 life processes and described how we know whether things are alive, once alive and never alive based upon these 7 processes.

RE - We learned about the visit of the Magi to the Baby Jesus and retold the story.

Geography - We started our unit on  islands by using maps and 2-figure grid references to identify islands and non-islands.

PE - In our outdoor PE we practised net and wall batting games and our indoor PE was gymnastics skills.

Regular Tasks

Please continue to practise counting in 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s and reading the Year 1 and Year 2 common exception words every week. This is so important for our learning!

Times Table Rockstars - You should have all received a login and password for Times Table Rockstars to use at home. Please play this as regularly as possible to improve and develop multiplication speed.

Other Tasks

Spelling Test

Adding the -ed suffix to words which do not need changing and words which we need to double the last consonant.

There is also a handwriting sheet for additional practise.

Maths

Adding 2 two-digit numbers by drawing tens and ones,

Reading

Epiphany reading comprehension.

 

You do not need to return completed homework to school. It is set so you can see what your child is learning about during the week. However, I am happy to look at any completed work if you want it be checked.

We are all taking our reading quiz and this has given us a book level (known as ZPD). This allows us to give the children reading books which are at the best level for them in regards to both word reading but also their ability to remember and explain what they have read. We will do these reading quizzes at the beginning and end of every half term.

Please read as often as possible at home. It is the most important piece of work you can do with your child to support their learning.

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 Mrs Bowdell will give out a Golden Ticket every third time your child’s record is signed. These will be added to a draw done 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!!

Golden Award -

Writing Award -

Maths Award -

 

Please Remember….

Water bottles - This will come home each night to be cleaned and re-filled. Please ensure your child brings their’s each day especially now it is hotter as we do not have any spares in class.

Earrings - please ensure these are only small gold/silver studs as stated in the uniform policy. Please also make sure earrings are removed at home before PE on Tuesday and Friday. Children wearing them will not be able to take part in PE.

Jewelery - Please do not send your child into school in any jewelery, such as necklaces, bracelets or rings. These can cause upset if they become lost but can also be dangerous on the playground.

Nail Varnish - please ensure any nail varnish is removed for the pupils come into class. It should not be worn at school.

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 where possible, we do not have the room to store large bags. Many thanks for your help with this matter.

 

Please click the links below to discover resources for the Catholic life of our school.

 

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 toy scalping, fakes and scams. This online safety guide explores the world of online scalping, where bots snap up high-demand items for resale at extortionate prices, and explains the risks to children and young people.

Scalping has long been a frustration for fans hoping to bag concert tickets or exclusive toys, but the online world has supercharged this dishonest tactic. Scalpers use bots to buy up stock in seconds, then resell items such as consoles or collectibles at significant mark-ups. For young people, it can be disappointing and harmful to their wallets, wellbeing and worldview. 

As this unethical practice becomes more visible, and, worryingly, sometimes glamourised online, it’s important to talk to children about fairness, financial boundaries, and spotting scams. This guide breaks down the tricks of the trade and how to avoid them, helping young consumers stay safe, informed and scam-free. 

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.

 

Have a lovely weekend,

Mr Whetnall, Mrs Bowdell and Mrs Gilheaney