This week our focus has been on the Feast of the Ascension, which we celebrated yesterday. We have been taking a lot these last few weeks about Jesus appearing to the disciples and preparing them for the task ahead. Now that task is upon them - as it is us. We are now the vessel through which word of God will flow - and what a wonderful job the children are doing. They make me proud of them every day the way in which they strive to be good disciples of the Lord - well done Year 1.

English - we have continued on with our RWI lessons. During these sessions we all focus on phonics, reading, spelling and sentence development. We have also been working on our pre-cursive handwriting in which we focus on how to write our letters, starting on the line. We are continuing to work hard on our common exception words, reading them in class every day!

Maths - this week we have been working on fact families and comparing calculations through the use of addition and subtraction. We have used our number line to support our work, along with ten frames and part part whole diagrams.

RE - this week has been all about Jesus returning to His Father at the Ascension. We celebrated this feast day in church on Thursday. We have spoken about the mixed feeling of the disciples, knowing that Jesus had returned to His Father and sending them out into the word to spread the Good News.

Art - this week the children have continued their Sculpture Unit today using their stencils that they made last week.

Science - this week we continued our new unit all about Plants by focusing trees and naming their key features.

Topic - this week we continued with our Geography unit about the four countries that make up the UK focusing on the capital cities of London and Edinburgh looking at physical and humnan features of the landscape.

ICT - we have continued with our Digital Imagery unit by reviewing our pictures and seeing what story they tell.

Well done to this week’s winners….

Golden Award - George for his caring attitude towards all those around him - George is always looking out for his classmates and is a good friend to all.

Writing Award - Lincoln for always having plenty of ideas to share in his writing and using all the features of good sentences writing in ALL subjects.

Maths Award - Beatrix for super comparison work in addition and subtraction work this week using her number line to be 100% accurate.

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.

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 white tops.

I will not be in class on a Thursday afternoon, as it is my release time. This will be covered by Mrs Gilheaney and Miss Simons and is also when the children will have Music with Mrs Watson

Party Invitations - I am afraid that Miss Simons 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’t 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!! Yr1 Homework — Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School (squarespace.com)

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/uk/wednesday-word/faithfulness?pid=MTA101634&v=74.6

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/

PHONICS SCREENING - Year 1 Phonics Screening will take place the week of 10th June. (First week back after our half term holiday) Please ensure your child is is school this week as each child must complete an individual phonic assessment at some point during this week.

Thanks so much for those who were able to come to the short meeting on Tuesday - lovely to see you. Hopefully everyone received their little information pack - I would be REALLY GRATEFUL if you could take some time over the holidays to remind children of the ‘special friends’ and read some of the words from the pack. Two weeks is a long time for little people to have a break and then come back to their screening! A little bit of practice each day would go a long way! Many, many thanks. (See the Oxford Owl video link above for how to say the sounds.)

How can I support my child with phonics? - Oxford Owl for Home

Phonics screening check (Year 1) - Oxford Owl

MyStorytellingKit_JackAndTheBeanstalk.pdf (oxfordowl.co.uk)

MyStorytellingKit_TheThreeBillyGoatsGruff.pdf (oxfordowl.co.uk)

Alien word practice flash cards

The PTFA have decided to run a ‘design a logo’ competition as we have never had our own logo before!

Please see the letter that your child brought home last week that explains more. The closing date is Friday 17th May and there is £1 donation required to enter the competition. Good Luck! (The entries can be handed into me in class.)