To contact staff please phone 01228 675 283 or email contact@fir-ends.cumbria.sch.uk
Summer 2026 News
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Well done for navigating a very tricky and somewhat tiring last half term thus far. Thank you to all the parents who took the time to come to school for our recent book look. Your engagement is always massively appreciated.
Next week we have sports day down at the sheepmount. Thank you to Jen for adding dates to the PTFFE group for all upcoming events.
For those who don't access social media, I always (try to) keep an up to date calendar on this page - if the messages get too much!
Some amazing news to celebrate and share. A Fir Ends team went the Brampton cluster rounders tournament at William Howard school last Friday and after some truly inspiring batting, fielding and teamwork, the children came home with 1st place medals! I couldn't have been prouder after all the hord work that went in to preparing for this event. (photo below)
Despite the blistering hot conditions, children were well looked after with umbrellas for shade and topped up water bottles thanks to a Miss Potts inspired water run between games.
In the space of one school year, Fir Ends teams have now won; a Year 3/4 football tournament, Numerous trophies at Lanercost cross country, a Year 5/6 Netball tournament, the mixed team event at Talking Tarn cross country and now a y5/6 rounders tournament; Amazing achievements considering just how small our school is. ♥️
Rock Day
Rock Day was its usual success and it was so good to see so many children involved (photos below). Please make every effort to check dates and set your own reminders for upcoming events.
We will continue to employ the wearing of England tops on days England play so providing England beat DR Congo this evening, and we are in school on Monday (the children's persuasive writing might change this) then children will be permitted to wear England tops on Monday also.
I will email parents requesting things for their children's leaver's assembly show over the next couple of days so please look out for that.
That's all for now.
Many thanks
Mr G
OLD NEWS (and photos) below...
Last year, the children took part in a concert at William Howard and this year they will repeat it. It is Year 5 children and Year 4 children. Rehearsals start this Friday afternoon with Mrs Cooper from WHS, so children will miss part of our outdoor learning as a result.
This Friday will see the return of outdoor learning in Class 3. Timed to coincide with the Summer term and (hopefully) nicer weather, there should be no need for the purchase of additional clothing. This Friday, children will only need to bring a coat and wellies (if they want to wear wellies). Normal school uniform should be worn. This week's session will be the preparation of the outdoor areas , the following week will be lost to the Sponsored Walk (see below).
Mr G
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Class 2
I can't believe we've made it to May half-term- these weeks are flying by!
I've added some photos of some of the things we've been up to, over the last few weeks including mummifying a tomato and making some ancient papyrus style paper.
Maths homework should be all up to date until the end of summer now. For year 4's, please ensure they are on TTRockstars, especially on the soundcheck and studio modes. We will be undertaking the MTC within the first two weeks of June.
Miss Fisher :)
Summer Term - Dates for the Diary
June
Monday 1st-Friday 12th June -Yr4 MTC Weeks
Friday 5th June- Class Photo Day
Wednesday 10th - ROCK DAY (ALL children have told me they will be dressing up)
Friday 12th - WHS Athletics competition
Wednesday 17th - Year 5/6 trip to Bolton Fell Moss
July
Thursday 9th July -KS2 Sports Day @ Sheepmount
Friday 10th July- Summer Fayre and Colour Run
Monday 13th July - Yr 1-6 GRAND DAY OUT IN THE LAKES
Tuesday 14th July - Wheelchair Basketball
Wednesday 15th July - Y6 leavers assembly (time 5:30pm)
Wednesday 15th July - Y4/5 concert @ William Howard School
Two brilliant tools to support fast maths and number fluency skills at home. Can be downloaded from the usual place where you get your apps. Some children have said they won't be able to as they have no screen time during the week - that is totally fine. 5 minutes before bed specifically working on these would be acceptable or just weekend use if you have those sort of controls in place.
For White rose infinity - children will need our school code (FLW-XGW) and an activity code for each activity. Rather than me release these weekly. I will bulk release for you to give to your child when you see fit. Please see below for some to get into this term.
All concepts below HAVE been taught this school year.
Year 3 and 4
96-01-66 Addition and Subtraction
Year 5
95-83-85 Addition and Subtraction (AUTwk4)
24-91-24 Multiplication & Division (wk7)
01-29-76 Fractions (wk11)
61-15-61 Multiplication & Division (SPRwk1)
Year 6
82-26-63 Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication & Division (AUTwk3)
67-66-39 Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication & Division (wk6)
67-25-14 Fractions (wk9)
09-28-49 Fractions (wk10)
Our Classroom Staff
Class 2 is taught by Miss Fisher Monday - Friday.
Class 3 is taught by Mr Greenslade Monday - Friday.
Other adults regularly involved with our classes include:
Mrs Thompson - pupil support and interventions
Miss Potts - pupil support and interventions
Mrs Powley- interventions
Mr Draper - singing & recorders
Madame Leighton - French
Mr van Iterson (Paul) and Mr Barnes - Monday PE
Black trousers or skirt (not leggings or PE shorts unless it's a PE day, please)
Green polo shirt
Green jumper
Black shoes suitable for daily running activities
School book bag NOT rucksacks, please
click for Uniform specification
We do ask that long hair is tied up and no jewellery apart from stud earrings to be worn. Earrings must be removed for PE and swimming sessions.
Class 2 and 3 PE will be on MONDAY and THURSDAY this term.
Weekly homework will be set and it is important that children complete the majority of it independently; although some adult support to organise the time to complete it and to ensure the task is understood is sensible:
Class 3 - Once we are actively teaching each maths unit in class, they will go live for completion at home. This will be highlighted inside the front cover of the maths book. They should be completed and handed in by the date set.
For those handed in after completion of the first unit, I have added a corresponding End of unit test report inside each front cover. This should show progress from before the unit was taught to after all the lessons in class were complete.
Actions to take depending on 'Post test scores' should be something like that outlined below:
Score of 0-5 Review all taught concepts ensuring your child understands the most basic of concepts (outlined in the homework but additional lessons can be used here https://www.thenational.academy/teachers/key-stages/ks2/subjects )
6-12 Review the more challenging elements, referring to the more challenging aspects in the homework - again, the lessons above could plug gaps
13 - 17 As above, with less review. Begin to push on to deeper understanding by accessing the website below
18-20 Push on learning using the following website https://nrich.maths.org/number-and-place-value-0
Maths Part A : Weekly exercises in the White Rose Maths practice Journal (see here)
Maths Part B: Children should practice times tables at least three times a week (see 'supporting mathematics at home')
Spellings and spelling sentences will be set on a Tuesday and are due on the following Monday. The children will be tested on these spelling words on a Monday.
Regular reading is also required (a minimum of 4 entries in their reading record per week). Your child is able to complete the reading record independently.
Children should practice recorder pieces for at least 15 minutes a week (3 x 5 minutes)
Failure to complete the homework will result in children being asked to do it during break times.
Please keep practising those times tables in front of the mirror at home. It has been noticeable who has been practising and it's been great to see some surprise children leading the way when reciting times tables aloud to the class, under time pressure.
NEW: KS2 MATHS HOMEWORK - WHITE ROSE WORKBOOKS - INFORMATION PAGE
Supporting mathematics at home:
The best way to support maths is by helping children to secure basic number facts - bonds to ten, fifty and a hundred; times tables and division facts; ten more, ten less. All of these facts are used in calculations and the more fluent we are the easier maths becomes!
The White Rose maths scheme includes some useful tools for parents.
1-Minute Maths - does what the title suggests , and covers all the mathematical facts that children should know to become fluent mathematicians Browse to https://whiteroseeducation.com/digital-tools and use our unique 3-word code: bib-teg-beg
Online lessons - these replicate what is covered in the classroom using the same presentation slides; allowing you to repeat anything your child found difficult - or missed due to absence. We use the V3 scheme. CLICK HERE
TIMES TABLE ROCKSTARS MODES
GARAGE - build up your child's heatmap of known facts - and earn coins. Automatically chooses the ones they need to practice.
STUDIO - get a 'Rock Status' based on the average of the last 10 studio sessions - and contribute to our school's chart position
GIG - 100 questions in 5-minutes to check what you really know!
JAMMING - choose the ones you want to practice
SOUNDCHECK - simulates the Year 4 tables check
Note: we appreciate that it may be tempting to play the games yourself as they're quite a lot of fun - but this plays mischief with the algorithms that award certificates and select the right things for your child to learn. Please don't. :-)
Class 2