To contact staff please phone 01228 675 283 or email contact@fir-ends.cumbria.sch.uk
Autumn 2025 news
The end to a very busy half term in Class 3. It has felt like we have been back for an eternity, yet it has flown in too! The children have certainly earned a break.
Quick reminder that we will be at the forest on the first Wednesday back after half term. Please ensure suitable clothing is sent/worn to allow the children to engage in activities which may make their clothes a little wet such as kneeling on the forest floor. Waterproof bottoms allow this; we had a lot of children without them on Wednesday. It can also make bus travel challenging if children are sitting in wet clothing - waterproof trousers can be removed leaving dry joggers or similar underneath.
There is no specific homework over the holidays, so the children have been reminded about reading expectations at home. School is not the only place to read and for some the reading diaries show reading is happening in abundance at home, for others not so much. Please help to give your child the best chance this year by ensuring they read regularly and dip in as a parent regularly too.
Enjoy the half term break, stay safe at Halloween and enjoy the pics from a busy last couple of weeks
Thanks
Mr G :)
A big welcome back from me, too!
As always, Class 2 and 3 will run very similarly so my message echoes that of Mr G.'s. We will try and keep homework, spellings etc all running in line with each other, which will make life in ks2 as simple as it can be!
We're both looking forward to the year ahead and will keep you up to date, as best we can, as we go.
Miss Fisher :)
Autumn Term -Dates for the Diary
September
Mon 8th - GLL PE begins. Children should come to school dressed in PE kits.
Wed 10th - Library bus visit. Please ensure books are returned
Thurs 11th - First Sands centre trip. Gym and swim. Swimmers will need to bring appropriate clothing. Children should come to school dressed in PE kits.
Wed 17th- KS2 Orientation Evening
Class 2-3:30-4:30pm
Class 3 4:30-5:30pm
Fri 26th - Macmillan Coffee Afternoon (more information to follow)
October
Wed 8th & 15th - Class 2 - Forest School @ Catherine's (more info to follow)
Saturday 11th - 6 a side football tournament @WIlliam Howard School
14th & 15th - Parents evenings
Tuesday 21st October - Diwali day
Wed 22nd Oct & 5th Nov - Class 3 Forest School @ Catherine's (more info in email 16/10)
Wed 22nd October - Halloween disco
Friday 24th October - Last day before half term
Monday 3rd November - Return to school
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
Mrs Laurie - pupil support and interventions
Mrs Robertson - pupil support and 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. :-)
Robinwood 2024