Dear Parents/Carers,

The children have worked so hard this week.

Our Reception children eagerly explored numbers in the two times tables this week. A particularly hands-on activity involved pairing up socks, which helped them physically count in twos and solidify their understanding. Beyond their numerical adventures, Reception also flexed their creative muscles by crafting their very own bees! These delightful creations looked absolutely fantastic and added a real buzz to the classroom.

It was a truly fabulous week for Year 1 as they showcased their incredible Phonics knowledge during the Phonic Screening Check Week. We are immensely proud of every child and the significant progress they've made throughout the year in their reading and decoding skills. In addition to their phonics achievements, their RE learning saw them warmly participate in a Shabbat celebration. They particularly enjoyed the experience of tasting traditional challah bread and refreshing squash, gaining a deeper understanding of this important cultural tradition.

For their engaging hook lesson, Year 2 participated in a lively tennis session. This wasn't just about forehands and backhands, though! The activity cleverly linked with their core text for the term, which is based on the inspiring story of Billie Jean King. During the session, the children reflected on and described how they felt when they encountered inequalities, fostering important discussions about fairness and overcoming challenges.

In Geography, our Year 3 explorers embarked on a fascinating journey, using maps to compare the locations of the UK and Egypt. The children keenly discussed the two vastly different geographical settings, comparing the continents they're situated on and the vast oceans that surround them. They thoroughly enjoyed this insightful activity, confidently using key geographical language to orally compare and contrast the two locations.

This week marked a significant achievement for our Year 4 children as they completed their Multiplication Table Check. With 25 questions to tackle, focusing on their knowledge of times tables, the children truly made us proud. Their dedication and hard work throughout the year to master their times tables shone through, demonstrating impressive progress.

Year 5 had a particularly engaging maths lesson this week, delving into the intriguing world of negative numbers. In a brilliant display of collaborative learning, the children took turns stepping into the role of "teacher," confidently modeling how to solve calculations involving negative numbers. They not only coached one another through challenging problems but also asked insightful questions, leading to deeper thinking and a more profound understanding of the answers.

For their Science lesson, the children in Year 6 got hands-on, creating their own detailed diagrams of the different components of blood. This activity fostered excellent teamwork, with the children working collaboratively and supporting one another, demonstrating a strong understanding of this vital biological system.

Thank you to all of the adults who attended FUDGE lunches this week. It means so much to the children and they loved having lunch with you so much!

We hope you have a wonderful weekend, 

Miss Capes, Mrs Jackson and the Maundene Team  

Developing strong oracy skills is crucial for children's success in school and beyond. It empowers them to express themselves confidently, think critically, and engage effectively with others. To support this vital skill, our weekly newsletter will feature fun and engaging oracy activities that families can enjoy together at home, fostering communication and building confidence in your children.