Dear Parents/Carers,

What a wonderful first week back after half term!

This week, Reception have been buzzing about exploring all the new areas within their provision associated with bees. In the writing area, they loved labelling parts of a bee like its wings, legs, and antennae, and then independently crafted their own sentences to describe these fascinating creatures, showcasing their growing writing skills.

Year 1 kicked off their new English core text, "Captain Green and the Plastic Scene," with a fantastic and engaging hook lesson this week! Dressed as their favourite superheroes, capes and masks galore, the children eagerly grabbed litter pickers and carried out a thorough school grounds litter pick. This hands-on activity not only introduced the theme of environmental responsibility but also brilliantly demonstrated their developing relationship skills as they worked collaboratively to keep our environment cleaner.

Maths lessons for Year 2 this term began with an immersive exploration of time. They diligently revisited their Year 1 learning, confidently identifying o'clock and half past times on analogue clocks. Building on this foundation, they then moved on to master showing quarter past and quarter to, using practice clocks to embed their understanding and apply their knowledge to solve time-related problems.

In Geography, Year 3 embarked on a truly global adventure! Using detailed atlases, they honed their mapping skills to precisely locate the UK and Egypt and then confidently identified the continents they are both situated in. The children particularly enjoyed the interactive element of passing around giant blow-up globes, eagerly spotting and naming the various continents as the world spun from hand to hand.

Year 4's Science lessons focused on the fascinating world of electricity. The children actively identified common appliances that run on electricity within their homes and classrooms, discussing their individual purposes and how they make our lives easier. Following this, they collaborated in groups, sharing insightful ideas about how they could logically sort these electrical appliances into different categories based on their function or power source.

This week in Science, Year 5 became super scientists, meticulously investigating the process of dissolving! In a hands-on experiment, the children carefully timed how long it took for salt to dissolve completely in three different water temperatures: cold, lukewarm, and hot. They diligently wrote their experimental methods, gathered precise data and then thoughtfully analysed their findings to draw clear and concise conclusions about the factors affecting dissolution rates.

History lessons for Year 6 started the term with a fascinating and practical look at Ordnance Survey maps. The children were tasked with carefully examining these detailed maps to find contemporary place names that may have originated from the Anglo-Saxon time period. This engaging activity allowed them to delve into the linguistic and historical roots of their local area and beyond, connecting modern geography with ancient history.

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 fantastic 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.