As we approach the end of a busy and productive half term, it has been wonderful to reflect on the incredible learning and vibrant activity that has taken place this week. Despite the turn toward colder, wetter weather, the enthusiasm and curiosity of our children here at Rockliffe Manor have remained undimmed.

We started the week with a fantastic assembly led by Miss Nelson to celebrate National Storytelling Week. The children shared their favourite stories and spoke confidently about why tales are so important—from teaching us life lessons to inspiring our imaginations. The assembly included a fun guessing game, with pupils using clues to identify classics like Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Magic Porridge Pot. To continue the fun at home, we’d like to share a clue with our families: a little hen plants and grows some wheat, grinds it into flour, and bakes a loaf of bread all by herself, with no help from the other animals until it’s time to eat! Can you guess the story?

On Thursday, we were delighted to welcome our Year 2 families into school for our first sharing assembly of the year. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the children’s hard work, and they truly rose to the occasion. The Year 2 children wowed the audience by showcasing their English learning based on Angus Rides the Goods Train, delivering a fantastic retelling through confident and expressive acting. They also impressed everyone with their secure understanding of times tables and spelling rules. Above all, their singing really shone through and filled the hall with energy! Thank you to all the families who joined us; your encouragement makes these experiences so special. We are incredibly proud of Year 2 and look forward to seeing what Year 4 brings in their sharing assembly next week.

We’ve had lots of learning taking place beyond the school gates this week, with several classes enjoying exciting educational visits. Year 2 visited Slade Library, where the children were thrilled to choose new books to bring back to school. This was a brilliant way to celebrate National Storytelling Week, as the children opened up new worlds with every turn of the page. We also had two other classes out of school this week. Year 1 visited the Young V&A, where they explored historical toys linked to their history learning. Meanwhile, Year 3 went on a historical adventure to Charlton House, where they experienced life as a Victorian servant. The children took part in a fully immersive experience, role-playing, exploring artefacts, and creating their own Victorian crafts. These trips brought learning to life and were enjoyed by all the children involved.

It has been a fantastic week full of learning, laughter, and connection, and we look forward to many more moments like these throughout our last week of half-term and beyond. A reminder to parents that it is Parents’ Evening next week—please ensure you book your appointment via Arbor or by calling the school office.

Thank you for being part of our wonderful school community! Have a lovely weekend, we look forward to seeing you all back on Monday.

With very best wishes, Mrs. Cook and the Rockliffe Manor Team

Let’s take a look at some of the learning that has happened this week…

In Nursery, our youngest learners became "ice-racers" to explore physical forces. By racing personalized ice blocks down foil-covered ramps, the children engaged in identity-based play that fostered a deep sense of belonging. This hands-on enquiry allowed them to observe gravity and friction first-hand, while also developing fine motor coordination as they handled the slippery surfaces. The children were so engaged that they took the initiative to extend their learning, swapping their ramps for long drain pipes to see how it affected the speed!

Meanwhile, in Reception, the focus has been on culinary creativity. Using play dough and dry pulses, the children have been rolling, squeezing, and shaping "pepperoni pizzas" and "strawberry cupcakes." This open-ended activity is fantastic for developing fine motor skills and language, as pupils like Kaylon and David confidently shared their ideas and built social connections through their play.

Year 1 has been focusing on personal hygiene in RHE. Using glitter to represent "germs," the children saw exactly how easily bacteria can spread through touch. They practiced the correct techniques for handwashing and discussed when it is most important to do so to keep themselves healthy. The week ended with a buzz of excitement as the children prepared for their trip to the Young V&A museum. This visit marks the grand finale of their History topic, where they will get to compare the toys of the past with the modern toys they use today.

Year 2 had a truly "show-stopping" week! On Thursday, they wowed their families with a wonderful showcase assembly. The children did themselves proud, sharing their learning from across the term and displaying their impressive musical talents. To top off a great week, they visited the local library, where they modeled our Rockliffe Manor values perfectly and chose new books that they are eager to dive into back in the classroom.

In Year 3, mathematicians have been mastering measurements. They have secured their understanding of the root words ‘cent’ (hundred) and ‘milli’ (thousand), applying this knowledge as they moved around the room to measure everyday objects. In DT, the children have been showing great concentration while sewing their constellation cushions—we can't wait to see the finished products next week!

Year 4 authors have shown great independence this week, writing powerful internal monologues in the role of Auggie from Wonder. They used sophisticated features like rhetorical questions and "show not tell" to bring the character's voice to life. In DT, collaboration has been key as the children worked together to design and build aqueducts. Henry’s enthusiasm was particularly infectious as he researched the use of terracotta and stone in historical designs.

Year 5 have been exploring the art of storytelling in English, planning and writing non-linear narratives. The children have engaged deeply with their core text, using a range of descriptive devices to create atmosphere and suspense. In Maths, they have been applying their knowledge of equivalent fractions to master the conversion of fractions to decimals.

Finally, Year 6 have been perfecting their descriptive writing, creating contrasting setting descriptions of Aleppo and Manchester. Their mathematical focus has turned to geometry and statistics; after learning how to calculate volume, they are now moving on to interpreting and representing data using complex graphs and charts. It has been lovely to see so many children tackling challenging reasoning problems with resilience during their booster groups.