As we come to the end of our first full week back, the school is filled with a sense of purpose, warmth and genuine excitement. The start of September is always one of our absolute favourite times of year at Rockliffe Manor and this term has begun with such joy. I write with immense pride at how settled, confident and ready to learn the children have been from the moment they walked through the gates.

There has been a wonderful, calm and productive energy across the school this week as the children delve into their new curriculums in their new classrooms. It has been a delight to see strong relationships already blossoming between children and staff, built on mutual respect, curiosity and plenty of shared smiles. Our learners have approached new routines with maturity and an eagerness to take on fresh challenges.

We are also delighted to extend a very warm welcome to all the new children and families joining our community this September. From our youngest learners taking their first gentle steps into Nursery and Reception, to children joining us across other year groups throughout the school, it has been a genuine pleasure to welcome you. Our children have shown great kindness in making sure everyone feels included, and we hope all our new families are already feeling the warmth and support of our Rockliffe Manor family.

Last Thursday, when we first opened our doors for the 2026/27 academic year, I had the privilege of leading our whole-school welcome assembly on the theme of New Beginnings, Growing Together. During the assembly, we looked closely at a small jar of seeds alongside a vibrant, fully grown houseplant. We reflected on how, on Day One, every single one of us is just like that tiny seed: quiet, full of potential, with a clean page in our books and endless possibilities ahead. We discussed the three vital ingredients we need to flourish this year: 

Water (Patience & Practice): Knowing that learning takes time and that mistakes are simply proof that our minds are stretching and growing.

Sunlight (Kindness & Positivity): Bringing warmth to our corridors and classrooms through kind words, shared smiles and thoughtful actions.

Good Soil (Working Together): Relying on our wonderful school community, teachers, support staff, families, and friends, to provide the strong roots and support system that help us stand tall.

Before returning to their classrooms, each child took a quiet moment to reflect on their own personal "seed"—a skill, friendship, or goal they wish to nurture this year. We reminded them that even the mightiest oak tree was once a tiny nut that held its ground!

As we look ahead to the weeks and months to come, we are excited for the journey ahead and all the achievements waiting to be celebrated. Please remember that our doors are always open if you have any questions, concerns, or simply wish to share your child’s successes with us.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support in making this first week so special. We wish you all a restful and enjoyable weekend.

With very best wishes, Mrs Cook and the Rockliffe Manor team

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

It has been a busy and exciting week in Nursery as the children settled into their new routines. Our newest children are thriving during their staggered start and love exploring their new classroom. A major highlight was some of our children moving to full time, especially experiencing lunch at school. Mrs Budd and Miss Range made lunchtime extra special with lovely tablecloths and handmade placemats. It was a wonderful start to their time at Rockliffe Manor! 

Reception has settled very well into their new routines and classroom, they have demonstrated resilience and growth mindsets when getting to know the classroom, routines and the adults. The staggered start has allowed them to confidently navigate their new life at Rockliffe Manor including developing new friendships and experiencing their first lunchtimes! We are so proud of them and can’t wait to get to know them even more! 

Year 1 has settled in really well to the new structure of learning this week and have enjoyed exploring some new subjects and routines. Sofia said the thing she loves the most about being in year 1 has been doing the first science lesson because ‘it’s something different’. In science this week, the children were very excited to explore different objects and the material they are made out of. When going on a hunt for metal, Nancie chose a paint brush and was able to explain that it was made from wood and metal pointing out the metal part. When looking for something plastic, William chose a coffee jar pointing out that the bottom ‘where the coffee goes’ is made of glass but the lid is made out of plastic. 

Year 2 this week has been very happy about their new core text. They were very excited to receive a letter from aunt Lucy and some ingredients. They needed to make a marmalade sandwich to encourage Paddington to come to their class. The class followed a set of instructions to make the sandwich carefully. When discussing how they were going to cut their sandwiches they recalled how many parts they would have if they cut it into quarters and in half. The children were very excited! Tabitha hoped that Paddington would arrive in time for table treat today. Arthur S and Nola said the best part of the lesson was eating the sandwiches, they were delicious!

Year 3 thoroughly enjoyed their Science lesson on rocks this week. The children were engaged as they observed a range of rocks and identified and described their different features. It was lovely to see them using scientific vocabulary to explain what they noticed. The children have settled well and are building positive relationships with Miss Lambert. It is lovely to see! 

Year 4 seem very happy, settled and positive within their new year group. The children are enthusiastic about their learning and particularly enjoyed their core text, Hercules. They were keen to share their thoughts and talk about what they had discovered so far. The children shared that they have been enjoying their maths lessons about numbers and place value.

Year 5 are fully engaged in their new core text, A Long Walk to Water, and were keen to find out what happens next. They particularly enjoyed watching a witness account from a 14-year-old boy who escaped the war and was eventually able to return to his country many years later. The children were engaged and interested in making connections between the real-life account and the events in the text.

And Year 6 are already hooked into their core text, Gorilla Dawn. The children are clearly enjoying the story and were eager to discuss what they have read so far. They are excited to find out what happens to Imara and the gorilla, demonstrating strong engagement with the text. They have been working hard to develop complex sentences using a wide range of subordinating conjunctions.

Looking across all year groups, a few clear themes have shone through our first week together: the joyful steps of our Nursery and Reception children settling into school life, a newfound spark for scientific discovery in Years 1 and 3 and a total immersion in fantastic stories across Years 2, 4, 5 and 6. It has been a truly brilliant start to the term, and we cannot wait to see where these sparks of curiosity lead us in the weeks ahead.