What a fantastic week it’s been at Rockliffe Manor! There is so much to celebrate and share. A huge thank you to those who attended our History and Geography Stay and Learn session; it was wonderful seeing you dive into the classroom experience and tackle learning tasks alongside the children.

The children were eager to share with you all the different topics they are learning from old toys to Nelson Mandela to the Ancient city of Benin. These moments not only help develop important skills but also create lasting memories for the children. Thank you for taking the time to support their learning, and we can’t wait to welcome you again for our Reading Morning next Thursday!

As the week draws to a close, it was a pleasure to celebrate the achievements of our wonderful children during the merit assembly held on Thursday. Their hard work, dedication, and embodiment of our school values shone brightly.

In Year 1 and Year 3, Molly and Ethan C were recognised for demonstrating excellent coaching skills and supporting their friends in their learning this week.

In Year 2, Coryn was celebrated for being a fantastic role model to her peers and for her strong effort and achievement in maths.

In Year 4, Jack was recognised for the consistent effort he has shown across all areas of his learning this week.

In Year 5, Tyrone was applauded for working independently in his writing and for taking great pride in his efforts, inspiring the whole school.

Finally, in Year 6, Holly received recognition for her consistent effort and exemplary attitude across all areas of learning, making her a wonderful role model for others.

A huge congratulations to all the children who were celebrated in assembly and to everyone for their hard work and determination this week. You continue to make us so proud!

Our Spring 1 Parents' Evening is quickly approaching, taking place on Wednesday 11th February and Thursday 12th February. The booking system is now open, so parents can book their slots with their child’s teachers. We want to ensure that every family has the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress and address any concerns they may have.

We are excited about the wonderful learning, experiences, and opportunities that next week will bring. From engaging lessons and creative activities to moments of connection and growth, we are committed to continuing to nurture a love for learning in our children. As always, your ongoing support and involvement make a tremendous difference in creating a vibrant and thriving school community. Together, let’s make the week ahead as enriching and memorable as possible.

Before we close off this week's newsletter, we would like to remind parents and carers of our expectations during the morning drop-off. This time of day is important in helping children transition into school feeling calm, settled and ready to learn. Recently, we have noticed an increase in rough play during drop-off, which can make it difficult for children to start the day positively. We kindly ask for your support in encouraging safe, respectful behaviour and calm goodbyes. By working together, we can ensure that mornings remain a positive and settled start for all children.

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 the learning that has happened this week

This week in Nursery, the children worked collaboratively to retell the story Goldilocks and the Three Bears through large-scale mark making. This provided wonderful opportunities for discussion, with children sharing their favourite parts of the story. The classroom has also been transformed into a range of fairy-tale settings, allowing children to further immerse themselves in familiar stories through both independent and adult-led play. The new castle home corner has been a particular favourite, with children enthusiastically taking on roles such as brave knights and distressed princesses.

This week in Reception, the children explored the concept of weight by comparing objects using scales. They confidently used mathematical vocabulary to describe items as heavy or light and progressed to finding equal balance using a variety of objects. The activity was so popular that the children asked for it to be available again next week! Albie found it particularly interesting to discover that an object’s size does not always determine how heavy it is.

In Year 1 this week, the children have been learning to identify and partition tens and ones in numbers between 11 and 20 using the part-whole model. They were especially excited to use Dienes and were able to clearly explain their thinking and methods. In History, the children enjoyed sorting toys into those from the past and the present, addressing the misconception that all wooden toys are old. The class were very much looking forward to sharing their history learning with parents and carers.

Year 2 has had a busy and exciting week. On Monday, they set up a science experiment to investigate how different drinks affect teeth. Using hard-boiled eggs to represent teeth, the children placed them into milk, water, orange juice, and cola. They recorded their predictions and used their previous DT learning to explain why sugar can be harmful to teeth. The children are eagerly anticipating recording their results and discovering whether their predictions were correct.

In Year 3 this week, the children have been developing their understanding of the bus stop method in maths. Although this is a challenging concept, they have demonstrated excellent perseverance and a positive growth mindset. In English, the children have been sequencing their core text and retelling the story using time adverbials, with many keen to proudly share their writing with staff.

In Year 4, children explored the features of a monologue in their English learning. They enjoyed watching different examples and discussed as a class what the purpose was and what effect the author/creator wanted to have on the audience. Henry said that you can also have an inner monologue where you might narrate what happened in your head. They also had a great time at the library on Thursday. They are big fans of graphic novels and Greek myths and helped their friends find books they think they would enjoy. 

This week 5 have shown great creative writing skills in English. The children used figurative language to describe a city during the Blitz. In Science they learned what gestation means and compared the differences between different animals. In history, the children have continued to enjoy the topic of WW2 learning about evacuations, Anderson shelters and rationing.

Year 6 showed great resilience this week as they completed their third round of assessments. They approached challenges with a strong growth mindset and were delighted to see improvements in their scores, particularly in Reading. On Tuesday, the children visited the Natural History Museum to take part in an Evolution workshop linked to last term’s science learning. They thoroughly enjoyed examining horse fossils and identifying how horses have physically adapted to their environment over time. It was a lovely trip and a fantastic way to conclude their learning on evolution.