In Reception the children have enjoyed learning about our 5 senses. They used their superpowers of sight, hearing and touch as they created self-portraits and explored the instruments and the sand.

The children have been busy in maths this week sorting and counting objects. They worked really well with a partner, sharing ideas and exploring different ways to sort their objects. They sorted by colours and shapes, and one group even challenged themselves to create a pattern!

The children have also been practising their careful counting skills, focusing on counting accurately to 10. It has been lovely to see them working together, discussing their ideas and developing their confidence in maths.

This week in Maths, Year 2 have been learning about place value. The children have been exploring how numbers are made up of tens and ones and have practised partitioning numbers into different parts. They have used a range of activities and resources to build their understanding and develop confidence in recognising the value of each digit in a number. 

Year 3 were learning about chronology and timelines during our first history lesson. We worked together to put historical events in chronological order.

In science we were classifying rocks. We explored different rocks and looked at their properties. We had some really interesting discussions about our findings.

In this lesson, Year 4 students will explored the climax of the myth—the dramatic battle inside the Labyrinth by creating freeze frames from three different perspectives.

Year 5 have had a busy and exciting week of learning! In History, we have begun our new topic on Baghdad, developing our understanding of chronology by organising historical events onto a timeline and thinking carefully about when different events happened.

In Maths, we have been developing our understanding of place value up to 1,000,000. We have used place value charts and practical resources to build numbers, identify the value of each digit and practise reading numbers accurately. Our practical session gave us the opportunity to bring our learning to life by physically building and saying different numbers.

In PE, we have started to develop our fitness through a range of activities, as well as beginning to learn the key skills needed to serve in badminton. We have been practising our technique and working on our coordination.

In English, we have been exploring the beautifully illustrated book The Journey. We have identified and discussed the key events in the story and created story maps to help us sequence the narrative and develop our understanding of the characters and their journey.

It has been a fantastic week of learning, and we are looking forward to building on all of this next week!

Science

This week, we learnt about the structure and function of the heart using a 3D model. This gave the children the opportunity to explore the different parts of the heart and understand how they work together.

We also carried out an exciting science experiment to model blood circulation around the body. The children really enjoyed seeing the structure of the heart come to life and observing how tubes could be used to represent blood vessels carrying liquid to different parts of the body.

Some children are now working with me to design and create our own 3D model of a pumping heart. We are exploring how tubes and syringes can be used safely to demonstrate how the heart pumps blood around the body. This hands-on project will help the children develop their scientific understanding while also encouraging creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Art Work

This week, the children have been exploring the relief panel technique using clay. They designed and created meaningful symbols inspired by Nelson Mandela, carefully shaping the clay and arranging their designs on pieces of wood. The children had lots of fun experimenting with the clay and developing their creativity, artistic skills and attention to detail while learning how art can be used to represent important people, ideas and events.

Alongside their artwork, the children have also been writing biographies about Nelson Mandela, focusing on the most significant moments and achievements in his life. This has provided a wonderful opportunity to combine art, history and literacy, allowing the children to express what they have learnt through both their writing and their creative work.

Writing

This week, the children explored an exciting suspense text called “The Caravan.” Through drama, role-play and modelling actions, they brought the story to life and imagined what it would feel like to be Mitch and Connor, trapped inside the caravan.

The children explored how authors build tension and create suspense to keep readers engaged. They identified and practised a range of techniques, including short sentences, powerful vocabulary, sensory descriptions, rhetorical questions and carefully chosen details. They are now beginning to apply these techniques to their own writing, creating tense and atmospheric scenes that leave the reader wondering what will happen next.

History

This week, the children explored how democracy has changed and developed over time. They learnt how voting rights have gradually changed, allowing more groups of people to have a voice and take part in elections.

Through discussions and activities, the children considered how voting rules were different in the past and how they have changed to become more inclusive over the years. This helped them develop a deeper understanding of democracy, equality and the importance of having a voice in society.

Is your child struggling with the Back to School routine?

Please see the back-to-school reset guide from the Department for Education (DfE).

If you would like us to help further, please let us know.

Please see information regarding the annual seasonal flu vaccinations, this information has been sent out on MCAS. The immunisation team will be at The Grove on Monday 21st September.

The immunisation team will only give primary school aged children the flu vaccination if they have your consent.

How to give or refuse consent for your child to get the flu vaccination

• Click on the following link: https://www.manage-vaccinations-in-schools.nhs.uk/consents/VShK3TbBnJ/flu/start

• On the consent declaration page, you can consent for the nasal flu vaccine, the injectable flu vaccine or refuse consent.

• You will receive a confirmation email when the form is submitted.

Children will have two PE sessions each week. As PE days may occasionally change due to timetabling, please send your child’s PE kit into school on a Monday and it will be sent home again on a Friday.

Please make sure all items are clearly named.

PE kit should include:

• Plain white T-shirt or polo shirt

• Plain black shorts or leggings

• Trainers for outdoor PE

• Blue Grove sweatshirt or cardigan for outdoor PE

• Plain black tracksuit bottoms or leggings for outdoor PE

Hair should be tied back and earrings should be removed or covered in line with our PE expectations.

Year 6

Year 6 will also be attending swimming sessions. Information about swimming arrangements has already been shared directly with Year 6 families, which will take place on Fridays.