A huge well done to the Y5 and Y6 children selected to represent the Federation at the Catholic Umbrella Trust's Annual Maths Quiz. You did very well coming in the top 5 and I loved the discussion I had with you on our return about complex maths problems. Maths is my specialism so I am keen to support in the preparation for next year so we improve on our ranking! Well done and a special tank you to Mrs LA Touché and Mrs Burgess for taking and supporting you.

We also had a group of children go to BTG for a STEM Day today. Science and technology are such important disciplines. Our children won a design contest and had so much fun whilst doing so. Who knows Sienna or Gabrielle could be engineers of the future!

I hope you and your family have a great weekend,

Mrs Ashley and the Team

Pastoral

Many children's centres across Croydon offer fun and FREE activities that could help keep children occupied or support a range of needs.

For example, this weekend, Peppermint Children's Centre are hosting their annual fun day.

There are also an array of 'Best Start' children's centres that offer services, activities and support for families with children under 5. Most activities, apart from childcare, are either offered free or at a small cost.

For more information about your closest centre, click here.

Early Years

Reception have returned to school very refreshed and ready to continue their learning for the final term in EYFS. In maths this week, the children have been building upon their learning of sharing and grouping. The children had a lot of fun making equal groups using numicon and counting bears. As a challenge the children had to opportunity to create their own pizza where they had to share out the toppings on each slice. Each child had to ensure they had the same and equal amount of toppings on each slice of pizza. It made everyone want to go home and make a pizza for dinner!

Key Stage 1

This week in science we took our learning outside to the forest school! We were very excited as we learnt about oak trees, tiny and big acorns and tall trees. We even got to role play a detective looking for interesting clues!

We investigated whether taller trees had wider trunks. We had a good think and discussion about how we might be able to find the solution to this problem. In the end, we settled on using different coloured strings to measure the width of the trees - it was like a treasure hunt! Nature really excites us and we can't wait to learn exciting facts. being the best detectives ever!

Lower Key Stage 2

This week, after lots of practice both in class and at home, Year 4 started to complete their Multiplication Checks. They have been working really hard in preparation and we are really proud of their work ethic and their attitude to the test itself.

They have also been planning and writing their dragon themed stories, using their skills to up level their work to include determiners, exciting vocabulary and appropriate punctuation. They edited their work, reading it aloud to their partner to gain constructive peer feedback.

Upper Key Stage 2

This week, Year 5 have been busy across the curriculum! In English, we proudly finished our poems inspired by The Highwayman, showcasing creativity and dramatic flair. In Maths, we began exploring negative numbers, building strong foundations for future problem-solving. Our new class reader, The Silver Sword, has already captured our imaginations, and in RE, we’ve started learning about Buddhism and its key beliefs.

In Geography, we launched our new topic: Changing Population, which led to some fascinating discussions. In Science, we continued investigating reversible and irreversible changes through exciting experiments. Finally, in PE, we started tennis – an eye-opening experience that tested our coordination and focus!

Geography Update

As we enter our final half term of the year, the children can look forward to continuing their Geography learning, exploring the amazing aspects of our world in further detail in terms of both the physical and human Geography elements. EYFS will be starting to look a maps and how to read the information shown, following the directions carefully and even thinking about how they might make their own map. In KS1 the children will be looking into what it is like to live in different places. Year 1 will be exploring what it is like in Shanghai and year 2 will be learning about living by the coast- oh how we do like to live beside the sea!

Up in KS2 year 3 will be learning about settlements, what they are and the different types; and year 4 will be exploring rivers and how they are used? Year 5 will be looking into what it is like to live in the desert, their biomes and where deserts are located on earth as well as considering if they would like to live in a desert. Year 6s will be investigating how to carry out an independent fieldwork enquiry including devising a question for study, how to collect relevant data, the logistics of carrying out an investigation as well as use the data they collect in a meaningful way. There are lots of interesting and exciting learning opportunities for the children and we know they are looking forward to expanding and deepening their Geography learning.