Year 1 Maths: Numbers to 20
In Maths, we have been focusing on numbers to 20. Each child had either a numeral, number word or ten frame pattern from 11-20. They had to find their matching partners and display their numbers together. They were super fast and could easily spot the representations on the ten frames.
Year 1 PE: Understanding Tactics
Year 1 built their understanding of tactics in PE. A tactic is tricking your opponent. We focused on underarm throwing and tricking our partner by pretending we are aiming one way, but throwing another. It was lovely to see them working together and being kind, even if they were tricked. Their aim has also improved.
Doodle and Dance Club Session 3
This week, children in EYFS and key stage 1 focussed on mindfulness. We listening to some acoustic Disney music whilst completing some mindfulness colouring. It was lovely to hear all of the children chatting together. We finished with some wake and shake- fire and ice and the wiggle dance were a firm favourite!
Year 1 Fun in Provision
Year 1 have had lots of fun in provision this week from building out of 3D and 2D shapes, printing rainbows and labelling the United Kingdom.
Year 1: A Visit from Harold the Giraffe
Year 1 had a very exciting visit from Harold the Giraffe, who came to teach us all about our wonderful bodies and how to keep them healthy! The children learned why breakfast is so important, helping our bodies get ready for the day with lots of energy for learning and playing. Harold showed us different types of foods and how they help our bodies in different ways: Dairy foods such as cheese, yoghurt and milk are full of calcium, which helps keep our teeth and bones strong. Protein foods like fish, beans, eggs, chicken, chickpeas and peanut butter help to build strong muscles. Fruits and vegetables such as peas, grapes, apples, aubergine, peppers and bananas help keep us healthy and we should try to eat 5 a day! Carbohydrates including bread, porridge, pasta, potatoes, Weetabix and rice give us the energy we need. We also talked about having a balanced diet, with a mix of all these food groups. Harold helped the children understand more about their bodies too. We learned that: Our skin keeps us safe and protects our body. We need to breathe oxygen to stay alive. Food goes into our stomach, where it gets digested to give us energy. The session also reminded us how to stay healthy and safe by: Washing our hands to get rid of germs. Understanding that medicine should only be taken with help from a grown-up. Finally, Harold talked about our feelings and friendships and why it’s important to say sorry if we do something wrong, even if it was an accident. Year 1 were fantastic listeners and really enjoyed meeting Harold the Giraffe. It was a fun, engaging session that helped us learn how to look after our bodies and each other!
Year 1 RE: The Stilling of the Storm
In RE this week, Year 1 learned about the Bible story The Stilling of the Storm and why this story shows that Jesus is special. The children listened carefully to the story and talked about what was happening when the storm became rough and the disciples felt frightened. We discussed how Jesus was able to calm the storm and why this is important. To show their understanding, the children took part in drama activities, using freeze frames to act out different parts of the story. They worked brilliantly together to show the storm, the frightened disciples and the moment when everything became calm again. We also made links to our own lives by talking about feelings, especially feeling scared. The children shared thoughtful ideas about what makes them feel scared and who helps them when they are frightened, such as family members, teachers and friends. Year 1 showed great engagement, teamwork and empathy during the lesson, and it was lovely to see them expressing their understanding through drama and discussion.
Doodle and Dance Club
This week our EYFS and KS1 club learnt to follow instructions to draw different pictures such as butterflies, robots and elephants. The children tried really hard and Mrs Wilkinson was very impressed. We then danced to Waka Waka and completed a Super Mario dancing challenge. We are all looking forward to next week.
Year 1 English: Innovating Settings
Year 1 started to innovate settings based on We’re Going On A Bear Hunt. We changed the original settings to either a candy land, rainforest, hill, volcano, beach or swamp. They then had to think of adjectives to describe their setting for their own story. Next, we will need to think of sounds each setting would make, for example “sticky crunch” for the candy land. It was lovely to hear Year 1’s imaginative ideas and seeing them so excited about creating their settings.
Year 1 Science: Describing Materials
Year 1 have started their new topic all about materials. We looked at four common materials: plastic, wood, metal and fabric. The children knew lots of objects that are made from these materials. We took turns to feel these objects and then described them using words such as hard, soft, bendy, rough and smooth.
Year 1 Art: Jasper Johns Artwork
This week Year 1 created artwork inspired by Jasper Johns. He paints numbers mainly using primary colours and blending in some secondary colours. The children showed lots of skill with their paintings, making sure to outline the number with colour and blending colours together where they meet. Their artwork looks very impressive.
Go All In: 2026 National Year of Reading
Dear Parents and Carers, As we move into 2026, we are excited to share that this has been designated the National Year of Reading. This year-long celebration, spearheaded by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, isn't about schoolwork or exams—it’s about helping our children rediscover the sheer joy of a great story. The theme for the year is "Go All In." The goal is to show children that reading isn't just something they do in a classroom; it is a way to dive deeper into the things they already love. Whether your child is a fan of gaming, sports, music, or space, there is a book, graphic novel, or audiobook out there that speaks to their interests. The campaign reminds us that "if they’re into it, they can read into it," and that every form of reading—from a football programme to a digital comic—is a step toward success. We know how busy family life can be, but research shows that sharing a story for just 10 minutes a day can dramatically boost a child’s wellbeing and their confidence at school. You don’t need to be an expert storyteller to make a difference; simply sitting together and exploring a book, or letting your child see you reading your own book or magazine, sets a fantastic example. Throughout the year, there will be exciting events to look forward to, including a record-breaking World Book Day on March 5th and a music-themed Summer Reading Challenge titled "Read to the Beat!" Our local libraries will also be hosting free activities, from author workshops to interactive storytelling sessions. We invite you to join us in making 2026 a year of discovery for our children. Let’s help them find the stories that make them want to "go all in." For more resources and book recommendations tailored to your child’s hobbies, you can visit the official campaign website at goallin.org.uk. For our first challenge, I would love the children to send me some photographs of them reading their favourite story in their favourite place. Happy reading! Mrs Wilkinson
Year 1 Maths: sorting 3D shapes
Year 1 have been working really hard to sort 3D shapes. They have been sorting groups into colour, shape and properties such as curved or straight edges, the amount of faces the shapes have and the number of vertices they have. The children had to look really closely at the shapes to understand their similarities and differences.