Key Stage 2 - Timestable Rockstar Battle
Huge congratulations to all of our Key Stage 2 children who competed in this month’s Times Tables Rock Stars Battle. We were incredibly impressed with the effort and enthusiasm shown by everyone involved. Our individual award winners are: • Year 3 – Charlie Duckworth • Year 4 – Bobby-Ray Catterall • Year 5 – Carter Corran • Year 6 – Charlie Shorrock A special well done also goes to Year 6, our overall winning class for this battle. As a reminder, in order to raise money for the NSPCC, we will be launching the KS2 Times Tables Rock Stars NSPCC Battle in school on Friday 6th February. Throughout the day, children will collectively build up their scores, which will contribute to a whole-school total. To celebrate Number Day, all children — including Reception and Key Stage 1 — are invited to come to school wearing their own clothes that depict a number (for example: numbers on clothing, badges, or Times Tables Rock Stars-themed outfits). Voluntary donations will be available via ParentPay to support this fantastic cause.
Year 2 - Art - Sketching our cuddly toys
We brought in cuddly toys from home and made sketches of them. We refined our initial sketches and used different pressures to vary the tones.
Year 2 Maths - Making equal groups
In Year 2, we have been learning to recognise equal groups and then we have moved on to making some equal groups of our own.
Year 2 Science - Testing the Properties of Materials
In Year 2, we have been investigating some of the different properties of materials. We tested whether or not different materials can be bent, twisted, squashed and stretched.
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 2 - Art - Developing tonal shading skills using control and pressure
In Year 2, we have been investigating how varying the pressure using a pencil affects the tones in our sketchbooks.
Year 2 - Life Education Visit
We had a visit from Life Education this week. We spoke about staying healthy and our feelings.
Year 3 Poetry Reading: An Incentive for Excellence
As a reward for their hard work, several Year 3 pupils were selected to visit Year 2 to perform their Arctic bear shape poems. This opportunity served as a fantastic incentive for the children to refine their work, encouraging them to focus on high-quality editing and presentation. The Year 3 students spoke with confidence, and the session was made even more valuable by the constructive feedback provided by Mrs Hegarty and Mr Carter.
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 2 NSPCC visit - Speak Out. Stay Safe.
In Year 2, we had a visit from the NSPCC. We learned more about safe adults (both in school and out of school), what we can do if we are upset or worried and how to contact Childline.
Year 2 Art - Exploring texture through rubbings
In Art, Year 2 have been exploring the marks made on paper when making rubbings of objects with various textures.
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