Year 1

We are now four weeks into the term, and Year 1 have settled beautifully into their routines. The children are growing in confidence each day, building friendships, and showing great enthusiasm for their learning. It has been wonderful to see their curiosity shine through in lessons, and we are so proud of the progress they are already making.

The week began with an exciting surprise, an alien crash-landing right in our Year 1 learning garden! Among the space dust and scattered carrots, the children discovered clues that led us into our new book, Beegu. Beegu tells the story of a small, friendly alien who crash-lands on Earth and feels lonely in a strange new place. The children will be writing postcards to Beegu’s family, describing what life on Earth is like and sharing some of the adventures she has had here.

In Maths this week, Year 1 have been busy little number detectives! They’ve been sorting shapes, counting objects, and hopping along number lines. Using tens frames and counters, they’ve explored using counters to represent numbers, counting on from a larger number, recognising and writing number words. 

The children’s map skills were put to the test in Geography, with a fun letter-finding activity. They followed their maps to find hidden letters which spelt out the mystery word, “Richmond!” In art, Year 1 have been having fun experimenting with different ways to make polka dots, inspired by the bright and bold style of Yayoi Kusama. They’ve been trying out all sorts of tools and materials to see how dots can change in size, shape, and pattern. All their practice will come together at the end of term when they create their very own colourful dot masterpieces!

               

     

         

w/b 22.09.25

Keywords: representing, number words, counting on, one more, postcard writing, adjectives, finger spaces, outlines and shading, hedgehog, lambs, bees hibernating, compare aerial photograph and maps 

Sounds: oo (zoo), oo (look), ar, or

 

w/b 29.09.25

Keywords: counting backwards, 1 less, matching, fewer, more, same, postcard writing, adjectives, finger spaces, outlines and shading, hedgehog, lambs, bees hibernating, compare aerial photograph and maps 

Sounds: air, ir, ou, oy

 

Messages: 

• Please ensure your child brings their reading folders in with their reading record and books on Mondays. 
• The reading record should be signed by an adult five times. 
• All hair needs to be tied up- half up and down needs tying completely back.
• Please ensure your child has a book bag- we cannot safely house rucksacks due to our limited space.

 

Dates: 

• 19th September: PJ reading day (bring £1 or a book for your child’s reading corner)

• 9th October (9am): family volunteer training

• Tuesday 14th October: family teacher meeting 

• Thursday 16th October: family teacher meeting

• 10th November: Victorian day (dress up as a Victorian child)

• 3rd December (8.45 - 9.15 am): open classroom

• 9th December (9.30 am): year 1 Christmas performance

 

Year 2

Year 2 have been getting really stuck into our learning this half term and we are so proud of how hard the children have been working.

In English, we have been publishing our setting descriptions. A very well done to Eddie (Pearl class), Dahlia, (Turquoise class) and Arya (Amethyst class) whose fantastic work has been chosen for our writing display this half term. This week, we are beginning our brand new text, Traction Man. The children have really enjoyed making predictions about what the story might be about and are excited to find out what happens next.

In Maths, we have been estimating numbers on a number line and learning how to compare objects using the symbols greater than (>), less than (<) and equal to (=). Next, we will move on to practising counting in 2s, 5s, 10s and even 3s - an important step towards times tables.

In Science, our focus has been on habitats. We are learning how animals and plants survive in different environments, and this week we are using our research skills to discover more about polar habitats.

In Art, the children will be exploring different printing techniques. We are working towards designing a piece of wallpaper inspired by the artist Orla Kiely – we can’t wait to see their creative designs!

In Geography, we have been locating the UK on a map and learning new vocabulary such as Europe and Northern Hemisphere. Please ask your child to explain where the UK is in the world – they should impress you with their knowledge! This week, we are comparing towns, villages and cities.

Well done Year 2 – keep up the fantastic learning!

  

  

w/b 22.0925

Keywords: Character description, adjectives, predicting, number line, estimate, greater than, less than, equal to, habitat, research, printing techniques, towns, villages, cities.

 

w/b 29.09.25

Keywords: prediction, expanded noun phrase, prepositions, edit, publish, addition, subtraction, fact families, bonds to 100, printing, landmark, transport, government, design.

 

Messages: 

• Please ensure your child brings their reading folders in with their reading record and books on Mondays.
• The reading record should be signed by an adult five times. 
• All hair needs to be tied up. Half up and down needs tying completely back. 
• Please ensure your child has a book bag. We cannot safely house rucksacks due to our limited space.

 

Dates: 

• Monday 6th/Tuesday 7th October - Individual and sibling photographs

• Thursday 9th - New to the Vineyard coffee morning - 9am

• Tuesday 14th October - family teacher meetings

• Thursday 16th October - family teacher meetings

• Wednesday 22nd October - End of term