As we wrap up the first half-term, we wanted to take a moment to share some of the wonderful progress your children have made! They have been busy exploring new skills, building friendships, and developing confidence in ways that are truly inspiring. It has been an absolute joy watching them grow both academically and socially. Here are just a few highlights from our busy, fun-filled couple of months:
Maths: Patterns, Weight, and Bonds
Our class has become experts in patterns! We’ve explored everything from simple AB patterns to more complex ones, and your children’s creativity shines as they create patterns using beads, colours, and even sounds. We also delved into the concept of weight, learning to compare objects using balance scales and discussing “heavier” and “lighter.” Bonds of five and ten have been another key focus - by using hands-on activities, games, and plenty of discussion, they’ve strengthened their understanding of these essential foundations.
English: Narrative Writing Adventures
The children took a big leap into storytelling this term as we explored narrative writing. Each child created their very own book, developing characters, settings, problems, and solutions! It was amazing to see their imaginations come alive as they invented tales where problems were solved with creative ideas. These budding authors worked hard and learned that writing is not only about putting words on paper but about thinking creatively, planning and sharing ideas.
Gaeilge: An Scoil with Tomás
Our puppet friend Tomás became an essential part of our Gaeilge lessons. Through his playful guidance, the children learned all about An Scoil (the school). We leaned heavily on singing as a way to learn new vocabulary, and now we have a bank of five to six fun songs that the children enjoy singing together. Singing has made learning Gaeilge interactive and memorable, and it’s heartwarming to see them so enthusiastic about learning the language.
SPHE: Kindness and Decision-Making
In SPHE, we focused on decision-making, being kind to others, and learning to be kind to ourselves. These discussions encouraged children to think about everyday choices and understand the value of friendship, empathy, and self-care. It’s been lovely to watch them grow in their understanding of how to be supportive friends and to see their confidence blossom as they learn to express kindness toward themselves as well. The class learned ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’ song using sign language. They have been learning some other signs such as ‘play, Halloween, sweet, thank you, hello, goodbye & clap’. We also started the term with learning all about growth mindset and having a positive attitude. The children did lovely writing work on how they will ‘branch out’ this year with the story ‘The Koala Who Could’ as our story stimulus.
Cool Play: Fire Safety and Hallowe'en Fun
Our Cool Play sessions have been filled with themed learning! Along with free play, we covered fire safety and even had some Hallowe'en fun. These sessions have been great for hands-on learning, and we are continually impressed by how they use their imaginations to bring play into their learning.
Physical Education: Throwing for Accuracy & Gymnastics
PE has also been a highlight as we focused on throwing for accuracy. The children practiced their hand-eye coordination while learning to aim carefully, developing skills they can use in various sports and physical activities. Their determination and teamwork were wonderful to see. The children also enjoyed a 6 week stint with Andy and Mark in Gymnastics, learning key gross motor skills.
Drama: Bringing Stories to Life
Drama class this term was filled with laughter and some very fine acting! The children used their imaginations and storytelling skills to bring characters and scenes to life. They explored different emotions and expressions, which helped them build empathy and confidence in front of their classmates.
A Special Outing to Airfield for National Tree Day
We were incredibly lucky to visit Airfield on National Tree Day. This outing was a perfect opportunity for the children to connect with nature, learn about trees, and understand the importance of protecting our environment. It was a day full of exploration, and we know it left a lasting impression on them.
Looking Forward
With so much accomplished this term, we’re all excited for what’s next! In the coming term, we’ll be exploring the theme of going to the Vet and learning about being kind to animals in Cool Play. In Maths, we’ll further delve into number (0-20) & explore the measure ‘Length’. In English, we’ll continue spelling using our phonics and focus on writing for accuracy. It’s an exciting time, and we look forward to supporting each child as they continue to grow, learn, and build confidence in new ways.
It has been a privilege to work with your children, and we thank you for your support and encouragement. Here’s to another amazing term ahead!
