Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 15th May 2026

What we have been learning this week...

This week in English, the children have been focusing on editing and redrafting their work to improve the quality of their writing. They carefully reread their persuasive letters based on the story Tidy, making thoughtful changes to improve vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure. The children worked hard to identify ways to make their ideas clearer and more engaging for the reader. Alongside improving their writing, the children also focused on presenting their final pieces neatly, taking pride in their handwriting and overall presentation. It has been wonderful to see the children showing maturity and independence when reflecting on their work and making positive improvements through editing and redrafting.

This week in Maths, the children have continued their learning in our fractions unit, focusing on non-unit fractions. They explored the link between one half and two quarters, developing their understanding that different fractions can represent the same amount. The children also worked on identifying and finding three quarters of both shapes and numbers. Through practical and pictorial activities, the children used a range of resources to help them visualise fractions and explain their reasoning clearly. They have shown growing confidence in recognising equal parts and using mathematical vocabulary accurately.

This week in Science, the children have been investigating how different conditions affect plant growth, focusing on light, water, and warmth. They carried out a plant hunt around the school grounds to observe a variety of plants and identify those that may not be growing as strongly due to limited access to these conditions. Through their investigation, the children learned that while some plants can survive with less light, they may not grow as strong or healthy. They also discovered that warmth is essential for germination, as seeds cannot begin to grow without it. The children thoroughly enjoyed exploring outdoors, making careful observations, and discussing their findings.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week in Geography, the children have been exploring Weymouth in England using Google Maps. They identified and discussed a range of human and physical features, considering why human features are located in coastal areas and what makes the coast such a popular place for people to visit. The children also shared their own experiences of coastal visits, describing places they have been to and the features they noticed, such as beaches, cliffs, piers, and promenades. This helped them make meaningful connections between their learning and the real world.

This week in Art, the children have been working outdoors, sketching using a range of different techniques. They explored line, shading, and texture while observing the world around them, before applying these skills to careful observational drawings of their own teddies. The children produced some wonderful artwork, showing great attention to detail and capturing the textures and character of their soft toys. It has been fantastic to see their confidence grow as they experimented with different artistic techniques and developed their observational drawing skills.

How you can help...

Homework will now be set on a Friday and is due back in school on Wednesday. Children should hand their homework books in on Wednesday, as this will be the day their work is marked. The children will be given their new spellings on a Friday and will be tested the following Friday, giving them time to practise both in school and at home as part of their homework. If you have any questions, please do ask. Please also continue to read regularly with your child and log their reading. If your child is feeling confident with their book you can challenge them by focusing on comprehension of the book ensuring they understand the content fully. Reading books and logs should be brought back into school each day. Accelerated Reader accounts are now set up and information will be given to children as they progress through their individual reading journeys.

We are very excited for our upcoming school trip in a couple of weeks’ time! Please remember to order a packed lunch in advance if your child requires one from school on the day. Although we are hoping for good weather, please ensure your child brings a coat, as we will be outside for parts of the day. Children should wear full school uniform, but may wear an alternative pair of comfortable shoes suitable for walking.

As a finishing activity linked to our story work, the children will be creating personalised stepping stones, as this was a task in English; children are welcome to bring in small objects to decorate them (no larger than a LEGO piece), although a selection of materials will also be available in school.

Swimming will begin after half term, and the children are very excited to take part. They will need to bring a towel, swimming costume, and goggles if required, all clearly labelled and packed in a suitable bag.

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, following on from this work on Tidy, the children will be creating their own stepping stones, just like the character in the story, bringing their learning together in a meaningful and creative way. We will also be focusing on spelling and reading comprehension. The children will develop their skills in understanding different texts, learning how to locate information efficiently and carefully interpreting what questions are asking them. Alongside this, we will be delving deeper into spelling patterns and rules to strengthen accuracy and confidence in written work.

Next week in Maths, we will be concluding our fractions unit by focusing on finding three quarters of a number and a shape, and then counting in fractions to reach a whole. The children will consolidate their understanding of unit and non-unit fractions, ensuring they are confident in recognising and working with them in different contexts. We will also be recapping any gaps in learning and completing quick quizzes to strengthen fluency and recall. Throughout the week, the children will continue to build confidence in their fraction knowledge and apply their skills to a range of problems.

Next week in PSHE, we will conclude our unit on relationships with a focus on Celebrating My Special Relationships. The children will explore how to express appreciation for the important people in their lives and develop confidence in accepting appreciation and compliments from others. We will be using key vocabulary such as compliments, celebrate, positive, negative, and appreciate to support our discussions and understanding.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 8th May 2026

What we have been learning this week...

This week in English, the children have begun writing their final piece based on the story Tidy. They have taken on the role of Pete, writing persuasive letters asking for help to keep the forest clean and protect the environment. The children thought carefully about why caring for the forest is important and suggested different ways people can help, such as tidying litter, protecting wildlife, and looking after nature. As part of their writing, the children have continued applying their mastery skills, including using homophones correctly, adding -er and -est suffixes, and using punctuation accurately. They have also been using subordination to extend their ideas and make their persuasive writing more detailed and engaging. It has been wonderful to see the children becoming more confident writers and taking pride in using the skills they have learned independently.

This week in Maths, the children have continued their learning in our fractions unit, focusing on finding halves, quarters and thirds of both numbers and shapes. The children have really embraced learning about fractions and are developing a good understanding of how wholes can be divided into equal parts. There has been a strong focus on practical, hands-on activities to help the children visualise fractions before moving on to using pictorial methods to support their working out. The children have used a range of resources and drawings to help them explain their thinking and solve problems with increasing confidence. It has been wonderful to see the children using mathematical vocabulary accurately and demonstrating a secure understanding of equal parts and simple fractions.

This week in Science, the children concluded their plant experiment by observing and measuring what had happened to each of the different plants over time. They explored the process of germination and discussed why some seeds had grown successfully while others had not. The children also thought carefully about what plants need to grow and how we might be able to help the seeds that had not yet germinated. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the experiment and loved growing their own plants together as a class. It was wonderful to see their excitement as they observed changes each week, shared their ideas, and used scientific vocabulary to explain their findings. The experiment helped the children develop a deeper understanding of how plants grow and the conditions needed for successful germination.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week in Music, the children enjoyed learning how to play the ukuleles. They explored how to hold the instrument correctly, practised strumming techniques, and began learning simple chords and rhythms. The children listened carefully to different sounds and worked hard to keep in time while playing together as a class. It was wonderful to see the children so engaged and enthusiastic during the lesson, showing growing confidence as they experimented with the instruments and developed their musical skills. The children particularly enjoyed performing together and encouraging one another as they learnt something new.

This week in PE, the children have continued practising their athletics skills in preparation for Sports Day. This week’s focus was javelin, where the children used foam rockets to help them develop the correct throwing technique safely and confidently. They practised their aiming, coordination and control, thinking carefully about their stance, arm movement and follow-through to improve the distance of their throws.

How you can help...

Please continue to read regularly with your child and log their reading. If your child is feeling confident with their book you can challenge them by focusing on comprehension of the book ensuring they understand the content fully. Reading books and logs should be brought back into school each day. Accelerated Reader accounts are now set up and information will be given to children as they progress through their individual reading journeys.

We are very excited for our upcoming school trip in a couple of weeks’ time! Please remember to order a packed lunch in advance if your child requires one from school on the day.

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, the children will be focusing on editing and improving their persuasive letters based on Tidy. They will use checklists to carefully review their work, checking for accurate punctuation, spelling and grammar, as well as thinking about how to make their writing clearer and more persuasive for the reader. The children will continue applying the skills they have been learning, including homophones, expanded adjectives and subordination, while developing an understanding of the importance of editing and improving their work.

Next week in Maths, the children will continue their learning on fractions, building on their understanding of halves, quarters and thirds. They will deepen their knowledge by exploring both unit and non-unit fractions, and begin finding fractions such as two quarters, three quarters and thirds of numbers and shapes. This will help them to strengthen their understanding of how quantities can be divided into equal parts and how fractions are represented. Throughout the week, the children will continue to use practical resources and visual models to support their learning, helping them to develop confidence when explaining their reasoning and solving fraction problems.

Next week in PSHE, the children will continue their Relationships unit, focusing on trust and appreciation. They will explore and recognise the people who can help them in their family, school and wider community, and reflect on why these people are important in supporting and caring for us. The children will also learn about what it means to trust someone and how it feels to place trust in others. They will discuss and develop their understanding of key vocabulary including trust, trustworthy, honesty and reliability, and consider how these qualities can be seen in everyday life.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 1st May 2026

What we have been learning this week...

This week in English, the children have continued exploring the story Tidy, focusing on what happens after Pete has “fixed” the forest. The children stepped into the role of authors, writing diary entries from Pete’s perspective to show his thoughts and feelings at this point in the story.We have continued to build on our mastery skills, including using homophones correctly, applying apostrophes for contraction, and developing our use of -er and -est adjectives to add detail. The children have also been using subordination to extend their sentences and make their writing more interesting. It has been wonderful to see the children growing in confidence as they shared their writing with the class, showing a good understanding of the text and real pride in their work. In spelling, we have been focusing on rules such as changing y to i when adding -ed, and dropping the e when adding -ing.

This week in Maths, the children have begun their new unit on fractions. They started by exploring the concepts of whole and part, and learning to recognise equal and unequal groups. The children revisited halves, finding one half of both shapes and numbers, before moving on to being introduced to quarters. There has been a strong focus on hands-on learning, with the children using practical resources and visual models to help them understand how shapes and quantities can be divided into equal parts. This has supported them in developing a secure understanding of early fraction concepts in a fun and engaging way. It has been great to see so many children confidently explaining their ideas and using mathematical language to describe their thinking.

This week in Geography, the children have been exploring the coasts of the United Kingdom in more depth. Using Google Maps, they took virtual visits to a range of coastal locations, including the Jurassic Coast and the Giant’s Causeway. The children learnt to identify key coastal features such as caves, arches, stacks and bays, developing their understanding of how these are formed. They really enjoyed spotting these features during their virtual explorations and discussing what they could see. It was lovely to see how excited the children were to share their own experiences of visiting the coast, making links between their learning in class and the features they have seen in real life.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week, the children enjoyed a visit to a nature reserve, where they had the opportunity to explore the environment, have time to themselves, and look for clues that show the signs of summer, thinking carefully about changes in plants, weather and wildlife. Back in class, we had a discussion about the seasons, linking their observations to the signs of summer. It was wonderful to see the children so engaged and enthusiastic, making connections between their learning and the world around them.

This week in Computing, the children have been developing their photo editing skills. They have been learning how to edit landscape photographs by cropping images to improve focus and adjusting the contrast to enhance detail and clarity. The children explored how small changes can make a big difference to the overall effect of an image, and they showed great care and creativity when making their edits. It has been wonderful to see them building confidence in using digital tools and talking about the choices they make when improving their work.

How you can help...

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, the children will be writing a persuasive letter, applying all of the skills they have developed through our work on Tidy. They will begin by carefully planning their ideas, thinking about the purpose of their letter, the audience, and the most effective language to use. The children will then “chunk” their writing into manageable sections to support them in producing their best possible work, ensuring each part is clear, well-structured and purposeful. This approach will help them to confidently include and showcase the grammar, punctuation and spelling skills they have been learning, such as homophones, apostrophes, expanded adjectives and subordination.

Next week in Maths, the children will continue their learning on fractions, building on their understanding of halves and quarters. They will deepen their knowledge by exploring quarters in more detail and moving on to learn about thirds, developing their understanding of how shapes and quantities can be divided into equal parts. The children will also be introduced to unit fractions, recognising what these represent and how they are written. Throughout the week, they will continue to use practical resources and visual models to support their understanding and help them confidently explain their reasoning.

Next week in PSHE, the children will continue their Relationships unit, focusing on understanding secrets. They will explore the difference between good secrets and worry secrets, and learn that sometimes it is okay to keep a secret, but sometimes it is important to share it with a trusted adult. The children will think carefully about how it might feel to be asked to keep a secret they do not want to keep, and will discuss who they can talk to if this happens. This will help them build confidence in recognising their feelings and knowing where to go for help. Key vocabulary for this unit includes: Secret, Surprise, Good secret, Worry secret, Adult, Trust, Happy, Sad, Frightened.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 24th April 2026

What we have been learning this week...

This week in English, the children have continued exploring the story Tidy, building on their understanding of the characters and events. A key focus has been on making predictions, with the children thinking carefully about what might happen next and using clues from the text to support their ideas. We have also introduced homophones, helping the children to recognise and use words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Alongside this, the children have been learning to use apostrophes correctly in contracted forms, practising these skills in their own writing. To apply their learning, the children have been writing diary entries and instructions, giving them the opportunity to use their new grammar and spelling knowledge in meaningful contexts. It has been wonderful to see how much they are enjoying the story, and how engaged they are in discussing and writing about it.

This week in Maths, the children have been learning about volume and capacity as part of their measurement topic. They were introduced to litres (l) and millilitres (ml), and explored how these units are used to measure and compare different amounts of liquid. The children took part in practical activities, comparing volume and capacity using a range of containers. They enjoyed estimating and measuring using jugs and classroom equipment, as well as thinking about everyday household items and how much they can hold. This hands-on approach helped them to better understand the relationship between litres and millilitres. As the week progressed, the children applied their knowledge to solve a range of problems involving volume and capacity, using the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). Towards the end of the week, they were introduced to temperature, beginning to explore how it is measured and used in real-life contexts.

This week in Art, the children have been exploring texture and how it can be used to create interesting and creative artwork. They began by investigating a range of different objects, thinking carefully about how they feel and matching them to descriptive texture words such as “prickly,” “smooth,” and “rough.” The children then took their learning outside, where they explored the natural environment and created texture rubbings using a variety of surfaces. They used leaves, bark, and other natural materials to experiment with different patterns and effects. To develop their ideas further, the children cut up their rubbings and used them to create their own unique pieces of artwork. It has been wonderful to see their creativity and how they combined different textures to produce interesting designs.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week in PE, the children have begun practising for Sports Day. They have been introduced to a range of activities and events, including the long jump, and have been developing the skills needed to take part confidently. Throughout the week, the children have practised different Sports Day events, focusing on improving their technique, coordination and teamwork. They have shown great determination as they worked on their jumping, running and overall performance. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and growing confidence as they prepare for Sports Day. The children are really looking forward to taking part and doing their best in the upcoming event.

This week in PSHE, the children have been learning about keeping safe, with a focus on understanding safe and unsafe touch. Through a range of games and class discussions, the children explored what makes a touch feel safe, unsafe, or uncomfortable. As part of the lesson, the children drew around their hands and used this to record different types of touch. They discussed touches they like, such as hugs from trusted adults or high fives from friends, as well as those they may not like as much. This helped them to understand that everyone’s feelings can be different and that it is important to talk to a trusted adult if something does not feel right.

How you can help...

Homework will now be set on a Friday and is due back in school on Wednesday. Children should hand their homework books in on Wednesday, as this will be the day their work is marked. Spelling tests will also resume next week. The children will be given their new spellings on a Friday and will be tested the following Friday, giving them time to practise both in school and at home as part of their homework. If you have any questions, please do ask.

Preparations are underway for our upcoming school trip to the Botanical Gardens, and the children have been exploring the website to find out more about what they will see and do. They are very excited about the visit and are looking forward to experiencing a wide variety of plants in a real-life setting, helping to deepen their understanding of how plants grow and survive in different environments. Thank you very much to everyone who kindly offered to volunteer—we now have all the support we need for the trip. The teachers joining us will be Mrs Mack, Mr Romeo and Miss Hensleigh.

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, the children will continue exploring the story Tidy, building further on both their existing and newly developed skills. They will keep developing their understanding of the characters and events, while applying their knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spelling in a range of writing activities. As part of their learning, the children will begin planning their final piece—a persuasive letter—thinking carefully about their ideas, structure and the language they will use to make their writing effective. We look forward to seeing how they bring together all of their learning from this unit.

Next week in Maths, the children will be starting a new topic on fractions. They will begin by exploring the concepts of one half and one quarter, developing their understanding of how shapes and quantities can be divided into equal parts. They will also be learning about equal and unequal parts and why fractions must be made up of equal groups to be correct. Alongside this, the children will be introduced to how fractions are written, focusing on 1/2 and 1/4 and what these represent.

Next week in PSHE, the children will continue their Relationships unit, focusing on friendships and conflict. They will explore what it means to be a friend and identify some of the things that can cause disagreements or conflict with others. The children will discuss different points of view and begin to understand that people may see situations differently. They will als

o think about ways to resolve problems positively, developing their understanding of how to manage disagreements through communication and problem solving. Key vocabulary for this unit includes: Friends, Likes/dislikes, Conflict, Point of view, Positive, Problem solving.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 17th April 2026

What we have been learning this week...

This week in English, the children started their topic on the book Tidy, focusing on the character of Pete the badger and his determination to keep everything perfectly clean. We began the week by going litter picking, helping the children make real-world connections to the story and Pete’s actions. In their lessons, the children have been developing key grammar and writing skills. They practised adding -er and -est to adjectives to make comparisons, and used apostrophes correctly for contracted forms. They also worked on using subordination, particularly with if and that, to extend their ideas. Building on their understanding of the story, the children wrote letters to Pete and Mr Fraser, both as themselves and in the role of different animals from the story. This allowed them to explore different viewpoints and deepen their understanding of the characters.

This week in Maths, the children began a new topic on measurement, focusing on mass as part of their learning on mass, capacity and temperature. They were introduced to grams (g) and kilograms (kg) and explored how these units are used in everyday situations. The children enjoyed hands-on activities, weighing and comparing different objects to develop their practical understanding—for example, exploring the difference between a paperclip measured in grams and a bag of sugar measured in kilograms. This helped them to understand the size and scale of each unit more clearly. As the week progressed, the children worked on solving problems involving mass, applying the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) to a range of questions. The children worked incredibly hard and were eager to share their own real-life experiences of measuring mass, including weighing suitcases for holidays and measuring ingredients when cooking.

This week in Science, the children started their new topic on plants. They began by setting up a comparative test to explore what plants need to survive, focusing on the importance of water, warmth and sunlight. The children worked scientifically to plan and set up an investigation using four different plants. Each plant will be grown under different conditions, with one of the key elements removed, allowing the children to observe what happens when plants do not have everything they need to grow. It has been great to see how knowledgeable the children already are about plants. They were able to identify different parts of a plant and explain their functions, as well as discuss what plants need to survive. The children also made links to previous learning, explaining how some plants have adapted to survive in different environments. The class are very excited to observe the changes over time and see the results of their experiment. They showed great enthusiasm and curiosity, and we look forward to continuing our investigation in the coming weeks.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week in Geography, the children started their new topic on coastlines. They began by exploring the United Kingdom, identifying the different countries within it and learning about the seas and oceans that surround them. The children worked hard to develop their map skills, locating England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and discussing their positions in relation to the surrounding bodies of water. It has been wonderful to see their growing confidence when talking about the UK and using geographical vocabulary.

This week in Computing, the children started their new digital media unit, focusing on landscapes and how technology can be used to edit and improve images. The children explored different examples of landscape pictures and discussed how they could be enhanced using simple editing techniques. They then had the opportunity to take their own photographs of landscapes, thinking carefully about what would make an effective image. It was great to see the children engaging with this hands-on activity and showing creativity in their photography. They are now looking forward to developing their editing skills in future lessons, where they will learn how to improve and transform their images using digital tools.

How you can help...

As part of our Science topic on plants, we are looking forward to an upcoming school trip to the Botanical Gardens. This will be a fantastic opportunity for the children to explore a wide variety of plants in a real-life setting and deepen their understanding of how plants grow and survive in different environments. We would love some parent volunteers to support us on this trip. If you are available to help, please let us know by contacting myself or Debs in the office.

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, the children will continue exploring the book Tidy, with a particular focus on Pete and how he is feeling throughout the story. They will spend time discussing his thoughts, actions and emotions, developing a deeper understanding of his character. As part of this unit, the children will be writing short diary entries from Pete’s perspective, as well as creating instructions linked to the story. They will also be introduced to homophones and practise using them correctly within their writing.

Next week in Maths, the children will continue their unit on mass, capacity and temperature. They will continue to explore grams, kilograms, millilitres and litres, and apply their knowledge to solve a range of problems. A key focus will be using the four operations to work out calculations involving these measures, developing both accuracy and confidence in their reasoning. The children will also continue to take part in practical, hands-on activities, measuring and comparing different items in real-life contexts. This helps them to deepen their understanding of when and how to use different units appropriately.

Next week in PSHE, the children will continue their Relationships unit, focusing on Keeping Safe. They will explore different types of physical contact and develop an understanding that within families there are many forms of physical contact, some of which are acceptable and some of which are not. The children will discuss feelings, boundaries and safe communication in an age-appropriate way, helping them to recognise the difference between what feels right and wrong. Key vocabulary for this unit includes: Touch, Physical contact, Communication, Hugs, Like, Dislike, Acceptable, Not acceptable.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 27th March 2026

What we have been learning this week...

The children have worked really hard during assessment week! They should be very proud of themselves!

This week in English, the children finished reading My Name is Not Refugee and reflected on the journey of the main character. They worked hard to sequence the events of the story, showing their understanding of what happened and where the character travelled. Building on this, the children wrote a diary entry from the boy’s perspective, describing his experiences and emotions throughout the journey. In their writing, the children focused on using key skills from our English lessons. They included expanded noun phrases to add detail, used subordination to extend their sentences, and wrote consistently in the past tense. It was great to see them applying these mastery keys to create thoughtful and engaging pieces of writing

This week in Maths, the children began a new topic on measurement, focusing on length and height. They were introduced to centimetres (cm) and metres (m) and explored how these units are used in everyday situations. The children enjoyed measuring different objects around the classroom, developing their practical understanding of how to use rulers and measuring tools accurately. As the week progressed, they worked on comparing and ordering measurements, as well as solving problems involving length and height. The children applied their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills to answer a range of measurement questions. It has been great to see their confidence growing as they tackle these problems, and they are beginning to explain their thinking more clearly when working things out.

This week, the children took part in a special Easter Experience Day, where they explored the Easter story in depth. Throughout the day, they engaged in a range of creative and reflective activities to help deepen their understanding of the events and their meaning. The children created a variety of crafts, including stained glass crosses and Easter cards, and used natural materials to make thoughtful pictures reflecting Jesus’ time in the garden. They also spent time watching videos and learning songs linked to the Easter story, which helped to bring the events to life. It was wonderful to see the children reflecting on what they had learned and expressing their ideas through both discussion and creativity. The children had a fantastic day and showed great enthusiasm and respect throughout all of the activities.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week in DT, the children finished making their puppets. They worked incredibly hard to complete their designs, carefully adding meaningful decorations to bring their ideas to life. It has been wonderful to see the effort and creativity they have put into their work, and the children were very proud of their final creations. To conclude the topic, we had a special visit from some real-life puppets—Olaf and Sven from Frozen! The children were absolutely delighted and amazed to see them, and it was a fantastic way to celebrate all of their hard work. The experience really inspired the class and brought lots of excitement and joy to the end of our DT project.

How you can help...

As we come to the end of term, there will be no homework set for the half term break. The children have worked incredibly hard and deserve a well-earned rest. I hope you all have a lovely Easter break, whatever you may be doing, and enjoy some quality time together. I look forward to welcoming the children back refreshed and ready for the new term!

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

After half term in English, the children will begin exploring a new book called Tidy. They will spend time getting to know the story, discussing the characters and themes, and sharing their initial thoughts and opinions. As part of this unit, the children will be working towards writing a persuasive letter. They will be introduced to new skills while also revisiting and practising key writing techniques they have already learned. The focus will be on clearly structuring their ideas, giving reasons to support their opinions, and using persuasive language effectively.

After half term, in Maths I will be introducing a new unit on mass, capacity and temperature. The children will explore how to measure and compare using a range of standard units, including grams, kilograms, millilitres and litres. The unit will include lots of hands-on activities, giving the children opportunities to measure, estimate and investigate using real-life contexts. They will also solve practical problems, applying their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division skills to support their understanding. My focus will be on helping the children develop accuracy, choose appropriate units and equipment, and explain their reasoning. This is always an engaging topic, and I am sure the children will enjoy the practical and interactive learning opportunities.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 20th March 2026

What we have been learning this week...

The children have worked really hard during assessment week! They should be very proud of themselves!

This week in English, the children completed their reading assessments, showing their understanding of a range of texts and demonstrating their progress in comprehension skills. They approached these tasks with focus and determination. Later in the week, the children took part in their Big Write. They were asked to write a persuasive piece answering the question: Should pets be allowed in school? The class discussed different viewpoints before writing, considering both the benefits and challenges. Using the skills we have been learning, the children worked hard to structure their arguments clearly, include reasons to support their opinions, and use persuasive language effectively.

This week in Maths, the children completed their assessments, with a focus on both arithmetic and reasoning. They worked hard to apply their knowledge of key skills and strategies, demonstrating their growing confidence across a range of questions. It has been particularly impressive to see how much progress the children have made in their ability to unpick questions and understand what is being asked. They are becoming increasingly skilled at choosing appropriate methods and explaining their thinking when solving problems. The progress each child has made is fantastic. Every single one of them is showing real improvement, and they should be very proud of how far they have come.

This week in PSHE, the children learned about medicine safety and the importance of using medicines correctly and responsibly. They discussed when medicines can help us, who can give them to us, and why it is important to only take medicine when supervised by a trusted adult. The class had thoughtful discussions about how to stay safe, including what to do if they find medicines and why they should never share them with others. They showed a good understanding of how to make safe choices and how to look after their own wellbeing. At the end of the lesson, the children created informative posters to share their learning about medicine safety.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week in DT, the children began making their own puppets. They started by designing their puppets, carefully thinking about what they wanted them to look like and the materials they would need. They then moved on to selecting a base and attaching the material using a running stitch. This was a new skill for many, and the children approached it with great focus and determination. It was really lovely to see how the children supported one another throughout the process, helping their peers with threading needles, holding fabric, and improving their stitching. They showed great teamwork, patience, and encouragement towards each other. The class worked enthusiastically and took pride in their creations, and it has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they develop both their designing and sewing skills.

How you can help...

The children have been enjoying their spellings lessons and are showing lots of enthusiasm for their spelling tests. Please continue to support children with their spellings at home. Simple activities such as bingo, word hunts and sentence writing can really help solidify their understanding. Also, homework will continue to be set on Friday and is due back on Wednesday.

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, the children will be finishing My Name is Not Refugee by focusing on the sequence of events in the boy’s journey. They will revisit the key moments in the story and carefully order what has happened to build a clear understanding of his experiences. Using this, the children will then write a diary entry from the boy’s perspective. They will think about his thoughts and feelings at different points in the journey and use this to create a detailed and reflective piece of writing. The focus will be on using descriptive language, showing empathy, and writing in the first person to bring the character to life.

Next week in Maths, the children will begin a new unit on length and measurement. They will explore different ways to measure and compare lengths, using a range of standard units such as centimetres and metres. The week will include lots of hands-on activities, giving the children opportunities to measure real objects, estimate lengths, and solve practical problems. The focus will be on developing accuracy, using the correct tools, and explaining their thinking as they work. This is always a popular topic, and the children are sure to enjoy the active and practical learning opportunities.

Next week, the children will continue their 'Healthy me' unit in PSHE. They will be focusing on healthy eating and their ability to know what foods form part of a balanced diet. Key vocabulary will include: Healthy, balanced diet, nutritious and energy.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 13th March 2026

What we have been learning this week...

We have had a really positive and productive week in Hazel class!

This week in English, the children continued exploring the story My Name is Not Refugee, building on last week’s learning. They focused on thinking about the thoughts and feelings of the characters in the story and discussed how the boy might feel during different parts of his journey. Later in the week, the class became food critics. They tasted a selection of different foods and rated them out of five. Using our mastery keys, the children then wrote detailed descriptions of their tasting experience, thinking carefully about flavour, texture and their overall opinions. Throughout the week, the children were very engaged and enthusiastic. They showed creativity, imagination and excellent discussion skills while continuing to explore the story and develop their descriptive writing.

This week in Maths, the children continued to develop their understanding of multiplication and division. They explored the 5 and 10 times tables and practiced dividing by 2, 5, and 10, building confidence in their fluency. The class also focused on problem-solving and reasoning, applying their knowledge in different contexts to tackle challenges effectively. The children worked with concentration and enthusiasm, showing increasing confidence and skill in using multiplication and division in a range of activities.

This week in History, the children explored the difference between suffragists and suffragettes, learning about their different approaches to campaigning for women’s right to vote. The class had a thoughtful debate about fairness, equality, and the importance of voting, sharing their ideas with enthusiasm. They discussed how people’s actions can influence change and reflected on the challenges faced by women in history.

This week in RE, the children continued exploring the Easter story, focusing on the idea that Jesus’ death on the cross acted as a bridge between God and people. They began to understand concepts such as salvation and sin, discussing what these mean in the context of the story. The class enjoyed a hands-on craft activity that helped them deepen their understanding, allowing them to explore the story creatively. The children engaged thoughtfully, showing curiosity and enthusiasm as they reflected on the significance of the Easter events and their meaning for Christians.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week, the World Book Week celebrations continued with lots of exciting reading activities. Following the visit from Keith Hatton, the children were inspired to create their own books and stories, sharing their ideas on the Author’s Chair and taking time to design a front cover for their stories. They also spent time outside enjoying the lovely weather, reading with friends and sharing stories together. The class welcomed Year 4 pupils to buddy up for reading, which was a truly lovely experience, giving the children a chance to support each other and enjoy books in a friendly, social way. We were also very grateful to our parent visitors, who shared their favourite stories with the children – it was wonderful to see familiar faces in class.

How you can help...

As previously mentioned, we are starting to visit the nature reserve more regularly (mainly on a Wednesday). Please could children bring a pair of wellies (or alternative shoes) in a named bag for these visits, if these could be left in school that would be ideal. A coat is also advised to ensure they stay warm and dry. Thank you in advance!

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week, the children will take part in Assessment Week, which replaces the usual English and Maths lessons. This will give them a chance to demonstrate what they have learned so far and showcase their understanding across a range of skills. It’s a valuable opportunity for them to apply their knowledge, problem-solving, and reasoning skills, and to show the growth they have made in English, Maths, and other areas of learning. Throughout the week, the focus will be on encouraging effort, resilience, and confidence, ensuring the children feel positive and supported as they take part in the assessments.

Next week, due to different World Book day activities the will continue their 'Healthy me' unit in PSHE. They will be focusing on medicine safety and understand how medicines work in their bodies and how important it is to use them safely. Key vocabulary will include: healthy, dangerous, medicines, safe and body.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 6th March 2026

What we have been learning this week...

We have had a very busy week in Hazel class this week and the World Book Week celebrations are most definitely in full swing!

This week in English, the children continued exploring “My Name is Not Refugee”, building on last week’s exciting discoveries. They focused on writing instructions, imagining ways the boy in the story could have fun on his journey, and thinking creatively about his adventures. The class also enjoyed writing their own poems, exploring what the boy might be dreaming about and expressing their ideas through rhythm, imagery, and descriptive language. The children were very engaged with the book, sharing thoughtful ideas and discussing the character’s experiences with enthusiasm. Throughout the week, they demonstrated great creativity, teamwork, and imagination, bringing the story to life in their own words.

This week in Maths, the children continued their work on multiplication and division, focusing on the 2× tables, which they are becoming very confident with. They used this knowledge to help with dividing by 2, as well as doubling and halving numbers in different contexts. The class also revisited odd and even numbers, linking this understanding to their problem-solving activities and helping them apply their skills more confidently. The children worked with focus and enthusiasm, demonstrating strong reasoning as they tackled a range of multiplication and division challenges.

This week in Science, the children were introduced to the idea of food chains, exploring how animals and plants get their food. They learned that the arrows in a food chain show “eaten by”, helping them understand the flow of energy from one organism to another. The class also discovered that all living things ultimately get their energy from the Sun, linking plants, herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores together in a clear sequence. They learned the differences between these types of animals and thought carefully about where each one fits in a food chain. The children enjoyed investigating different examples of food chains and showing their understanding through diagrams and discussion.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week we celebrated World Book Day with lots of exciting activities centred around our love of reading. The children had great fun dressing up as their favourite book characters, sharing their costumes and talking about the stories they came from. We were also very lucky to take part in a “Meet the Author” session, where the children listened to an author talk about how stories are created and where ideas for books come from. The class enjoyed asking questions and learning more about what it is like to write a book. During our creative activities, the children designed their own book covers, thinking carefully about the title, illustrations and colours that would make someone want to read their story. They also had the chance to recreate their favourite book characters, using different art materials and drawing techniques. The children really enjoyed celebrating books and stories, and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm for reading and creativity throughout the day.

This week, the children enjoyed a fantastic trip to the nature reserve, spending time exploring the outdoors and learning through play. They worked together to build dens, using teamwork and problem-solving skills to create strong and imaginative structures. The children also had lots of fun exploring the natural environment, observing plants and wildlife, and enjoying games and activities outside.

How you can help...

Next week, the children will be learning new spellings. We will be practising these throughout the week, and every Friday there will be a spelling test. Spellings for next week will be added to the homework to support learning at home. Homework will continue to be set on Friday and is due back on Wednesday. In addition, there is a set of home projects for this term for the children (and families) to work through at your leisure.

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, the children will focus on sending welcoming messages to refugees and continuing to explore the story by sequencing key events of the story 'My Name is not Refugee'. They will also work on using subordination to link ideas, progressive verbs to show ongoing actions, and apostrophes correctly for contractions and possession. These activities will help the children develop their writing skills, express their ideas clearly, and deepen their understanding of the story while practicing important grammar techniques.

Next week in Maths, the children will continue their work on multiplication and division, with a focus on the 5 and 10 times tables. They will practise doubling and halving through practical activities and visual representations, helping to deepen their understanding. These hands-on tasks and problem-solving opportunities will support the children in building confidence and strengthening their knowledge of multiplication and division.

Next week the children will continue their 'Healthy me' unit in PSHE. They will be focusing on medicine safety and understand how medicines work in their bodies and how important it is to use them safely. Key vocabulary will include: healthy, dangerous, medicines, safe and body.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 27th February 2026

What we have been learning this week...

It has been lovely to have all the children back in Hazel class this week and we have really enjoyed sharing our half term adventures this week!

This week in English, the children began an exciting new topic based on the book My Name is Not Refugee. A mysterious rucksack was discovered in Hazel Class, filled with different objects, which sparked lots of curiosity and discussion. The children made some fantastic predictions about who the rucksack might belong to and what the objects could tell us about the character. They then focused on using their Gateway Keys — skills they already know — to create a poster, write a letter, and produce a set of instructions. The children also really enjoyed working together in group tasks, including sorting past and present tense verbs and sharing their ideas and predictions. They showed great enthusiasm, teamwork, and thoughtful discussion throughout the week.

This week in Maths, the children continued their unit on multiplication and division. They explored the concept of equal groups, learned to recognise and use the multiplication symbol, and practised writing simple multiplication equations. The children were introduced to arrays to help with multiplication, drawing their own and using this skill to solve problems. They then moved on to division, exploring it as both grouping and sharing. Using a variety of concrete resources, the children were able to visualise concepts clearly and develop a strong understanding of the methods involved. They worked with focus and enthusiasm, showing great reasoning skills and excitement as they tackled more challenging problems.

This week in History, the children began a new topic exploring the question: “How did women get the vote?” They started by discussing what they already knew about voting and where it happens, both in school and in government. The class then examined a timeline of how women gained the vote, and the children were very enthusiastic, noticing how unfair it was that women could not vote, especially when they had worked so hard during World War I. Finally, the children created their own timelines in their books, showing their understanding of the key events and developments.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week in Art, the children began a new topic on line drawing. They started by creating their very first line drawings while listening to music, focusing on letting their pencil move freely without lifting it from the paper. The class then explored some line drawings by Picasso, discussing what they liked and didn’t like, as well as the tools and techniques used. Finally, the children chose their favourite drawing and had a go at recreating it, experimenting with the skills they had observed. The children really enjoyed being creative and exploring different ways to express themselves through line.

How you can help...

Please continue to read regularly with your child and log their reading. If your child is feeling confident with their book you can challenge them by asking them questions about what they have read or by asking them to recall the story they have read. Reading books and logs should be brought back into school each day. Accelerated Reader accounts are now set up and information will be given to children as they progress through their individual reading journeys.

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, the children will continue their writing unit based on the book My Name is Not Refugee. They will focus on oracy skills and developing key writing techniques. Activities will include role play to explore characters and situations, as well as poem writing to practise creativity, expression, and vocabulary.

Next week in Maths, the children will continue their unit on multiplication and division, with a focus on the 2, 5, and 10 times tables. They will practise doubling and halving, using practical activities and visual representations to support their understanding. These hands-on tasks and problem-solving opportunities will help the children build confidence and strengthen their knowledge of multiplication and division.

Next week the children will continue their 'Healthy me' unit in PSHE. They will be focusing on relaxation, what it is, why it is important whilst thinking about things they can do to help themselves relax. Key vocabulary will include: relax, relaxation, tense, calm, stress.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 13th February 2026

What we have been learning this week...

We have had a very creative and crafty week in Hazel class this week!

This week in English, the children continued their film unit based on Catch It, with a focus on exploring commentary. They compared the film with a rugby match and thought and developed their understanding of a commentary, thinking carefully about how commentators use questions to build excitement and engage the audience. They also explored how subordinating conjunctions can be used to extend sentences and add detail to their writing. The children then applied these skills by writing and performing their own commentary, concentrating on expression, pace, and clarity. They worked collaboratively, showed great enthusiasm, and demonstrated growing confidence in using these techniques to enhance their spoken and written work.

This week in Maths, the children began a new unit on multiplication and division. They explored the concept of equal groups, learned to recognise and understand the multiplication symbol, and practised writing simple multiplication equations. Through hands-on grouping activities using practical resources, the children developed their foundational understanding of how multiplication works. These experiences helped them to visualise and represent number groups clearly, supporting their early reasoning skills. The children worked with focus and enthusiasm and were very excited to be starting some more challenging maths.

In Art this week, the children used all the skills they have learned about proportions and, inspired by famous portraits, began their final self-portrait pieces. They worked carefully to include accurate facial features, showing great attention to detail. The children also added background clues to reflect their personalities and interests, making each portrait unique and expressive. They finished their artwork using watercolours, bringing their portraits to life with thoughtful colour choices and shading. The children showed fantastic concentration, creativity, and pride in their work, and the final pieces are looking wonderful.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

In Science this week, the children explored what a microhabitat is, learning about the plants and creatures that might live there and why these environments suit their needs. They really enjoyed creating their own microhabitats, carefully thinking about the conditions minibeasts need to survive, and were eager to see which creatures might choose to make their habitat their home. The children showed fantastic knowledge and curiosity throughout these lessons, asking thoughtful questions and sharing their understanding confidently. It has been a pleasure to see their enthusiasm and engagement in these truly amazing lessons.

In PSHE this week, the children concluded their topic by creating dream jars, which they filled with their goals and aspirations for the future. They enjoyed carefully decorating their jars and making them personal and meaningful. The children showed thoughtfulness, creativity, and pride in their work, and it was lovely to see them sharing their dreams and supporting one another. The finished jars are a wonderful celebration of their individuality and positive outlook for the future.

How you can help...

After half term, the children will be completing weekly spelling tests on a Wednesday morning. The spellings will be put in their homework books the previous week to be able to practise at home. Any support with this would be very beneficial.

There will be no homework this week! Please enjoy a well earned break over half term whatever you may be up to. The children have loved sharing their plans with each other so please feel free to email any photos of your adventures to share when we come back to school.

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

When the children return after half term, in English, we will be starting a new writing unit based on the book 'My name is not Refugee'. The first week will focus on oracy skills and capturing the children's interests whilst practising key writing skills. In Maths, the children will continue their multiplication and division unit by being introduced to division. They will explore sharing and grouping as ways to understand division, using practical resources and visual representations to support their learning. Through hands-on activities, problem-solving, and discussion, the children will build their confidence and deepen their understanding of how division links to multiplication.

After half term the children will begin their 'Healthy me' unit in PSHE. In the first week they will be focusing on being healthy and understanding what our bodies need to be healthy. Key vocabulary will include healthy choices, lifestyle and motivation.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 6th February 2026

What we have been learning this week...

What a positive and enthusiastic week Hazel class has had!

This week in English, the children began a new film unit based on Catch It. They explored how adding the suffixes -ful and -ness to adjectives can support and improve their writing, as well as how using the past tense can change the verbs we choose. The children worked well together to think of different adjectives and enjoyed experimenting with different words. The children then applied these skills by writing a recount narrative describing what happened in the film. They focused on ordering events clearly, choosing effective vocabulary, and using past tense verbs accurately. The children showed great engagement and confidence as they used their new learning in their writing.

This week in Maths, the children concluded their money unit and revisited and consolidated key skills. They recapped number bonds to 100, explored fact families, and practised addition and subtraction fluency to build confidence and accuracy. The children applied these skills through a range of problem-solving and reasoning activities, showing a growing understanding of how these strategies support their mathematical thinking. These core skills will be essential as we move into multiplication and division next week, helping the children to recognise number relationships and work more efficiently. They worked with focus and enthusiasm as they strengthened their fluency and recall.

In PE this week, the children continued working on their dance unit, developing their movements, timing, and coordination. They focused on practising and refining their routines, thinking carefully about how different movements link together and how to perform with confidence and control. The children worked with great focus and enthusiasm, showing creativity and commitment throughout the sessions. Next week, we will be filming their dances, and we are looking forward to sharing the finished performances with you.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

In Science this week, the children continued exploring different habitats and learned about why animals are suited to live in particular environments. They used their knowledge to create their own habitats, thinking carefully about the conditions each habitat provides and the needs of the animals that live there. The children demonstrated a strong understanding of how animals depend on their surroundings for food, shelter, and survival, and were able to explain why animals can only live in certain places. They worked with enthusiasm and curiosity and produced some thoughtful and creative habitat designs.

How you can help...

As part of our Dreams and Goals PSHE topic, the children would love to create their own dream jars. If you have any clean, unused glass jars at home, we would be very grateful for any donations you are able to provide. We are hoping to make these next Wednesday!

Homework will be sent home on a Friday and is due back in the following Wednesday. Please can you encourage your child to complete as much of their homework as possible. The homework will build on skills taught within school or be a task that will build their confidence ready for an upcoming lesson.

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, the children will continue their film-based unit, using the film as inspiration for their learning. They will explore the purpose and features of a commentary, considering how language is used to describe events as they happen. The children will also learn how to use subordinating conjunctions to extend their sentences and add detail and clarity to their writing.

Next week in Maths, the children will begin a new unit on multiplication and division. They will explore key concepts such as grouping, sharing, and understanding equal groups, building on their existing knowledge of number facts and relationships. Through a range of practical activities, problem-solving, and discussion, the children will develop their confidence and understanding as they take their next steps in mathematical learning.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 30th January 2026

What we have been learning this week...

This week in English, the children began our new Twisted Tales topic by creating their own imaginative stories for the wolf to read. They chose their own characters and settings and carefully planned their stories before writing. The children focused on writing in clear sections and developing their use of speech marks and adverbs to add detail and interest. They showed great creativity and enthusiasm, enjoying the opportunity to use their imagination in their writing.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

In PSHE this week, the children focused on dreams and goals. They were challenged to learn a new skill, choosing from learning numbers 1–20 in French, performing a poem, counting from 0–10 in Mandarin, or learning the Macarena. The children really enjoyed taking on this challenge and showed great enthusiasm and determination. They reflected on what they found easy or difficult and discussed how practising and persevering helps us improve and work towards achieving our goals.

How you can help...

As part of our Dreams and Goals PSHE topic, the children would love to create their own dream jars. If you have any clean, unused glass jars at home, we would be very grateful for any donations you are able to provide. Thank you for your support.

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, the children will begin an exciting film-based topic. They will be exploring the story through film and using it as inspiration to develop their own ideas. The children will be encouraged to think creatively about characters, settings and events, before creating their own written work linked to the film. They will continue to develop their writing skills.

Next week in Maths, the children will take part in a recap week, focusing on consolidating the key skills they have learned so far. This will help to strengthen their confidence and ensure they are ready to apply these skills in our upcoming topic of multiplication and division. Through a range of activities and practice, the children will revisit important concepts and develop a secure foundation for their next steps in learning.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 23rd January 2026

What we have been learning this week...

In English this week, the children began our new Twisted Tales topic by exploring the story Little Red Reading Hood, a creative retelling of the traditional tale. They discussed how this version differs from the original story and focused on understanding the characters and plot. The children worked on using conjunctions to join and extend their ideas and experimented with similes to make their writing more descriptive. They also formed and shared their own opinions about the book, which they used to complete a book review. The children showed great enthusiasm for this engaging text and enjoyed expressing their thoughts about the story.

In Maths this week, the children continued their work on our money topic, focusing on making £1 using different combinations of coins. They used their knowledge of tens and ones to support their calculations and help them work out totals accurately. The children also practised finding the difference between different amounts, using practical activities to support their understanding. Hands-on learning played a key role in helping the children build confidence and deepen their understanding of money and they worked really well to support each other too.

In Science this week, the children continued their learning about living things and their environments. We went on a habitat hunt around the school, where the children explored a range of different habitats, including land, water and microhabitats. The children discussed what makes a habitat suitable and identified the features that help living things survive, linking this to our own habitats and what we need to stay healthy and safe. This hands-on learning helped to deepen their understanding, and the children were highly engaged and curious throughout the lesson.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

In Art this week, the children began exploring portraits. They learned about the proportions of the head, shoulders and neck, and discussed how these features can be represented in drawings. The children then had a go at creating their own self-portraits, applying what they had learned about proportion and experimenting with their own style. They showed great focus and creativity, and were enthusiastic about developing their skills in portrait drawing.

How you can help...

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, the children will be creating their own alternate endings to the story Little Red Reading Hood. They will be encouraged to think creatively about how the story could change and how the characters might react. In their writing, the children will also be introduced to using speech marks to show dialogue and apostrophes to show possession, building on their punctuation and sentence structure skills from this week.

Next week in Maths, the children will conclude our money topic by consolidating their learning on finding change. They will take part in practical activities, including visiting the Hazel shop to apply their knowledge of coins and notes in real-life situations. This will help the children build confidence in handling money and using their skills to calculate different amounts accurately.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 16th January 2026

What we have been learning this week...

We have had a lovely first full week back in Class Hazel!

In English this week, the children continued their work with our class text Nothing to See Here Hotel. Building on their understanding of the story, they used the book as inspiration to explore the four different sentence types (statements, questions, commands and exclamations). The children applied this learning by creating a persuasive advert designed to encourage readers to visit the hotel. They focused on using ambitious vocabulary, clear and engaging detail, well-structured sentences and correct punctuation, including the effective use of commas. They were also encouraged to present their work in their best handwriting. The children thoroughly enjoyed the story and showed great enthusiasm for this imaginative and creative writing task.

In Maths this week, the children continued our money topic. They showed growing confidence in choosing appropriate coins and drawing their own to represent different amounts. The children visited the Hazel Shop, where they practised making a range of amounts using coins, which helped to deepen their understanding of the value of different coins and notes. This practical experience proved to be a strong knowledge builder in preparation for next week’s learning, where the children will be building £1 and finding change. The children approached the topic with enthusiasm and are developing their money skills well.

In Computing this week, the children explored safe searching on the internet. They began with a knowledge check to assess their understanding of how to use the internet safely. The children then completed an internet safety quiz and took part in a decoding activity, where they uncovered key information about the internet and how it can be used safely. Through these activities, they discussed sensible online behaviours and how to stay safe when searching online. The children were engaged throughout and demonstrated a growing understanding of how to use the internet responsibly.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

The children thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the book bus this week. They explored the wide range of books with curiosity and excitement and showed wonderful manners and friendship while sharing recommendations and making choices together. Many children were keen to talk about their favourite authors and genres, and some made links to their learning in class by choosing books that interested them or supported our current topics.

In Geography this week, the children were excited to begin our new unit on journeys and expeditions. They were introduced to the explorer Ernest Shackleton and showed great curiosity about his adventures. The children also explored the different journeys they make in their own lives, discussing trips they take each week, each month and more rarely. This helped them to make meaningful links between their own experiences and the journeys and expeditions they will be learning about throughout the unit. The children were enthusiastic and eager to learn more as we begin this new topic.

How you can help...

Please continue to read regularly with your child and log their reading. If your child is feeling confident with their book you can challenge them by asking them questions about what they have read or by asking them to recall the story they have read. Reading books and logs should be brought back into school each day. As the children progress on their reading journey, we will soon begin setting up Accelerated Reader accounts to support and track their growth.

I wanted to say how impressed I was with the quality of the homework this week! I can see the children are really making an effort and it shows in the amazing work they are producing so thank you for supporting them with this! Homework will be sent home on a Friday and is due back in the following Wednesday. Please can you encourage your child to complete as much of their homework as possible. The homework will build on skills taught within school or be a task that will build their confidence ready for an upcoming lesson. It is also wonderful to see so many children engaging with TT Rockstars over the holidays. This is a fantastic way for them to practise their times tables at home, which in turn supports their learning across a wide range of topics in Maths.

As previously mentioned, we are starting to visit the nature reserve more regularly (mainly on a Wednesday). Please could children bring a pair of wellies (or alternative shoes) in a named bag for these visits. A coat is also advised to ensure they stay warm and dry. Thank you in advance!

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, the children will begin exploring a twisted version of the traditional tale Little Red Riding Hood. They will use what they have learned this week about different sentence types to help them recreate and adapt the narrative. They will be encouraged to think creatively while applying the sentence structure and punctuation skills they have been practising.

Next week in Maths, the children will continue our money topic, focusing on making £1, finding change, and comparing different values. They will apply their skills through practical activities, putting their knowledge of coins and notes into action and developing confidence in handling money in a range of situations.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 9th January 2026

What we have been learning this week...

I hope you had a lovely Christmas break and welcome back to the Spring term!

In English, the children have started our book focus on Nothing to See Here Hotel. They have been developing character and setting descriptions, focusing on using ambitious vocabulary, clear detail and well-structured sentences, alongside their best handwriting. We have been experimenting with expanded noun phrases as well as writing list sentences focusing on our use of commas. The children are really enjoying the story so far!

In Maths, we have started our money topic, with the children showing great confidence in identifying coins and notes. We have been focusing on adding pounds and pence together, using practical resources to support understanding as well as developing our understanding of the value of different notes and coins. The children have approached this with enthusiasm and are developing their skills well.

In Science this week, the children have started the topic of living things and their environments. They explored and compared the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive. Using hoops and working as a class, they sorted a variety of objects, discussing and justifying their choices. The children enjoyed the hands-on activity and demonstrated great understanding of the key concepts.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

The children enjoyed their first trip of the term to the nature reserve. They explored the area with curiosity and excitement and showed amazing friendship as they explored together. Some children made links with our science topic, noticing different habitats and thinking about what might live there. This will be something we explore further later in our Science topic, giving the children a real-world connection to their learning.

In Art this week, the children have been focusing on portraits and self-portraits. They explored a selection of famous portraits and self-portraits, and impressed with what they already knew by being able to name many of the artists. The children then chose their favourite portrait and had a go at recreating it, showing creativity and attention to detail. They really enjoyed the activity and were proud of the results they produced.

How you can help...

Please continue to read regularly with your child and log their reading. If your child is feeling confident with their book you can challenge them by asking them questions about what they have read or by asking them to recall the story they have read. Reading books and logs should be brought back into school each day. As the children progress on their reading journey, we will soon begin setting up Accelerated Reader accounts to support and track their growth.

Homework is restarting as of this week and will be sent home on a Friday and is due back in the following Wednesday. Please can you encourage your child to complete as much of their homework as possible. The homework will build on skills taught within school or be a task that will build their confidence ready for an upcoming lesson. It is also wonderful to see so many children engaging with TT Rockstars over the holidays. This is a fantastic way for them to practise their times tables at home, which in turn supports their learning across a wide range of topics in Maths.

As previously mentioned, we are starting to visit the nature reserve more regularly (mainly on a Wednesday). Please could children bring a pair of wellies (or alternative shoes) in a named bag for these visits. A coat is also advised to ensure they stay warm and dry. Thank you in advance!

As always if you have any questions, concerns or queries, please do drop me an email :)

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, we will be continuing to use the book Nothing to See Here Hotel to explore different sentence structures, including commands, statements, and questions. The children will practise writing their own sentences in these styles, using the book to inspire their ideas and develop their writing skills.

In Maths, we will continue our money topic, exploring how to compare, make, and calculate with coins and notes. The children will get a hands-on experience by visiting the 'Hazel' shop, putting their skills into practice in a fun, real-life setting.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 19th December 2025

What we have been learning this week...

What a lovely and festive final week of term we have had! The classroom has been full of excitement, laughter, and Christmas cheer as we enjoyed our last few days together before the holidays. The children have worked incredibly hard and taken part in a range of festive activities, making it a wonderful end to the term.

In English, the children have been concluding and finishing their diary entries, written as though they were living in London during the Great Fire. They focused on editing work by using time conjunctions, first-person vocabulary and the correct tense as well as their best handwriting. The effort and final outcomes have been amazing, and the children are very proud of the work they have produced.

In Maths, we have been concluding our 3D shape unit by revisiting the properties of shapes, focusing on identifying edges, faces and vertices. Towards the end of the week, the children took part in a 3D shape hunt around the classroom, spotting and naming shapes in real-life objects. This was a fun and engaging way to reinforce their learning.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

The children thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas dinner this week, sharing delicious food and pulling crackers with their friends. They had made their own crowns beforehand, so everyone was feeling very festive as we celebrated together. It was a lovely, joyful experience for all!

We also took part in a wonderful Christingle event, where the children enjoyed singing songs and learning about the different components of a Christingle and what they represent. The children loved making their own Christingles, and there was even a fun wrapping competition, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. It was a lovely, meaningful way to celebrate the season together.

How you can help...

Please continue to read over the Christmas holidays — from Christmas cards and magazines to storybooks and favourite texts. Every little bit of reading makes a difference. The children may have mentioned that they now have a TT Rockstars login. This provides a great opportunity for them to practise their times tables at home. During our recent addition unit, the children have been introduced to the 2, 3, 5 and 10 times tables, exploring the idea that multiplying by 2, 3, 5 or 10 means adding that number repeatedly. Although this is being introduced at an early stage in their learning journey, becoming familiar with these concepts now will support their confidence as they progress.

I just wanted to say thank you for all your help and support over the first term of school. It has been greatly appreciated, and I have really enjoyed getting to know the children and seeing their progress and enthusiasm for learning. I wish you all a very happy and restful Christmas break. There is no set homework over the holidays. Instead, I encourage the children to enjoy delicious food, spend quality time with their families, take part in activities they love, and return to school refreshed, happy, and ready to learn in the new term. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all :)

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 12th December 2025

What we have been learning this week...

It might have been our busiest week in Year 2 yet!

We hoped you have all enjoyed our performances of The Big Little Nativity. The children have been working so hard on this and the outcome has been absolutely amazing! Thank you for all your support with helping to learn lines and creating beautiful costumes.

In English, we have been learning about diary writing and have used our knowledge from History to write a diary as though we were living in London during the Great Fire. We had to think about our use of time conjunctions, first person vocabulary and ensure we were writing in the correct tense. We have started our diary entries this week and are aiming to finish them next week.

In Maths, we have been learning about the properties of shapes with a focus on how to identify the number of vertices that a shape has. We have been focusing on 3D shapes towards the end of the week identifying the number of faces, vertices and sides they have.

Alongside our classroom learning we got to watch the Acorn's Christmas performance and we had a visit from GenR8 for an assembly. We also got to watch a pantomime performance of Cinderella.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

In RE, the children enjoyed exploring how Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. We looked at a variety of crib scenes from different cultures and talked about what makes each one unique. The children were fascinated by the similarities and differences, and they showed great curiosity as they compared the traditions. They then had the chance to design and create their own crib scenes, putting so much thought and creativity into their work.

This term in music, the children have been focusing on becoming familiar with a variety of classical music. They have been developing their listening and appreciation skills by exploring pieces from different composers and styles. Each week, they listened carefully, shared their thoughts, and talked about what they liked and didn’t like. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they expressed their preferences and discovered new favourites.

How you can help...

I’d like to apologise for not sending the homework books out last week. This week’s homework will go home on Friday and will be the final set before the Christmas holidays. Just a gentle reminder that homework is sent home each Friday and should be returned by the following Wednesday. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Please continue to read regularly with your child and ensure their reading is logged. We encourage children to take responsibility for letting me know when they need a new book, helping them to read at their own pace. Reading together at home is extremely valuable, whether it’s their school book, a library book, a magazine, or any other reading material — every form of reading supports their growth and confidence as a reader.

Thank you for all your support and as always if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to email me.

Next week, we will be...

During our first week back we will moving onto our money unit. During English, we will be exploring our class text of 'The Nothing to See Here Hotel'. We will be writing about the setting of the hotel and practicing our comprehension skills to answer questions about the text. In Geography, we will be starting our new topic of expeditions and looking at the difference between an everyday journey and an expedition. In Science, we begin our new topic of living things and their environment. Our new PSHE topic will be thinking about our dreams and goals.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 5th December 2025

What we have been learning this week...

What a busy ,exciting week we have had in Hazel class this week!

In English this week, we’ve been using our knowledge from our History topic on the Great Fire of London to help us imagine what it would have been like to be there. The children explored the key features of a diary and discussed what makes diary writing feel personal and real. Together, we practised writing in the past tense and first person, learning how to describe events, thoughts, and feelings as if we were experiencing the fire ourselves. The class worked brilliantly, and these skills have prepared us well to begin writing our own Great Fire of London diaries next week.

In Maths this week, we’ve begun our new geometry topic, and the children have really enjoyed exploring shapes in the world around them. They have been identifying and naming a range of 2D and 3D shapes, counting their sides and vertices, and comparing their properties. We also started to investigate symmetry by looking closely at 2D shapes and finding lines of symmetry. The children were enthusiastic and curious, using hands-on resources and partner discussions to build their understanding. They have made a great start to our new topic and are already showing strong shape-spotting skills.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week has been especially exciting as the children took part in their first performance of their nativity in costume. Their enthusiasm was infectious—they were so proud to dress up, step onto the stage, and share what they’ve been practising. It was wonderful to see their confidence shine as they performed so beautifully. They did incredibly well, and we can’t wait to share their performance with you next week. Well done Hazel and Willow class!

This week in Science, we continued our learning about healthy eating and explored the five food groups. The children learned what each group provides for our bodies and why a balanced diet is important. They then had the chance to sort different foods into their correct categories, thinking carefully about where each item belonged and discussing their choices with partners. The class showed great curiosity and worked thoughtfully as they learned how to make healthy choices.

How you can help...

The nativity countdown is officially on and we cannot wait to share our performance with you! Just a reminder we have 2 shows; one on Wednesday 10th December at 2pm and one Thursday 11th December at 6pm. For the evening performance, could children please arrive around 5:30pm to ensure we have enough time to change and get ourselves ready. After the performance, all the children will head back to Hazel class to collect their belongings and will be dismissed from the front of the school as quickly as possible.

I wanted to say a big thank you for all your hamper donations! We have a lovely (blue) hamper ready for Christmas Capers this weekend!

Just a friendly reminder that homework is sent home on Friday and is due back the following Wednesday.

Thank you for all your support and as always if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to email me.

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, we will be continuing to use the skills we have practised this week to begin writing our Great Fire of London diary entries. The children will use their knowledge from History to imagine what it might have been like to experience the fire, drawing on the past tense, first person, and descriptive detail we have been working on. They will focus on capturing events and emotions clearly while practising accurate sentence structure, punctuation, spelling, and presentation to create vivid, engaging diary writing.

In Maths, we will be continuing our Geometry unit, moving on to explore 3D shapes. The children will be identifying and describing their faces, edges, and vertices, as well as comparing and sorting different 3D shapes. This part of the unit will give them plenty of opportunities to apply their knowledge, make careful observations, and use mathematical vocabulary as they deepen their understanding of shapes.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 28th November 2025

What we have been learning this week...

This week has been filled with wonderful moments that highlight just how amazing the children are. From showing kindness to their peers to working hard during lessons, they’ve demonstrated responsibility, creativity, and enthusiasm in everything they do. It has been amazing seeing their confidence grow—whether it was tackling a new challenge, helping a friend, or sharing thoughtful ideas during class discussions. Each child has shown something to be proud of, and I am delighted to celebrate their progress and positive attitudes. Well done, everyone!

In English this week, we’ve been exploring the wonderful world of postcards, using Meerkat Mail as our inspiration. After receiving an exciting postcard from Sunny, the children stepped into the role of thoughtful writers, imagining what they might say back to him. They shared ideas, discussed the features of a postcard and what makes it exciting, and practised using expanded noun phrases to add detail to their writing. We also introduced the future tense, helping the children explain what Sunny will do and see in their replies. The class then put everything together to craft their own polished postcards—full of warmth, creativity, and meerkat-sized enthusiasm.

In Maths this week, we’ve been rounding off our addition and subtraction unit, and the children have tackled the final challenges with real confidence. They’ve been comparing addition statements, working out missing numbers, and building fluency with both 1-digit and 2-digit calculations. This has really helped them deepen their understanding of number relationships and choose efficient strategies. The children enjoyed discussing their thinking with partners and checking their ideas together, showing great perseverance as they refined their skills. They are now able to use lots of different tools to help them with these calculations.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week in Science, the children continued their Animals Including Humans unit by exploring the importance of exercise for our bodies and minds. We carried out a series of mini-experiments where the children tried different types of exercises — from star jumps to jogging on the spot — and then reflected on how each activity made them feel. They talked about changes in their breathing, heart rate, and energy levels, as well as how exercise can lift our mood and help our brains feel more alert. There were lots of thoughtful observations about feeling stronger, calmer, or more focused after moving their bodies, and the children were brilliant at linking this to both physical and mental health.

This week in History, the children explored how London was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666. We learned about the challenges the city faced and the important changes that were introduced to make London safer. The children stepped into the shoes of Sir Christopher Wren, imagining themselves as designers tasked with creating a new, improved London. They carefully considered the new regulations — wider streets to stop fires spreading, sturdy stone houses instead of timber, and safer tile roofs — before designing their very own maps of a rebuilt London. It was wonderful to see their creativity and problem-solving skills as they planned thoughtful, fire-safe city layouts.

How you can help...

You should have received a email regarding the Christmas Nativity and how you can arrange to come and see. We can't wait to show you! Please could each child's costume be in school in a named bag by Monday 1st December.

We now have our Christmas Caper Hamper box ready and would be grateful for any blue-themed donations you’re able to send in. Chocolates, drinks, smellies—anything you think fits the theme (and is nut-free!) would be very much appreciated.

Just a friendly reminder to please send in healthy snacks for the children to enjoy during the day. Thank you for helping us keep everyone fuelled and focused!

Just a friendly reminder that homework is sent home on Friday and is due back the following Wednesday.

Thank you for all your support and as always if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to email me.

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, we are starting a unit on diary writing, linking closely with our History learning. The children are using what they have discovered about the Great Fire of London to inspire their own diary entries, imagining what it would have been like to be there on that day. They are focusing on capturing events and emotions in detail, while practising clear sentence structure, punctuation, spelling, and presentation to make their writing engaging and vivid.

In Maths, we will be starting our new Geometry unit. The children will begin by recognising and naming a range of 2D and 3D shapes before taking a deeper dive into the features of 2D shapes. They will be exploring the number of sides and vertices each shape has, as well as investigating lines of symmetry. This unit will give them plenty of opportunities to build their mathematical vocabulary, make careful observations, and apply their knowledge as they compare and sort different shapes.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 21st November 2025

What we have been learning this week...

What a busy week we have had in Hazel Class!

In English this week we’ve carried on with our poems unit and spent time exploring all sorts of fun rhyming poems. The children have been working towards creating their very own dog-themed poem — brainstorming ideas, planning out lines, and experimenting with rhymes that made us smile. They then used their presentation skills to turn their plans into polished poems, complete with personality and plenty of wagging-tail energy.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week the children have really enjoyed continuing their science unit on Animals Including Humans. We took a deep dive into different life cycles and compared the life cycle of a chicken with the life cycle of a human — which led to some brilliant conversations. The children chatted about how chickens hatch from eggs while humans grow inside their mothers, and they loved talking about the different stages each one goes through as they grow. There was lots of curiosity about chicks turning fluffy, humans learning to walk, and how both species slowly become more independent over time. It was lovely hearing them make thoughtful connections, spot similarities and differences, and share all the fascinating facts they’ve picked up along the way.

How you can help...

Next week, an email will be sent with details about the Christmas nativity and ticket availability. You are welcome to start bringing in your child’s costume. Please place each costume in a named bag to help us keep everything organised and avoid any mix-ups.

Just a friendly reminder that homework is sent home on Friday and is due back the following Wednesday.

Random Request: We are starting to plan some Christmas crafts as the big day gets closer, and the children are excited to create some beautiful decorations to take home. If you happen to have any smooth pebbles or stones at home, we would love for you to send them in to help with our projects!

Thank you for all your support and as always if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to email me.

Next week, we will be...

This week, we are starting work on Traction Man! The children are diving into the story, exploring the characters, and thinking about how they can describe them in detail. We’ll also be innovating our own stories inspired by Traction Man, paying careful attention to sentence structure, punctuation, spelling, and presentation to make our writing clear and engaging.

In Maths, we will be concluding our focus on addition and subtraction. The children have been working on subtracting two-digit numbers and consolidating the strategies and skills they have been practising throughout the topic. They are becoming more confident in choosing the most effective method for each calculation and using their understanding of place value to solve problems accurately. This final stage allows them to demonstrate their growing independence and apply their knowledge in a variety of challenges.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 14th November 2025

What we have been learning this week...

What a busy and exciting week we’ve had in Hazel Class! The children have shown fantastic effort and focus during their assessments, demonstrating just how much progress they have made. It has been wonderful to see their hard work paying off and their confidence growing day by day.

One of the highlights of the week was the “Big Write” activity. The children were inspired by a short clip called Taking Flight and created their own imaginative stories. They really enjoyed bringing their ideas to life, carefully using adjectives, expanded noun phrases, and prepositions to make their writing more vivid and detailed. Their stories were full of creativity, showing how the children are developing their storytelling skills and expressing themselves with confidence. In Maths this week, we have continued our work on subtraction, building on the children’s understanding of number relationships. The children have been learning to subtract across 10 and to subtract a one-digit number from a two-digit number. They have been exploring different strategies, such as using number lines, partitioning, and visual resources, to help spot patterns and calculate accurately. The children have shown great perseverance as they tackle increasingly challenging problems, explain their thinking, and develop confidence in choosing the most efficient strategies to find their answers.

This week, we have continued our history topic on the Great Fire of London. The children explored how people tried to put the fire out and compared these methods to how we would tackle a fire today. Through drama activities, cutting, and sticking, they recreated key events and thought carefully about the challenges people faced. It has been wonderful to see their curiosity and creativity as they bring this historical event to life.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week, we have continued our Nativity preparations! The children have been practising the songs and taking part in full run-throughs of the performance, working alongside Year 1s. The story is really coming to life as they focus on remembering their lines and performing with confidence. They have shown fantastic teamwork by supporting one another, listening carefully, and taking turns on stage. Their enthusiasm and effort are shining through, and we can’t wait to share their wonderful performance with everyone!

We have also continued our D.T. project this week. The children have been building their own axles and wheels for their toy vehicles, putting their designs into action. They are now moving on to the decoration stage next week, adding finishing touches to make their models unique and creative.

How you can help...

A letter will be sent home this Friday with details about your child’s role in the Nativity, along with some suggestions for costumes. Please hold off on sending in costumes for now, as we will begin collecting them towards the end of the month. Your child’s lines will also be included, giving them the opportunity to practise at home at their own pace.

Please continue to read regularly with your child and ensure their reading is logged. As a class, we are encouraging the children to become more independent in letting me know when they need a new book. This approach helps ensure that children can continue to read at their own pace, as it is not always the teacher who reads with them, and changes may not be immediately noticed otherwise.

Just a friendly reminder that homework is sent home on Friday and is due back the following Wednesday.

Thank you for all your support and as always if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to email me.

Next week, we will be...

We are continuing our poetry topic this week. The children are focusing on identifying and creating rhyming words, as well as using descriptive language, expanded noun phrases, and strong verbs to bring their poems to life. They are also paying careful attention to handwriting, presentation, and SPAG (spelling, punctuation, and grammar), ensuring their work is both creative and neatly presented. This topic gives them the opportunity to experiment with language while building on the writing skills they have been developing so far.

In Maths, we are continuing our work on addition and subtraction, building on the strategies we have been practising. We are now focusing on working with two-digit numbers, challenging ourselves to add and subtract confidently. The children are consolidating their understanding of place value and using practical equipment and written methods to show their thinking clearly.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 7th November 2025

What we have been learning this week...

This week, we have been exploring a range of poems, focusing particularly on those inspired by fireworks. The children have enjoyed reading and discussing different poems, identifying powerful verbs and nouns that bring the images to life. They also had the opportunity to watch a fireworks display, which helped them to gather ideas and sensory vocabulary for their own writing. Using their findings, the children created a word bank full of exciting descriptive language. They then used this to plan and write their own shape poems, capturing the sparkle, colour, and energy of fireworks.

This week, we have continued our work on addition and subtraction, building on our understanding of number relationships. The children have been learning to add three one-digit numbers efficiently, exploring different methods to make ten and find totals quickly. They have also been working on adding to and beyond multiples of ten, using number lines and visual resources to help spot patterns and make connections. Towards the end of the week, we began looking at subtracting to and from ten, using practical equipment and number facts to support our reasoning. The children have shown great perseverance as they apply their knowledge to increasingly tricky problems, explain their thinking, and develop confidence in choosing the most efficient strategies.

This week, we have started our new science topic all about Animals, including Humans. The children began by exploring what all living things need to survive, identifying the importance of food, water, air, and shelter. They discussed why each of these is essential for life and compared them to the things we want rather than need. Through group discussions and practical activities, the children thought carefully about how humans and animals meet their basic needs in different ways. It has been lovely to see their curiosity and thoughtful ideas as we begin to explore this exciting topic further.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week, we have continued our Nativity preparations! The children have been practising the songs and taking part in full run-throughs of the performance, focusing on remembering their lines and performing with confidence. They have shown fantastic teamwork by supporting one another, listening carefully, and taking turns on stage. Their enthusiasm and effort are really shining through!

We have also enjoyed the start of our D.T. project this week. The children discovered that they will be designing and making their own toy vehicles, using a wheel and axle mechanism to help them move. After exploring different ideas, they created their own designs and are very excited to begin building their models next week.

How you can help...

A big shoutout to everyone who has been completing their homework! The work that has been coming in has been amazing, and I’ve been so impressed with the effort and creativity the children have shown. This term, you’ll find a new set of homework projects for the children to complete at their leisure. Just a friendly reminder that homework is sent home on Friday and is due back the following Wednesday.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated resources for our DT project, we have everything we need and we look forward tto getting started with this project.

In the coming weeks, a letter will be sent home to let you know which part your child has in the Nativity (if they haven’t already shared the exciting news!). The letter will also include some costume ideas and a copy of your child’s lines so that they can practise at home.

Thank you for all your support and as always if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to email me.

Next week, we will be...

After half term in English, we will be starting a poetry topic inspired by Firework Night. The children will focus on using descriptive language, expanded noun phrases, and strong verbs to create vivid imagery. There will be a strong emphasis on handwriting and presentation, as well as careful attention to SPAG (spelling, punctuation, and grammar), to ensure their poems are not only creative but also neatly and clearly presented. This topic will give them the opportunity to experiment with language while consolidating the writing skills they have been learning so far.

After half term in Maths, we will be continuing our work on addition and subtraction. The children will focus on adding and subtracting 10 and then progress to working with two-digit numbers. They will continue to consolidate their understanding of place value and use practical equipment and written methods to show their thinking clearly and confidently.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 23rd October 2025

What we have been learning this week...

This week, we have been exploring some of our favourite films and using clips from these to inspire our writing. The children have been practicing key writing skills, including imperative verbs, action verbs, and expanded noun phrases. They have been thinking carefully about how to bring characters and scenes to life, using engaging sentence starters and descriptive vocabulary. It has been wonderful to see their creativity and imagination in action as they experiment with building exciting sentences that capture the reader’s attention.

This week, we have continued our work on addition and subtraction, focusing on adding and subtracting numbers by 1 and exploring how we can use 10 to help us calculate more efficiently. The children have been consolidating their understanding of number bonds to 10 and 20, exploring fact families, and using visual tools like 20 frames and 100 squares to support their calculations. The child are focusing on building confidence on reading tricky maths problems and working out what the question is asking, spotting patterns, and applying their knowledge to solve these challenges. We even had a go at creating our own maths problems using bears and different characters.

This week, we have been finalising our knowledge of hot and cold countries and exploring what life is like there for humans and animals. The children have been building fact files, carefully considering key information and interesting details to include. They have been working step by step to organise their facts, thinking about climate, habitats, and how people and animals adapt to different environments. They have been enthusiastic and curious as they share ideas and support each other.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week, we have been starting our nativity preparations! The children have been practicing songs and have completed one full run-through, working on remembering their lines and performing confidently. They have been supporting each other, listening carefully, and taking turns, showing great teamwork and enthusiasm. It has been wonderful to see their excitement and dedication as they bring the nativity to life.

How you can help...

Over half term please continue to read regularly with your child and ensure their reading is logged.

Just a friendly reminder that homework is sent home on Friday and is due back the following Wednesday. There are some activities to complete over half term just to keep children familiar with what they have learnt this term.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated resources for our DT project - we are still on the look out for some more cardboard boxes and as many bottle tops as possible please.

It was great to see so many of you at parents evening - thanks again for all your support and kindness and as always any questions or concerns, please feel free to email.

Next week, we will be...

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 17th October 2025

What we have been learning this week...

This week, we have been continuing to explore Little Red Riding Hood and encouraging the children to be creative with the story. They have been experimenting with new characters and inventing their own settings, thinking about how these changes affect the story. Using their knowledge of narrative structure — opening, build-up, problem, resolution, and ending — the children have been planning and writing their own versions of the tale. I’ve been really impressed with their creativity and imagination. They have been using expanded noun phrases, engaging sentence starters, and descriptive vocabulary to make their characters and settings come alive.

This week, we have been starting our work on addition and subtraction, focusing on consolidating the children’s understanding of number bonds to 10 and 20. They have been learning how to use these bonds to solve calculations more efficiently and to see connections between numbers. The children have also been exploring fact families and using 20 frames to help visualise the addition and subtraction calculations. It has been wonderful to see them reasoning with numbers, spotting patterns, and using their knowledge to solve addition and subtraction challenges with increasing confidence. These activities are helping them build a strong foundation for future work with larger numbers and more complex calculations.

This week, we have been exploring our creativity through flower design. The children have been experimenting with mixed media, trying out different materials and techniques to bring their ideas to life. They have been building their skills step by step, with the goal of re-creating Van Gogh’s famous sunflowers in our final week. The children have been thinking carefully about colour, shape, and texture, and supporting each other by sharing ideas and giving constructive feedback. Their enthusiasm and creativity are really shining through, and I’m excited to see how their final sunflower creations will turn out!

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week in PSHE, we have been thinking about consequences and behaviour. The children discussed how our actions can lead to positive or negative outcomes and reflected on the impact of their choices on themselves and others. We have also been focusing on collaborative learning, practising how to work together, take turns, and listen actively to each other’s ideas. It has been wonderful to see the children showing thoughtfulness, respect, and teamwork during discussions and activities, and they are becoming increasingly aware of how their behaviour affects those around them.

How you can help...

Just a friendly reminder that homework is sent home on Friday and is due back the following Wednesday.

We are still on the look out for resources for the children's DT project for this term: Wheels and Axles. I would be very grateful if each child could bring in a cardboard box (shoe size or smaller) and any spare milk bottle tops you may have at home. If these could come in by the half term that would be ideal.

I am looking forward to seeing you all at Parents’ Evening, where we’ll be sharing how the children have settled in and are getting on with school life. It will be a lovely chance to celebrate the small, important steps they are taking in adapting to their new routines and environment.

Thanks again for all your support and kindness and as always any questions or concerns, please feel free to email.

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, we will be practising key writing skills. The children will focus on using expanded noun phrases, imperative and action verbs, and will pay careful attention to SPAG (spelling, punctuation, and grammar). This will help them strengthen their writing, making it more precise and engaging, while consolidating the skills they have been learning so far.

Next week in Maths, we will be continuing our work on addition. The children will focus on using number bonds to 10 to help with calculations and will practise adding three-digit numbers. They will also consolidate their understanding of place value and continue to use practical equipment and written methods to show their thinking clearly and confidently.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 10th October 2025

What we have been learning this week...

This week in English, we have been continuing our work on Little Red Riding Hood, focusing on how a story is structured. The children have explored the key parts of a narrative — the opening, build-up, problem, and resolution — and have thought carefully about how events unfold and how characters respond to challenges. I’ve been really impressed with the quality of the children’s writing. They have shown great imagination and have started to use expanded noun phrases, interesting sentence openers, and descriptive vocabulary to bring their ideas to life. All of this will help prepare them for writing their own creative stories in the coming weeks.

This week in Maths, we have been concluding our work on place value, consolidating the children’s understanding of how numbers are made up of tens and ones and how they can be partitioned in different ways. The children have been practising counting in 2s, 5s, 10s, and 3s, building their confidence with number patterns and strengthening their understanding of multiples. It’s been fantastic to see how much progress the children have made — they are becoming much more confident when working with numbers and are developing strong foundations for future work in multiplication and division.

This week in PSHE, we have been thinking about consequences and rewards. The children discussed what makes a consequence or reward appropriate and explored how our actions can have different outcomes. They showed excellent teamwork and thoughtful ideas during their partner discussions, really listening to each other and sharing sensible, reflective responses.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

This week in Geography, we have really enjoyed learning about what it is like for humans to live in hot and cold countries. The children explored different parts of the world, showing off their fantastic knowledge about the Equator and how it affects climate. They thought carefully about how people adapt to living in different environments and reflected on what kind of country they would like to live in and why. It was wonderful to see such thoughtful ideas and enthusiasm during our discussions!

How you can help...

I have been truly impressed by the quality of the homework that has been coming in. It has been a lovely experience to share some of the children’s projects with the class, and it is wonderful to see how proud and enthusiastic they are about their work. Just a friendly reminder that homework is sent home on Friday and is due back the following Wednesday.

In the coming weeks, the children will be starting their DT project for this term: Wheels and Axles. I would be very grateful if each child could bring in a cardboard box (shoe size or smaller) and any spare milk bottle tops you may have at home. If these could come in by the half term that would be ideal.

Thanks again for all your support and kindness and as always any questions or concerns, please feel free to email.

Next week, we will be...

Next week in English, we will be working on our Little Red Riding Hood story innovations. The children will use the familiar structure of the tale — the opening, build-up, problem, and resolution — to plan and create their own versions with imaginative twists. They will think carefully about how to change characters, settings, and events while keeping the story’s key structure. This will be a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their creativity and use the descriptive language skills they have been developing.

Next week in Maths, we will be starting our new unit on addition and subtraction. The children will build on their understanding of place value to help them add and subtract numbers confidently, using practical equipment and written methods to show their thinking. They will also continue to practise counting in 2s, 5s, 10s, and 3s to strengthen their number fluency.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 3rd October 2025

What we have been learning this week...

This week, we began exploring the classic story of Little Red Riding Hood. The children have been focusing on understanding the characters and settings, which will help them when they create their own versions of the story in a few weeks, complete with their own unique characters and adventures. We also incorporated a drama lesson, where the children enjoyed acting out the story, bringing the characters and scenes to life and helping them understand the story even better. In our lessons, we have been practising key writing skills, including the use of expanded noun phrases, adjectives, and verbs, to make our writing more detailed and engaging. The children have been excited to bring the story to life through descriptive language and imaginative ideas!

In Maths, we are coming to the end of our place value unit, and the children have made excellent progress in understanding how numbers are made up of tens and ones. They have been learning to read, write, and represent numbers in a variety of ways, including using base-ten blocks, drawing pictorial representations, and partitioning numbers to show their value. This week, we also created a whole-class number line, which allowed the children to practise comparing numbers, identifying which numbers are greater or smaller, and understanding their order. In addition, the children began counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s. They enjoyed practising these sequences in a variety of ways, including chanting, moving along the number line, and applying their counting to real-life contexts.

This week in Computing, the children have been learning about how to share things safely online. They explored the importance of keeping personal information private, thinking carefully about what is safe to share, and understanding how to use online tools responsibly. As part of this, the children created their own self-portraits using digital tools and then shared them on the Purple Mash dashboard. This activity helped them practise their digital creativity, while also reinforcing safe online behaviours and how to interact positively in a digital space.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

The children have really enjoyed creating posters to show how we can help look after God’s creation. They came up with amazing ideas and demonstrated a strong understanding and knowledge of caring for the environment. Their posters reflected thoughtful thinking about ways we can protect nature, reduce waste, and care for animals and plants, showing both creativity and awareness. It was wonderful to see them engaging with these important ideas so enthusiastically and sharing their learning with the class.

How you can help...

Thanks again for all your support and kindness and as always any questions or concerns, please feel free to email.

Next week, we will be...

In English, we will continue exploring Little Red Riding Hood, starting to think about how a story is structured. The children will be exploring the opening, build-up, problem, and resolution, developing an understanding of how events unfold in a story and how characters respond to challenges. This will prepare them for creating their own stories with imaginative characters and plots in the coming weeks.

In Maths, we will be concluding our place value unit, consolidating the children’s understanding of how numbers are made up on 10s and 1s and how they can be partitioned. We will also continue practising counting in 2s, 5s, 10s, and 3s, building confidence with number patterns and laying strong foundations for future work in multiplication and division.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 26th September 2025

What we have been learning this week...

This week in English, we explored the story of Paddington. The children enjoyed reading about Paddington’s adventures and discussing the exciting places he visits. They focused on writing setting description about Paddington station, using sentences that included adjectives to make their writing more interesting. We also practised using the suffixes -er and -est to describe things, comparing objects and places in our sentences. The children worked hard to include these grammar skills in their writing, making their descriptions detailed and engaging.

In Maths, we focused on developing the children’s estimating skills. The children enjoyed estimating quantities in pictures as well as guessing where numbers should be placed on a number line before checking their answers. I have included a link just below to a fun estimating website, in case you would like to try some activities at home with your child. We also started to compare objects and numbers using the symbols <, >, =, and the children practised explaining which number or object was greater than, less than, or equal to.

https://estimation180.com/days-21-40/

This week in science, we explored the absorbency of different materials as part of our preparation for creating umbrellas next week. The children tested a variety of fabrics and papers to see how much water each material could soak up. They made careful observations, recorded their results, and discussed which materials were most absorbent and which were least absorbent.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

The children have really enjoyed their visit to the book bus this week, it is lovely to see children sharing different books with their friends in such a lovly, calming environment. The children have also enjoyed using playdough to create their own models in R.E, then carefully destroyed them and reflected on how this made them feel. We discussed how our feelings about our creations can help us understand how God might feel about His creation. The children shared their thoughts and emotions, showing a growing ability to connect their experiences with the ideas we learn about in R.E. This activity helped them think deeply about respect, care, and responsibility for the world around us.

How you can help...

Homework will be sent home on a Friday and is due back in the following Wednesday. Please can you encourage your child to complete as much of their homework as possible, homework will build on skills taught within school or be a task that will build their confidence ready for an upcoming lesson.

We would still be very grateful for any old newspapers that you could send in with your child to help us with our creative projects in Art.

Next Friday, we will be visiting the church for our Harvest celebration. We will be walking to the church, and we would greatly appreciate parent volunteers to help us on the walk.

Thanks again for all your support and kindness and as always any questions or concerns, please feel free to email.

Next week, we will be...

In English, we will be exploring the story of Little Red Riding Hood. The children will be retelling the narrative, acting out some important parts and having a go at writing their own version of the story, applying their learning from this week. We will focus on using adjectives, verbs, and conjunctions to make our sentences more exciting, as well as practising writing in full sentences with correct punctuation.

In Maths, we will be starting to look at the 2, 5, 10, and 3 times tables. The children will explore patterns in these times tables, practise counting in multiples, and begin to apply their knowledge to solve simple problems. We will use a range of practical activities and games to help the children develop confidence and fluency with these times tables.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 19th September 2025

What we have been learning this week...

This week in English, we explored the classic tale Jack and the Beanstalk. The children enjoyed identifying the key events and characters in the story, then worked together to create colourful story maps to show the sequence of events. We also revisited important grammar skills—using verbs, adjectives, and conjunctions to make our sentences more exciting and detailed. In Maths, we focused on being flexible thinkers by finding different ways to represent a number. The children experimented with number bonds, part–part–whole models, place value, and even visual representations to deepen their understanding.

This week in Art, the children explored different strategies for collage. They experimented with layering, cutting, tearing, and arranging various materials to create unique and imaginative pieces. It was fantastic to see their creativity and problem-solving skills in action as they discovered new ways to express their ideas.

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

The children really enjoyed their P.E. sessions this week. The children focused on communication and teamwork. They participated in activities and games that encouraged them to work together, listen to each other, and support their teammates. It was wonderful to see their collaboration, problem-solving when asked to order themselves in alphabetical order without talking!

How you can help...

Next week, we will be continuing our collage topic in Art. We would be very grateful for any old newspapers that you could send in with your child to help us with our creative projects.

Thank you so much for your support- it really helps to make the start of Year 2 such a positive experience for everyone.

If there are any questions, please do ask.

Next week, we will be...

In English, we will be exploring the story of Paddington and focusing on writing setting descriptions, helping the children bring places to life with detailed language and use of suffixes. In Maths, we will be practising estimating and using number lines to support our understanding of numbers and improve accuracy.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 12th September 2025

What we have been learning this week...

What a lovely first full week we have had in Hazel class!

In English this week we have been exploring the book ' I like bees but I don't like honey' to help us describe ourselves and what we can do. We have been practising neat presentation, labelling pictures of ourselves, writing sentences using conjunctions such as because and but and developing our confidence in speaking and sharing ideas with the class. In Maths we have continued our place value unit; we explored different the different ways we can represent 10s and 1s and had lots of hands on experiences with dienes, multi-link and place value charts.

This week in RE, the children revisited the Christian creation story from Genesis. We began with a lively “busy-busy” music activity, moving our pencils to jagged, mechanical rhythms before switching to calm, flowing music—helping the children feel the difference between work and rest. They reflected on why rest is important for our bodies, minds, and families, just as God rested on the seventh day. After reading the story together, the class eagerly recalled what was created on each day and explored beautiful artwork inspired by creation. To finish, they chose their favourite day of creation to draw—producing vibrant, expressive artwork that truly captured the wonder and excitement of the story!

Activities we have enjoyed this week...

We have enjoyed spending some time on the book bus this week as well as choosing their favourite day of the Christian creation story from Genesis to draw— producing vibrant, expressive artwork that truly captured the wonder and excitement of the story!

How you can help...

I am delighted to share that your child is now bringing home a reading book every day. It would be very helpful if these books could come back to school each day as well. Please continue to read regularly with your child and record their reading. If your child feels confident with their book, you can extend their learning by asking questions about the story or encouraging them to retell it in their own words.

Homework books will be sent home on Fridays and contain a variety of activities linked to our current topics and themes. We kindly ask that these are returned by Wednesday so that we have time to provide feedback and add additional work in Maths, English, and spellings.

Thank you so much for your support during this first full week — it really helps to make the start of Year 2 such a positive experience for everyone.

If there are any questions, please do ask.

Please see below for a link to the slides that were shown at the 'Welcome to the Year Ahead' meeting on Thursday.

Hazel - Welcome to the Year Ahead 25-26

Next week, we will be...

In English, we will be exploring the Jack and the beanstalk story; revisiting how we use adjectives, verbs and conjunctions to write character descriptions. In Maths, we will be continuing our place value topic and starting to explore how we can make the same number through different representations. In Geography, we will be exploring the five oceans of the world and adding these to our world map.

Hazel Class - Year 2

Date: 5th September 2025

What we have been learning this week...

What a wonderful start to the year we have had in Hazel class! The children have settled in beautifully and have already begun to make our classroom a happy and welcoming place. We have spent the first couple of days getting to know each other, learning new routines, and exploring our classroom together. We have also talked about our class valued behaviours that will help keep our classroom safe, kind, and fun.

This week we began to introduce some of our new topics for the term in Science, English and Maths, sparking lots of curiosity and excitement. The children have been enthusiastic about sharing their ideas and asking thoughtful questions.

It has been a busy and brilliant couple of days, and I am very proud of how well the children have started Year 2. We are looking forward to all the learning and adventures ahead!

How you can help...

Just a reminder about pick up at the end of the day. Year 2 will make their way down to the Key Stage One playground at 3:15pm and will line up along the ramp. If parents could meet us there and I will dismiss the children as I see you.

Reading books and logs will be set up and sent home next week along with homework; more information to follow.

Thank you so much for your support during this first week — it really helps to make the start of Year 2 such a positive experience for everyone.

If there are any questions, please do ask.