We have had fun celebrating Bonfire day/night this week whilst learning about safety. The children have watched a firework display, made edible sparklers for afternoon snack, drawing fireworks using different materials whilst exercising our gross and fine motor skills and lots of firework and sparkler crafting. Whilst doing these activities we have discussed different colour names and the sounds that fireworks make.
In our English lessons this week, we have been learning all about common and proper nouns.
We discovered that a common noun is a name that can belong to lots of the same kind of thing — for example, girl, teacher, or city. A proper noun, on the other hand, is the specific name of a person, place, or thing — like Ada, Mrs. Crawford, or Doncaster!
One of the easiest ways to spot a proper noun is by looking for a capital letter at the start. That little clue helps us tell the difference straight away!
After learning together on the board, we split into teams to practise sorting nouns into common or proper. There was lots of discussion, teamwork, and excitement as we worked out which was which.
Everyone did a brilliant job — we’re becoming real grammar experts!
This week in our Crew Session, we have been focusing on mindfulness — learning how to slow down, pay attention, and be present in the moment.
To help us explore this idea, we played the Pom Pom Game — a fun and simple activity that encourages deep breathing. As we took slow breaths in and out, we watched the pom poms move gently, helping us to stay focused and relaxed. There were lots of smiles (and a few giggles!) as we learned that being calm and still can also be great fun.
This week, our children have been diving into the delightful story of Elvis the Elf. As we’ve been reading, the focus has been on developing fluency — reading smoothly, with expression, and understanding the meaning behind the words.
Today, we took this a step further by introducing something special: the Storyteller Voice
The storyteller voice helps bring a story to life! It’s how readers use expression, tone, and pacing to make the story more engaging for the listener. For example, when Elvis feels excited or surprised, our voices might sound brighter or faster. When something mysterious happens, our voices might slow down and become softer.
By using their storyteller voices, children are not only making their reading more interesting to hear, but also deepening their understanding of the characters and events in the story. Thinking about how Elvis might sound, or why a moment feels happy, sad, or funny, helps them connect more deeply with the text.
You can support this at home by:
We’re so proud of how confidently the children are growing as expressive, thoughtful readers. Elvis the Elf has certainly helped us sprinkle a little storytelling magic into our reading this week!
As part of our expedition How can I be a hero in my community?, KS1 will be completing a sponsored walk on Monday, 10th November 2025. This will also be odd socks day.
Please see the letter below for further details.
If anyone would like a sponsor form to support their fundraising, please ask a member of the KS1 team.
As we approach the end of a fantastic first half term, we would like to recognise some amazing attendance achievements across KS1!
Tomorrow, children who have achieved good, great or awesome attendance will receive their attendance postcard.
Our target for GREAT attendance is 97%
Year 1 – 93% Attendance
17 Children have AWESOME attendance (100%)
11 Children have GREAT attendance (98% and 97%)
1 Child has GOOD attendance (95%)
Year 2 – 96% Attendance
27 Children have AWESOME attendance (100%)
11 Children have GREAT attendance (98% and 97%)
1 Child has GOOD attendance (95%)
Thank you for your invaluable support in ensuring your child’s excellent school attendance.
A huge well done to Isaac, who has been a real hero in our community with his little sister. They have been litter picking around the area. He has also been a hero in his house, helping keep his bedroom tidy and making his own bed. Keep it up Isaac!
Also, to share some of the wonderful home learning going on around our Great Fire of London topic. Well done for Hana and her fantastic tudor style house. Well done to Paizlee for her fantastic posters too. Amazing! Well done to Edith too, for her poster!
If you have any pictures that you would like to share with us, we would love to see what you are getting up to and celebrating your wonderful achievements! If you would like to share, please could you send them via email.
Congratulations to this week’s Pride of Plover winners. We heard a lot about respect this week, which was the character trait that was being focused on. It was brilliant to hear how our winners showed respect in many different ways – to their friends, to adults and even to the learning! Well done, everyone!
#LovePlover
This morning Year 1 received a letter from Rosa Parks asking if they would help her remember what happened on the bus. The children worked collaboratively to write their own labels and stick them to a picture from the scene.
We have celebrated World Mental Health Day completing some of our favourite activities. The children wore yellow and the activities we have explored help us to regulate ourselves and keep us calm such as blowing bubbles, calm breathing, colouring, jigsaws, arts and crafts and exercising our bodies.
