: Blog items
Date: 20th Nov 2025 @ 3:56pm
In RE we read the story of ‘Papa Panov’. We talked about how he showed kindness to people in need, even though he didn’t have much himself. We learned that God was with him and that kindness is a way of showing love and care for others. We thought about how we can be kind in our own lives, like helping a friend, sharing, or saying something nice to someone who is feeling sad.
In Maths we have been recapping our previous learning to make sure we are confident with our number facts. Then we started learning about arrays in multiplication. We used counters and drawings to make rows and columns, which helped us see how multiplication is repeated addition. We enjoyed spotting patterns and even challenged ourselves to make our own arrays to show different times tables.
In English we have been planning our own letters based on the story ‘Winter’s Child’. We imagined we were the boy writing to a family member to tell them all about the new friend he has made. We thought carefully about how to describe the Winter’s Child and what it feels like to play together in the snow. We also planned how to set out our letters properly, with greetings, paragraphs, and a closing line.
In History we learned about the Palaeolithic period, which is part of the Stone Age. We discovered that people at that time were hunter-gatherers. They didn’t have permanent homes, so they travelled around to find food and hunt animals. We talked about how different their lives were compared to ours today, and we imagined what it might be like to live without houses, shops, or electricity.
In Science we tested different materials to see if they were magnetic. We used magnets to check objects made of metal, plastic, wood, and other materials. Some things surprised us, not all metals were magnetic! We enjoyed predicting what would happen before testing, and then recording our results to see if our predictions were correct.
As part of Road Safety Week, we talked about the importance of staying safe when crossing the road. We learned to always stop, look, and listen before crossing, and to use crossings whenever possible. We even practiced this on the playground, pretending it was a busy road, so we could show how to cross carefully. We know that being safe near roads is very important.
We also watched our whole school Kindness video. It was so much fun to see everyone together and we especially enjoyed watching ourselves dancing! The video reminded us that kindness can be shown in many different ways, and it made us smile to see our whole school joining in.
Reminders:
- PE lessons will continue to be Monday and Wednesday.
Date: 19th Nov 2025 @ 8:43pm
What another exciting week we’ve had!
This week has been filled with visitors, new learning, and lots of imaginative play. We began our week with great excitement as we sat beautifully still for the grand reveal of this year’s TSP Kindness Video! The children were absolutely delighted to see themselves on the smartboard, and many enjoyed watching it again at home with their families — such a special moment for us all.
We were thrilled to welcome members of our community police, who spent time talking to us about their important role in keeping people safe. We learned about the different vehicles and animals that help them in their work and discussed how to stay safe when out and about, including what to do if we ever feel unsure or become lost. The children listened with great interest and asked thoughtful questions throughout.
We were equally fortunate to have a visit from our local fire service! Their fire engine caused great excitement the moment it pulled into school. After talking to us about what firefighters do, they kindly let us try the hose, sit in the cab, and even try on their helmets. Although it was a chilly afternoon, the children loved every single minute!
The focus on people who help us continued across our learning environment. Inspired by our visitors, the children eagerly took on roles such as police officers and firefighters. In Funky Fingers, we took on a key-matching challenge, carefully pairing each key with the correct lock. Our Maths tuff tray became a hive of police activity, complete with emergency calls and matching important items. At the water tray, children enthusiastically used squirters to “put out fires”, showing excellent teamwork and imagination.
This week also marked Road Safety Week. We were lucky to have Year 4 join us to talk about the road signs we might see in our area. With their help, we moved around our outdoor space, practising how following signs helps keep us safe on the roads. The children loved working with older pupils and learned so much from them.
On Thursday, we welcomed Caroline for Godly Play. Her focus this time was on 'people who love us', and the children engaged beautifully in the discussion and storytelling.
A particular highlight has been the start of our very own cardboard box fire engine! It is very much a work in progress, but together we have been sharing ideas about what our fire engine needs to truly bring it to life. The children’s creativity and teamwork have been wonderful to watch.
In Maths, our focus has been on the number two. We have been recognising the numeral, discovering different ways to represent two, and becoming increasingly confident at seeing two as a quantity without needing to count — fantastic early number sense!
Our early listening work has also begun to centre around learning the songs for our Christmas Sing-a-long. As we sing, we are exploring how words carry meaning and developing a deeper understanding of the lyrics. The children are already sounding beautiful and growing in confidence each day.
Before we finish, we have two special tasks for the weekend:
- From our local fire service: please check your smoke alarms at home.
- From us in Nursery: look for two! See if you can spot the number, the quantity, or things that come in pairs — and, of course, keep singing!
It has been a week full of curiosity, kindness, and joyful learning. Wishing everyone a warm and cosy weekend together — we can’t wait to see you on Monday for more adventures!
Please could we ask that you ensure your child has labelled winter woollies for outdoor play, it can be deceptively chilly especailly first thing in the morning!
Warm wishes,
Mrs Grayson and the Nursery Team
Date: 19th Nov 2025 @ 2:33pm
This week began on a real high for Year 6 as the much-anticipated Kindness Video was finally revealed. On Monday morning, the whole school gathered together in the hall to watch the premiere, celebrating the abundance of creativity and hilarious scenes that the children and staff showcased in their film. It was a fantastic way to start the week and a wonderful reminder to ‘laugh more and worry less’.
In Maths this week, Year 6 showcased their skills in a series of practice assessments, demonstrating great focus and determination. We also developed our understanding of translations and practised interpreting a range of pie charts. The children particularly enjoyed exploring some amusing, creatively designed examples, including pie charts shaped like Pac-Man and even a chart of “things that look like pie charts”! It was a fun and engaging way to deepen our understanding of data representation.
In English, Year 6 completed a series of practice assessments, showing excellent concentration and effort throughout. Alongside this, we continued our work on 'Star of Fear, Star of Hope', using the story to inspire our diary entries. The children wrote with real emotion and empathy, capturing the tension and atmosphere of the narrative beautifully.
In RE this week, Year 6 continued their unit on Advent, exploring its meaning as a time of “coming” and preparation. We examined biblical examples and key scripture references that point towards the coming of Christ, including passages found in the Old Testament. The children were fascinated to see how these early texts foreshadowed events in the New Testament and deepened their understanding of Advent as a period of hope and expectation.
So that’s a wrap on another brilliant and hardworking week in Year 6! We hope you enjoy watching the Kindness Video at home - we’ve already watched it a number of times in school and it still makes us smile every time. Enjoy the weekend!
Reminders:
-Spellings have been shared on Google Classroom and the children will be tested next Friday (28th).
-Maths and English homework has been set via the SATs Companion platform (Mr McCabe's Group) and sent home in books (Mr Hirst's Group). This is due to be completed on or before next Wednesday (26th).
Date: 19th Nov 2025 @ 11:15am
This week, Reception have been incredibly busy and working super hard!
Our phonics learning is going from strength to strength. The children’s letter formation is developing beautifully, though we still need plenty of practice with ‘Fred Talk’. Thank you so much for your continued support at home – it really makes a huge difference, and we can see the progress every day!
In Maths, we’ve been exploring different representations of the numbers 4 and 5, making sure the children are confident in naming numbers up to 5. We’ve matched verbal numbers to quantities and numerals, and continued developing the skill of perceptual subitising – instantly recognising the number of objects in a group without counting. Please encourage your child to subitise groups of 4 and 5 items at home; this helps them understand what each number looks like and what it’s made up of. We also introduced the concept of ‘one more’ with numbers up to 5. The children are beginning to understand that as we count forwards, each number is one more than the previous. They’ve noticed how numbers grow when we add one more – a big step in building number sense!
Our RE theme this week has been Special People, and we’ve had some very exciting visitors! The Fire Service came to see us with a fire engine, and the children loved exploring inside and learning about their important job. We also welcomed the Police Service, tried on uniforms, looked at the different vehicles, discussed ways police can help us and what to do if we are lost! Caroline Collins joined us for Godly Play, linking beautifully to our theme of special people.
We ended the week with a flurry of excitement as we explored the story of ‘The Gingerbread Man’. Imagine our surprise when a video showed the Gingerbread Man running away from school! The children created fantastic wanted posters and searched the school grounds – but he’s still on the loose! If you spot him near you, please let us know!
Thank you again for all your support. Have a lovely weekend – and keep your eyes peeled for that cheeky Gingerbread Man!
Mrs Molloy, Mrs Bevin and the Reception team
Date: 18th Nov 2025 @ 2:38pm
What an incredible week of discovery, creativity, and resilience!
In RE, we explored the meaning of a Christingle and discovered what each part represents. The children learned how the Christingle symbolises that Jesus is the light of the world, and they reflected on the significance of its different elements.
This week in English and Maths, we showcased our learning by completing assessments that highlighted everything we’ve achieved so far in Year 4. The children demonstrated fantastic resilience and determination, tackling each challenge with confidence and pride.
In Science, we delved into the fascinating world of the digestive system, identifying the key parts and understanding how they work together to help our bodies function.
Our Art lessons were bursting with creativity as we designed and created our very own mosaics, inspired by the beautiful art form introduced by the Romans. The attention to detail and vibrant designs were truly impressive!
We also enjoyed our final swimming lesson, and what a fun-filled session it was! The children celebrated their progress and ended on a high note with plenty of smiles and laughter.
During Outdoor Learning, we went foraging to collect natural materials in preparation for making festive wreaths.
In History, we uncovered the story of Queen Boudica and her famous revolt. Using a cause-and-effect thinking map, the children explored the reasons behind her uprising and the consequences that followed.
To mark Road Safety Week, we created eye-catching posters to encourage everyone in our community to slow down, respect our roads, and be considerate of pedestrians. We also visited our Early Years children to share important road safety tips, showing them the types of road signs they might see and explaining what they need to do when crossing the road.
Reminders:
- PE lessons will now taken place on Tuesday and Friday for the rest of the term.
Date: 14th Nov 2025 @ 1:16pm
What another wonderful week it’s been in Year 1 – packed with learning, excitement, and plenty of kindness!
In Maths, we bravely tackled some trickier concepts as we continued our journey with subtraction. We learned that subtraction means taking away, and the children worked so hard to understand what this really looks like. Using practical resources, pictures, and number sentences, they grew more confident each day. It was fantastic to see those lightbulb moments as they realised how taking away changes a number.
In English, we dived back into our story Nibbles the Book Monster. The children were completely captivated as Nibbles caused even more chaos in the stories he nibbled his way into! We had some brilliant discussions about how the characters in the books might feel when Nibbles ruins their stories – lots of empathy, imagination, and thoughtful ideas were shared.
Our RE learning took us further into the Creation Story. We explored some of the wonderful things in our world and reflected on what we are most grateful for. The children shared their favourite parts of creation, from oceans and animals to trees, sunshine, and even their families. It was lovely to hear such thoughtful reflections on the beauty around us.
In History, we met another inspiring figure: Mary Seacole. The children were amazed as we learned about her incredible life, bravery, and kindness. They couldn’t believe how selfless she was and how determined she became to help those in need. Mary Seacole has certainly captured our imaginations!
But the most exciting part of our week was definitely filming our Kindness Video in celebration of World Kindness Day! Year 1 had an amazing time channelling their inner rock stars – singing, smiling, and spreading joy. We can’t wait for you to see the finished video! To mark World Kindness Day even further, the children created their very own kindness stones, each painted with positive affirmations such as “You are great,” “You are loved,” and “Have a good day.” Next week, we will plant these around the school grounds, hoping to brighten someone’s day when they discover them.
Well done, Year 1. Have a lovely weekend!
Date: 14th Nov 2025 @ 3:46am
What a busy week we have had in year 2!
In Maths, we have continued working on subtracting and practised how to cross over to the next ten by exchanging one ten for ten ones. Next week we will continue representing numbers using base 10 and practise exchanging to help the children to bridge over to the next 10.
In English, we have continued to learn about The Great Fire of London. This week the children were each given a job role, they had to listen to a description and decide if this was the job role on their card. Next week we will continue learning more about The Great Fire of London and link this to our learning in History.
In Design and Technology, we tested out the strongest 3D shape for our chair structures. The children made a cylinder, triangular prism and a cuboid, they then balanced books on top to see which would be the strongest shape. Initially, most of the children predicted that the triangular prism would be the strongest, however, after testing their theory, they realised that the cylinder was the strongest shape. This knowledge will support them when they build their own chair.
For kindness week, the children enjoyed performing for the filming of our kindness video. This week they have made flower seed gifts which will spread kindness and joy to the people receiving them.
It is Road Safety Week next week and as a class we discussed the safety features that our cars have. We also talked about other safety features that would be useful. The children then designed and labelled their own vehicle including the safety features that they would want to include.
We hope you all have a lovely weekend,
The Year 2 Team
Date: 13th Nov 2025 @ 1:43pm
This week, Year 6 embraced Kindness Week with smiles, laughter and plenty of mindful moments. The children were especially excited to take part in filming our school Kindness video - a very special milestone, as this class has now featured in a video for every single year of their TSP primary journey! Alongside all the filming fun, we explored the theme of being kind to ourselves through a variety of activities. Our Kindness and Relaxation Circuit in PE included yoga, mindfulness and meditation, helping everyone find a moment of calm. We even enjoyed a little “spa time” in the hall, complete with soothing music and cucumber eye masks! Not only that, we also spent time reconnecting with friends over board games. Our activities were a perfect reminder that kindness starts with caring for ourselves and others.
In Maths, Year 6 have been exploring symmetry and reflection. The children enjoyed investigating lines of symmetry in different 2D shapes and using mirrors to test their ideas. They also worked on reflecting shapes across mirror lines, thinking carefully about distance and accuracy. Through practical activities and problem-solving challenges, pupils developed a deeper understanding of how reflections work and how symmetry appears all around us, from patterns in nature to designs in art and architecture.
In English, Year 6 have been delving into the moving story, ‘Star of Fear, Star of Hope’. To bring the setting to life, we began by writing descriptive pieces about a bustling French café in the 1940s, using rich vocabulary and sensory detail to capture the sights, sounds and smells of the time. Later in the week, we explored the mystery of Madam Eleven O’Clock, writing diary entries from the perspectives of Helen and Lydia, who encountered this unsettling figure, to express their feelings of confusion, fear and curiosity. The children showed real empathy and imagination as they stepped into the shoes of those living through a tense and uncertain moment in history.
On Tuesday morning, the children also headed down to the cenotaph in Formby Village for a short 11 am service to mark Remembrance Day. The Year 6 children joined the community in a beautifully observed act of reflection. The children stood respectfully, listened attentively and shared a moment of quiet remembrance alongside veterans and local residents. It was a thoughtful reminder of how a small pause can mean so much. Well done, Year 6!
Another typically busy week in Year 6, and we’re all extremely excited for the Kindness Video reveal next week! Until then, have an enjoyable weekend!
Reminders:
-Spellings have been shared on Google Classroom and the children will be tested next Friday (21st).
-Maths and English homework has been set via the SATs Companion platform (Mr McCabe's Group) and sent home in books (Mr Hirst's Group). This is due to be completed on or before next Wednesday (19th).
Date: 13th Nov 2025 @ 11:33am
What a busy week we’ve had in Year 3!
In RE, we had a peaceful time doing a guided meditation, imagining we were in the hills of Bethlehem. We learned that ‘Emmanuel’ means “God with us” and explored several artworks showing the shepherds visiting baby Jesus. We talked about what we noticed in each painting; the light, the colours, and how the artists showed that the shepherds were in the presence of God.
In English, we continued reading our class story ‘Winter’s Child’. We explored verbs in the past and present tense, and used them to describe how Tom moved as he skated and skied through the snow. We also looked at adverbs of time and how they help us say when something happens. Using everything we’ve learned, we planned and wrote our own diary entries from Tom’s point of view.
In Maths, we have been working hard on addition and subtraction, using practical methods to help us solve problems. We’ve used counters, number lines, and place value charts to show our thinking and to explain our answers clearly.
Our History learning this week was very special as we focused on Remembrance Day. We learned about why we remember and took part in a two minutes’ silence to show our respect. We also made beautiful wreaths to display at the church.
In Science, we became investigators! We tested how far our toy cars could travel on different surfaces to find out which surface made them go the furthest. We made predictions, carried out fair tests, and carefully recorded our results. It was lots of fun seeing which surface worked best!
This week has also been Kindness Week, and Year 3 have truly shown their caring hearts. We’ve been filming our dance moves for the school’s kindness video, collecting food for the local food bank, and thinking about how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
We were lucky to have a visit from Sue from Stepnell Construction, who came to tell us all about the world of construction. The children were then able to create their own buildings with lego. We loved it!
Finally, on Friday, we celebrated Children in Need. We talked about why it’s important to help others and how we can support those who need it most.
Reminders:
PE days will continue to be on a Monday and Wednesday.
Date: 12th Nov 2025 @ 9:48pm
What a brillian week it’s been in Nursery!
This week has been wonderfully busy and bursting with fun and excitement! We started off celebrating Kindness Week — kicking things off by filming our very own Kindness Video! We fully embraced the ‘rock’ theme and want to say a huge thank you to Mr King for filming, motivating, and pulling it all together – we really were ‘rock’ stars and can’t wait to see the final result!
It has also been World Nursery Rhyme Week, and we’ve thrown ourselves into learning and singing the focus rhymes each day. We especially loved The Pirate Song – sailing the seas with our sensory blanket and getting muddy making ‘mud pies’ in Forest School while singing Sing a Song of Sixpence!
In Maths, we have been learning all about number 2 – how to recognise it, say it, write it and show it using our toys, fingers, objects, and numbers!
We also took time to recognise Remembrance Day on Tuesday, learning about its importance and focusing on ‘remembering’. We thoughtfully took part in a two-minute silence and each created our own poppy to form a beautiful wreath, which we proudly took to church on Wednesday. During our church service, we sang with joy and loved adding our new Ugandan ‘Amen’ to our worship – such a special moment.
On Thursday, we celebrated Kindness Day! Inspired by our SHINE friend, Cuddles, the children made thoughtful kindness cones – carefully painting and decorating them before filling them with little surprises for staff around school to show our appreciation for all they do.
To round off the week, Friday was Children in Need! We learned about this amazing UK charity, speaking about helping others and took part in a range of fun-filled activities throughout our learning space. Linking to the theme, our home corner became a ‘doctor’s surgery’ – there were plenty of ‘patients’ and ‘injuries’ to care for!
It’s hard to believe how much we’ve packed into just one week!
As a team, we would like to thank you all for your contiuned support. Wishing everyone a restful weekend full of family time and happy chatter about our adventures – we can’t wait to see you all again on Monday!
Warm wishes,
Mrs Grayson and the Nursery Team
Dates for the diary: -
Road Safety Week
Monday 17th November – Community Police visit
Tuesday 18th November – Fire Service visit
Tuesday 2nd December - Nursery Sing-a-Long Performance (information to follow)
Wednesday 10th December - WOW Service 2pm @St Peter's Church (led by Reception Class)
Date: 12th Nov 2025 @ 1:51pm
What a week of kindness, learning, and unforgettable memories!
We began our week with RE, where we explored the song My Lighthouse. The children worked together to unpick the lyrics and discover the hidden Christian values that underpin the song. We reflected on how these values validate the guidance and love that God provides, and the children shared thoughtful ideas about hope, trust, and faith.
In English, we have been researching and creating Tree Maps to categorise facts about gorillas under five subheadings. This work is helping us prepare for writing our own non-chronological reports, and the children have shown great enthusiasm for organising information clearly and effectively.
In Maths, our focus has been on column subtraction, particularly the skill of borrowing from the next column to ensure accurate calculations. The children have worked hard to master this method and are becoming increasingly confident.
This week was also Kindness Week, and our classroom was buzzing with positivity and generosity. We kicked things off by filming for our annual TSP Kindness Video. The children were full of smiles and joy, and we can’t wait for the big video reveal!
As part of our kindness project, we planned and collected unwanted items from home to donate to Barnardo’s Children’s Charity. We are so pleased to know that our toys will find new homes and help make someone’s Christmas extra special.
This week was also Anti-Bullying Week, and we reflected on the power of words. Through thoughtful discussion, we explored how even one unkind word can leave “crinkles on our hearts” that are hard to smooth out—reminding us why kindness matters every day.
If that wasn’t enough excitement, we celebrated the Into Film Festival by attending a screening of Michael Morpurgo’s Kensuke’s Kingdom at the fantastic Crosby Community Cinema. The children were captivated by the story and loved every second of this special experience!
To mark Rememberance Day, we visited the church to lay poppy wreaths and mark the two-minute silence. It was a thoughtful and respectful moment, and the children showed great understanding of the importance of remembrance. We are so proud of how they represented our school during this occasion.
Finally, we had the pleasure of welcoming Sue from Stepnell Construction, who inspired us to feel passionate about careers in construction through her engaging workshops. We even stepped into the role of builders, designing and developing our own structures using LEGO. It was a fantastic opportunity to combine creativity with real-world skills and learn more about the possibilities within the construction industry.
Reminders:
- Wednesday, 19th November, will be our last swimming lesson. PE lessons for the rest of the term will take place on Tuesday and Friday.
Date: 12th Nov 2025 @ 11:36am
What a busy and exciting week we’ve had in Reception!
The children have loved celebrating Kindness Week. We’ve been using the phrase: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind” – and they’ve really embraced it! Together with their Year 6 buddies, the children created beautiful ‘Kindness Hearts’ with positive messages. Each child chose someone special to give their heart to. To top it all off, the children (and staff!) had great fun being filmed for our Kindness Celebration Video – we can’t wait for you to see it!
In Phonics, the children have been working incredibly hard. Please keep practising sounds and using Fred Talk at home – it really makes a difference. Thank you for your support!
In Maths, we explored sorting circles and triangles, then used different 2D shapes to create pictures and talk about what we used. We even went on a shape hunt around the environment to spot 2D and 3D shapes. We’ve also started learning about positional language – maybe you could continue this at home (e.g., “under”, “next to”, “behind”).
On Tuesday, we marked Remembrance Day with a two-minute silence, and again during our WOW service on Wednesday, which focused on ‘Remembering’. Each child made a poppy and laid it in church – a truly poignant moment.
Finally, on Friday, we celebrated Children in Need! We linked this to helping others, understanding different abilities, and the importance of charity. The children enjoyed lots of Pudsey-themed activities, including Pin the Bandana on Pudsey and Making a Pudsey Bear Headband.
Phew – what a fun-packed week! Please enjoy a restful weekend because we have another exciting week ahead!
Thank you, parents, for your continued support and encouragement at home – it really helps the children thrive. We hope you enjoy a restful weekend, and we look forward to another exciting week ahead!
Mrs Molloy, Mrs Bevin and the Reception team
Date: 7th Nov 2025 @ 4:04pm
We have had a fantastic start to the second half of our autumn term in Year 5! Everyone has come back full of enthusiasm and curiosity, ready to explore our new learning topics. We’ve already been very busy discovering the new books, subjects, and challenges that will keep us engaged over the next few weeks.
In English, we started our new unit in a very magical way! We ventured into our nature garden and found mysterious pieces of paper caught in the branches of the trees — they were the lost endings to fairytales! This exciting discovery gave us a clue about our new text, The Lost Happy Endings by Carol Ann Duffy. We talked about the features of traditional tales and how authors sometimes twist them to create something new. We even played a fun storytelling game where we invented our own imaginative fairytales with surprising endings. The children showed incredible creativity and teamwork!
In Maths, we have been investigating factors, multiples, and square numbers. We explored how factors fit together like puzzle pieces and used arrays and factor rainbows to help us visualise our ideas. We discovered that multiples are part of our times tables and practised spotting patterns between them. Learning about square numbers was especially fun—we built squares with cubes and realised how each square number grows in a predictable pattern. Everyone worked hard to solve reasoning problems and explain why certain numbers are factors or multiples. It’s been fantastic to see how confident the class has become when talking about their mathematical thinking!
In RE, we began our new topic by comparing the Christmas stories from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. We looked carefully at the similarities and differences in how each Gospel tells the story of Jesus’ birth. We discussed who the main focus was, who came to visit baby Jesus, and any extra characters or details that were unique to each version. The children asked thoughtful questions and showed great understanding of how different writers can tell the same story in slightly different ways.
In Science, we started our new topic all about Materials. We began by learning about the different states of matter—solids, liquids, and gases—and explored how they can change when heated or cooled.
Finally, in History, we were thrilled to begin our new topic on The Mayans. We started by finding out where and when the Mayan civilisation were discovered and discussed what life might have been like for the people who lived there. We can’t wait to learn more about their culture, beliefs, and daily life in the weeks ahead.
It’s been a wonderful start to the half term, and we’re looking forward to even more exciting learning adventures as we continue through the rest of the term! A big thank you to Mr Lightfoot and team who kept Year 5 running smoothly whilst Mrs Houghton was out on training.
Reminders:
- Kindness week is next week. Children are welcome to bring along any 'rock star' props that they have at home.
- Year 5 will be visiting St Peter's Church to mark our minutes silence on Rememberance Day.
- Swimming starts on Wednesday 26th November.
Date: 6th Nov 2025 @ 8:42pm
What a fantastic week we’ve had! After a well-deserved half-term break, it was wonderful to welcome everyone back and hear all about their family adventures and activities over the week off. The classroom has been full of energy and enthusiasm and it’s great to have everyone back together and ready for another exciting half term!
In Maths, we explored common factors, common multiples and prime numbers. The children showed great perseverance and teamwork as they tackled plenty of reasoning and problem-solving activities, including tasks on Learning by Questions (LBQ). There were maths games aplenty, both team-based and individual, featuring 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' style quizzes, Blooket challenges, a competitive game of Boardmasters and...catching Pokemon! Alongside all the fun, we have continued to work hard to improve our arithmetic scores, showing real progress and determination throughout the week.
In English, we began our new focus text, 'Star of Fear, Star of Hope', a powerful story set during World War II. To get to know the story, we made predictions about what might happen and used drama to bring the opening scene to life through role play. The children also practised writing dialogue to advance the action, using a “speech sandwich” to structure their work carefully. It’s been a thoughtful and creative start to our new unit, and the class have already shown great empathy and imagination in their writing.
In History, we have moved on from learning about World War I to exploring World War II, and the children are completely hooked! They’ve shown fantastic curiosity and enthusiasm, with many bringing in extra research from home to share. It’s been wonderful to see how eager everyone is to discuss what they’ve discovered and to make links between the two world wars.
In RE, our topic this half term is ‘How do Christians prepare for Christmas?’ We began by sharing our own experiences and family traditions during the festive season, before exploring how many of these celebrations and symbols are rooted in religion. The class were fascinated to discover the meanings behind familiar Christmas symbols (for example, candy canes representing a shepherd’s crook) and how each one links back to the story of Jesus’ birth. It was a thoughtful start to our new topic and really helped us reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
A great week it has been to kick off the new half term! A special highlight was the TSP Community Firework Event on Wednesday. A huge thank you to Team TSP and especially Laura Gaskill for organising such a brilliant evening. It was wonderful to see so many families coming together to celebrate. Here’s to another exciting and successful few weeks ahead!
Reminders:
-Spellings have been shared on Google Classroom and the children will be tested next Friday (14th).
-Maths and English homework has been set via the SATs Companion platform (Mr McCabe's Group) and sent home in books (Mr Hirst's Group). This is due to be completed on or before next Wednesday (12th).
Date: 5th Nov 2025 @ 8:23pm
What a fantastic week we’ve had back after the half-term break!
The children returned full of energy, smiles, and stories to share. It was so lovely to hear all about their adventures and see how excited they were to be back together. We also had the joy of welcoming new friends and their families into our class community — we are so happy to have you join us!
Sharing our news, there was lots of chatter about the half term activities and events. We decided to incorporate this excitement into our learning. The children have loved making spiders in the playdough and learning interesting facts about spiders. They have particularly enjoyed taking part in our spider web challenge — freeing trapped flies from the spiders using tongs to strengthen our fine motor skills!
In Early Listening, we focused on percussion instruments — naming them, exploring how they sound, and using some wonderful descriptive language to talk about what we could hear. The children impressed us with their listening skills during our “match the sound” game, where they had to identify which instrument made each noise.
In Maths, we explored the number 1 — discovering what it means, how we can represent it, and playing lots of games to find out when there was and wasn’t one!
One of our stories this week was ‘Pumpkin Soup’ by Helen Cooper. We loved meeting Duck, Squirrel and Cat, and learning how they all worked together to make their delicious soup. Through the story, we talked about friendship, showing kindness, taking turns, and sharing our skills — just like the characters needed to do to make their soup together. The children shared wonderful ideas about how we can listen to each other and help our friends, both in the classroom and at home. Inspired by the story, we made our very own pumpkin soup to take home — we hope you all enjoyed tasting it!
On Wednesday, we learned about ‘Bonfire Night’, Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. The children spoke brilliantly about their experiences of fireworks and we shared the various tasty treats we often eat on Bonfire Night - toffee apples are definitely a big hit, especially if they have sprinkles on them! We also spoke about how to stay safe, not only around fireworks but also in being out in the dark with our grown-ups. This week we also made our own edible sparklers — a very tasty activity! It was lovely to see so many little faces and their families at the TSP Community Firework Event, it was so warming with a wonderful community 'buzz'! Thank you to Mrs Gaskill for all her hard work organising it. The children were so excited to share their experiences the next day.
We finished the week with some beautiful firework art, using paint, chalk, and collage to recreate the bright, colourful skies we’d seen.
Our classroom has been filled with joy, laughter, and learning this week — it’s been a wonderful start to the new half-term, and we can’t wait to see what next week brings!
Warm wishes,
Mrs Grayson and the Nursery Team
Dates for the diary: -
Kindness Week Video - filming will take place next week!
Wed 12th November – Remembrance WOW service 2pm @St Peter’s Church
Friday 14th November - Children in Need
Date: 5th Nov 2025 @ 4:41pm
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What an exciting week it’s been in Year 1 – full of mystery, discovery, and creativity!
We started the week with some very suspicious goings on in our classroom. When we arrived on Monday morning, we were shocked to find that lots of our classroom resources had been nibbled! The children put their detective hats on straight away and came up with all sorts of imaginative guesses about who (or what) might be responsible – perhaps fairies, monsters, or even a dragon. After lots of investigating, we discovered the culprit… a mischievous, book-eating creature called Nibbles the Monster. We were all very alarmed and wasted no time in making wanted posters to try and track him down. The children’s creativity and excitement were incredible.
In Maths we continued exploring addition and subtraction within 10, using our number bonds to help find missing parts. The children are becoming so confident in spotting number patterns and are starting to understand what subtraction really means. It’s wonderful to see how their problem-solving skills are growing each day.
Our new History topic has already captured everyone’s imagination. We’ve begun learning all about Florence Nightingale and how she transformed nursing. The children were fascinated to learn how dirty and unclean the hospitals were before Florence made her incredible changes. She truly is an inspiration, and we can’t wait to keep learning more about her life and the lasting impact she’s had on healthcare today.
In RE, we began our new topic all about Creation. The children had a fantastic time designing and making their own weird and wonderful creations in the classroom, before reflecting on how it feels to make something from scratch. We talked about who created the world and how amazing that must have felt. After reading the Creation Story together from our class Bible, the children shared their favourite parts and even recreated some of these special moments through beautiful artwork.
Well done, Year 1, for all your hard work and fantastic learning this week. Have a restful weekend.
Date: 5th Nov 2025 @ 4:03pm
What a lovely week we have had in year 2.
In Maths, the children have been working on addition and subtraction representing their questions using base 10 and also as numbers. The children have worked on exchanging ten ones for a ten and how to represent this. They have enjoyed learning a new method which we will continue to practise next week.
In English, we have started our new book called The Great Fire of London. The children looked at different pieces of art and talked about what they could see in the pictures. We discussed what they would like to know about the Great Fire of London and what they already knew. The children were asking great questions that they would like to know the answers to. The Great Fire of London will be a focus in English, History and Music which I know that the children will really enjoy this half term.
In RE, we started our new topic about good news. The children shared their good news during circle time and listened well to other children's news. We then watched Newsround and talked about the news from today which included information about Bonfire Night. The children then wrote down their good news to share with others.
In Design and Technology, the children have started their new topic to create a suitable chair for Baby Bear. We looked at different types of chairs and how suitable they were. The children particularly enjoyed talking about the inflatable chair and the wobble throne and could explain why they would not be a suitable chair.
In Science, we started our new topic on materials. We recapped different types of materials from year 1, discussed key vocabulary including transparent and opaque and then sorted materials into strong and fragile materials.
Have a lovely weekend,
The Year 2 Team
Reminders:
- Kindness Week video filming will take place next week!
Date: 5th Nov 2025 @ 2:12pm
Welcome back after what we are sure was a busy but well-deserved break!
In phonics, the children have been revisiting previously learned sounds and continuing to practise blending using Fred Talk. Many enjoyed using magnetic letters to build CVC words — a fun and interactive way to reinforce their learning. A big thank you for all the support over the half-term break — it’s clear that lots of hard work has gone on at home, and we can really see the progress in the classroom.
In maths, we’ve been exploring the numbers 1, 2 and 3. The children have been learning to subitise — recognising small quantities without counting — and have matched different representations of numbers to the correct numeral cards. We’ve also discussed how counting involves adding one more each time, helping to build a strong foundation for number sense.
We also spent time learning about All Saints’ Day, following on from All Hallows’ Day. The children took part in a fun activity where they were presented with two identical-looking bowls and tasted what was inside — some were pleasantly surprised, while others got a not-so-nice surprise! This led to a lovely discussion about how, just like everyone else, we experience both good and bad things in life, and how God guides us through them all.
To end the week, we learned about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. The children shared their own experiences of watching fireworks and talked about family traditions, such as eating toffee apples. We also discussed the importance of firework safety when attending displays. The children created beautiful firework paintings and enjoyed making a tasty firework-themed breadstick sparkler treat!
What a very busy and excitable week we have had in Reception! Have a lovely weekend and we can’t wait to see what adventures take place next week.
Mrs Molloy, Mrs Bevin and the Reception team
Date: 5th Nov 2025 @ 1:57pm
Welcome back!
After a well-deserved half-term break, Year 4 returned full of energy, ready to start the new term.
We began our week with RE, where we reflected on the belief that Jesus is the light of the world. Through thoughtful discussion, the children explored what this symbol means to Christians and how light can represent hope, guidance, and love. Each child then created a symbolic candle, expressing their personal reflections and beliefs through art and words.
In English, we delved into the captivating picture book Gorilla by Anthony Browne. We focused on using expanded noun phrases to describe the illustrations and characters, enhancing our descriptive writing skills. From “a lonely little girl with curious eyes” to “a mysterious gorilla in a smart red bow tie,” the children’s writing was vivid and imaginative.
Maths saw us revisiting column addition, ensuring we’re confident with carrying over digits before moving on to column subtraction. We practised borrowing from the next column to help us subtract accurately.
Our Art lessons were especially meaningful this week. We created stunning poppy mosaics using WW2-inspired newspaper backgrounds to mark Remembrance Sunday. The children showed great respect and care in their work, honouring those who have served and sacrificed.
We also enjoyed a return trip to Laurel’s Wood, where we continued developing our forestry skills. The children worked together to build shelters, identify plants, and explore nature—all part of our journey toward achieving the Young Forester Award.
A huge thank you to Team TSP for putting on a spectacular firework showcase at our school. Many of us attended and were dazzled by the firework display and stalls.
And of course, the highlight of the week was Golden Time! We celebrated completing our Secret Student Chart with games, laughter, and shared toys from home.
Reminders:
- Kindness Week video filming will take place next week!
- Thursday: We will be visiting Barnardo’s Children’s Charity to drop off our donations in support of Children in Need.
- Wednesday 12th November: Children will need a packed lunch to enjoy after our cinema trip.
- Friday: Please bringoutdoor learning clothes for our forest activities.
- Friday is also Children in Need Day – we’ll be celebrating with activities to support this important cause.
Date: 24th Oct 2025 @ 9:59am
What a lovely half term we have had!
In Maths, we have continued working on different addition and subtraction methods. The children have practised different ways to support them adding and subtracting. After half term we will be continuing with the addition and subtraction topic focussing on adding and subtracting two digit numbers and practising the methods that we have already learnt.
In English, we finished reading the story Look Up. This week the children imagined that they were on their own rocket journey and have imagined what it would be like focussing on their 5 senses and using a variety of vocabulary to improve their writing.
In Geography, we looked at human and physical features in different places. The children then worked on spotting different human and physical features in a variety of places.
In Computing, this half term we have worked on online safety. The children have enjoyed learning about internet safety and also understand that they should not share any personal information online and always tell an adult if they are unsure.
This week in Science, we learnt about the importance of hygiene. We discussed when we should wash our hands and how we can be hygienic. The children enjoyed an activity based around the transfer of germs where they had to shake hands with each other to show the transfer of germs, which highlighted how important it is to wash our hands. In the outdoor classroom, the children used their reef knot knowledge from last week and were also shown how to tie a clove hitch knot.
On Friday, the children came to school in their pyjamas to raise money for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. It was a fun and meaningful way to support a great cause. We were also treated to a magical pantomime of 'Sleeping Beauty.' They all enjoyed joining in and it was a wonderful shared experience that brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
We hope you all have a lovely half term.
Happy Half Term, from the Year 2 Team
Reminders for next half term
- Our PE days will be Tuesday and Friday starting on the first week back.
- Please continue to bring in wellies for our outdoor classroom sessions on Wednesdays.
Date: 23rd Oct 2025 @ 9:31pm
What an amazing week we’ve had in Year 5!
In English, we proudly published our diaries in our Author Books. The children worked so hard to produce beautiful handwriting and stunning illustrations – they look fantastic!
In Maths, we continued developing our skills in column subtraction and used reasoning to identify and explain mistakes. Learning didn’t stop in the classroom – we took it outside for a fun Place Value Race with Mr McPhee! On Thursday, we joined a numeracy workshop where we explored how maths is part of everyday life and how it can open doors to exciting future careers.
As part of Hate Crime Awareness Week, we reflected on how we can celebrate our uniqueness at TSP. We thought about the ways each of us shines in our own special way.
Our Science lessons were out of this world! We explored why we experience day and night by learning about the Earth’s rotation on its axis and how this creates the cycle of daylight and darkness. We also investigated the phases of the moon, discovering how the moon’s position relative to the Earth and Sun changes what we see in the night sky. To make it fun and memorable, we used Oreos to model the different phases – from new moon to full moon! The children loved creating their edible diagrams and could clearly explain why the moon appears to change shape over time.
We ended the week in style, wearing our pyjamas to support Alder Hey. It was a day full of laughter and joy as we watched the panto together.
We hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved rest over half term. We can’t wait to see you all back, ready for more learning adventures!
Happy Half Term, from the Year 5 Team
Date: 23rd Oct 2025 @ 1:37pm
Well done on another brilliant week, Year 1!
We’ve had a fantastic time continuing our work in Maths, focusing on addition within 10. The children have been working so hard to solve number sentences and use different strategies to find the answers. We’re becoming experts at spotting number bonds to 10, and our favourite way to remember them is by singing songs! Over half term, it would be wonderful if you could test us on our number bonds – singing, chanting, or even using objects at home to practise will help keep our skills sharp!
In Geography, we wrapped up our exciting journey around the world by revisiting the seven continents. We loved recalling all the amazing facts we’ve learned and creating famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Mount Rushmore, and the Great Wall of China. It’s been such a joy to see the children’s creativity and curiosity shine through in every lesson.
Wednesday brought another energetic and joyful session with Mrs Whitehead, where we continued rehearsing our High School Musical dance routine. We added some fabulous solos and showed brilliant teamwork and listening skills. I was so proud of everyone’s confidence and enthusiasm – you’re all stars!
As we come to the end of our first term in Year 1, we’ve taken time to reflect on some of our favourite moments:
- Learning about all kinds of animals and discovering weird and wonderful facts
- Exploring our new classroom and challenging ourselves through building, making, role play, singing, and playing music outside
- Tackling new concepts in Maths and bravely taking on trickier questions
- Celebrating Hello Yellow Day, where we had thoughtful conversations about happiness and positivity
- Enjoying Pyjama Day, snuggling up in our comfiest clothes and watching a brilliant pantomime as a special treat
Most of all, we’ve loved making new memories, building friendships, and embracing the challenges of a new school year. We are incredibly proud of how well everyone has settled into Year 1 – your resilience, kindness, and hard work have been truly inspiring.
Have a restful and fun half term!
Date: 23rd Oct 2025 @ 7:57am
A Week of Hedgehogs, Happy Potions, and Shining Celebrations!
What a wonderful way to end our first half term together! This week has been full of spiky surprises, magical moments, and celebrations of both light and love.
We began the week with ‘Moving Monday’, jumping straight into action in our PE session. The children had so much fun hopping, skipping, jumping and galloping their way through energetic games, including a fun twist on ‘Follow the Leader’. These sessions continue to support the children’s physical development, coordination and listening skills – all while burning off plenty of autumn energy!
Our learning took a ‘spiky’ turn as we explored the world of hedgehogs. We were amazed to learn that these little creatures are nocturnal and hibernate in the winter—two new vocabulary words that the children used confidently in their conversations. We got creative, crafting hedgehogs from cut leaves and making mud hedgehogs in Forest School using twigs for their spikes. It was lovely to see the children so engaged and curious about these fascinating garden visitors.
Inspired by the season (and a touch of magic), we transformed our home corner into the witch’s cottage from ‘Room on the Broom’. With a bubbling cauldron, mysterious ingredients, and a brand-new wand to create, the children’s imaginations soared. Water play became a potion-making laboratory, where love potions and flying potions were brewed with great care and plenty of giggles!
We also acknowledged the start of Diwali on Tuesday 21st October – a celebration of light, love and new beginnings. The children explored the meaning behind this beautiful festival, made their own diva lamps, and created colourful Rangoli patterns. We talked about how Diwali is called the ‘Festival of Light’, and how light is always stronger than darkness – a message that resonated with the children and linked beautifully to the values we explore in our daily reflections.
This week also marked our final Stay and Play sessions. It has truly been a privilege to welcome you into our setting and share a little window into your children’s learning. The children have absolutely loved having you here – and we agree, the only thing missing was maybe a nice cup of tea and a bit of baking on the side!
We ended the week in the comfiest way possible with Alder Hey PJ Day, a wonderful charity that supports Alder Hey Children's Hospital by raising funds to provide comfort, care, and life-changing equipment for young patients and their families. The children were over the moon to bring in their teddies from home. It’s safe to say those teddies had a wild day—bouncing on beds, joining in playtime, and getting up to all sorts of cheeky mischief!
As we head into a well-earned break, we can’t quite believe how quickly the last eight weeks have flown by. It’s been an absolute joy getting to know your wonderful children. Thank you for your support, your smiles at the gate, and for being part of this very special first half term.
Wishing you all a restful, family-fuelled week. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back, refreshed and ready for more fun next term!
Warm wishes,
Mrs Grayson and the Nursery Team
Please see our updated virtual classroom attached to this blog if you would like to explore any of the themes we will be exploring after the half term.
Dates for the diary: -
Monday 3rd November - Return to School
Wed 5th November - Team TSP Community Firework Display
Wed 12th November – Remembrance WOW service 2pm @St Peter’s Church
Friday 14th November - Children in Need
Date: 22nd Oct 2025 @ 7:15pm
As we wrap up a fantastic first half term in Year 3, we’re proud to share some of our exciting learning moments from this week.
Inspired by our focus text 'Seal Surfer', the children immersed themselves in the story’s themes of adventure, resilience, and friendship. In English, they wrote heartfelt letters in the first person to Grandad, a key character in the story, describing their own imagined experiences of surfing with the seal. They applied their learning about expanded noun phrases, sentence structure, and emotive language to bring their writing to life. To complement their letters, the children created lovely watercolour scenes in their Author Books.
In Maths, we’ve been strengthening our skills in addition and subtraction using the column method. The children have worked hard to master adding and subtracting across tens and hundreds. We also enjoyed a special Maths Assembly, where we explored how maths is used in real-world jobs and everyday life.
Our Dance sessions have had a 'High School Musical' theme that’s got everyone moving! The children have been learning choreography, expressing themselves through movement, and building teamwork as they rehearse their routine.
As a well-earned class treat, the children brought in their favourite teddies for a joyful afternoon of games, creativity, and fun. They designed accessories for them, played games and enjoyed a class picnic. What fun we had!
We had a fantastic Computing Day, where the children explored 'Book Creator' to design their own digital books. Alongside this, we focused on the important topic of online safety, learning how to stay safe and respectful in the digital world.
Year 3 have been learning about Black History Month, and we were especially inspired by the story of Mary Seacole. Mary Seacole showed us the importance of kindness, courage, and determination. We are proud to celebrate her amazing achievements!
On Friday, the children came to school in their pyjamas to raise money for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. It was a fun and meaningful way to support a great cause.
We were treated to a magical performance of 'Sleeping Beauty' when the pantomime came to school! The hall was filled with laughter and cheers which was a wonderful shared experience that brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
Reminders:
- Team TSP Firework Event – Wednesday 5th November
- Year 3 PE Days – Monday and Wednesday
Date: 22nd Oct 2025 @ 2:55pm
It’s hard to believe just how much we’ve packed into this half term! From residentials to pantomimes and everything in between, Year 6 have been working hard, learning lots and having fun along the way!
In RE this half term, our topic has been Life as a Journey. We explored the different journeys people make through life and what they mean to individuals and communities. To finish the unit, we took part in a multi-faith exploration of pilgrimages, learning about why people travel to special places for spiritual reasons. We looked closely at the Western Wall and discovered its importance to people of the Jewish faith. It was a thoughtful and fascinating way to end our topic, helping us understand how faith can guide people on their life journeys.
In Maths, we have been celebrating an incredible achievement…our Year 6 class were crowned as North-West Sumdog Contest Champions! The children showed amazing focus, teamwork and determination, fending off tough competition from schools all across the region as well as other classes within TSP. Their effort and enthusiasm were fantastic throughout the contest, with every question answered helping to push us further up the leaderboard. A huge well done to everyone who took part. What an amazing achievement to finish the half term on!
In English, we’ve been developing our reading skills by exploring a wide range of genres, from fiction and poetry to song lyrics! One of the highlights was our music comprehension based on Taylor Swift’s ‘The Fate of Ophelia’. The children loved analysing the lyrics, spotting figurative language and linking the song’s themes to Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It was a brilliant way to see how storytelling, emotion and meaning can be expressed in different forms of writing and Year 6 showed fantastic insight and enthusiasm throughout.
To finish off a fantastic half term, Year 6 enjoyed a brilliant performance of Sleeping Beauty! The panto was full of laughter, music and plenty of audience participation, with lots of cheering, booing and a few surprises along the way. The children (and staff) had a great time joining in with the fun and it was the perfect way to end a busy and exciting few weeks.
Year 6 also joined the whole school in supporting Alder Hey Children’s Hospital by taking part in Pyjama Day. Everyone loved wearing their pyjamas to school while helping to raise money for children in need of care.
What a fantastic half term it’s been! We hope you have a restful and enjoyable break before we begin another exciting half term ahead.
Reminders:
-Maths and English homework HAS been set as normal, and the deadline for completing it will be the first Wednesday following the half term break (5th November).
- No new spellings will be set during the half term break. If the children would still like to practise, I’ve attached the Year 5/6 Statutory Spellings lists to Google Classroom. These are key words that we’ll all be working on throughout Year 6, with the aim of spelling as many as possible with confidence by the end of the year. The children could pick a few tricky ones, test themselves, or try writing them in sentences.
-The Team TSP Firework Event will take place on Wednesday 5th November.