Message from Mrs Brocklesby

Thank You for Attending Parents’ Evening

Thank you to all the parents and carers who attended Parents’ Evening. It was lovely to see so many of you and to have the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and achievements.

Attending Parents’ Evening is an important way to strengthen the partnership between home and school, helping us work together to support each child’s learning and wellbeing.

If you were unable to attend, the school office will be in touch next week to arrange an alternative meeting.

Message from Mrs Warnett

Reception

This week in Reception, the children have been busy continuing their phonics learning by segmenting and blending sounds to read and write simple words. In maths, they have been exploring part-whole models and discovering how numbers can be made up of different parts. In RE, the children have been learning about Remembrance Day and have enjoyed creating thoughtful crafts to help them reflect on this important occasion.

KS1

Year 1 and 2 were delighted to read one of their favourite texts 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea' this week and used it to develop their understanding of using the conjunction 'because' in their writing. In maths, the children have been very proud of themselves as they moved on to working with numbers right up to 100! The children enjoyed playing board games to work on their recognition of the numbers and worked so hard to understand the place value of two-digit numbers. Super effort, everyone! In RE, the children have enjoyed creating poppy wreaths for Remembrance Day, developing their understanding of the significance of the event as well as their scissor and fine motor skills. In computing, the children have continued to work on their understanding of internet safety, sending and receiving emails in a controlled environment via our Purple Mash platform. The children are keen to log in at home and email their classmates! In PE, the class have started a new unit of dance and loved watching each other perform. We loved hearing how positive and supportive the children were of each other. In science, the class have been learning about growing and were delighted to welcome a lovely mummy and four month old baby to the class this week. The class, despite being very excited, were the quietest we've ever seen, doing their very best to not startle the baby! They asked such thoughtful and sensible questions and listened very carefully to the mother's answers. Thank you so much to our visitors for giving the class such an interesting science lesson!

Year 3 / Year 4

The children have continued the hard work and effort shown before half term this week. In maths, the children have been asked to use written methods to answer subtraction calculations using exchanging. They have grown in confidence and fluency as the week has progressed which has been lovely to see. In PE, the children have started their gymnastics unit looking at arches and bridges. The children had to use their knowledge of points and patches to support their body weight using their feet and hands only, with some excellent suggestions and ideas. Yesterday, the children completed their local history unit by researching the diversification of Stourport to a leisure time and they created some wonderful brochures to celebrate all that Stourport has to offer. The children also enjoyed creating poppies by taring paper and researching the meaning of 'In Flanders Field' by John McCrae to develop their understanding of Remembrance Day. The children recognised the importance to still remember the sacrifices made from the past to provide us with the freedoms we had today and asked some really thoughtful questions. Well done!

Year 5

Year 5 have had a fantastic first week back after the half-term break. In English, the children have been learning a new grammar skill — using relative clauses to add extra information and detail to their writing. They have also explored the features of a non-chronological report, identifying how headings, subheadings, and technical vocabulary help to inform the reader. To finish the week, Year 5 completed some marvellous Star Writes all about the Mayans, showcasing their excellent knowledge and impressive writing skills. In Design and Technology, Year 5 have started an exciting new unit focusing on pop-up books. This week, they began by researching different types of pop-up mechanisms and exploring how movement and design can bring a story to life. By the end of the unit, the children will create their very own pop-up books based on the nursery rhyme Jack and Jill, which will be shared with Reception and Year 1 pupils — a lovely opportunity to design with a younger audience in mind! In Maths, Year 5 have been working incredibly hard to complete their multiplication and division unit. They have deepened their understanding of multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000, and have applied their skills to solve a range of reasoning and problem-solving challenges.

To end the week, Year 5 spent time reflecting on Remembrance Day. The children wrote thoughtful and respectful prayers to remember those who have lost their lives in war and to hope for peace in the world today. They also created beautiful Remembrance sun catchers, which now decorate the classroom windows — a bright and meaningful tribute to those we remember. Well Done Year 5!

Year 6 

Year 6 have had a wonderful start to the new half term and started the week with a visit from Paige from our school catering team. Paige came to talk to the Year 6 children about making healthy choices in their food and drinks. The children explored about the recommended amount of sugar for children their age and then looked at how much sugar some snacks would contain – with some very surprising results! The children were then lucky enough to have a fruit and vegetable platter which they all very much enjoyed with many children trying a new fruit for the first time. Well done! The children have also written some amazing setting descriptions this week based on their current text, ‘Leila and the Blue Fox’. Miss McGowan challenged the children to use a range of adverbials, expanded noun phrases, figurative language and to really consider the language choices they make in order to be specific and descriptive, and it sounds like Year 6 have really worked hard and have definitely impressed Miss McGowan. Fractions have also been a focus this week with the children looking at finding equivalent fractions, finding the simplest form and comparing and ordering fractions. The children could see this week how having a secure tables knowledge with quick recall could help them in many other areas of maths – especially fractions! Thank you also to the Year 6 children who read so beautifully in Mass today. Well done!

This year, we are taking part in the Samaritan's Purse Christmas Child Operation.  Your child has brought home a leaflet about this.  If you would like to participate, please bring your shoe box filled with goodies for a child (see list on leaflet for suggested items) any day next week.  Alternatively, you can bring donated items in from the list and our Minnie Vinnies will use them to fill shoe boxes for the appeal.

Payment for the disco is cash on entry.

Kidderminster Harriers FC ticket voucher - we have been given some ticket vouchers valid until 31 December 2025.  Each voucher is for one free under 16 child accompanied by an adult at the reduced price of £16 (for the adult).  If you would like some of these vouchers, please collect them from the school office.

If your child is due to start school in September 2026 (and was born between 1 September 2021-31 August 2022) the closing date for applying for a place is 15 January 2026. Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive universal free school meals.  However, based on your income, you may be eligible to a different free school meal type. This can be applied for even when your child is still in Reception, Years 1 & 2.  This entitles you to a free school meal voucher during the holidays and also continued free school meals until the end of Year 6. If you think you may qualify for these,  visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk