Nursery to Year Six Highlights

This week the Nursery girls have revisited many of the fascinating insects that they have been learning about over the past half term. The girls were excited to recall facts about their favourite minibeasts and confidently used new vocabulary as they discussed their features with one another. One activity that proved especially popular was making our own “fossils”. The girls manipulated salt dough to create detailed imprints of the minibeasts of their choice. This provided an opportunity to strengthen their fine motor skills and hand muscles, as the children rolled, stretched and cut the dough before gently pressing their chosen bug into the surface. With concentration and care, they peeled the minibeast away to reveal the imprint underneath. The girls observed the different features closely and were able to talk about what they could see. They discussed how many legs their minibeast had, whether it had wings, the shape of its body and the patterns or textures they noticed.  

Reception have been learning all about endangered animals and the importance of protecting wildlife around the world. The children explored which animals are endangered and discussed some of the reasons why certain species are becoming rare. The girls were especially upset to learn that some animals are harmed or hunted on purpose. Using model magic, the children carefully created their own animal models before sorting them into groups depending on whether the animals were endangered or not. They showed fantastic knowledge and thoughtful discussion as they compared the different animals. 

The Year One girls have been getting wonderfully sticky with papier-mâché! Some girls enjoyed the messy fun more than others as they created their own cups and balls. We have been learning about toys across many of our subjects and in History we have been exploring the toys children used to play with in the past. The girls thought it would be great fun to make their own traditional toy so they could experience playing with it themselves. After half term, we will be decorating the cups and balls and testing our skills to see how successful we are at catching the ball in the cup! 

Year Two have been buzzing with excitement this week as they planned, wrote and edited their very own Minibeast factfiles. In English lessons, the girls have been learning how to structure non-chronological reports, carefully organising their information so that it is clear, interesting and easy to read. Each girl chose a minibeast to research and loved uncovering all sorts of fascinating facts about their chosen creature. The classroom has been filled with excitement as the girls shared their discoveries and worked hard to turn their research into informative pieces of writing. This wonderful project has brought together learning from English, Science and our recent visit to Martineau Gardens, helping the girls make meaningful links across the curriculum. It has been lovely to see the pride and care they have taken with both their writing and presentation. Well done, Year Two — your factfiles are truly fantastic, and you should all be very proud of your hard work! 

Year Four girls have been exploring a new genre in English lessons this half term by learning how to write fact files linked to their History topic on the Tudors. The pupils researched fascinating information about Tudor life, including famous monarchs, clothing, food and homes. They then organised their findings carefully into clear sections using sub-headings, helping to make their work easy to read and informative. As part of the project, the children also learned how illustrations and diagrams can make fact files more engaging for readers. Their finished pieces were beautifully presented, combining historical facts with colourful drawings and neat layouts. The exciting cross-curricular activity helped the girls develop both their historical knowledge and their non-fiction writing skills, while encouraging creativity and independence in their research. 

Our Year Five girls have been eagerly preparing for their special Cranedale assembly for parents on Wednesday morning, following their recent educational visit to the centre. Over the past week, classrooms have been filled with excitement as children rehearsed songs, practised acting parts and worked together to present everything they had learned during their time away. The assembly was an opportunity to showcase their experiences and discoveries, giving parents a glimpse into the memorable activities that helped bring geography to life beyond the classroom walls. The girls are also keen to thank parents for supporting the visit and allowing them to take part in such an enriching experience. Thank you!