Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to the second part of the autumn term! I hope you all managed to enjoy some autumnal family fun over the half-term break and are returning refreshed and ready for a busy few weeks ahead.

This term, we are delighted to welcome Cornwall Cricket coaches into school every Monday. Please send children into school wearing their PE kits on both Mondays and Fridays. Cricket sessions will begin on the first day back — Monday 3rd November. The class will continue to have their second PE session on Fridays with Mr Bain.

Our project this term is “Pole to Pole,” where we will be exploring the continent of Antarctica. The aim of this project is to develop the children’s understanding of the polar region, focusing on Shackleton’s 1914–17 Endurance Expedition. We hope this topic will nurture pupils’ fascination with, and curiosity about, this significant, remote landscape and extreme environment. Our class book will be Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill — a beautifully illustrated, visual non-fiction book exploring this epic voyage of discovery and survival.

As part of our project work I am hoping to arrange a trip to The Box in Plymouth on the 10th December. If you would be available to come with us on this day please let me know. We hope to travel by train. Please keep an eye out for further information.

In English, we will be studying another wonderful book, Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall. Through this story, we will continue to develop our understanding of expanded noun phrases and speech dialogue, as well as explore letter writing and newspaper reports.

Please try to read with your children at least three times a week. This could include sharing their school reading book or enjoying books and magazines from home. It is very helpful if this reading is recorded in their reading records. Please ensure children bring their reading records into school every day.

In maths, we will continue our work on addition and subtraction, beginning with adding and subtracting 1s across the 10s boundary and 10s across the hundreds boundary. We will also continue to focus on the 3 times table this half term, aiming to increase fluency and recall by Christmas. Please encourage children to practise using Times Tables Rock Stars, Hit the Button, or other fun online resources.

Please make sure children have a coat, named water bottle, and snack each day. They also need outdoor shoes to ensure they can take part in activities and playtimes in the woods and on the field. Hats and gloves are also recommended as the weather turns colder — please ensure all items are clearly named.

Could I also ask that you look through the school dinner menu with your children each week to help avoid any upset if there isn’t an option they like.

Parents’ Evening booking emails have been sent out, and slots are available on Monday 10th and Thursday 13th November. Please speak to Mrs Samuels if you have any difficulty booking a time. I look forward to meeting you all to celebrate your child’s achievements.

As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via Dojo, email (shunter@stoke-climsland.cornwall.sch.uk), or by speaking to me at drop-off or pick-up times.

Kind regards,

 

Mrs Hunter