Term 3 Week 3

It’s been a busy bee of a week in our classroom, with plenty of thinking, talking and learning going on.

It feels especially right to start with Reading this week, as it’s the Year of Reading and we’re placing books right at the heart of everything we do. We began the week by returning to our class novel, Felicity Fire and the Forever Key by Leon Mitchell, and we’ve reached a particularly gripping moment in the story. Felicity has stumbled into a mysterious antique shop and the children were instantly hooked. There were wide eyes, whispered predictions and lots of thoughtful pauses as they tried to work out what this place might hold and why it matters.

Alongside our class novel, we also explored our text of the week during whole-class reading. The children listened carefully, shared ideas confidently and built on each other’s thinking. It’s been lovely to see how naturally they are beginning to talk about books - asking questions, making predictions and spotting clues in the text with growing confidence.

In English, we’ve been busy stepping into the world of Tudor spies.

This week, the children have been writing detailed character descriptions of Thomas Snoop, and we took our time with it, working through the entire writing process from start to finish. We planned, drafted, wrote, edited and refined and that’s where some of the biggest progress has really shone through.

The children worked hard to describe Thomas’s appearance, personality and actions, thinking carefully about how to bring him to life for the reader. We talked a lot about choosing the right words, adding detail and making sure their ideas were clear. What’s been especially pleasing to see is how much more confident they are becoming with editing their own work. They spotted spelling mistakes, improved word choices and made sensible changes to their sentences, often explaining why they wanted to improve something.

There’s a real sense in Owls Class now that writing isn’t just about getting ideas down on the page and moving on. The children are beginning to pause, reread their work and ask themselves, “Does this make sense?” or “Can I make this better?” Watching them go back to improve word choices, fix spellings and clarify their ideas has been a real joy. Their growing independence and pride in their writing is something to celebrate.

In Maths, we’ve continued to build on our understanding of multiplication and division.

The real highlight of the week, though, was our Friday NRICH maths investigation. This was one of those lessons where the classroom buzzed. The children worked practically, moving cards around, testing ideas, making mistakes and then trying again. What stood out was the quality of their discussions explaining choices, justifying answers and listening carefully to each other’s reasoning. It wasn’t about finishing first; it was about thinking deeply.

Seeing the children so engaged, persevering when things felt tricky and genuinely enjoying the challenge reminded us that maths is about curiosity, resilience and teamwork just as much as it is about numbers.

In PE this week, Owls Class have been getting stuck into cricket and it has been a real highlight.

The children have been practising their batting skills and working carefully on their grip, stance and timing. What I really noticed was their determination. Missed shots did not knock their confidence. Instead, they took a moment, adjusted and had another go. There was lots of encouragement around the hall too, with children supporting each other and celebrating effort just as much as success.

As the sessions went on, confidence began to grow. Bats were held with more purpose, swings became more controlled and the children started to make small but important improvements. It has been lovely to watch them develop their physical skills and team work, all while genuinely enjoying themselves.

Collective Worship is always a calm and meaningful moment in our week.

I really value this time with Owls Class. It gives the children space to pause, reflect and think about themselves, their actions and how their week has been. I like seeing them use their prayer papers thoughtfully, quietly considering what has gone well, what they are proud of and how they have tried to live life in all its fullness.

These moments are never rushed. Some children sit in silence, others jot down a few words, and some simply hold their thoughts. What matters is that they are learning to reflect honestly and personally. It has been lovely to see how seriously they take this time and how confidently they are beginning to recognise the small but important ways they have shown kindness, resilience and gratitude throughout the week.

As always, it’s been a full and busy week in Owls Class, with lots of learning, thinking and moments to be proud of. When I look back at the week as a whole, it’s the small moments that really stand out. The conversations, the quiet focus and the way the children support one another.

Have a lovely weekend and we look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday, ready for another week of learning and living life in all its fullness.