Month: June 2026

During our geography trip to Holmeswood, we visited a local river to learn about river environments and the processes that shape them. The visit helped us understand how rivers affect the landscape and the importance of rivers within the local area.

While at the river, we observed different features such as the river channel, bends, banks, and surrounding vegetation. We discussed how erosion, transportation, and deposition work together to change the river over time. We also looked at how the river interacts with the surrounding land and considered the impact of weather and human activity on the environment.

We discussed how rivers form and develop from their source to their mouth. We examined examples of river features and learned how water shapes the landscape through natural processes. We were encouraged to think about how rivers can create habitats for wildlife and why they are important for both people and the environment and identified various physical and human features in our surroundings.

The trip to Holmeswood was an interesting and enjoyable experience. It helped us connect what we had learned in the classroom to a real-world river environment and improved our understanding of physical geography.

As part of our Microhabitats topic in science, Nicky Nook travelled to Half Moon Bay in Heysham to take part in a Rockpooling activity. This experience enhanced their knowledge of habitats, as they saw animals in their natural environments. The children were able to move rocks on the beach to find animals that live in these microhabitats. 

Nicky Nook were all really eager to take part in this activity as they very quickly discovered how many different animals live under rocks and in rock pools. They used a plastic tub with water from the sea to place their findings in to observe them. 

Nicky Nook also used this experience as a tool for guiding them in English. They were given a set of instructions of how to successfully rockpool. The instructions were given with mistakes in them. The task for the class was to identify the mistakes, so they could use their experiences to write their own set of instructions.

Nicky Nook really enjoyed their trip and were eager for staff to take pictures of their findings and showcase what they had found. After rockpooling, the class enjoyed their lunch on the beach and went to Heysham Play Park to finish their trip.

As part of our Cultural Capital experience, the children visited Cleveleys Beach following our class study of The Sea Swallow by Gareth Thompson. Prior to the trip, we read and discussed the story together, sharing our thoughts, opinions and interpretations of the book. The children engaged enthusiastically in discussions about the characters, themes and events within the story.

During our visit to the beach, we explored the sculptures inspired by the book. The children were excited to see the Golden Sea Shell and the Sea Swallow sculptures in real life. We also looked for the Ogre sculpture, although it was partially hidden by the high tide. Seeing these landmarks brought the story to life and helped the children make meaningful connections between literature, art and the local environment.

Following our visit to Cleveleys Beach and our study of The Sea Swallow by Gareth Thompson, the children will take part in a Design and Technology project to create their own sculptures using air-dry clay. Inspired by the sculptures they observed during the trip, the children will first explore ideas, sketch designs and consider the features they would like to include in their models.

They will then use a range of shaping, joining and finishing techniques to construct their sculptures from clay, developing their fine motor skills and understanding of three-dimensional design. Throughout the project, children will evaluate their work and make improvements to achieve their intended outcome. This activity encourages creativity, problem-solving and the application of skills inspired by a real-life cultural experience.

THIS HALF TERM AT SCHOOL

Mrs Farnworth

Welcome back to school for the summer term! We hope you had a refreshing break and are ready for an exciting final term of the academic year.

The summer term is always a busy and rewarding time filled with key milestones, outdoor activities, and celebrations.

Mr Hutchinson – Class Teacher
Miss Lowe & Mr Davis – Keyworkers

We are looking forward to an exciting second half of the summer term in Nicky Nook Class. With the brighter weather and longer days ahead, we have lots of wonderful opportunities to enjoy, including school trips and special end-of-term activities.
As the term progresses, Nicky Nook Class will also begin preparing for their transition into their new classes for next year. The children will have the chance to meet their new teachers, spend time with their future classmates, and take part in activities designed to help them feel confident and excited about the next stage of their school journey. We are looking forward to a busy, fun-filled, and memorable end to the school year!

DON’T FORGET……

If your child has any medical appointments, please inform school in advance where possible – you MUST send a copy (either hard copy or a picture by email) of the appointment letter/card/text to school for our register.
If your child is absent due to illness, please telephone school before 8.00 am and leave a message. Your child will not be collected for school until you inform us that they are well enough to return.

IMPORTANT DATES

D-Day 5th June 2026. Ocean Day 8th June 2026. Trooping the Colour 15th June 2026. Special Person Day 19th June 2026. Music Day 22nd June 2026. World Chocolate Day 7th July 2026. Nelson Mandela Day 20th July 2026.

Cultural Capital Dates:

Wednesday 10th June 2026: Half Moon Bay – Rock Pooling
Wednesday 8th July 2026: Waddecar Scout Activity Centre – Canoeing

Summer Term (2) 2026 Ends: Friday 24th July 2026
Autumn Term (1) 2026 Begins: Wednesday 3rd September 20

PARENT REMINDER

Please can sun cream be applied to children during the summer months. It would also be useful to bring a sun hat in for playtimes and trips. During the summer months children can wear shorts, but they MUST be plain black/grey or school shorts – no sports motifs.

CURRICULUM

In Topic, we will continue our learning journey with Bright Lights, Big City. This half term, we will be focusing on the fascinating history of London, with a particular emphasis on the Great Fire of London. The children will explore how the fire started, the impact it had on the city, and how London changed as a result of this significant historical event.

In Maths, we will be continuing our work on multiplication and division. The pupils will be developing their understanding of multiplication by learning new strategies and skills. This will include recognising and creating equal groups, using arrays to represent multiplication facts, and building confidence when solving multiplication and division problems.

In English, Nicky Nook Class will be creating sets of instructions for making bread rolls and pizzas. This exciting learning opportunity will allow the children to demonstrate their understanding of chronological order, sequencing, and the use of imperative verbs. The class will also be using their computing skills to write and send emails about London and its famous attractions, combining their English and technology learning in a meaningful way.

In Science, Nicky Nook Class will continue their biodiversity topic with a focus on microhabitats and minibeasts. The children have already enjoyed exploring where microhabitats can be found, and this half term they will investigate how animals and minibeasts obtain the energy they need to survive. They will learn about simple food chains and discover the important role that the sun plays in providing energy for living things.

CULTURAL CAPITAL

Our first Culture Capital trip will take place on 10th June 2026. Nicky Nook class will be going to Half Moon Bay to take part in rock pooling. The class will write instructions prior to this on how to rock pool and then use each other’s instructions to try and find animals under the rocks. This will be linked to our English focus and exploring the outside world and microhabitats in the sea. 

Our second Culture Capital trip will be on 8th July 2026, when Nicky Nook Class will visit Waddecar Scout Activity Centre for an exciting canoeing adventure. As part of their end-of-year celebrations, this will give the children the opportunity to try something new and create special memories with their classmates before the school year comes to an end.