St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School

Newsletter - 03.10.25

Dear Parents and Carers, 

It has been a busy few weeks as we continue through Term 1, with pupils engaging enthusiastically in a wide range of learning opportunities across the school. You can view an overview of the children’s learning each term by visiting the Curriculum Overviews section on our website.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming grandparents into school next week for our special Grandparents' Liturgies. Year 6 will celebrate theirs on Monday 6, followed by Year 5 on Tuesday 7 October. These are always treasured occasions, for both the staff and the children. Should you need a reminder of the dates for the remaining year groups, these are outlined on the school calendar.

In addition, First Holy Communion preparation classes will begin on Monday 6 October and will take place monthly in school, up until June 2026. These sessions will be led by Sarah Surman, Foundation Governor, and will support pupils on their important spiritual journey.

Polite reminder, the Ten:Ten parent newsletters can be accessed via the Catholic Life and Mission tab on our website.

Wishing all our children and families a restful weekend.

Mr McKeever

Learning from across the school

 Reception

This week in RE, Reception Class have been learning that God loves us and we are part of a family.  We have been in the mud kitchen role-playing family activities.  We have also practised writing our names in different ways, as God knows us by our name. 

In Drawing Club (English) we have been talking about the Colour Monster story, drawing pictures of the character and setting.  We have discussed our own feelings and made a calm corner, where we can practise the breathing exercises we have learnt.

Reception - 03.10.25

Year 1

In Year 1, we have continued our learning about the Creation Story in RE this week. We went on an ‘awe and wonder walk’ to experience and appreciate God’s creation and the beauty around us. We really enjoyed exploring and finding interesting natural objects in the nature garden.

In English, we have started our new book called ‘Send for a Superhero’. The children have enjoyed the comic book style and have been using the different junk model resources in our outside area to recreate cities and superhero items.

In maths, the children have been exploring numbers up to 10. We have learnt how to compare numbers using greater/less than, and we have used the different maths resources to represent different numbers.

Finally, in Science, we have been learning about our senses and how they can help us to explore and experience the world. Last week, we explored our sense of taste and this week we explored our sense of smell by smelling different scents and guessing what we thought they were!

Year 1 - 03.10.25

Year 2

We have been refining our sketching techniques and mark making in our art lessons. The children explored shading with art pencils going from light to dark and dark to light. They also added shadows to their shapes.

In PE, the children have refined their hand and eye coordination to bounce and catch tennis balls using their hands, a cone and a racquet. They then developed their skills to work with a partner.

We have been learning what it means to be a steward of the world in our RE lessons. The children engaged in discussions after being inspired by watching a CAFOD video about how we could improve the world. They then made their own pledges saying how they could help.

Year 2 - 03.10.25

Year 3

Year 3 have developed and enhanced their learning and understanding over the past two weeks.

In maths lessons, the class have begun the topic of addition and subtraction; they have been using formal column methods and will be learning about exchanging and carrying over.

In English, the class book has been the BFG and the class have been distinguishing between adjectives, verbs and nouns, as well as creating their very own nonsense words using compound nouns.

The class have been analysing the lives of people in the Stone Age, Bronze Age and the Iron Age, in History, through looking at artefact images and secondary sources.

In RE, the class have been learning about the Creation Story and the importance to Christians of the holy day.

As part of their learning in computing, the children have been analysing how a network operates by using a note passing game to simulate how messages are transported within computing systems. 

Year 3 - 03.10.25

Year 4

Over the last two weeks, Year 4 have continued to enjoy learning all about our food and digestive system. In Science, they have been looking at how best to brush our teeth and which type of toothbrush to use.

In DT, they have continued working in groups to create their own biscuit products; this week’s focus was designing their own packaging. It looks like a very competitive market!

Finally, this week the class took part in a special live lesson with Steve Backshall from the BBC’s Deadliest 60. They learnt all about the wonders of the rainforest, getting them excited for our upcoming topic! This is the first of 4 sessions, which will be happening across the year.

Year 4 - 03.10.25

Year 5

Year 5 had great fun in their science lessons this week. We learnt about the causes of day and night and the seasons. We annotated diagrams to explain this and described how the Earth rotates on its axis. We also described the tilt of the Earth and its orbit around the sun. We then used a torch, playdough and a tooth pic to demonstrate the causes of day and night with our partner. We placed the torch so it shone on the Earth and held it between a finger and thumb so the axis was tilted. We pointed out that the side of the Earth facing the Sun receiving light meant that it was day light, while the side facing away meant it was nighttime.

In PE this week, Year 5 had a fantastic time playing 5-a-side football. The children showed brilliant teamwork, passing and supporting one another throughout the matches. Their skills are developing wonderfully, and it was great to see such enthusiasm and sportsmanship on the pitch!

In RE, Year 5 have been learning about Jesus’ teaching that by following the two greatest commandments – loving God and loving your neighbour – we are fulfilling all the laws. The children worked in groups to sort the Ten Commandments into those that help us to love God and those that help us to love our neighbour. They had some fantastic discussions about which were more difficult to decide on and why. Finally, they reflected on how following one rule about loving others can also show love for God. The children showed real thoughtfulness and understanding in their work.

Year 5 - 03.10.25

Year 6

In Art, Year 6 have selected a suitable range of props, considered the design brief and reflected on their initial ideas. The children worked in groups to set up an effective composition, thinking about the scale and positioning of objects whilst also considering the space that will provide good lighting levels.

In History, Year 6 have also been identifying the types of information the census gives us about people. The children have used the census to make inferences about people from the past and describe the changes between periods. 

Year 6 - 03.10.25

Certificates of Achievement

Well done to the following children for earning a Certificate of Achievement! Our certificates are linked to our Learning Powers: Curiosity; Concentration; Co-operation; Resilience and Self-improvement.

Let Your Light Shine Certificates

Well done to the following children for earning a Let Your Light Shine certificate! Our certificates are linked to our School Vision and are awarded in recognition of pupils’ contribution to school life.

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