October Newsletter Regent Farm First School

In Reception the superheroes arrived! Superheroes of all different kinds! After visits from real life heroes including nurses, supermarket workers and even the coastguard, Reception realised that superheroes were living amongst us, helping the people around them stay safe and well. They talked about ways they could help and what they would like to do for their job when they grew up. Lots of fun was had at superhero school after reading Eliot Jones Midnight Superhero. Reception spent time learning skills like “super strength”, “super speed” and “super flying” and were able to help out the callers who rang Superhero HQ in need of assistance. Finally, this half term they have been finding out about their own superpowers, learning that we all have them and that they are all different but equally special.

Half Termly Curriculum Information - Key Stage 1

Year 1 have been learning all about how plastic waste is affecting our planet. They have been looking at what we can do to protect our environment. The children have reduced, reused and recycled across all subject areas. They used cardboard waste to recreate the famous Angel of the North sculpture by Antony Gormley and, after spending time studying our local area in Geography, designed and made a sculpture for Wansbeck Road. The topic was concluded by a fantastic Environment Day, thinking about what we can do to protect Regent Farm’s environment; cleaning up litter and designing posters to persuade others to help our whole school community to protect it. What amazing eco warriors Year 1 are!

Year 2 have been thinking about animals and their habitats, how animals adapt to survive in the area in which they live and had a fantastic trip to Northumberland Zoo to meet different animals. They have also been exploring the impact of humans on different habitats and what we can do to help. Through the book 'The Unexpected Visitor' the children have explored the concept of overfishing and what they can do to prevent this. In art they have explored the use of animals in aboriginal art and the different techniques used. Visit Year 2 if you have any questions about animals, they are definitely experts!

Half Term Curriculum Information - Key Stage 2

Key Stage 2 have had a great half term. The whole school topic of ‘Global Warriors’ has included a range of activities in Year 3 and 4. Global Warriors challenges our children to think about the environment and gain a greater understanding of the world we live in and the problems we are currently facing.

Year 3 have explored the enquiry question ‘Is it too late to save our oceans?’ through discussions in class and by visiting St Mary’s Lighthouse. The children loved rock pooling and they showed curiosity as they learnt about the effects micro plastics are having on sea creatures. They showed determination as they climbed 137 steps up to the top of the lighthouse! The children were also particularly interested in the thought-provoking video ‘Catch a lot’ which enabled them to understand the consequences to our actions and how this impacts on the wider world. Using their art skills, Year 3 created a printed image to show the effects of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.

Year 4 began this term by thinking about their role in the world. They explored the enquiry question ‘How can our actions affect our planet?’ They found out about animals that have become endangered or extinct due to the actions of humans, and thought about what responsibility means. In English, they made information texts on their class animals of tigers and leopards, as well as persuasive letters to help them raise money to adopt their class animal. As part of their Science, the Year 4 showed lots of curiosity while investigating life in the local area with a visit to St Nicholas Nature Reserve Park as well as meeting some crazy creatures who visited our school!