LOWER SCHOOL – SUMMER 2024
Welcome to our Lower School Summer Newsletter, marking the end of a very busy and fun-filled term. We are delighted to share the wonderful achievements and memorable experiences of our pupils with you.
Our children have participated in a wide array of enriching activities this term. They have honed their culinary skills in cookery workshops, learned vital information in Health and Safety sessions, and displayed their athletic prowess during Sports Day and Gala Day. The talent and creativity of our pupils shone brightly during our Tower’s Got Talent competition, and the visit from the Night Zookeeper Team was both educational and entertaining. Additionally, the reward trips to Croxteth Farm and Ninja Warrior were highlights that brought immense joy and excitement to everyone involved.
Beyond these activities, our children have shown remarkable dedication to their studies, gaining new knowledge and skills each day. The individual class overviews included in this newsletter will provide you with a closer look at the incredible learning journey your children have undertaken this term.
We appreciate your continued support and encouragement throughout this term. As we look forward to another year of growth, learning, and fun, we extend our thanks for being an integral part of our school community.
Year 1
We are thrilled to share that Year 1 has concluded on an exceptionally high note, filled with enriching experiences in learning and discovery. Our young learners have embarked on a journey that has broadened their knowledge and sparked their imaginations.
During our topic lessons, the children ventured into the fascinating world of dinosaurs, learning about these magnificent creatures and the pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning. Through English, they developed their writing skills by creating diary entries from Mary Anning’s perspective, bringing history to life with their imaginative narratives and drama activities.
In science, our focus on the diverse types of animals and their unique characteristics allowed pupils to draw intriguing comparisons between modern animals and dinosaurs, enriching their understanding of both realms.
Creativity took centre stage in our art lessons. The children demonstrated their artistic talents by crafting intricate dinosaur habitats and meticulously designed dinosaur clay eyes, showcasing their creativity and attention to detail.
Math lessons were equally engaging. Pupils explored concepts like time, multiplication, division, and place value. They visualized these mathematical ideas using drawings, making learning both fun and effective.
Year 1 also enthusiastically embraced physical activity during Sports Day. It was delightful to witness budding athletes display fantastic sportsmanship. Our adventures didn’t stop there—we enjoyed a trip to a farm, participated in an exciting ice cream workshop, and even took a virtual museum trip.
This final term has truly encapsulated a blend of academic growth, creativity, and exploration. We are incredibly proud of our Year 1 children for their fantastic achievements this year.
Thank you for your continued support. Have a wonderful summer!
Miss Porter and Miss Connolly
Year 2
We are delighted to share the highlights of our final term in Year 2, where learning and adventure went hand in hand.
Our exploration of the continent of Africa was truly inspiring, drawing from the wonderful stories in “Meerkat Mail” and “Lila & the Secret of Rain.” The children explored the life of the Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta, creating clay huts, African landscapes, and vibrant artwork inspired by Edward Tingatinga. They also enjoyed learning an African call-and-response song.
Our beautiful school grounds became an extended classroom as we spent more time outdoors. The children investigated plants and their growth, tended to the crops we planted, explored microhabitats, and used their findings from bug hunts to design a ‘Superbug’ Top Trump card in computing lessons.
Maths was brought to life with practical measuring tasks, and the children mastered the vital skill of telling time, making learning both engaging and applicable.
We also made time to celebrate with several exciting reward events. The children enjoyed an ice cream workshop, a trip to Croxteth Park, our very own Tower’s Got Talent show, an art exhibition, and the fantastic Gala Day.
This year has been incredibly busy and eventful, filled with moments of growth and development. We are immensely proud of all the children and their achievements. As they move on to Year 3, we are confident they will continue to shine.
Thank you for being so supportive throughout the year.
Mrs Boyd, Mrs Gibson, and Miss Connolly
Year 3
We are thrilled to share our wonderful experiences and learning adventures during our exciting summer term.
English: The children showcased their creativity through writing inspired by our book of the term, Romans on the Rampage. Their imaginative stories and thoughtful insights brought the historical theme to life.
Science: Our budding scientists explored the fascinating world of plants and the crucial role scientists play in our daily lives. The children discovered why scientific contributions are essential to understanding and improving the world around us.
History: Delving into the past, we learned about the Romans and their impact on Britain. The children were captivated by stories of life in Roman Britain, the fierce leader Boudicca, and the ingenious construction of Roman roads.
Geography: Extreme weather phenomena were the focus of our geography lessons. The children learned about the devastating effects of tsunamis and the powerful eruptions of volcanoes, expanding their understanding of the natural world.
Art and Design: Inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s works, the children explored various artistic techniques. They also enjoyed using different materials to create their own Roman armour, blending creativity with historical learning.
Special Event: Our Disney Day was a highlight of the term, filled with joy and excitement. The children played Disney bingo, enjoyed the rides, and ended the day with a spectacular fireworks display.
Watching each child learn and grow this year has been a joy. I will miss them all dearly, but I look forward to seeing their smiling faces as they pass by on their way to Year 4.
Have a wonderful summer break!
Miss Deane and Miss Byron
Year 4
We have had such a fun-filled Summer Term in Year 4 and the children have thoroughly enjoyed all the activities. We had a fabulous reward trip to Ninja Warrior and a super Sports Day, too!
The children have been learning about Ancient Greece’s History and celebrated with a Greek Feast! In English, they created some wonderful character descriptions of Medusa; in Maths, they created a labyrinth for Theseus and the Minotaur. They dressed in Greek costumes and carried out a democratic vote. However, I wasn’t too impressed when they voted to ostracize the tyrant and marched me out of the classroom!
In Geography, they made playdough models to represent the layers of the earth and used Oreo Cookies to demonstrate Tectonic Plate Boundaries. The children also created fabulous Rainforest Projects and proudly displayed them in our Lower School Exhibition.
In Science, we have been learning all about teeth and planning an experiment to model tooth decay. In our classroom kitchen workshop, we made ice cream sundaes with fresh fruit.
A real highlight of the term was raising some beautiful butterflies in Science Club. The children were so excited to observe them each day before releasing them on our school grounds. It was a magical experience for them all.
We have had such thoughtful conversations in our Wellbeing Wednesday and R.E. lessons, and it has been a real delight to teach such a conscientious and compassionate class.
I am very proud of you all! Well done, Year 4!
Mrs Miles and Mrs Thorald Smith
Year 5
We are delighted to share the highlights of our fantastic final term in Year 5. The children have worked incredibly hard across the curriculum, and we are so proud of their achievements.
Maths: This term, the children mastered decimals and gained confidence using place value charts to multiply and divide by 10, 100, and 1000. We also brought learning to life by incorporating physical activities to help recall angle types.
English: The children showcased their creativity by producing fabulous informational texts about their imaginary creatures. They diligently used success criteria to ensure high-quality writing. To support their Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar (SPaG) skills, we enjoyed engaging in boxing and singing activities.
Science: Collaboration was key as we investigated reversible and irreversible changes. The children explored the solubility of substances through dissolving and used sieving and filtering techniques to separate materials.
History: Our exploration of the Maya Civilization was immersive and interactive. The children created role plays depicting the discovery of the Mayans, impressing Miss Midgley and Mr. Jack with their performances. They also became creators, making Mayan jewellery and constructing their own Mayan homes.
Geography: Our imaginary trip to Australia was a hit! The children “visited” coastal cities and marvelled at the wonders of The Great Barrier Reef.
RE: Reflection on forgiveness and commitment across different religions provided meaningful insights and fostered a deeper understanding among the children.
Special Events: The term concluded with several memorable experiences. Many children enjoyed their first residential trip to Paris, participated in our Tower’s Got Talent final, where Zack’s comedy act was a highlight, performed at our Graduation Ceremony, and had an exhilarating trip to Ninja Warrior.
We are immensely proud of Year 5 and all they have accomplished. As they move on to Year 6, we wish them continued success and joy in their learning journey.
Well done, Year 5! Have a wonderful summer break!
Miss Midgley and Miss Gannon
Year 6
Teaching Year 6 in their final term at Lower School has been an absolute pleasure. Over the past few months, the children have engaged in a wealth of hard work and fun-filled activities.
Maths: This term, the children tackled concepts such as perimeter, area, and volume and solved ratio-related problems. They also showed remarkable dedication during our revision week, preparing diligently for their Maths assessment.
English: Through various activities, we focused on consolidating spelling, punctuation, and grammar. The children also worked towards composing descriptive paragraphs, using descriptive poetry to express their thoughts vividly.
Science: The children learned about the principles of heredity, recognizing that living things produce offspring of the same kind, although these offspring typically vary from their parents.
Geography: Lessons centred around understanding the supply chain and the journey of products from farms to our homes, providing practical insights into global commerce.
History: We delved into the fascinating Kingdom of Benin, exploring its history and examining various artefacts from that period.
R.E.: The children explored the concepts of freedom and justice, understanding their multiple definitions and various examples illustrating these important ideas.
Special Events: To cap off the year, many children enjoyed their first residential trip to Paris. Alfie and Jensen’s comedy act entertained us in our Tower’s Got Talent final. The children also performed at our Graduation Ceremony and Leavers’ Assembly, showcasing the happy and fun memories they created throughout the year.
I am incredibly proud of each and every one of the children. Well done, and good luck in your future endeavours!
Have a wonderful summer break!
Mr Sweeney and Miss Gannon
Future Developments
We have some exciting news about additional opportunities that will be offered to our pupils from September.
Forest School
Beginning in September, Mrs. Boyd will step into her new role as our Forest School and Outdoor Learning Teacher. She has a plethora of exciting plans for the upcoming year, and we are confident that the children will thoroughly enjoy their weekly outdoor learning lessons, which will now be a regular part of our new timetable.
My Happy Mind
Mrs. Traverse (Miss Deane) will introduce an innovative program called My Happy Mind to all classes from Pre-School through Year 6. This program is designed to help children understand how their brains work and develop positive skills and habits, fostering their mental well-being and personal growth. Each class will have a dedicated My Happy Mind lesson every week. Additionally, we will host a parent workshop next academic year to provide more details about the program.
Lunchtime Clubs
We will introduce regular lunchtime clubs starting in September to enhance our extra-curricular offerings. These clubs will be similar to our current after-school clubs but will take place during the school day and will be free of charge. Proposed clubs for next year include Arts and Crafts, Science, Coding, Challenges, Music, and Sports, providing a broad range of activities for our pupils to explore and enjoy.
Parent Workshops
Building on the success of our Early Years Workshops and the positive feedback from our parental survey, we are pleased to announce a series of parental workshops for Lower School parents next year. These workshops will cover topics such as Introduction to Maths Mastery, Key Stage 1 Phonics, Writing, and Grammar. A complete timetable of workshops will be sent out in September.
Thank you all for your support this year. We wish you a wonderful summer break and look forward to welcoming you back in September.
Mrs Wright and Mrs Gibson