Year 1

ACADEMIC YEAR 2016-2017

This term in Science, Year 1 have been learning about weather. We looked at different symbols, weathers and how they are measured. Today we made windsocks and then tested them.

Thank you to all that took time to vote for our tree in the Tree Festival this weekend at St Francis Church. Seeing the quality of work that went into all the different trees I'm so please and proud to say that we came 2nd.

Thanks again to Mrs Dykes for organising this opportunity for the children. We look forward to having the tree on display back at school soon.

2016 Christmas Tree Festival: 3rd & 4th December

Year 1 were busy making Christmas decoration using recycled items. They painted bottle tops, creating christmas trees from old jigsaw pieces, card and paint as well as making bunting using old buttons and baubles from old magazines and books. These will be used to decorate our Christmas tree, which will be on display at St Francis of Assisi Church (Church Road, nr town centre) on Saturday 3rd (12 - 6pm) and Sunday 4th December (12 - 5pm). There is a £3 admission charge for adults and children under 12 are free.

Huge thanks to Mrs Dykes (Jimmy's mum) for getting all the materials and arranging the enjoyable activities for the children, as well as helping on the day to make them! Thank you!   

Year 1 spent the afternoon looking for signs of Autumn. They could see how the leaves were changing colours, looking at how some of the leaves were beginning to fall from the trees, talked about the slow change in weather and how animals are beginning to collect food ready for hibernation. 

Please could your child bring in an object that is special to them for our upcoming English work. The object could be a book, toy or another special object. Please ensure it is named. The object will need to be bought to school on Tuesday 8^th November and will remain in school on display until the end of the week.

Many thanks in advance! 

ACADEMIC YEAR 2015-2016

Whipsnade Zoo 4th February 2016

What a fantastic day we had at the zoo yesterday. The children in Year 1 and 2 were a credit to the themselves and the school showing great listening skills, being scientists, having great courage, kindness and understanding and above all great manners around the zoo to each other and all the other people in the park.

In the morning we managed to see a Peacock, Chimpanzees, Lions, Zebras, Moose, Bison, Giraffes, Meerkats and Otters. 

Year 1 took part in a workshop called Colour and Camouflage, which links to our current science topic. The children interacted with the keeper and really showed great understanding surrounding habitats and camouflage. They learnt about different types of animals and how they adapt to different surrounding. They were able to gain first hand experience in touching and seeing lots of different animal skins and their skeletons. At the end of the workshop the children we able to see and touch (if they wanted to) a great Python called Ebenezeer. After this and a quick hand-washing stop we went for a well-earned lunch break.   

After lunch we explored the Butterfly house, which has over 30 different species of Butterflies to see. Some children were even fortunate to have one land on them. The children even saw 2 West African Dwarf Crocodiles and some little fishes swimming too.

The day went so quickly and after what seemed like a lot of walking the children then had the opportunity to spend their money in the shop. This was very exciting for them and they all took their time to have a good look around before deciding on what to buy.

Before we knew it, we had to head back for the coach to return to school. We had some very tired and sleepy children on the coach on their way back. I'm sure they all slept well last night for you (just like the adult did!)

Santa's Hat 

The KS1 children all worked so hard to remember their lines and all of those songs for their Christmas production. We hope you all enjoyed the show. We were also fortunate to have the Welwyn Hatfield Times come in to photograph the children in their costumes so hopefully they will appear in this week's paper. 

This half-term Year 1's topic is Starry Night. 

Clay self-portraits

The children had to look really closely at their face and draw a detailed pencil design in preparation for their clay model. They worked hard using these designs to make their models. They were all very excited to take these home to share with you.

ACADEMIC YEAR 2014-2015

Amazing Animals

During Spring term 1 we have been learning about animals, their body parts, habitats and what they eat.

Our Trip to Whipsnade Zoo

We started the day with a brilliant workshop on Colour, Pattern and Camouflage, the children took part in activities and investigated real animal specimens to practice their descriptive skills and find out more about how colours and patterns can help animals survive in their habitat. The children talked about how camouflage can help animals to catch their prey or avoid being eaten, and how some animals have bright colours to stand out as a warning, or to find their friends. They even got to hold a cockroach!!!

After the workshop we had fun walking around the zoo looking and learning about the different types of animals there.  The children were amazing and did not complain once about all the walking we did!

As you can see from the photos the children were very tired by the end of the day.

Twit Twoo

During the Autumn term our Creative Curriculum topic was ‘Twit Twoo’. 

We studied a painting called ‘Starry Night’ by Van Gogh.  We worked in groups using Polyfilla, matchsticks and paint to create a class version.

Knowing me, knowing you

During the first Autumn half term our Creative Curriculum topic was 'Knowing me, Knowing you'.  We learnt all about our body, our senses, how to draw self-portraits, plus a lot more

Year 1 Creative Curriculum launch day

For our Launch day the children of Year 1 dressed up as what they would like to be when they are older.  

We had lots of different jobs-a vet, doctor, magician, paleontologist, nurse, train driver, police man, fireman to name but a few.  

We had lots of fun acting out our chosen job whilst the rest of the class tried to guess what we want to be when we are older.