Welcome to Class 3!
A very warm welcome to Class 3! I hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful summer break and are feeling refreshed and ready for the exciting year ahead. I am delighted to be joining Halwill Primary School and am very much looking forward to teaching our mixed Year 3 and 4 class.
This year promises to be full of exciting learning opportunities, memorable experiences and fascinating topics across the curriculum. I cannot wait to get to know each child and support them as they grow in confidence, independence and enjoyment of learning.
Teaching and Learning
I will teach Class 3 for most of the week. On Thursday and Friday afternoons, I will be released for my Planning, Preparation and Assessment (PPA) time and Early Career Teacher (ECT) time. During these sessions, the children will continue their learning with other members of our school team and enjoy a range of engaging learning experiences.
Our Priority is to ensure that every child feels happy, safe, valued and ready to learn. We recognise that every child is unique and are committed to helping all learners achieve success and reach their full potential. This year, we look forward to working closely with you to support your child’s academic, social and emotional development. This commitment is reflected throughout the year in our focus on children’s wellbeing, confidence and achievement.
Our Values
As part of the Carey Federation, everything we do is underpinned by our motto of Aim High, Be Resilient and Take Care of Each Other. Alongside these values, we encourage our children to develop the Carey Qualities by learning to:
These qualities help our children become confident, caring and successful learners and are woven into all aspects of school life.
Federation Opportunities
This year marks an exciting new chapter for the Federation. The growth of our three-school Federation provides even more opportunities for children and staff to learn from one another through shared experiences, collaborative events and the exchange of ideas and expertise.
Curriculum
The Carey Federation curriculum has been carefully planned to provide a stimulating, diverse and enjoyable learning experience for every child. Through engaging lessons, enriching experiences and exciting opportunities, we aim to inspire curiosity, capture children’s imaginations and foster a lifelong love of learning. If you would like to view our Long-Term Planning, it is available on the school website. Class 3 will be following Year A of the curriculum cycle this year.
English – Children will explore a range of writing styles, including narrative, diary, instructional and non-fiction writing, inspired by high-quality texts such as Stone Age Boy, How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth and Interview with a Tiger and Other Clawed Beasts. They will also take part in poetry performance activities through Poetry Pie.
Children will develop their grammar, punctuation and spelling skills, learning how to make their writing more detailed, accurate and engaging.
Reading – Reading is at the heart of our curriculum. Children will enjoy whole-class reading sessions using The Stolen Spear by Saviour Pirotta and will regularly develop their fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and love of books through a range of reading opportunities.
Maths – Children will learn about place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division while developing fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills.
History – What were the major changes from Stone Age to Iron Age?
Geography – How have settlements changed over time and why did they develop in certain locations?
Art – How can I create tone and texture? How can I use shading and blending to show light and shadow effects?
DT – How can I use computing to generate packaging using nets?
Science – How do magnets and forces affect the way an object moves?
Computing – Computer systems and networks.
Music – How can we improve our performance skills through singing and movement?
Religion World View – What makes some places sacred to believers of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith? Children will also explore the Christian Creation story and learn about the significance of the Christmas story.
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) – Me and my relationships and Valuing
differences.
PE – Football, handball, boccia, gymnastics.
French – Children will learn how to talk about themselves and others using simple
adjectives and forms of the verb ‘être’.
Forest School – Forest School sessions will be led by Miss McLean-Thorne on Friday afternoons after half term. Please ensure your child has waterproof clothing and wellington boots so that they can enjoy outdoor learning in all weather conditions.
Homework
To support learning at home, children will be expected to:
These activities help reinforce key skills and support learning in the classroom.
Communication
We will use Class Dojo to celebrate learning, share classroom news and showcase some of the fantastic work taking place in Class 3. Please note that messages on Class Dojo are not monitored regularly.
If you have an urgent message, need to report an absence, or require immediate assistance, please contact the school office directly. Parents and carers are also welcome to arrange a meeting with me in person or over the telephone if they would like to discuss their child’s learning, wellbeing or any concerns.
Equipment
Please ensure that children bring the following items to school each day:
Our PE days will be Tuesday and Thursday. Children should come to school with their full PE kit on these days. PE kit may remain in school during the week. Please ensure that all clothing and personal belongings are clearly labelled with your child’s name. This greatly helps us to reunite any misplaced items with their owners.
Children will be provided with the resources they require for each lesson.
If your child requires medication or an inhaler in school, please ensure that a medication consent form has been completed. Forms are available from the school office. All medication should be clearly labelled with your child’s name and handed directly to office staff.
Looking ahead
My number one priority is the wellbeing of every child in Class 3. Children learn best when they feel secure, supported and confident, and I am committed to creating a classroom where every child feels valued, heard and encouraged to achieve their very best.
We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is essential in helping every child thrive. If you have any worries, concerns or questions throughout the year, please do not hesitate to speak with any member of the Class 3 team. Mrs Waters, Ms Farrow and Mrs Rose are all here to support your child and family.
We are extremely excited for the year ahead and look forward to working in partnership with you to make it a successful, enjoyable and rewarding year for every child in Class 3.
Warm regards,
Mrs H Waters
Class Teacher
Ms T Farrow
Teaching Assistant
Mrs M Rose
Teaching Assistant
We are village schools set in the beautiful Devonshire countryside. We are aspirational for our children and believe that to have a fulfilling education, we must nurture children's well-being and happiness.
Halwill Ofsted URN: 113151
"I am sure Halwill’s values will be remembered by my children and many others too! They are often spoken about within my family, don’t just settle with what is easy, aim high – try and be the best “you”. When things are challenging – we say be resilient, keep trying. But most importantly, take care – show love and respect, be kind and considerate to each other."
- Angela, Halwill parent
©2021 The Carey Federation
