Year 2 children have been exploring how the seaside has changed from Victorian times through the 1950s to the present day. They had the opportunity to handle a range of artefacts and worked together to sort them into “then” and “now.”

Year 4 visited Housesteads Roman Fort. They found out about life at the fort and they walked on Hadrian’s Wall!

This week we have had an egg-citing delivery! 🥚✨ Our focus story was “Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones”, where we learned about all the different animals that lay eggs. 🐔🐍🐢 We received a special package containing some eggs and a message asking us to take care of them. 💌 We talked about what might hatch by looking closely at the colour, size, and shape of each egg. 👀 We were so excited when we saw some adorable ducklings beginning to hatch! 🐣💛 We have been fascinated watching them grow and observing the changes each day. 🌱 The children have had lots of fun learning to be responsible and helping to care for the ducklings. 🧡🦆

Year 1 had great fun learning to count in 2s using pairs of socks! This practical activity helped children understand that counting in 2s links to grouping objects into pairs. The children sorted socks into pairs and counted them aloud: 2, 4, 6, 8… They quickly noticed patterns in the numbers and began to develop their understanding and confidence.

In Year 1. we have been busy exploring and measuring weight. The children worked collaboratively to compare different items, using key vocabulary such as heavy, light, heavier than, and lighter than. They demonstrated great teamwork as they shared their thinking and explained their reasoning.

Our Year 1 children had a wonderful time creating their very own Easter gardens to help them understand and retell the Easter story. They then took part in a thoughtful collective worship in our prayer garden, reflecting on the themes of hope and new life. To finish the celebration, the children enjoyed an exciting Easter egg hunt, bringing lots of smiles and fun to the end of a special day.

Year 1 – France Bonjour! In Year 1, we enjoyed learning all about France and its culture. We started off the day by understanding what Languages Day is about. We looked at France, where it is on a map, famous landmarks and traditional dishes. We learnt how to say the different colours in French and some simple phrases Bonjour, Merci, Au revoir, je m’appelle. We tasted some French baguette and croissants and created our own French flag!

Pentecost Year 2 children have been learning about the story of Pentecost. They discussed how the disciples may have felt during this time, moving from fear and uncertainty to feeling comforted and brave enough to share the Good News. The children then created a display to express their thoughts and feelings.

In 2025, we introduced our new Essential Letters and Sounds reading spine across Early Years and Key Stage One. Following the overwhelmingly positive feedback from staff, children and parents, we are delighted to have invested in the next set of books for our Key Stage Two classes. Readerful is an award-winning, flexible reading spine that provides high-quality books for independent reading and reading aloud. This rich, carefully linked collection of inclusive and age-appropriate texts is designed to develop fluency, knowledge, vocabulary and motivation, while fully meeting the Department for Education’s Reading Framework (July 2023). All Readerful books are expertly structured to ensure children are reading with the right balance of support and challenge, helping them to build confidence and deepen their comprehension skills. Readerful won the ERA Award 2025 for Best Primary Resource or Equipment, and our newly introduced 2026 reading books are already receiving a very warm welcome from pupils and staff. We are always seeking funding opportunities to further enhance the range and quality of books we can offer our children. Please get in touch if you can support us with this.

In Year 2, pupils have been learning about nutrition, with a particular focus on the importance of a balanced diet. They explored the different food groups and discussed the recommended amounts needed for a healthy daily intake. Using this knowledge, the children designed and prepared a healthy fruit salad, which they enjoyed as a nutritious snack.

Following many months of planning and preparation, our rain garden was finally ready for its grand planting session at the beginning of April. Jennie demonstrated how to plant carefully to ensure the new arrivals would get off to the best possible start at St Joseph’s. Everyone had the chance to bed in at least one plant before the area was thoroughly watered. Thanks to the favourable conditions this month, there are already signs of new growth. Don’t forget to take a look when you’re out on the yard

Our Mini Vinnies have been shining examples of compassion and service this Lent, inspiring the whole school community to live out kindness in meaningful and practical ways. They began the season by creating a beautiful Well of Kindness, encouraging every pupil to contribute acts of generosity, friendship and positivity. Their commitment to helping others continued with a hugely successful cake sale, raising valuable funds for CAFOD. They also joined the entire school for the Lenten Walk for CAFOD, proudly completing their miles to support communities around the world. As part of their mission to support those in our local area, the Mini Vinnies organised our Canny Friday food donation drive. Thanks to the generosity of families across the school, they were able to deliver an impressive collection of essential items to the West End Foodbank—an act that will make a real difference to families in need. To complete their Lenten activities, the children created thoughtful, hand‑made Easter cards for the residents of St Joseph’s Care Home, spreading hope and joy across generations. We are incredibly proud of our Mini Vinnies for leading with compassion and showing how small acts of kindness can create a big impact throughout our school and community.