Message from the teachers

We are very pleased to see that the children are settling back into school after the Christmas break. It is quite normal for this to take a while and for the children to fall back into their school routines. The children have all been working hard and we can see how they are gaining independence in all learning areas.   

As the weather gets colder again, please ensure that children come to school with enough warm layers to keep them comfortable throughout the day.

We wish you and your family a restful and enjoyable weekend!

A message from Mrs Steninger: 

We are delighted to be supporting the NSPCC by taking part in Number Day on Thursday 5th February 2026.  

Everything the NSPCC does protects children today and prevents abuse tomorrow.  

NSPCC Number Day makes maths meaningful and is a great way to make numbers fun and bring about a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude towards mathematics.  

• We will be taking on Buddy’s Key Challenge in our classes to help raise vital funds for the NSPCC.  
• We will be working to solve exciting maths puzzles in our classes, against the clock with Buddy, the Speak out. Stay safe mascot.  
• We will be having a fun day of maths activities, and we will be taking part in Dress up for Digits. Pupils are asked to wear an item of clothing with a number on it (sports top, football, rugby, netball, hockey shirt or cap). Or get even more creative and become a human calculator, dice or domino by dressing in a maths or numbers theme. To help raise money for the NSPCC, we are asking for donations, and we’d love everyone in the school to take part in this special event.  

A message from Miss Madriaga:

Supporting Learning with the Bee-Bot App.

In Computing this term, we will be using floor robots to learn Robot algorithms. The free, Bee-Bot app from TTS supports children’s learning through fun, interactive activities that develop early coding, problem-solving, and logical thinking skills.

We encourage you to explore the Bee-Bot app at home with your child. Even a few minutes of play can help reinforce classroom learning while building confidence and independence.

Thanks, Miss Madriaga

An update from the classroom and the teaching and learning taking place

Please can we ask that parents continue to practise number formation at home. We are still seeing a lot of number reversals. Next week we start Addition and Subtraction within 20 and we will be looking at doubles and nearly doubles.  

The children are really enjoying our History topic of How Toys Have Changed. The children had fun when we had a visit from the Pollock Toy museum and learnt a lot about toys from the past and how they were made. Our topic of toys has extended into DT and Literacy. In DT we have been learning about joining fabrics and this culminated in the children making and decorating puppets. Next week in Literacy we start looking at a poem called Toys by Josh Siegel.   

Please continue to read and revise the weekly phonics and maths homework sheet we send home. 

Please remember to send reading and library books on Mondays.

Coming up over the next few weeks…

Literacy – Text: The Poem ‘Toys’ by Josh Siegel

Maths – Addition and subtraction within 20

Phonics – /o-e / some, /o/ mother, /ou/ young; /se/ cheese, /se/ mouse, /ce/ fence, /ey/ donkey 

Science – Body parts and senses

RE – Friendship

PSHE – Health and wellbeing

History – How have toys changed?

Art – Painting and mixed media

Music – Dynamics

Standing information

Number day – Number day and dress up - Thursday 5^Th February

Hollymount Entitlement - Toy museum visit to school – Thursday 22^nd January (completed)

Trip to a church – Tuesday 10^th March (Please note this date change)

PE Days (wear PE kit to school)  - Wednesday and Friday 

Website information

Remember to check out our website page for more information https://www.hollymount.org/Year-1/   

Our website also includes all curriculum information so you can find out what your child is learning https://www.hollymount.org/Our-Curriculum/  and has advice for support positive mental health https://www.hollymount.org/Mental-Health-and-Wellbeing/