Prep 3 have had a fantastic start to the school year and have been working incredibly hard across all areas of the curriculum. We are so proud of how well the children have settled into their new Middle School routines. They have embraced the additional responsibilities and expectations with enthusiasm, showing growing independence, confidence and maturity. It has been wonderful to see them supporting one another, building friendships and developing the positive attitudes that will help them thrive throughout the year. 

In Maths, we have been working hard to improve our times tables recall. The children are developing their speed and accuracy, learning to recall multiplication facts with increasing confidence. Regular practice is helping them to strengthen these essential skills, which will support them as they tackle more challenging mathematical problems. We are encouraging everyone to keep practising at home, too, as little and often really does make a difference! 

Humanities has been particularly exciting this half term as we have travelled back in time to explore the Romans. The children have been discovering how the Roman army was organised, what life was like for Roman soldiers and how the Roman Empire expanded across vast areas of the world. They have enjoyed learning about the power and influence of the Romans and considering the impact they had on Britain. There has been plenty of curiosity, discussion and enthusiasm as we have explored this fascinating period in history.   

We have also marked Black History Month, taking time to celebrate the achievements, contributions and stories of Black individuals throughout history. These discussions have helped the children to broaden their understanding of the world, appreciate different experiences and recognise the importance of equality, respect and inclusion. 

Teamwork has been another important focus this half term. Through a range of classroom activities, the children have been learning to listen carefully to one another, share ideas, solve problems together and recognise the value of everyone's contribution. We are encouraging them to be supportive classmates, celebrate one another's successes and understand that working together often helps us achieve more than we can alone. 

In English, our class reader, Seal Surfer, has provided a wonderful starting point for developing our reading and writing skills. Through this engaging story, the children have been exploring prepositions, learning how to use direct speech effectively and developing their understanding of paragraphs. They have been thinking carefully about how authors use language to create atmosphere and bring stories to life, while applying these techniques to their own writing. 

Our work on Seal Surfer has also inspired some beautiful fact files about seals. The children have researched and presented information about these fascinating animals, producing carefully organised pieces of work that showcase both their developing writing skills and their creativity. The finished fact files are something to be very proud of! 

It has been a busy, productive and rewarding half term in Prep 3. The children continue to impress us with their determination, curiosity and willingness to learn. We look forward to seeing them build on this excellent start as we move into the next half term. Well done, Prep 3, for all your hard work! 

Miss Stapley

Prep 3 Teacher