St. Helen's Catholic Primary School

The first group of ten from Starfish are enjoying their swimming lessons. You can see from the smiles on their faces how much they are loving learning a new skill.

The rest of the class are very eager to have their turn but are waiting patiently.

Maths investigating length

Year 1 Starfish had a lovely afternoon investigating the length of objects using tape measures and rulers. They learned that you had to start measuring from the zero on the measure otherwise you wouldn’t get the correct length. They measured lots of different animals and classroom equipment. Watch out Parents they’ll be measuring everything around the house, now they’ve developed their skills!

Grouping animals by their characteristics

Year 1 have been working very hard in their science lessons learning about different animals and which group they belong to. We have identified why a mammal is a mammal, why a bird is a bird, why a reptile is a reptile and why a fish is a fish. The children worked in friendship groups to produce a poster which sorted different animals into their groups. We practiced our cutting skills, our glueing skills, our teamwork and sharing skills whilst developing and using lots of our new scientific language.

Art

This week as part of our 'All Creatures Great and Small' topic, Jellyfish have looked closely at animal patterns and chosen a medium to copy them. We think they did a superb job!

Swimming Lessons

Jellyfish have loved their lessons each day so far this half term - lots of children learning new skills and some children showing great courage - well done!

World Book Day 2025

Jellyfish enjoyed dressing up for World Book Day. There were lots of amazing costumes and they all loved the fun activities after looking at 'Ocean Meets Sky' by Eric Fan and F.H. Terry.

To infinity and beyond!

Year 1 had a fantastic space day on Thursday. They all made their id cards before being checked onto the space rocket. We then did a countdown and had a bumpy ride 240,000 miles to the moon. Once on the moon we had to be careful we did not float away. We played a moon rock game, moon statues. Moon star sun Earth (a version of the north south east west game) and learned about some other planets. Once back in class we built some rockets using 2d and 3d shapes and completed some space activities. In the afternoon we tackled a milky way assault course and decorated our moon biscuits. They were yummy! We all had a super day!

Jess said "Ienjoyed running and jumping on the moon and on the assault course."

Our Christmas Wreaths

Year 1 Jellyfish class enjoyed making some Christmas wreaths to take home for the Christmas holidays. They used their cutting, colouring and sticking skills. Tinsel, bows, tissue paper and ribbon were all used creatively. Enjoy hanging them up for Christmas, Jellyfish!

Starfish Library Trip

Jellyfish Library Trip

Starfish constructing gingerbread man bridges

Starfish had a lovely afternoon using their science topic and literacy topic learning. They used different materials to build a bridge for the gingerbread man so he could cross the river safely. We have been listening to and watching different versions of the Gingerbread Man story during our traditional tale topic of Once Upon A Time, quite often the gingerbread man is eaten by the sly fox who offers to give him a lift. The children designed and built bridges using a variety of materials and the bridges were tested to ensure the gingerbread man would escape to safety.

Jellyfish enjoying PE

Planting trees

We were given some trees by the Woodland Trust so this afternoon, Year 1 chose certain areas around the school to plant them. They chose alongside the school boundary to fill the gap, also to try to close up our willow dome in the corner of the field. Year 1 made sure they dug a deep hole, added water and planted the tree straight! They have promised to look after the trees through the winter and will monitor their growth as they grow too.

Anti-bullying week

Exploring materials in the nature area

Jellyfish had a very busy morning in the Nature Area. Their Science topic this half term is Materials. Firstly, we blindfolded a partner, we gave the partner a material from the nature area and asked them to describe it. We shared good vocabulary for describing all the different materials we found. We also made a habitat for a teddy, making sure our teddy was safe, warm and dry. The last activity was a having a fire. We learnt about our fire triangle, keeping safe around the fire and also cooked marshmallows which we enjoyed in between two biscuits.

Our spectacular fireworks display

Enjoying the nature area in the rain!

Starfish braved the rain this afternoon to enjoy their time in the Nature Area. They discovered the new swing and noticed that Year 6 had been busy taking down fences. Starfish completed a habitat hunt and found a variety of interesting natural items to discuss. At the end of the afternoon, using their senses, all played a game of Eagle Eye.

1 Jellyfish reading with 3 Robins

Sweet Biscuit Faces

Starfish class have had lots of fun designing and creating their funny sweet biscuit faces. They decided which sweets they would use for their facial features completing a design sheet. They then created their funny faces and had great pleasure in taking them home to eat!

Tricky Words

Year 1 Starfish have been working very hard on learning to read and recognise their phonic tricky words. There teachers were feeling very proud of them this morning when they all successfully remembered all the words and were also able to spell them. We are going to concentrate on using them in full sentences next week. Watch this space!

Designing Habitats

The intrepid Starfish class ventured into the nature area yesterday. Once again, they used their senses to play the hot/cold game and eagle eye. They enjoyed identifying the plants in the sensory garden and smelling the aromas from tomatoes and lavender. Starfish also had to build a habitat for a teddy. We discussed warmth, structure and design. Look at the photos below to see their fantastic designs.

Working hard at our RE

Jellyfish doing PE

Starfish in the Nature Area

Starfish had an enjoyable morning in the nature area. The rain held off and the weather was kind to us. Starfish discussed their senses and used them to play the hot/cold game. They hid dinosaurs and then gave clues to their friend to help. Later, in the morning, Starfish blindfolded a friend and helped them find their way round the nature area. Some really good instructions were given and safety tips observed. Well done Starfish.

Starfish and Jellyfish welcome our parents and carers for reading

Our lovely RE work

Jellyfish in the nature area

2D Shapes

Starfish class have been learning the names of 2d shapes and recognising how many sides and corners they may have. Groups of children were challenged to sort shapes against their properties.

They demonstrated excellent shape knowledge and great team work!

All about Me

Starfish had fun in the sun drawing round their friends and naming their body parts. This linked with their topic ‘All about Me’ and their science learning too. Mrs Clarke could not resist joining in the fun too!

Exploring the nature area

Jellyfish ventured into the nature area with Mrs Miller and Mrs Clarke yesterday. Behaving so sensibly, they enjoyed exploring the environment. They used their senses in many different ways, smelling tomatoes and strawberries, touching bunny ear plants and feeling many different textures. The sun stayed shining for us just!!

Settling into 1 Starfish

Starfish class have settled back to school and have been enjoying catching up with their friends. They have shown lovely listening skills in their lessons and great sharing skills in provision.

Welcome to Class 1

Class Teachers: 2024 - 2025

JellyfishMrs MarshallMrs Driscoll

StarfishMrs Conyard

Downloads

Science Scheme of Work Year 1

CLICK HERE FOR PHONICS PAGE

The latest news from Starfish and Jellyfish

Super swimming!