St Matthew's Derriford

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This week Early Years have developed den-building skills by creating shelters in Forest School. Great exploring, creating and working together Tamar, Tavy and Plym!

We’ve been tightening up handwriting and presentation this year— and the impact is clear. This pupil’s handwriting has transformed since September. She proudly read her work to me today and said, “It’s so much easier to read now!” Brilliant effort and great to see her pride!

Early Years have been learning about baptism in RE this week and how Christians welcome others into the church community. We enjoyed role-playing a baptism with the dolls.

Early Years have been busy developing fine motor skills through paper weaving and using tweezers and fingers to create African animal patterns with tiny pom poms and sequins.

Mrs Stupples is running the London Marathon to raise money for Hugs Children's Cancer Charity. You can support her here: Hayley Stupples is fundraising for Hugs childrens cancer charity

This week in Reception we began exploring the story Handa’s Hen. The children have loved creating their own mini books, carefully drawing the correct number of animals on each page from 1 to 10. Also we have been exploring creating our own African animal art, well done Reception!

Reception have discovered that some polar animals, such as polar bears and seals, have blubber to help keep them warm. We really enjoyed experimenting with ice and lard to test whether the ‘blubber’ kept one hand warmer than the other when placing our hands in ice!

Y3 loved exploring which materials reflect light best today! Lots of curious minds and brilliant discoveries. #ScienceLearning #PrimaryScience

What better way to start a Friday morning than with Book Buzz - talking today about our favourite authors #readingforpleasure

This term in art, the children in Reception, have been exploring collage. They started by painting paper and creating a variety of patterns. The children then cut out their own shapes and used them to design and make a collage picture.

This week in Early Years, we have been learning all about Antarctica and finding it on a globe. The children have really enjoyed discovering interesting facts about this cold continent - ask them what they can remember and share with you!

In Early Years, we have been enjoying the story Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers. The children have been using their phonics skills to build words and write simple sentences. We are so proud of the wonderful drawings and writing they have produced this week!

Our Year 6 librarians were excited to get the new books from @PlymouthSLS out on the shelves today!

We're looking to recruit an EYFS Teaching Assistant, an SEN Teaching Assistant, and two Meal Time Assistants. All roles are permanent and we are looking for new colleagues to start as soon as possible in the New Year! Please share far and wide!

A huge thank you Chef Sam and team for 365 amazing Christmas dinners and treats yesterday!! No mean feat and all served on time with a smile 😍🎄@cateredplymouth

Santa decided that all the children are on the good list! Happy Christmas 🎄 🎄🎅

Year 5 displayed some seriously impressive sewing skills over the last week. Their effort, concentration and perseverance with a variety of stitches really shone through. It certainly got us in the festive spirit! 🪡 Merry Christmas to all our lovely year 5 families 🎄

Y4 enjoyed making Viking Soda Bread and exploring how the food Vikings would have eaten differs from today! Opinions were very mixed on the final outcome! Despite this, Y4 developed their designing, creating and evaluating skills throughout these lessons. Well done!⭐️

Merry Christmas 🎁🎄🎅 Reception are enjoying their Christmas lunch with festive music and lots of good cheer! #LetYourLightShine