3B have settled in really well and are a good team. The class work together and support each other in learning. It is never quiet not a dull moment! 

Read write Inc has helped the class improve in all areas and we are seeing more becoming free readers- well done for the hard work. 

We are becoming more aware of our environment and locality from visits , geography, history and independent living skills. We have mapped out where we are all coming from to school and compared with staff. 

We have enjoyed experiments in science on solids, liquids and gasses, and made rice crispy cakes with the melted chocolate. 

We think it has been a good term, we have enjoyed swimming, history and the visits, science and the experiments and chilling in the sensory room  and soft play! 

We hope that we will have more visits next term to support us in our learning.

Maths – we have been working on finding half and quarter of shapes and numbers. This has been challenging but the class have tried hard and not given up.  

History - Roman food - we have tasted food that Romans may have had, honey, vinegar, celery, spicy meat, chicken, olives, grapes, soft cheese, bread and pomegranate seeds. Not all were the taste of the class and olives were described as minging and the cheese as old socks!  

RE - we have looked at what we do for Christmas and compared this to what a Christian would do.  

Geography – we have looked at maps and where we are. Our location. 

English – students planned and wrote a narrative poem with a Christmas theme. They all wrote a lovely poem describing the scene, characters, action and feelings with a strong ending. 

Science – students carried out investigations looking at the three stages of water and described what was happening in each experiment. They also wrote up last week’s experiment when they Investigated the quickest way to cool chocolate crispy cakes so they were ready for a birthday party.  

ILS – students used their internet research skills to plan a journey to the Metro Centre from Hill Top School. They copied and printed a map highlighting the bus routes and identified any potential dangers on their travels. They also discussed the things they will need take with them when travelling on public transport. We look forward to visiting the Metro Centre in January 2026. 

Drama – students enjoyed singing Christmas Carols. 

PE – students enjoyed Basketball. 

Maths- This week we have started a new topic - fractions. Looking at half and quarters of a shape and number. The work we did on multiplication should help us work out problems.  

RE- We have made Christingle Oranges and learnt what the parts represent for Christians.  We took them home to show people. This is done in church with children during advent, the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas.  

Geography - We have completed what do we know tasks from our learning this term. Questions on map reading, symbols, and location of the school, along with basic geography of our region.  

English – We have completed two pieces of Christmas themed descriptive writing. The first describing a town decorated for the festivities and the second all about Christmas Eve. 

Science – We have studied melting and freezing. We carried out two practical investigations. In the first we found out the best temperature for melting chocolate and in the second we used our knowledge to make Rice Crispy Cakes and the best method for cooling them. We compared our predictions with results and discussed how the structure of the chocolate had changed in both investigations. 

PSHE – Students looked at different scenarios of bullying, teasing or banter and decided the best fit for each.  

PE – We continued to practise basketball skills and some students did well when taking part in football tournaments. 

Drama – We enjoyed singing Christmas Carols and practising keyboard. 

The Key – Students had to work cooperatively to decide on where they wanted to visit on their Key funded trip.     

This week 3B have worked hard on the following; 

Assessments in RE on what they have learnt in Christianity - the Creation, Nativity, beliefs and symbols and in History - Romans in the North East - including writing a letter home from the fort.  

Maths - we have been working on multiplication and sharing using bricks. Then we are moving on to simple division in written methods.  

English – we have continued to study the classic poem, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’, and looked at the meaning of some of the language used in 1823 when the poem was written such as, ‘twas, ere, ‘kerchief, hordes.’  We looked at different Christmas traditions around the World and wrote our own short stories with a Christmas theme. 

ILS – we studied how to read a 24-hour bus timetable and began to plan a journey. 

Science – we carried out an investigation into how much gas (CO2) is found in fizzy drinks, how to weigh the gas and how to make sure our results are fair and reliable. 

PSHE – we considered situations from a positive and negative viewpoint and how this can influence how we feel and act. We also looked at the difference between teasing and banter. 

Drama –3B sampled some music from the Russian Christmas Vesperian tradition: a male voice choir singing the Russian Christmas song, 'O Mild Light'.It received mixed reviews, but all students proved they are getting more competent with using our inter-related dimensions to describe musical compositions.  Well done, 3B! 

Key Fund – Students looked at positive ways to settle disagreements. 

PE – Students improved their skills in shooting games and basketball. 

Drama - This week 3B have been learning about Aeolian harp music and using their knowledge of inter-related dimensions to describe a piece by Roger Whinfield.

 Maths - 3B have been challenged by division using their knowledge of multiplication and being introduced to bar division using blocks.  

 History - planning a feast in preparation for the feast! Looking at what the poor and rich ate and whether or not they would like flamingo tongue, peacock or fig, never mind the fish gut stew! 

 RE- identifying the order of the Nativity Story and who was at the birth of Jesus. 

 English – Students delivered a presentation of a short report that they researched, wrote and delivered in one lesson amalgamating the skills they had learnt last term studying ‘Non-Chronological Report Writing’. We also had fun joining a live link for Poetry Day with Michael Rosen when he performed some of his well-known poems with a food theme. Students then wrote their own poems with a food theme.

 PSHE – Students completed an assessment of the last topic ‘Consent’ and a baseline assessment of the new topic, ‘Bullying and Discrimination’.

Science – Pupils began this half-term’s topic, ‘States of Matter’ by grouping items into Solids, Liquids and Gases.

Pupil Lead Learning (PLL) – Students have met with Mr Taylor and discussed how they can collaborate and apply for up to £250 from The Key Charity to enable them to attend an activity of their choice or purchase items they would like in school. Students practise a wide variety of skills including teamwork, cooperation, commitment, problem solving, resilience and presentation, etc.

Theatre Trip to Lion Witch and the Wardrobe 13/11/25 at Sunderland Empire. 

10 pupils from a mix of  KS3 and 4  watched the dramatic musical performance of the book. 

Mrs Gatt, Mr Weites and Mrs Whitehead spent a great afternoon with the pupils who were entranced by the production- watching Aslan the lion as a large puppet, the White Witch and magic and flying into the sky along with Mr Tumnus and of course the lamppost. This was a modern adaption of the book and very different to the film. Live musicians supported the drama on stage taking various parts. Even the battle scene was re-enacted using large puppet heads for mythical creatures. This was a great visit and behaviour was impeccable. 

 Parent’s Evening – A big thank you to parent’s for either coming into school or chatting on the phone and giving us the opportunity to share how well all 3B students have settled in and made such a positive start to the academic year 2025-26.

 Thanks