Living and Learning – I know what a drug is

Our Living and Learning statement this week is:

“A drug is a substance that changes the way the body or mind works.”

The children began by sharing what they already know about medicines.

Not all medicines help your health.

Medicines help you to recover when you are ill. To recover is to get better.

Drugs can change your attitude. They can make you angry and some drugs are illegal.

Some drugs can make your body stronger – some people use them to cheat in sports.

Some people need to get medicine every day.

We get medicine from the doctor.

You keep drugs safe by keeping them somewhere children can’t reach.

You can try and help yourself by eating healthily and exercising before taking medicine.

I was so impressed by the children’s previous knowledge of medicine!

Helping someone to feel better

We spent some time thinking about times when we were ill or felt unwell and the things that helped us to feel better.

• rest
• water
• medicine from the doctor
• warm drink
• eating healthy food
• plasters

There are lots of different types of medicine and they’re all useful for different things. Some of them go in the body and others on the body. Some can be bought at the shop by a responsible adult; others have to come from the doctor.

Who can help?

We thought about the people who can help us to stay healthy and well. The children demonstrated fantastic knowledge of people in their communities who can help.

• parents and family
• carers
• doctors
• trusted adults at school
• police
• paramedics
• air ambulance
• mountain rescue
• yourself – keep safe and protect yourself

If you feel unwell, it is important to talk to a trusted adult at home or school. Only a trusted adult should give you medicines.

Help at home by discussing the safety measures you have in place around medicine at home. Invite your child to demonstrate their learning by having a go at this task:

Yoga

This half-term,  yoga and dance are our physical education units.

The children have made a fantastic start to yoga. We’ve learnt breathing techniques to help empty our minds and improve focus. Yoga is all about feeling relaxed and being in a calm state of mind, so we make sure our sessions are quiet and controlled.

The children have been practising yoga poses and transitioning between poses with flow and ease. Below are some examples of our learning so far.

The children have reflected on these sessions, stating they feel really calm, happy and ready for the rest of the day.

Help at home: Talk through the poses learnt with the children so far and practise them together. Make sure you have a calming environment, so that children can really empty their minds and feel peaceful and calm.

Living and Learning: I know what a drug is

Happy new year. We’ve had a great two days to start the Spring term, the children have come into school ready to learn. For the next two weeks are Living and Learning statement is I know what a drug is. A drug is a substance that changes the way the mind or body work.

Today, we talked about how there are different types of medicines which are used in different ways and for lots of different reasons. For example:

• some medicines help someone to get better from illness or injuries, such as antiseptic cream on a graze
• some medicines and other products protect the body, such as vaccinations which protect people against diseases (vaccinations might include injections or drops to swallow), sun cream protecting the skin from burning, or mosquito spray protecting against bites
• some medicines help people keep healthy and well and may need to be used every day or over a long period of time

The children were all very keen to share what they know about medicine.

We read some different scenarios and discussed what to do to help us to feel better if we felt this way. There a are a few examples below:

“When you have belly ache, don’t eat anything because it might get worse. You could drink some water,” said Thomas.

“If you have a cold you can use a tissue to catch the germs,” said Niyah.

“Sleeping can help you get better if you have cold,” said George.

“If you feel tired you should go to bed,” said Deacon.

Help at home: Can you think of at least five people who help others to stay healthy and well, discuss their roles and the kinds of things they do.

PE

A very warm welcome back after the Christmas break.

We have got straight to it in Year 5 and 6 – the children making a very positive start to 2025!

We have begun our new PE topic of yoga and the children have really impressed with their control, balance and strength.

Yoga is a practice that connects the body, breath, and mind. It uses physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to improve overall health.

We have revisited and learnt yoga poses and stretches – warrior 1, warrior 2, down dog, river, cobra and twisted dragon. At the end of each session, we take part in a guided meditation allowing children to think deeply, relax and reflect. The children particularly enjoy this calm experience and said they felt relaxed, energised and refreshed at the end of the lessons.

Help at home – ask your child to share some yoga poses with you.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone! This half term our theme is Fire and Ice.

Our first focus book is Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers.

Our word of the week  this week is iceberg and we will be exploring freezing water and making ice. We will use a globe to help us to find the land and the sea and make our own Antarctic themed tough tray. We definitely have a great fun filled week ahead!

If you have any photos from the Christmas break or from the snow today please send them to: stjameseyfs@spherefederation.org

We can’t wait to see you all tomorrow,

Mrs Kendrew, Mrs Rippon, Mr Smith and Mrs Small

Thank You!

The Autumn term has surpassed my expectations in so many ways. Our Year 2 children have applied themselves in every aspect of their learning and have represented our class and school brilliantly.

They have embodied our school vision, helping to make our school a happy and healthy place to achieve and believe.

Thank you for all your continued support. Wishing a merry Christmas to those who celebrate and a very happy New Year.

Help at home by enjoying a restful break… we’ve all earned it!

Merry Christmas

Just a short message to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. We have had such a wonderful Autumn term and we are grateful for all the support you show.

Enjoy a deserved rest and see you all in 2025!

Autumn Term Highlight in Year One

As the autumn term comes to an end, it’s clear to all the staff that the real highlight has been the fantastic attitude to learning the children brought with them from day one. Their progress since starting Year 1 has been truly amazing and is a credit to their honesty and hard work.

The children have consistently applied their Christian values to every aspect of their learning, using them as a foundation to achieve. We are so proud of their courage, compassion, and perseverance, which have made this term such a joy. Well done, Year 1!

Year 1 Church Visit with Reverend Pete

Year 1 had a wonderful visit to the church, where Reverend Pete shared how Christians prepare for Christmas and the special changes that happen during this season. The children explored the church, discovering features like the altar and stained-glass windows, and asked thoughtful questions about their meanings.

This visit helped bring the Christmas story to life, deepening their understanding of its importance to Christians. It was a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas and learn about its message of love, joy, and giving. Thank you, Reverend Pete, for making this visit so meaningful and memorable!

Festive fun!

We have been enjoying lots of festivities this week!

We’ve been designing out own Christmas cards, decorating baubles and making our own party hats ready for Christmas dinner day. We may have also had a special visitor in to see us.

IT WAS SANTA!

We have also been reflecting on this years half-term. Our Christian value this half-term has been- Compassion. The children understand that to be compassionate is to be kind and caring . Here are some of the children’s thoughts on what being kind is too them.

I’m kind to my friends when I share my cars- J

If someone needs help I am kind to them- Oria

If someone hurts themselves I can get a Teacher to help them feel better- Avery

I like to give people a hug- Elliott

Miss Feldman is kind because she gets us some snack and milk- Blossom

Notice:

The Nursery team would like to wish you all a happy, healthy Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

A special mention from myself to say Thank you for a wonderful last term. It has truly been an enjoyable experience and it’s amazing to see all the progress that has been made since September. I will be signing off for a little while now to enjoy spending some time with my family and entering into motherhood. I hope to see you all soon,  Miss Ward.