Dear Parents and Carers,

It has been a lovely first week back in Barrier Reef as we have begun exploring our new topic, Magical Moments. The children have enjoyed sharing their experiences of special celebrations, developing their creativity and settling back into their learning routines.

This Week – What Have We Been Learning?

English

In Pre-school, children have been developing their communication and language skills through sharing fairy tales, exploring puppets and engaging in imaginative play. They have been practising describing characters, talking about what they can see and beginning to retell familiar events. In Reception, children have been strengthening their storytelling and early writing skills, using mark-making resources to communicate ideas and developing their confidence in talking about stories. In Year 1, we have launched our Curious Quests writing adventures with Oi Frog! by Kes Gray. The children have explored exciting vocabulary, rehearsed sentences orally and applied their phonics knowledge to write imaginative sentences, focusing on capital letters, finger spaces and full stops.

Maths

In Pre-school, children have been exploring simple repeating patterns using colourful pompoms, learning to copy, continue and predict what comes next. Reception children have been developing this understanding further by creating and explaining their own repeating patterns, recognising how colours and objects repeat in a sequence. In Year 1, children have been developing their understanding of addition and subtraction within 10. They have used practical resources, part-whole models and number sentences to explore how numbers can be combined and separated, developing their mathematical reasoning and confidence in explaining their answers.

Wider Curriculum – Magical Moments

Across Barrier Reef, we have been exploring celebrations and the special moments that bring people together. In Pre-school and Reception, children have been learning about Diwali and Bonfire Night, exploring the colours, lights and traditions associated with these celebrations. They have developed their creativity and fine-motor skills through making Rangoli-inspired patterns with loose parts, creating playdough Diwali sweets and exploring different materials. In Year 1, our History learning has focused on identifying significant moments in our own lives and understanding how events can be placed in chronological order. Children have created personal timelines, using vocabulary such as past, present, beforeand after to explain when important events happened.

 

Next Week – What Will We Be Learning?

English

In Pre-school, children will continue developing their communication and storytelling skills through familiar stories, imaginative play and opportunities to express their ideas. Reception children will build their confidence in orally composing sentences, describing characters and events, and applying their growing phonics knowledge to early writing. In Year 1, we will continue our Curious Quests adventures, developing imaginative ideas, extending sentences with descriptive vocabulary and improving the accuracy of our writing through careful oral rehearsal and phonics.

Maths

In Pre-school, children will build on their understanding of repeating patterns by independently creating patterns using objects, colours and movements. Reception children will extend their learning by identifying, continuing and correcting repeating patterns, explaining the rules they notice. In Year 1, we will continue exploring addition and subtraction within 10, strengthening our knowledge of number bonds and developing strategies to solve calculations using practical resources, number lines and part-whole models.

Wider Curriculum – Magical Moments

Across Barrier Reef, we will continue exploring significant celebrations and the special moments we experience with our families and communities. In Pre-school and Reception, children will have further opportunities to develop their understanding of celebrations through storytelling, creative activities and purposeful play. In Year 1, we will continue our historical enquiry into significant moments, exploring how photographs and other sources can help us find out about events in the past. Children will practise asking questions, identifying clues and explaining what historical evidence can tell us.

Celebrating Our Learning

A particular highlight this week has been seeing the children's excitement as we introduced our Magical Moments topic. From creating colourful Rangoli-inspired patterns in our Early Years provision to sharing personal memories and constructing timelines in Year 1, the children have demonstrated curiosity, creativity and a growing appreciation of the different experiences and traditions within our community.

Home Learning – How Can You Help?

Stingrays - White Rose maths sheet in folder

Reading

Please continue sharing stories together regularly, encouraging your child to describe pictures, name characters and talk about what might happen next. Reception and Year 1 children should continue practising their phonics sounds and reading books appropriate to their stage.

Maths

Pre-school and Reception children can practise creating repeating patterns using everyday objects, such as socks, toys or coloured blocks. Encourage them to explain what comes next and why. Year 1 children can practise addition and subtraction within 10 using small objects, such as five pieces of pasta, adding two more or taking some away.

Phonics, Spellings or Vocabulary

Encourage children to use our Magical Moments vocabulary, including celebrate, tradition, festival, sparkling and glowing. Reception and Year 1 children can practise recognising and applying the sounds they have been learning in phonics.

Additional Home Learning

Talk to your child about a special moment or celebration your family remembers. Encourage them to explain what happened, who was there and why it was important. Children might enjoy drawing a picture of this memory and sharing it with their class.

Class Reminders and Important Information

Year 1 children have Forest School on Mondays and PE on Fridays. Please ensure children have appropriate clothing for outdoor learning.

Upcoming Dates

Barrier Reef Nativity - Monday 14th December 2026

Theatre show visit - Tuesday 15th December 2026

Thank you for your continued support, and have a wonderful weekend!

The Barrier Reef Team