On Tuesday, Year 2 enjoyed a fantastic trip to the local library filled with stories, creativity, and exploration!

The children were captivated by a selection of Halloween-themed stories, which sparked lots of excitement and imagination. After the storytelling session, they got crafty and made their very own ghost decorations to take home—each one unique and wonderfully spooky!

There was plenty of time to explore the library shelves, and the children loved sharing books and reading with their friends. It was lovely to see their enthusiasm for stories and their growing confidence as readers.

Before heading back to school, we had a little time to visit the wonderful exhibition on the first floor. The children were fascinated by the displays and enjoyed discussing what they saw.

A big thank you to the library staff for making us feel so welcome. We’re already looking forward to our next visit!

In our most recent writing unit, our writing has been inspired by the delightful book Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper. The children have been learning how to write clear, step-by-step instructions — and what better way to practise than by writing a recipe for pumpkin soup!

On Monday, Mrs McHugh followed the children’s instructions to make a big pot of pumpkin soup, filling the classroom with the warm, comforting smells of autumn. The children then had the exciting opportunity to taste the soup they had written about. For many, it was their very first time trying pumpkin soup — and their reactions were a joy to see!

Now, the children will be using this experience to write a diary recount of their first taste of pumpkin soup. We’re looking forward to seeing how they capture their thoughts, feelings, and sensory experiences in their writing.

Thank you for your continued support — a

nd don’t be surprised if your child asks to make pumpkin soup at home!

This week, Year 2 have been diving into the world of shade and tone as part of their art learning. The children explored how artists use light and dark to create depth, mood, and contrast in their work.

Yesterday, they experimented with a variety of techniques to build their own tonal ladders. Using pencils, they practised:

• Hatching and cross-hatching for textured shading
• Stippling to explore tone through dots
• Pressure control and pencil hold to vary the darkness of their marks

It was wonderful to see the children so engaged, carefully observing how small changes in technique can make a big difference in their artwork. Their tonal ladders are now proudly displayed in the classroom, showing off their growing skills and creativity!

Yesterday, our Year 2 children had a fantastic time taking part in a First Aid workshop! They learned lots of useful and interesting information, including how to give CPR and the importance of items like bandages, gloves, and wipes when helping someone in need.
The children were enthusiastic and engaged throughout, and it was wonderful to see them developing such valuable life skills in a fun and interactive way.
Well done, Year 2!

🎨 Our First St Bede’s Art Gallery!

We’re delighted to invite you to explore our very first St Bede’s Art Gallery, a celebration of creativity, reflection, and faith. Over the past academic year, children from Nursery to Year 5 have taken part in the Spirited Arts competition, exploring the theme “All God’s Creatures.”

Each piece of artwork has been thoughtfully linked to words from Scripture, helping our pupils reflect on the beauty and meaning of God’s creation. From colourful collages to intricate sculptures, the children have poured their hearts into expressing how animals and nature connect to faith, care, and wonder.

🖼️ The gallery is on display for you to enjoy from Monday to Wednesday this week on your way to and from the curriculum meetings. We hope it brings you joy, inspiration, and pride in the incredible work your children have created.

This is our first time hosting an art gallery, and we hope to make it a yearly tradition—not only to showcase our children’s talents, but also to help raise funds for the school.

📖 Before you leave, please take a moment to share your feedback or ideas in the book provided at the door. Your thoughts will help us grow and make future exhibitions even more special.

Thank you for your continued support.

After an exciting journey exploring the world of electricity, the children in Year 2  have successfully completed their Science topic with a hands-on, practical lesson in building simple circuits!

Throughout this topic, the class has learned all about how electricity powers our everyday devices. They discovered the key components of a circuit—batteries, wires, and bulbs—and explored how electricity flows through them. This final lesson allowed the students to put their knowledge into action by creating their own circuits!

Each student had the chance to connect wires to batteries and lightbulbs, making sure to form a complete circuit to get the lights shining.   The lesson not only helped solidify their understanding of how electricity works but also encouraged teamwork and problem-solving skills. There were plenty of “Eureka!” moments as the student figured out how to make the circuits work, and they were thrilled when their circuits lit up or made noise.