Class 3
Week Beginning 05/10/26
Our Year 3–6 pupils enjoyed a fun and active PE lesson focused on developing their passing skills. Working in small groups, the children practised quick, accurate passing, developing their ability to communicate, work together and make decisions while on the move.
As their confidence grew, some children chose to challenge themselves further by playing mini matches, giving them the opportunity to put the skills they had been developing into practice. They demonstrated teamwork, cooperation and a growing understanding of how to use their skills effectively in a game situation.
This lesson supported our Curriculum for Wales Health and Well-being progression, with pupils developing physical competence, confidence and the ability to work positively with others. Across Progression Steps 2 and 3, the children were encouraged to make decisions, apply their skills in different situations and recognise the importance of being active and working collaboratively.
Most importantly, the children had lots of fun, stayed active and enjoyed learning together — even when the Welsh weather decided to join in and send some rain our way! ☔
Week Beginning 28/9/26
This week, Year 3 and 4 have developed their English and creative writing skills through The Mountain in the Mist. Pupils created story maps to retell the adventure in sequence before exploring how precise vocabulary, expanded noun phrases, sensory description and short sentences can create an exciting setting. They then used character reactions, thoughts, actions and sentence variety to build suspense, sharing their writing aloud and using peer assessment to reflect against the success criteria.
In Mathematics, pupils have strengthened their understanding of formal written addition. They have practised adding two 4-digit numbers with no exchange before progressing to calculations requiring an exchange across a ten. Through careful attention to place value and the column method, pupils have developed accuracy and confidence when solving increasingly challenging calculations.
In Science and Digital Competence, pupils have begun a local weather investigation, developing measurable enquiry questions and planning how to collect reliable evidence. They considered which measurements would be useful when measuring temperature and rainfall and created a consistent recording system using Excel. Pupils also explored how human activity can change habitats by comparing satellite images and investigating the impact of deforestation. They have begun planning digital presentations about habitats, developing skills in organising research, saving work appropriately and using online resources safely and responsibly.
In Expressive Arts, pupils have explored the Welsh landscape through the work of Kyffin Williams, experimenting with watercolour, collage, and layering to create texture and detail. They considered how artists can represent natural features such as mountains, grass, water and clouds, making creative choices about materials and techniques. Across the week, pupils have continued to develop their ability to ask questions, use evidence, communicate ideas, solve problems, work creatively and reflect on their learning.
Week beginning 21/9/26
Our pupils are enjoying weekly ukulele sessions, led by Sean Thomas, a Music Associate from First Experiences. The sessions provide children with a fun and relaxed introduction to learning an instrument while developing their confidence through singing, musical games, movement and ensemble performance. Over the programme, pupils will develop their understanding of pulse, rhythm, metre and pitch, learn to recognise and perform simple musical patterns, and begin to explore how tempo, dynamics, articulation and timbre can change the character of music. They will also develop their singing voices and experience performing both independently and as part of a group.
The programme supports progression within the Curriculum for Wales Expressive Arts AoLE, particularly Progression Steps 2 and 3. Pupils are encouraged to explore and experiment with musical techniques and resources before making increasingly purposeful choices in their own playing and singing. Through performing, improvising, composing and listening, they develop technical control, creativity, resilience and confidence. Pupils also explore how music can communicate mood, feelings and ideas, developing their ability to listen, respond to and discuss creative work. Working together as an ensemble further strengthens communication, cooperation and social skills, whilst giving pupils a positive foundation for continued musical development.
Week beginning 14/9/26
What a busy week it has been from the outset! The children have continued to work incredibly hard and have shown excellent engagement as we reach some of the more exciting and challenging parts of our topics. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm, perseverance and growing confidence as they tackle new learning and apply the skills they have been developing.
Developing Our Welsh Oracy Skills
We have continued our daily Helpwr Heddiw sessions, providing regular opportunities for the children to develop their Welsh oracy skills in a fun and purposeful way. These daily conversations allow the children to practise language patterns, build their confidence and develop their ability to listen and respond to others.
We have also delved further into our Pod Antur learning this week. The children have particularly enjoyed these activities and have embraced the opportunities to develop their Welsh language skills through engaging and interactive experiences.
Assessment
Alongside our day-to-day learning, the children have been completing the Welsh Government personalised assessments on their Chromebooks. This week, they have completed their reading, procedural and reasoning assessments.
These assessments provide me with a valuable snapshot of each child's current skills and understanding. Rather than being an end point, they are an important part of our ongoing assessment process. The information gathered helps me to identify areas where individual children may benefit from additional support, further challenge or opportunities to consolidate their learning.
I will use this information alongside my ongoing classroom assessment to inform future planning and ensure that learning is purposeful, appropriately challenging and focused on each child's next steps.
Understanding Our Rights
This week, I also led our first UNCRC assembly of the school year. It was fantastic to see how much the children remembered from our learning last year, recalling a number of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) articles and discussing what these rights mean in their own lives.
Our weekly assemblies will continue throughout the year, giving the children regular opportunities to explore their rights, responsibilities and the importance of respecting the rights of others. I am looking forward to unpicking these ideas with the children further and seeing how they can connect their learning to our school community and their everyday experiences.
Celebrating National Coding Week
There has been plenty of creativity and problem-solving this week too, as we have celebrated National Coding Week!
The children have had the opportunity to explore coding using the resources available through J2E on Hwb. They have thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with code, solving problems and creating their own digital creations.
It has been particularly lovely to see the children developing resilience when something doesn't work first time. They have been encouraged to test, adapt, debug and try again — demonstrating that making mistakes is an important part of the learning process.
The classroom has certainly been full of creativity and conversation as the children have shared their creations and explored what they can make using code. Take a look at the photographs below to see some of their fantastic work!
Looking Ahead
It has been another wonderfully busy week, with opportunities for the children to develop their literacy, numeracy, Welsh language, digital skills, creativity, oracy and understanding of their rights, alongside the wider learning taking place across our curriculum.
There is a real sense of curiosity and excitement in Year 3 and 4, and I am looking forward to seeing where their learning takes us next!
Da iawn, pawb!
Week beginning 7/9/26
What a fantastic first full week we have had in Year 3 and 4! The children have shown excellent engagement across all areas of their learning and have worked incredibly hard. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm, curiosity and growing confidence as they have settled into the routines and expectations of our classroom.
We have been particularly impressed by our new Year 3 children, who have made an excellent start to life in the class. They have adapted brilliantly to the pace of learning and have embraced the opportunities that come with being part of our mixed Year 3 and 4 classroom.
Learning Together
A particular highlight of the week was our hockey session with Class 4. The atmosphere was fantastic as the older children supported and encouraged the younger pupils throughout the session. Working collaboratively, the children tackled some incredibly challenging dribbling courses, demonstrating perseverance, coordination and developing physical skills.
These opportunities to learn alongside Class 4 are an important part of our school experience. They enable children to learn from one another, develop leadership skills and demonstrate our school values through teamwork, encouragement and respect.
Pupil Voice at the Heart of Our Learning
This week, we have also placed a strong emphasis on pupil voice. The children have had opportunities to share their interests, questions and ideas about what they would like to learn this year.
Their contributions are helping to shape our planning and provide opportunities for their interests and experiences to be incorporated into our learning. We want our children to feel that they have a genuine voice in their education and to develop the confidence to ask questions, share ideas and take an active role in their learning.
This approach supports our aim of creating engaging, purposeful learning experiences which develop not only knowledge but also the wider skills and attributes children need to thrive.
Celebrating Our Catholic Community
We were also delighted to celebrate our first Mass of the school year. The children represented our class beautifully, reading confidently to the whole school and members of the St David's church community.
They also sang wonderfully, contributing to a reverent and joyful celebration. These opportunities are an important part of our Catholic school life, allowing our children to participate actively in worship and strengthen their sense of belonging within both our school and parish communities.
Developing Young Leaders
There has been great excitement this week as we have introduced our new pupil leadership roles. You may have noticed your child coming home with a special council or leadership badge!
The children have been selected to represent their peers as members of our:
School Council
Eco Council
Criw Cymraeg
Prayer and Liturgy Team
These roles provide valuable opportunities for our children to develop confidence, responsibility and leadership skills, while making a meaningful contribution to school life. We are looking forward to seeing the ideas and initiatives they bring forward throughout the year.
Looking Ahead
Our class curriculum booklets will be sent home on Monday and will provide further information about the subjects and learning experiences planned for the year ahead.
Please continue to visit our school website regularly, as we will be sharing updates, photographs and examples of the children's learning throughout the year.
It has been a brilliant first full week, and we are incredibly proud of the way the children have embraced their learning, supported one another and adjusted to a busy week of learning after the school holidays.
A Busy and Exciting Start to Year 3 and 4!
What a fantastic and busy first couple of days back at school we have had! It has been wonderful to welcome the children back and see them settle so positively into life in our Year 3 and 4 classroom.
We have spent time getting to know our classroom routines, expectations and timetables, ensuring that the children understand how our days will work and feel confident about the exciting learning opportunities ahead. Our days will be busy and purposeful, providing the children with a wide range of opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and experiences across the Curriculum for Wales.
As a class, we have also developed our own set of positive classroom rules, building on our school behaviour policy. The children have contributed their ideas and helped us to create expectations that are clear, encouraging and supportive. This ensures that everyone understands how we can work together, show respect and care for one another, and create a happy and purposeful learning environment that reflects the values of our Catholic school community.
Developing a Love of Reading
Reading will be a particularly important focus for us this year. We have spent time in our school library and talked about the importance of choosing books, enjoying them and developing a lifelong love of reading.
We are encouraging the children to return to our library and choose a new book as soon as they have completed their current one. Please ensure that the books your child is currently reading are recorded in their reading record. We would also really value comments from parents, but, wherever possible, we would appreciate the children themselves recording their thoughts and reflections about what they have read.
This provides a valuable opportunity for children to think about what they have enjoyed, share their opinions and reflect on their reading experiences. Throughout the year, children will have regular opportunities to take part in guided reading, independent reading and shared reading. We will also enjoy reading a class book together at the end of each day, creating time to relax, listen, discuss and enjoy stories as a community.
Building Strong Foundations in Mathematics
In Mathematics and Numeracy, we have begun our work on place value, developing the children's understanding of how numbers are structured and the value represented by each digit.
The children have already made valuable contributions to our classroom working walls, sharing their ideas, strategies and mathematical thinking. These working walls will continue to develop throughout the topic and they will provide a useful resource that the children can refer to as they build on their learning.
We have also reviewed the children's levels on RM Easimaths and adjusted them where appropriate. This ensures that each child is accessing work that is suitably challenging, while allowing them to develop their confidence, fluency and mathematical skills at an appropriate pace.
Connecting Home and School
We are continuing with our use of Seesaw to strengthen the connection between home and school.
Login details have been sent home, and you will be able to see a photograph of your child from their first day back at school.
It has been a wonderful start to the new school year. The children have already shown enthusiasm, creativity, curiosity and a willingness to learn, and we are looking forward to building on this positive beginning as we delve into our topic; Land, Sea and Sky.
Croeso i Year 3 and 4 — we are looking forward to an exciting year together!