This week’s newsletter for Rossall Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School.
Dear All
In last week’s newsletter, I wrote to you regarding the footballers who were taking part in the Wyre & Fylde local schools competition at Poolfoot Farm. The children played incredibly well making it through to the plate final and eventually winning the tiered competition. Congratulations to all of the children who lifted the shield and for the excellent determination and spirit that they displayed throughout the afternoon.
Staying with sport, our Year 4 and Year 6 rugby players ventured out to Sedbergh on Wednesday to take part in a tournament. It would be fair to say that the children performed incredibly well against some specialised rugby schools and very much held their own with some quite incredible performances. I know Mr. Condon will be writing more in his report but I wanted to thank all of the parents who came along to support us, as well as all the parents who waited until our rather late return, given the accident on the M6.
I was delighted to host our first Parent Forum of the year in Mondo’s, this week. Our home-school partnership was further strengthened over coffee and croissants, as I was joined by Mrs Trippier and Mr Condon. I am always heartened by the way in which we work together to overcome any misunderstandings or difficulties and I am buoyed by the discussions that were held, particularly regarding Artificial Intelligence. Thank you to all the parents who joined us for a very enjoyable breakfast.
The Year 6 children ventured out to Senior School on their Y7 Taster Day alongside external pupils on Friday. The day was packed with new challenges and activities, subjects and friendships and the smiling faces that returned to the Prep School clearly pointed to how much they are getting ready for their transition at the end of this year. However, there is still a lot of learning to be completed in Year 6 – we have them for a while longer yet!
Finally, the Christmas events have been shared with families this week. It is an exceptionally special time of year for our youngest children and I know that they are already writing lists and checking them twice! The official start to Christmas for Prep is Friday 22nd November as we host our Christmas Tree Light Switch On. Please remember to buy your baubles to decorate with your child so that they can be placed on our tree. All money raised will go towards Brian House.
However, before that we hope that the whole Rossall community will join us on 17th November in The Square for our even bigger and better Christmas Market. To give you a flavour of what is on offer this year, we are welcoming 100 stallholders, opening up three indoor venues as well as The Square, supporting 8 different charities, being entertained by the Over Wyre Brass Band and School choir, and will have demonstrations of Wreath Making and Chainsaw Sculptures throughout the day. I hope that you are able to join us.
All best wishes,
Mr M Turner
Headmaster of Preparatory School & Nursery
Rossall Rugby Teams Rampant at Sedbergh!
The Rossall U11 Rhinos and U9 Rams travelled to Sedbergh for their annual rugby festival, treating spectators to an exciting afternoon of running rugby. The U11 Rhinos, playing their first match of the season, wasted no time finding their rhythm. They started with speed and confidence, moving the ball effortlessly through quick, precise passes that opened up the opposition’s defence. The Rhinos displayed a potent mix of agility and teamwork, with every player contributing to the team’s impressive performance. Their defence was equally formidable, as they met every challenge with hard tackles and relentless pressure.
Meanwhile, the U9 Rams, playing their first-ever competitive matches, impressed everyone with their skill and intensity, marking themselves as a rugby force to watch. Despite being new to the competition, they moved the ball with impressive coordination, working as a unit to create scoring opportunities and keep the crowd cheering. Their defensive work was fearless, making determined tackles that held off any attempts to break through and secured an undefeated afternoon of rugby. Both the Rhinos and Rams represented Rossall with commitment and team spirit, making for a successful festival that showcased their potential and left all the Rossall supporters excited for the season ahead.
Year 6
In Year 6 this week, we have embarked on an exciting exploration of some of the world’s most famous mountains. Armed with atlases and a thirst for adventure, we tracked down these towering peaks across the continents, pinpointing each mountain’s location and discovering its impressive height. Our research extended into the environments surrounding these mountains and every new fact has left us more fascinated and in awe of these spectacular landscapes.
Our English work has taken us into the world of tigers and the reasons behind their endangered status. We engaged in thoughtful and mature discussions about why farmers, whose livelihoods rely on their animals, might feel compelled to harm tigers when their own livestock are threatened. Using modal verbs and adverbs of possibility, we carefully crafted explanations that express the delicate balance of perspectives surrounding tiger conservation. This preparation will help us write insightful and descriptive pieces about these magnificent animals and the challenges they face.
In science, we have kicked off our new topic, *Living Things and their Habitats*, with great enthusiasm. After learning how scientists have historically classified different species, we put our knowledge to the test and classified living things ourselves—diving into the “tree” of life and branching out with confidence! Our curiosity continues to grow as we dive deeper into the natural world around us.
This week also included our first farm visit as part of Rossall Rotation. We had a wonderful time connecting with the animals, ensuring they were fed and well cared for, and observing subtle signs of winter’s approach in the local environment. It was a hands-on experience that deepened our appreciation of the changing seasons.
Our week concluded on a high note with the Year 7 taster day. We eagerly took on new subjects like Latin and Coding, enjoyed meeting Senior School teachers we did not already know, and even made a few new friends along the way. The day gave us a glimpse of what lies ahead, and it has left us feeling inspired for the future.
Year 5
With swords at the ready and dressed in Viking attire, Year 5 set sail for Southport in search of knowledge, and returned battle-scarred but far wiser, and delighted with the wonderful impression they had made with the Viking settlers at Martin Mere.
Our trip really was fantastic, extremely informative and so much fun. The children were fascinated to learn about Viking invaders, their weapons, battle techniques and beliefs, and then experience life in a Viking home, where they carried out the daily chores of foraging, weaving and thatching. It was like stepping back in time and the children’s enthusiasm to ask questions and learn from the experts was very rewarding.
Our voyage home to the land of Rossallia was entertaining, as we amused the locals at the traffic lights with our Viking war cry; I bet they have never encountered such smiley invaders! By the time we returned to camp, everyone was ready for a rest after such an action-packed day; we all agreed that being a Viking is exhausting…but great fun!
Year 4
This week has been a busy and exciting one for Year 4, with a variety of events that have sparked both enthusiasm and thoughtful discussion.
One of the standout events this week was the Year 4 Rugby Tournament at Casterton School, where our boys’ team demonstrated impressive skill and teamwork to win their mini-tournament. The boys displayed great sportsmanship, determination, and respect for the opposite team, making the day not only a sporting success but a memorable learning experience. Congratulations to all involved – we cannot wait to see you all progress and develop as a team.
In Religious Studies, Year 4 have been delving into the life and teachings of the Dalai Lama. We have explored his core messages of compassion, kindness, and peace, and have discussed how these principles can be applied to our own lives. The children have reflected deeply on some of his famous quotes, considering their meaning and how they resonate with their own personal experiences. This has been a thought-provoking and enriching topic that has encouraged much conversation about how we can make the world a better place.
Finally, the US election has sparked lively discussions across the classroom this week with all children taking an active interest in it. With the election process unfolding in real-time, our pupils have been keenly invested in understanding how voting works and the various campaign strategies. We have examined the roles of candidates, the importance of voting, and how political campaigns are run, encouraging the children to think critically about democracy and the significance of speaking to all voters. We have linked this to our current writing topic and thought about persuasive language and how it can be applied to both written and spoken situations.
It has truly been a week of learning through sport, reflection, and global awareness. We look forward to seeing how these experiences continue to inspire and shape the children’s understanding of the world around them.
Year 3
In English, we have continued our exploration of Winter’s Child, further developing our understanding of past tense verbs and adverbs. Students applied these concepts creatively, by planning and writing diary entries from Tom’s perspective, reflecting on his experiences during days out in snowy weather.
In Mathematics, we have continued our study of column addition and subtraction, with a focus on our exchanging skills. Pupils have been developing their confidence and accuracy with these calculations.
As part of our Riotous Royals history topic, we delved into the Battle of Hastings and the reign of William the Conqueror. Students examined the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which vividly depicts the moment when Harold is struck in the eye by an arrow. Following this, we composed news reports as we were eyewitnesses to this historic battle.
Additionally, we had the joy of participating in our first Rossall Rotation of the half-term, held at the Astronomy Centre. We learned about the appearance and environments of the different planets in our solar system. We were surprised to discover that Venus is hotter than Mercury, even though Mercury is closer to the sun. When Dr. Lister explained that Venus has thick clouds, we discussed and concluded that these clouds trap heat, which makes Venus the hottest planet. It was an exciting lesson that deepened our understanding of how unique each planet is!
Year 2
Year 2 have had another fantastic week, with lots of exciting lessons taking place.
In Art, they studied ammonite fossils and used modelling clay to create their own versions. Once the models have dried out, the children will bring them to life using paints!
Early in the week, the children had a visit from a guitar teacher who showed us some different guitars. The children had the opportunity to play along with him for a short time and listen to two different pieces of music!
In English, the children have been studying The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark and thought carefully about how to describe the fireworks display that the main character watches. A very topical lesson and the children thought of some amazing adverbs to describe the sparks, fires and flames!
Finally, the children embarked on their latest Rossall Rotation activity which for this half term is Forest School. They spent time in the secret garden, exploring the natural world and creating some seasonal artwork.
Year 1
This week Nibbles, the Book Monster, has been nibbling his way through fairy tales and changing the way the stories ended; what fun it has been reading about his mischievous antics! We have thought about how Nibbles’ behaviour has made the characters feel. We have looked at different characters’ viewpoints and thought about how they might feel and focused on using question marks to write questions for Baby Bear. We have also been writing lists and made a list for Daddy Bear to replace all of the things Nibbles has damaged. It was a very big list!
In Maths, we have continued learning number bonds to 10 and using addition facts to solve problems. We have also been practising using the part-whole model to find a part as an introduction to subtraction.
As part of our Humanities work, we learnt about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot and sequenced the story. We have also been thinking about Remembrance and why it is important. We learnt about different coloured poppies and what they symbolise and have created poppy artwork.
We have also been very busy out of the classroom this week. In PE we have been enjoying gymnastics and using fireworks to inspire our movements. In Music and Dance, we have been practising for our upcoming nativity, Whoops-A-Daisy Angel. Finally, we enjoyed our first Rossall Rotation for this half term and made some tasty pizza in Rossall Kitchens.
Reception
This week, our Reception Class has been buzzing with excitement as we explored the wonders of Bonfire Night! The children have enjoyed learning about the sights, sounds, and traditions surrounding this annual celebration. We shared stories about Guy Fawkes and discussed how people light up the night with fireworks and bonfires to remember the historic events of November 5th.
In class, the children made their own colourful fireworks art, using glitter and paint to recreate the sparkle and colours of the night sky. We made edible sparklers for snacks that tasted delicious! We used lots of 2D shapes to create pictures of rockets and counted out coloured stars to add to fireworks pictures. We also talked about safety, reminding everyone how important it is to enjoy the festivities with care. It has been a fantastic week of creativity and learning—everyone loved seeing real fireworks light up the sky!
Nursery
Sanderlings
This week the babies have enjoyed activities focusing on Understanding the World. The practitioners helped the babies make their own edible sparklers for bonfire night, made using breadsticks, icing and sprinkles. In addition, a large-scale firework picture was created using shaving foam and paint. Lots of messy fun! On Wednesday some of the babies ventured out into the ‘big’ garden to play with the tractors and have a run on the grass. In addition, the Sanderlings have enjoyed looking for hidden objects which were placed under coloured scarves and paper cups. These objects, which were all different vehicles, were then used in play and some babies enjoyed rolling them down the ramp.
Sandpipers
This week has seen a focus on bonfire night. The practitioners talked to the children about bonfire night safety, which then led to making a bonfire using sticks collected as part of the home learning task. In addition, the children have created some lovely colourful firework pictures using various colours of paint. During group time, the practitioners read books about fireworks and also listened to fireworks sounds. The children were very interested in the different noises that they then tried to replicate during play. Finally, to keep active the children have taken part in lots of action songs which have included Tumble Tots and Wake Up and Shake Up.
Pre School
This week the Pre School children have engaged in learning activities centred around Bonfire Night. The aim was to enhance their understanding of the world. The children participated in role-playing by constructing their own bonfire in the playground, gathering all the sticks they could find. In addition, the children have also been drawing their own fireworks, discussing the variety of colours and the sounds they might make. The staff have also introduced a new book of the month, “Stick Man,” and some children have excelled in their home learning by creating their own stick figures.
Awards
Year 6
6S – Henry for excellent participation and dedication in Drama, and Harry for his excellent contributions to English lessons.
6R – Alfie for his curiosity, collaboration and independence in Drama, and Emma for her excellent ideas and contributions during English.
Year 5
Romano for outstanding language skills and leadership in class.
Felix for outstanding contribution and commitment to sporting activity
Year 4
Fox for producing a brilliant persuasive flyer for our class book, demonstrating a great understanding of key techniques to persuade your audience.
Alicia for demonstrating great maturity when discussing important topics in RS and our Well-Being lessons, such as democracy and the importance of equal rights for all.
Year 3
Leale for demonstrating perseverance in mastering challenging mathematical concepts, working with increased independence and successfully completing additional tasks.
Lena for demonstrating outstanding focus, imagination, and attention to detail in creative writing.
Year 2
Clark for going above and beyond in his home learning
Ares for attentive listening and a superb work ethic
Year 1
Ted for being a super helper and keeping our classroom tidy.
Milly for creating a wonderful poppy painting for Remembrance Day.
Reception
Gio for trying really hard to focus and concentrate on our small group activities this week.
Sophia for her enthusiasm and excitement for learning. She eagerly participates in all activities available each day.
Extra Awards:
Rocco for coming second in a football tournament outside of school.
