Respect

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Respect

Compassion

Willow Class Blog Autumn 1 Week 1

Date: 4th Sep 2026 @ 4:12pm

We have had a fantastic first week back and the children have settled wonderfully into their new classroom. It has been lovely getting to know the children and seeing their enthusiasm for learning. We have learnt lots of new routines this week and worked incredibly hard, and I am so proud of how well everyone has adapted to the start of the new school year.

This week, we have been exploring our Play Project question, "Can an animal go on a bus?" The children have enjoyed sharing their ideas and discussing whether different animals would be suitable bus passengers! We have made our own vehicles, designed persuasive posters and explained why animals cannot go on a bus. It has been wonderful to see so much creativity and imaginative thinking.

In English, we read the story You Can't Take an Elephant on the Bus, which inspired lots of discussion and laughter. YOU CAN'T TAKE AN ELEPHANT ON A BUS by Patricia Cleveland-Peck 🐘🚌 Read aloud #storyoftheweek. We also began practising our handwriting and sentence writing. Our Year 2 children worked hard to extend their writing by using expanded noun phrases to add more detail and interest to their sentences.

In Science, we became animal experts as we learnt about the five animal groups: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians. We practised classifying and identifying different animals and discussed the features that make each group unique.

In Maths, Year 1 have been sorting objects into different groups and practising their counting skills to 10. Year 2 have been representing numbers in a variety of ways and exploring tens and ones, helping them to develop a deeper understanding of place value.

In PE, we practised our rolling skills, focusing on control, coordination and movement. The children showed great determination and enjoyed developing their physical skills.

We were also excited to select our School Council Representatives and Eco Representatives for the year. Congratulations to the children who were chosen. We look forward to seeing the positive contributions they will make to our school community.

I am incredibly proud of how well the children have settled into school routines and approached their learning with such positivity. We are looking forward to another exciting week of learning ahead.

What we have enjoyed this week:

  • Seeing my friends again – Rogan.
  • Learning new things – Olivia.
  • Playing with my friends – Arlo and Ruby.
  • Writing and learning new stuff – Bunny.
  • Meeting new friends – Lili and Winnie.
  • Making a flying bus with Winnie - Della. 
  • Learning how to form my letters with leader feeders – Alice and Ralph.
  • Making a flying bus - Felix and Frankie. 

Have a fabulous weekend! 😊

Miss Jackson and Mrs Gardener 

Together we live, learn and flourish

Ampney CrucisC of E Primary School

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School Lane, Ampney Crucis,
Cirencester,
Gloucestershire, GL7 5SD

Ampney CrucisC of E Primary School

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01285 851440 admin@ampneycrucis.gloucs.sch.uk

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Headteacher | Mrs R Balloch

Chair of Governors | Mr H Beddoe

SENCo | Miss K Jackson

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We may look small from the outside, but we have lovely grounds to explore at the back of our school as well as new library that is the pride and joy of all our school.