Skip to content ↓

Fernhurst Primary School

Red Kites (Year 3)

12/03/24

Thank you so much to all the parents for organising to get the children to MRC this morning. Your support in giving the children this opportunity was so appreciated.  

As you would expect the children were beautifully behaved and set a fantastic example of our Fernhurst Primary School values.  A small selection of photos and videos can be found here:  https://sway.cloud.microsoft/7BNiNB3jjpB4XBWU?ref=Link

06/03/24

Year 3 had an incredible start to the week becoming paedologists (soil scientists) as part of their scientific learning about rocks, soils and fossils.  Over two days they completed 5 experiments to really understand the processes that lead to rock formation.    Take a look at the sway below to get a full insight into what we got up to, and definitely ask to see our science books next time you visit for open classroom.  Our fossils will be coming home soon, but in the meantime ask us if we can remember the 3 types of rocks we learnt about and the actions we used to remember them.    

https://sway.cloud.microsoft/FHllDcSnbodqDp1z?ref=Link

23/2/24

Have you logged into Century learning recently?  You will see that I have uploaded some new assignments for Rocks and Soils, Fractions, Comprehension, SPAG and Romans.   If you complete any nuggets at home please remember to let me know and I willensure a suitable number of house points are issued!

 

22/2/24

Today you will have received a letter from me regarding our upcoming trip to Fishbourne Roman Palace on Tuesday 26th March.   You can see more about the magificent site here:  https://sussexpast.co.uk/attraction/fishbourne-roman-palace/

22/2/24

Parents, you will have seen the fascilitated play ideas posters that have been on our playground since before Christmas.  (If not, take a look at the side of the PE shed and the fence around the top playground).   In conjunction with our Sports Leaders we have chosen a new set of games that the adults and older children will be helping the younger children to play during break and lunchtimes.   This wonderful aspect of our school is a joy to see as different age groups mix together and enjoy playing games.   Take a look at the ideas here: https://sway.cloud.microsoft/veu6fIls326JdxDg?ref=Link  Do these bring back fond memories? Maybe you could play these at home with friends and family members.   

13/02/24

You will have received your Spring 2 poster and RKE link via email, however here they are for reference too. The spring 2 poster is also saved at the bottom of this page with a copy of the timetable for this half term.   As a general rule I will be having PPA time on a Thursday morning which will be covered by Mrs Hatch.   

Please also note that all spellings sheets for this half term have been saved to the Red Kites Home Learning page.

https://sway.cloud.microsoft/XwHlsThthfL5BGRu?ref=Link&fbclid=IwAR3UEdHZrUo-JRAVYnNhRHuyYjKqrxNe14dUamkiqYFE8hcQiEQNYqWg2YY_aem_AQ4_vIWLIrvCEqJ_X4pEgSyouKpETrW2dLh_eZtf8Yr9ao4NV5FS4Oh-YqXlUbvOR_4

 

06/02/24 

This afternoon, children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 had the amazing opportunity to chat with a local author, Caroline Nicholas. Her visit was to aid us and provide us with some tips about how to structure a short story for the Royal Mint's short story competition. 

Her tips for writing an effective short story: 

  • The story has to start close to the end because you only have 500 words. 
  • It needs an eye-catching opening sentence.
  • Have not too many characters (ideally between 2 and 4) so you don't run out of words 
  • Include interesting speech to develop the story and makes it more interesting for the reader.
  • Don't go overboard with the description - use some, so the reader can picture it but not too much. 
  • Use paragraphs 
  • Apply your own hobbies, interests and learning to use as inspiration 
  • Have a grabbing title and opening line. 
  • Read, write, edit and repeat 
  • Get someone at home to read your story if you need. 

06/02/24 Safer Internet Day

Children in Y3, 4 and 5 took part in an online workshop on Tuesday 6th February as part of Safer Internet Day.

We considered how Artificial Intelligence is used already in our lives and how we can be safe with AI as we start to use it ourselves.

We decided that if using AI technology we should:

  • Always be with an adult
  • Follow the age guidance for the website you are using
  • Remember AI is not always right

  • Never enter personal information on to an AI site.

We were challenged to imagine that we were an AI site and to draw a picture of a friendly rabbit with long ears standing upright. The rabbit has a small nose and seven whiskers on each side of its face.  It's wearing a pair of trainers and has a hat on its head.  In its paw, the rabbit is holding a tennis racquet.  Here are some of our drawings:

06/02/24

Thank you to everyone who came to visit our open classroom today.  I hope you enjoyed seeing what the children have been learning.   Here's the links the children had open today if you were not able to join us or would like to look again at home:

1)  Branching databases.   Children - show the adults how you can sort the items using really clear yes / no questions.  

https://www.j2e.com/jit5#branch

2) Turtle academy.  Children show the adults how you can make a square or rectangle using clear instructions to move the turtle.  

https://turtleacademy.com/playground

3) Digimaps. Children show the adults how you work your way around the mapping software.  Can you show them a map of Portsmouth from the past?  What symbols do you remember on the maps?  

https://digimapforschools.edina.ac.uk/login

4) Hit the button.  Children show your parents how you can practise your times tables using the Hit the button game.  Don't forget to grab a multiplication grid - looking is learning.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

5) Century learning.   Children - use the tab at the top of the screen to click on to Century.   Click on the pen to choose and assignment that you haven't yet completed.   

https://app.century.tech/login/

22/01/24

You will have recently been sent login details for all your children's online learning accounts.  Today I have created some assignments for the class to support our work on spelling, length and sound.   You can access these by logging into your century learning account, then clicking on the pen icon to see your assignments:

 

19/01/24

Another amazing afternoon in the woods today.   They photos are on our sway:   https://sway.cloud.microsoft/kMTDPAMOmH87M7L6?ref=Link

18/01/24

In Computing this week we used https://www.j2e.com/jit5#branch to start building our own branching databases.   This was amazing fun and really challenged us to ask good yes / no questions to sort the items into different groups.   This is a free to access website so children can access from home to share their learning with you.    

 

15/01/24

In our geography lessons we have been learning about Portsmouth.  We have been using digimaps software to explore the size of the city in comparison to Fernhurst.  Did you know there are 62 schools and 102 places of worship in Portsmouth?  The population is 114 times the size of Fernhurst.   This would be a great time to head to Portsea Island and explore the UK's only island city.   If you'd like to look at digimaps at home follow this link and ask Mrs Kelsey for the password:   https://digimapforschools.edina.ac.uk/roam/map/schools 

08/01/24

We had a fantastic visit from The Explorer Dome today.   In Year 3 the focus of the session was on sound, linked to our science learning.  We learnt that sound can't travel in space because it is a vacuum so there is no air for the sound waves to travel through.   We saw how a slinky can be used to show what sound waves look like and listened carefully for changes in pitch using different whistles.   We also heard about a rocket powered car called 'The Blood Hound' which can travel faster than the speed of sound - that is super quick!  A few photos from the visit can be viewed here: https://sway.cloud.microsoft/EpAPPRjUrSc3hXXS?ref=Link

05/01/24

Welcome back!  It was lovely to see so many of you at Family Reading today. 

Red Kites have had an awesome time with their Woodland Adventures today.   We will add photos each week to this sway:  https://sway.cloud.microsoft/kMTDPAMOmH87M7L6?ref=Link

There are some photos here:  https://sway.cloud.microsoft/y7QGCn20zbs3aN1g?ref=Link

Please do support your children by logging any reading that they complete at home on Boom Reader.  We are aiming for 3 reads a week at least.  Please let me know if you need a reminder of your login details.  https://go-read.co.uk/  The children are very used to updating this at school, so please do involve them in the process at home.

15/12/23

What a brilliant last day of term!  The children have had the best time mixing up with their friends and siblings from across the school.   There will be photos on FB soon so do look out for them!

Our proposed timetable for Spring 1 is attached below.   Please remember that this is subject to change to make the best use of time in school.   Mr Eyre will cover the class on a Monday morning while I have leadership time.  My PPA time will be on a Friday afternoon while the class are at Woodland Adventures with Mrs Corps.

I have also attached the spelling sheets for Spring 1 on the Red Kites Home Learning Page (there will be a spelling test on the first day of term!)

The Spring 1 letter is attached below.   The RKE sheets for Y3 Spring 1 can be accessed here: https://sway.office.com/cqd3Ok62qtynZ1aj?ref=Link

 

 

12/12/23

We had a fascinating visit from The History Mystory Man yesterday who came to help us with our understanding of the Nativity Story as told in The Bible.   Some photos from the visit can be viewed here: https://sway.office.com/gFbWw4TTjlQIuoNR?ref=Link

 

06/12/23

What a brilliant day we had at Butser Ancient Farm.   All the details of the day and the photos we took can be seen here:  https://sway.office.com/6DI9otUXVDI7Zktt?ref=Link

01/12/23

We are all very much looking forward to visiting Butser Ancient Farm next Tuesday 5th December.

In a change to my previous email please DO NOT send children in school uniform, instead please send them in warm clothes that would be suitable for forest school type learning.   This is because we anticipate at least one of our learning activities being of an archaeological dig nature, and therefore there is a high chance we will get mucky!   All children will wear school high viz jackets as standard throughout the day.   

On Monday I will talk the children through the social story shown below.   This shows what they can expect from the day in terms of how the day will flow.   If you have any questions please get in touch in the usual ways.

 

 

 

24/11/23

Red Kites have started work on learning times-tables by heart.   To support this, all children will be sent home with a multiplication grid to keep at home.  Please stick this up at home somewhere visible and encourage children to look at it when they practise counting in steps of 3, 4, 6 or 8, when you ask them times-tables questions or when they complete home learning tasks on Century Learning or play Hit The Button.   Looking is Learning, so the more frequently children look at the grid, the more quickly they will be able to recall the facts.

Link for hit the button: Hit the Button - Quick fire maths practise for 6-11 year olds (topmarks.co.uk)

We also love singing Percy Parker songs to help with learning our times-tables https://www.youtube.com/@percyparker9132

I have also added some sample times-tables questions to our home learning page that can be printed out and completed at home.    If you complete any extra work at home do bring it to school so I can aware House Points.  

 

 

17/11/13

Red Kites have been busy rehearsing for our class assembly today.    All children are coming home with a copy of the script - please support your child to learn their lines over the weekend.   We look forward to welcoming you to school at 2:30 on Wednesday 22nd November for our class assembly.

 

In computing we have started using the Turtle Academy materials to learn coding.  These materials can also be accessed at home via https://turtleacademy.com/ The website is free to access, and although there is the option to creat an account it is not necessary to do this.   If you cdo any coding at home do let me know!

 

We are having the best time with our gymnastics lessons!   Look out for a SWAY link here soon containing some videos and photos from our lessons!

12/11/23

We are delighted to confirm that Year 3 will be visiting Butser Ancient Farm on Tuesday 5th December. Butser Ancient Farm is a world leading destination for experimental archaeology and education, bringing the past to life through hands on, immersive, practical activities that are accessible for all. The children have been very interested in our historical learning so far asking the question ‘Would you rather live in the Stone Age, Bronze Age or Iron Age?’ and we have every confidence that this visit will enhance their understanding and give them wonderful memories.

We will be travelling there by coach and will be leaving school at 9:00 and returning for the end of the day. The children will be accompanied on the trip by Mrs Kelsey and Mrs Bell. If you are registered as a volunteer with us and would be available to accompany us on the trip please reply to this email to let us know. (If you would like to volunteer on future trips / experiences please contact the office for an application form so we can start the DBS process.)

For the visit children should wear full warm school uniform including practical shoes for being outside all day and a warm, ideally waterproof coat. They should carry a backpack containing a nut free packed lunch, including snacks and a drink (nothing fizzy please). If the forecast is wet then including named waterproof trousers would be wise.

We have been successful in applying for a travel grant which has reduced the cost of the coach, bringing the total price per child to £21.80. This is made up of coach costs, entry and workshop costs while there. Please pay for your child’s place by Friday 1st December. While contributions for school trips are voluntary, the Government is clear that schools should cancel any trips that there is not funding for. We hope that you can make your contribution to cover the cost for your child so that we can go ahead with this visit. Payment should be made via your ScoPay account.

 

We are able to fund the cost of this and other trips for families eligible for pupil premium funding – please apply online at
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/free-school-meals/ if you think you might be eligible.

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me via the school office.

13/11/23

We are delighted to share with you the 2023-24 trips and enrichment programme on this Sway link (https://sway.office.com/zdCan1CGYcbMUck0?ref=Link). The school team have been busy securing the best coach prices as well as several grants to cover or reduce costs where possible. We are delighted to have such a fabulous range of visits which will explicitly compliment learning in history, geography, DT, PSHE, RE and science.

We do recognise that asking for any contribution can feel like a lot and would like to take this opportunity to advise that if you are eligible for pupil premium funding, we will be able to cover the costs of all day visits and visitors for you. If you think you might be eligible, please apply online at https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/free-school-meals/

As always, there is the opportunity to pay for the year or to pay per visit. You will receive a reminder ahead of visits about payment options.  We are currently swapping from ScoPay to Arbor for payments, so you will not see all trips on your ScoPay account. Details of Arbor will be sent to you next half-term and everything will be available via a single app which should make life easier for you all.

 

10/11/23

Our History unit asks the question 'Would you rather live in the Stone Age, Iron Age or Bronze Age?'.  

Skara Brae dates from 3200 BC and so belongs to the Neolithic period of the Stone Age. Skara Brae is in the Orkney Islands. Very few trees grew there so stone was used to build houses instead of wood. There are nine surviving houses on the site. House number 7 is in the best condition. The 3D scan produced by Historic Scotland shows each item and explains what the items were used for:  https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/new-digital-model-of-skara-brae-welcomes-virtual-visitors/

Archaeological evidence does not give us all the information that is needed to answer questions, so historians fill in the gaps by using what they know to create reconstructions such as this. This is a secondary source because it was created after the event.   

We spent time in class exploring the simulation and studying pictures.  At home, you could have a look around the simulation together and discuss the different elements of each house.  

01/11/23

Dear Red Kites Families,

I'm sorry that we won't be together in school tomorrow. I hope you don't mind me emailing late in the evening: I'll never sleep if I leave it until morning to send!

This is the link to the sway for Red Kites home learning:

https://sway.office.com/UfTw5AJY6XwfqqWW?ref=Link

All the work should be self contained within the sway and possible to complete with just some paper. There is no right or wrong way to complete the tasks, as I explain on each video so please do not put yourself under pressure. If you have any questions please drop an email to the office and it will be forwarded on to me. I will be working all day so as long as I have wifi or phone signal I should be able to help! I will send an email individually to each family with the login details for century learning and accelerated reader. You don't need to log into those sites for the work I have suggested, but if you'd like some bonus activities then Century would be a great place to look.  The links to these websites are on our home learning page.

19/10/23

Can you believe Autumn 1 is all wrapped up?

Well done Red Kites, you are all now fully settled into the routines and expectations of Year 3 and achieving great things with your learning.    It has been wonderful to share Friday afternoons with so many families – thank you for your support with joining us for this wonderful time in the week.

We have now finished our class novel – The 100 mile an hour dog by Jeremy Strong.   This hilarious story has had us giggling away at the end of each day.  Jeremy Strong has an enormous back catalogue of hilarious stories, if you read any at home please let us know your thoughts and feedback.

Our Spanish lessons have been a great success.   Check out this sway that contains videos of us saying greetings; asking ‘how are you?’; saying ‘my name is’ and ‘what is your name?’ and numbers to 10.  Last week we brought home posters with Spanish colours on.   Over half term please see if we can remember them!  https://sway.office.com/c1lg4Gt7u5NzBJvL?ref=Link  (Please let me know if you have any trouble watching the videos)

Our RKE (Remember, Know, Explore) sheets are sent home each half-term by email.  The link for Autumn 2 is here: https://sway.office.com/mBAFqqJ0KrZOzbTT?ref=Link

 

You can find our Autumn 2 poster below.   [correction- please note the Butser trip is Tuesday 5th December.   I will upload the corrected poster asap.]  The spellings lists for Autumn 2 are published on the Y3 home learning page.

Our PE days for Autumn 2 will be Thursday and Friday.   

 

A copy of our typical weekly timetable is posted below, although please remember this can change as needed to make best use of time in school.

For this half term Mrs Kelsey will typically have release time for leadership tasks and PPA time on a Monday and a Friday afternoon.  This will be covered by Mr Ayre who you have met during family reading time.

 

28/9/23

We have made a great start to our performance poetry unit.  

Watch this space for a recording of our performance of The Bug Chant by Tony Mitton.

22/9/23

Red Kites have made a fantastic start to their Year 3 journey - well done to everyone for showing our school rules of staying safe, being respectful and always trying our best.    

Our RKE (Remember, Know, Explore) sheets are sent home each half-term by email.  They can also be accessed here:   https://sway.office.com/eeAT5vf4hEQQy31s?ref=Link 

You can find our Autumn 1 poster and a copy of our current timetable below - please remember that there will be occasions when we need to swap lessons around due to other events happening in school.   

On the home learning page there is a copy of the spelling lists for this half-term.  

Some questions you might like to ask your children at home:

How do you say 'see you later' in Spanish?

Which has fewer 10's: 638 or 294?

Who found Tutankhamun's tomb?

What are our Vipers?

What type of art did Paul Cezanne create?

How have we practised agility in PE?

How can you improve this sentence: the girl ran. ?

What are our actions for the difference between the Arctic and the Antarctic?

What is The Eatwell plate?