w/e 26/9/25

What a lovely week in Duckpool class!

Making the most of the beautiful September sunshine, PE for this half term has been all about orienteering and we've enjoyed following maps and directions to collect clues to solve puzzles. Huge thanks to Mrs Williamson for organising the fun sessions, which have shown our fantastic grounds at their best. Also, as you can see, we've been having  great fun in the builder's yard.

Art has been a revelation too as we're working on drawing self portraits using our own poetry from the very first week of term..yes, it's hard to imagine we know. As soon as they're finished, we'll be super keen to share them with you.

In computing, we're learning all about systems and networks, as always knowing how to use technology both safely and respectfully is central to this. We're also using Showbie our new Trust program across the curriculum and becoming quite proficient already.

This half term term's RE focuses upon what it means to be a Humanist in Britain Today, whilst PSHE is based on Being Me and particularly on facing new challenges positively and setting personal goals. French is also Being Me this half term, so we've been practising introducing ourselves and having brief conversations.

Last but certainly not least, in music we're learning about musical terms such as dynamics, pitch, ostinato and timbre, then putting them into action. Our Y4 children are also having weekly violin lessons, so please ask them how it's going.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Tregantle Class - Enjoying the Sunshine!

What a wonderful week we've had in Tregantle! The sunshine has given us lots of opportunities to take our learning outside, and the children have loved making the most of our garden space. From digging and building in the giant sandpit, to splashing and pouring in the water area, and getting creative in the mud kitchen - there has been so much fun and discovery happening outdoors.

This week also marked our very first Wild Tribe session! The children went on a leaf hunt, collecting and comparing the many different shapes, sizes, and colours they found. Using their leaves, they created fantastic face shapes, showing amazing imagination and teamwork. We ended the session by pretending we were leaves blowing gently in the wind - such a lovely way to finish our outdoor adventure.

Back in class, our learning is moving full steam ahead.
In phonics, the children have now learned all 10 of our first sounds - what an incredible achievement! In maths, we've been practising our counting skills and are working hard to count and order numbers to 5. Tregantle are quickly becoming expert counters!

It has been a wonderful week of sunshine, learning, and creativity - we can't wait to see what next week brings!

w/e 19.9.25

Well, what a busy start to the Autumn term it's been for Perranporth class!

Firstly, to launch our 'Rivers' topic, we took our first trip to Coombe Woods to do a spot of water sampling for the Great UK WaterBlitz. We were testing for nitrates and phosphates in water samples taken from 3 different locations. It needed to be absolutely accurate as we had to send our results off to help monitor water quality in this important investigation. Hopefully, we've produced some scientists of the future and we thought you might like to see some photos.

Workwise, in English we're writing our own diary entries based on the book 'The Beasties' and focusing on using descriptive language along with accurate grammar and punctuation. Handwriting and presentation are also a focus for this half term.

In maths, we're working on Place Value and numbers to 1,000,000, as well as concentrating on our times tables.

This half term term's science is all about Properties of Materials, with lots of opportunities planned for practical investigations. Whereas Geography is based on the topic 'What are rivers and how are they used?'

So, that's just a few subjects to be going on with, more about the rest of the curriculum next week.

Have a lovely weekend.

Duckpool go down to the woods...

Well, what a busy start to the Autumn term it's been for Duckpool class!

Firstly, to launch our 'Rivers' topic, we took our first trip to Coombe Woods to do a spot of water sampling for the Great UK WaterBlitz. We were testing for nitrates and phosphates in water samples taken from 3 different locations. It needed to be absolutely accurate as we had to send our results off to help monitor water quality in this important investigation. Hopefully, we've produced some scientists of the future and we thought you might like to see some photos.

Workwise, in English we're writing our own diary entries based on the book 'The Beasties' and focusing on using descriptive language along with accurate grammar and punctuation. Handwriting and presentation are also a focus for this half term.

In maths, we're working on Place Value and numbers to 1,000,000, as well as concentrating  on our times tables.

This half term term's science is all about Properties of Materials, with lots of opportunities planned for practical investigations. Whereas Geography is based on the topic 'What are rivers and how are they used?'

So, that's just a few subjects to be going on with, more about the rest of the curriculum next week..

Have a lovely weekend.

Busy week!

This week in Treyarnon, we have been busy little bees and now are brains are full of knowledge and creativity. 

Our class story has been 'The Final Year' by Matt Goodfellow. In English, we have been planning our own poems based on the book by focusing on informal language, noun phrases and figurative language. In guided reading, we reviewed the book and shared our opinions.

In maths, we have been learning about negative numbers, factors and multiples. We have also been finding out the divisibility rules and how they can help us when solving problems. 

In PSHE, we discussed what it meant to be mature and thought about ways in which we can show maturity. We created comics and posters to show how people can act maturely and created our own targets for personal growth. Some children said they will be tidier, except that sometimes things are not fair and take responsibility for their own belongings e.g. reading records and homework. Please ask your child what their personal target is. 

Have a great weekend from Miss Burton and all of Treyarnon class.  

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Fun, Friendship and Learning

What a fantastic week we have had in Tregantle Class!

The children have been getting to grips with recognising their name cards and practicing writing their names using the correct letter formation. It has been wonderful to see their confidence growing each day. We are also well underway with our phonics lessons and have already learnt five new sounds - amazing progress! A big well done to the children for practicing these at home to help remember them. The children also loved spending time with their reading buddies this week, sharing books and stories together.

In maths, we have been practicing careful counting by lining up objects and touching them one by one as we count. Everyone is working so hard to become accurate counters.

This week also saw our first PE lesson in the hall, where the children had great fun moving around in different ways, even pretending to be animals! We also practiced stopping quickly and starting again, which made for lots of laughter!

Our outside learning area has been full of excitement, with the large construction equipment being put to excellent use. We've seen an aeroplane and even a mansion created this week - fantastic teamwork and imagination!

Finally, we have started a new routine of cleaning our teeth each day after lunch. The children have really embraced this, helping us all to keep our teeth clean and healthy.

Well done, Tregantle Class - what a brilliant week of fun, friendship and learning! We are so proud of all your hard work and enthusiasm.

It has been yet another busy week here at Team Brunel. The week saw our very first Wheeley Wednesday and our Little Locomotives commenced again. In addition, the children have been engaging well with their new enquiry questions across the curriculum. Please enjoy catching up with all our latest news and events in this week's edition of The Brunel Bulletin.

Year 2 and 3 Class Blog - Weekly Learning Update

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have had a busy and exciting week in Year 2 and 3, and the children have been working incredibly hard across all areas of the curriculum. Here's a snapshot of what we've been learning:

English
In English, we have been focusing on using ambitious vocabulary to make our writing more vivid and powerful. The children have been challenged to expand their sentences with descriptive phrases and to group their ideas into clear paragraphs. It has been wonderful to see them becoming more confident writers who enjoy experimenting with language.

Maths
Our maths lessons have continued to focus on place value. The children have been practising how to partition numbers, compare them using greater than and less than symbols, and explain their reasoning when solving problems. This strong foundation will support their confidence as we move into more complex calculations.

History
In History, our topic on Ancient Egypt has led us to explore the importance of the River Nile. The children have discovered how it provided water, fertile land, and a means of transport, making it essential for farming, trade, and daily life. They have particularly enjoyed discussing how different their own lives would be without such a resource.

RE
Our Religious Education lessons have focused on what makes people feel a sense of belonging. We have been learning about Christians and Muslims, and how their communities, traditions, and practices help them feel connected to their faith. The children have shown great curiosity and respect as they ask thoughtful questions.

PE
In PE, we have been developing our netball skills. The class has been practising passing, moving into space, and teamwork. It has been fantastic to see how their confidence and cooperation have grown during these sessions.

And much more!
From creative sewing activities to problem-solving in science, the children have had many opportunities to explore, question, and develop new skills this week.

Finally, thank you so much for your continued support with reading at home. It truly makes such a difference to the children's progress and helps them to become more fluent, confident, and enthusiastic readers.

Duckpool Class have been enjoying an active and exciting week of learning in our new classroom. We enjoyed learning about 'Place Value' in maths and have been excited to demonstrate how we can show numbers in different ways using the fantastic new Maths Resource Boxes.

In English, we have been learning how to use fronted adverbials and relative pronouns, ready to be creative with grammar next week when we write our own stories! It was also special for the children to receive lessons in how to play a violin, read music and play in unison.

In Geography this term, we are learning all about rivers and we have been discussing how lucky we are to be so close to a significant river and all the knowledge we have about the River Tamar, using our oracy strategies. We have set up an experiment to demonstrate the water cycle and our class novel is Journey to the River Sea. Watch this space to see what else we learn next week!

We have successfully moved rooms over the summer and everyone seems very settled after their first full week at Nursery.

The current children who have come back after the break are all looking taller, and have been telling us all about their holiday visits over the summer.

The new children have settled very quickly, with only a few tears when they first say good bye to their grownup, but once they see the toys and activities, they soon are off exploring.
 

What a fantastic start we've had in Lantic Class! This week, the children really shone during their first PE session. They practiced their throwing and catching skills with great enthusiasm and took part in the exciting game of Dishes and Domes. It was wonderful to see everyone so active, working together, and having such fun! In DT, we've been busy exploring wheels and axles as we prepare to design and make our very own pull-along toys. The children showed brilliant curiosity and creativity as they got hands-on with the mechanisms. We have also been incredibly proud of the children's writing this week. Inspired by our class book Mrs Armitage and the Big Wave, the children produced some fantastic pieces of work, full of imagination and detail. Well done, Lantic Class - what a brilliant start to the term!

We have had a great first full week of the Autumn Term. Please find all the latest news and events from our wonderful school in, this week's, Brunel Bulletin.

w/e 12.9.25

What a crazily busy first week back we've had! Including last week, we've done so much already. 

In English, we've started our unit of work based on the really fun book, 'The Beasties'. We have used our word classes to write exciting sentences about the characters!

In Maths, we're all starting the year off with our learning about place value - such a useful skill. We've used some manipulatives to help. 

In Science, we thought about what we already know about materials and how they can be changed. In computing, we learned about search engines. In RE, we are learning about how the Golden Rule is something that all faiths follow, including Humanism. In PSHE, we learned how to create a class charter. 

In Art, we've started a process towards creating a self-portrait using carbon paper, tracing paper and poetry! It was really exciting!

Plus, in Music, the year 4 children (and Miss Henning!!) have started learning how to play the violin with Sally! What fun!

Terrific Tregantle!

What a fantastic first week it has been in Tregantle Class!

Our new school starters have settled in beautifully and have loved getting to know their new classroom. The children have had so much fun exploring all of the different areas, from painting and construction to role play and the ever-popular mud kitchen.

One of the highlights of the week has been meeting their very own reading buddy. The children really enjoyed sharing stories together, and it was wonderful to see how engaged and excited they were during story time.

We are so proud of how well everyone has started their school journey. It has been a week full of smiles, laughter, and learning, and we can't wait to see what adventures next week will bring!

Hello and welcome back to Lantic Class! We've had a really fun few days getting settled back in. We have been getting to know each other with games and a circle time. We have made a very special display about celebrating our differences. Please see attached the curriculum overview for Lantic Class this half term. 
We're looking forward to another fun filled week of learning next week! 

Welcome back!

It was wonderful to greet the new year 6 children today for their final year at Brunel. We have an exciting year ahead with many memories to make. 

Today we started with some icebreaker questions. This helped me to get to know the children and I was intrigued and interested with some of their answers. Please see the photos for some of my favourites. 

Next week, we will be starting our new topic called 'Where Does Energy Come From?' Please see the knowledge web below to find out what we are learning in each subject. 

The children will be coming home with their class dojo logins. Please use these to see how your child is earning points in class. I will also post messages on there occasionally so make sure you check it regularly. 

Miss Burton

Welcome to Duckpool...

Hello everyone and welcome back to Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy and the new school year. We hope you've had the best Summer and enjoyed plenty of sunshine, whether that was on holiday or at home. 

We are so excited to be back as we've lots of great plans for this term which we can't wait to share, as we know it's going to be fun.

Its been a busy time here, just look at all the wonderful projects that have been completed over the holiday, we now have a fabulous outdoor classroom, an amazing pond and new playground equipment. We've already had a taster session using the Builders' Yard, so we're looking forward to having time to explore that more fully too.

Our ClassDojo details are coming home on Thursday, do please sign up and join us to find out more about what's going on in Duckpool and allow us to share messages.

In the meantime, take a look at the knowledge planner for Autumn Term 1 and also our Maths policy below, which is helpful in that it shows you which methods we use in our maths lessons.

Each week, we'll be sharing our learning here, so please watch this space!

Welcome Back Brunel Families!

We hope you've had a wonderful summer making special memories.

A very warm welcome to all our families - and an especially big hello to those joining Brunel for the first time. We can't wait to begin another exciting school year together! Staff News We're delighted to welcome: Mrs May-Bracey (Duckpool & Leadership Team) Mrs Scott (Lantic) Mrs Morris (Mousehole - Fridays) And huge congratulations to Mrs Swabey on the safe arrival of her baby boy.

What's New Around School
Issy's Nursery has moved to a bigger EYFS space with a fantastic outdoor learning environment. Tregantle Class now has a brand-new classroom and outdoor area.
Our pond is alive again thanks to CO-OP funding & the BFA.
A huge thank you to Brook and his team from Total Landscape Ltd for all their hard work.
A new outdoor classroom has been created in the garden. 4
KS2 playground equipment has been upgraded.

Exciting Extras
Plymouth Argyle joining us every Monday & Friday lunchtime.
Clubs start w/c 15th Sept (letters coming soon).
The Brunel Builders Yard & new play equipment will keep children active at playtimes.
Little Locomotives toddler group returns Wednesday 17th Sept (10:00-11:15am) - free, teacher-led, open to all!
Reminders Gates close at 8:45am sharp - being on time every day really matters!
Free Breakfast Club (Rec-Y6) runs daily 8:15-8:45am.
Kids Club wraparound care available via ParentPay before and after school.
Healthy snacks at playtime & water only in bottles (unless medical note provided).
Children must wear Brunel uniform & school shoes, with PE kit on PE days.
Please remember our pre-loved rail which is accessible for all and absolutely free. We're so proud of our wonderful staff who have worked hard over the holidays to get everything ready - and we can't wait to see you all on Thursday 4th September (please note this is different for some of our Reception children) for another brilliant year at Brunel. Have a great last few days of the Summer holidays.