Amongst all the learning that occurred this week in Year 3, a special Bible was brought into school by Archie. Finding this beautiful book amongst other household objects, has certainly excited Archie’s family and the class! Over the last few days, allowing us to keep the bible in school, Archie has been explaining the Bible’s history. The children have been very lucky to have handled a book with so much history. Thank you to Archie and the Cornwall family for allowing us to examine this precious book.
In Maths this week, the children have continued learning about fractions and carried out many problem solving activities to deepen their understanding. In English, we have started our unit on persuasive writing based on Stella and the Seagull. Yesterday, Year 3 worked on their persuasion skills by trying to come up with reasons as to why they should be able to stay up later. I’ve heard some of them tried to use their ideas at home! In Geography, we have been learning about the world’s climate zones. Using climate maps alongside political maps, the children located what sorts of climates different countries have.
In PE, the children have begun to look at Cricket as a summer sport. On Wednesday, the children practised their throwing skills by throwing a tennis ball towards a target and ‘the batter’ having a go at hitting it. Well done children!
Have a restful weekend
Mrs McNamara and Mrs Lines
Home Learning
Mathletics
Spellings and SPaG activity on spellinghshed
https://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/learning-6.jpg298429Margaret Joycehttp://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ppnewlogo.pngMargaret Joyce2024-04-26 16:30:362024-04-26 13:25:51Friday 26th April 2024
It has been wonderful to catch up with the children and hear all about their Easter breaks. It has also been very exciting to hear how their Holy Communion preparations are coming along.
This week in English, we have been finishing off our Flotsam stories that we started before half term. In Geography, we have started our new unit called ‘Why are jungles so wet and deserts so dry?’ In order to begin to understand this question, we have needed to learn about the climate of the UK. We discovered that Potters Bar is in one of the drier and warmer places of the country, although it doesn’t always feel like it! Our PE learning this half term will focus on striking and fielding, with cricket being our chosen sport.
In Maths the children have continued learning about fractions. We focused on adding and subtracting fractions with the same denominator and solving problems involving fractions. The key words have been: denominator, numerator, halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, sixths etc… We have also been focusing this week in our PHSE/Wellbeing lessons on Keeping Ourselves Safe looking this week at videos about: Keeping safe near Railways, Water and Roads. These short videos pose questions for the children to discuss and have helped them to explore the video content they have just watched.
In Science the children have started their new unit on Light and today we spoke about what the children know already, what they would like to know about light and did an activity on classifying light sources (Natural and Man-made). The children were interested to learn that the moon is not a light source and that light from the sun hits the moon and is reflected into their eyes.
Please click here to see the RHE/PHSE we are covering this summer term using Ten Ten.
This afternoon, Sofia had kindly brought into school a gingerbread man for each member of the class and the children decorated their own one. Thank you to Sofia for her kindness.
Wishing you and your families a wonderful weekend.
Mrs Lines and Mrs McNamara
Home Learning
Mathletics: please log on and complete the activities set.
TTRs: please log on and practise your timestables especially your 3, 4 and 8 times tables.
Spellings on Spellingshed
For reference, this half term’s spellings can be found here: Summer 1 Spellings
SPaG Activity also on Spellingshed
https://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/he-is-risen.jpg503550Margaret Joycehttp://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ppnewlogo.pngMargaret Joyce2024-04-19 16:30:282024-04-19 16:30:43Friday 19th April 2024
There have been many lent and Easter activities going on this week.
On Monday we baked Easter shaped biscuits. The children measured, mixed, rolled and cut to produce some delicious buttery shortbread. The school smelt amazing from their efforts and many classes were very jealous!
On Tuesday we went on our Lenten walk with Year 4. We were very lucky with the weather! The children enjoyed squelching their boots in muddy sections, wading through the shallow fjord and crossing the bridge.
Later that evening, Year three took their place alongside the rest of KS2 to perform the Stations of the Cross. All the practise was well worth it as their singing was beautiful. Well done to the children for how hard they worked to learn all these new songs.
We also spent some time making Easter cards this week. We were very impressed with the quality of their drawings.
Yesterday morning, Year 6 assisted in organising a special Lenten outdoor activity session for the children in Years 1-6. Year 3 enjoyed these activities.
Following an enjoyable fun swim at the Furzefield, the class returned to perform their recorder concert. What a musical lot Year 3 are!
The children have achieved many things in their learning this term through hard work, active participation and attentive listening. We are so proud of them.
We look forward to the summer term ahead!
Wishing you and your families a blessed and joyful Easter.
Mrs Lines and Mrs McNamara
https://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_7632-1-rotated.jpg640480Margaret Joycehttp://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ppnewlogo.pngMargaret Joyce2024-03-28 12:00:422024-03-28 01:47:56Thursday 28th March 2024
In English this week, we have have continued with our class book Flotsam. The children enjoyed exploring the pictures of this wordless book to understand the story. Year 3 particularly liked creating their own image about what else the underwater camera could capture. In Maths we have been working on unit (fractions with a numerator of 1) and non-unit fractions. This week the children have also investigated the relationship between the size of the parts and the whole. For example, the larger the denominator the smaller the part as the whole has been divided into more equal parts.
Swimming was very exciting on Wednesday as Year 3 took to the pool in their pyjamas to learn survival skills. Next week will be the last session and will be a fun swim.
We have continued to rehearse for The Stations of the Cross service that will take place on Tuesday at 7pm. Year 3 are becoming much better at remembering the lyrics but do please continue to encourage your child to practise the words at home. They have been given their own song sheet to help them learn the words. We have another set in school for them to use during the practises so they do not need to bring their song sheet back into school.
Today we were treated to the Year 3 and 4 music performers. Well done to our singers, pianists and violinists: Erin, Seraphina, Sofia, Sive, Christian, Joesph C, Amilia, Noemi, Iustin, Leonie, Dafne, Anna and Joseph S. We are very lucky and fortunate to have such talented musicians!
Photos taken of their performance will be added to next week’s blog.
Next week, as part of our Lenten Fundraising, the class will be going on a walk with the Year 4 children. Please can you send in their wellingtons as they may be treading through muddy terrain! The children are to wear their full school uniform to school with school shoes and be ready to ‘swap’ their shoes for wellingtons when they are going out. Thank you.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Mrs Lines and Mrs McNamara
Home Learning:
Using the song sheet sent home, practise the words to the songs being sung for our ‘Way of the Cross’ service which is taking place on Tuesday 26th March. Please see the newsletter for details. Use this link to help with practising here.
If your child has not brought their reading record into school, please send it in with them next week. We have a few missing. Thank you.
Spellings on spelling shed.
https://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/BLW_web_assets_homepage-.jpg5001600Margaret Joycehttp://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ppnewlogo.pngMargaret Joyce2024-03-22 17:38:402024-03-22 17:50:59Friday 22nd March 2024
We’ve been keeping ourselves busy again in Year 3 this week. Not only did the children manage to practise for and put on a fabulous St Patrick’s Day assembly, we have been taking part in Science Week. This included having a lesson taught by a teacher from Nicholas Breakspear, learning about a scientist called Brianna Green and running an investigation to answer the question given to everyone by Mrs Carey: Does having longer legs mean you can run faster? Our findings showed that it was certainly not true.
Following our assembly today, we had a wonderful time making soda bread and enjoyed an extra play for winning the attendance award. We also had an unsuccessful attempt at making our own butter!
Although we’re sure you have your own, here are some pictures of our assembly today. Well done to the children for working so hard and putting on such a great show.
Have a great weekend!
Mrs Lines and Mrs McNamara
Home learning
Spellings on spelling shed
Science whole school home learning as detailed in the newsletter
Please also practise the songs for The Way of the Crosshere, which will need to be learnt off by heart by the service (Tuesday 26th March).
https://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/class.jpg5241228Margaret Joycehttp://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ppnewlogo.pngMargaret Joyce2024-03-15 17:50:292024-03-15 19:01:21Friday 15th March 2024
My soul is sad. My heart is breaking tonight.
Could you not watch and comfort me until light?
Am I alone, surrounded only by night?
Could you not watch one hour with me?
Could you not keep awake for one hour with me?
Is it so hard that you should do this for me?
I die for you that you might always be free.
Could you not watch one hour with me?
And so I weep, and there is no one to hear.
I am in pain; will no one witness my tears?
I am your God, and as my Passion draws near,
Could you not watch one hour with me?
Stay With Me
Stay with me
Remain here with me
Watch and pray
Watch and pray
Walk Alone
Take your cross now Jesus man.
Walk the road to Calvary alone.
Your innocence a mockery Nazarene for what crime do you atone?
Walk alone.
Battered bruised and bloodied now, stumbling on the long and dusty road.
Stripped of all your dignity.
This final journey holds a fate well known.
Walk alone.
Death’s dark journey calls your name.
Crown of thorns, crown of shame.
Faces filled with hate and blame.
The good you’ve done forgotten now.
Take your cross now Jesus man. Walk the road to Calvary alone.
Walk alone.
Walk alone.
Walk alone.
Born For This
Born for this. You were born for this.
Born to walk this road and bear that rugged cross.
But it’s breaking my heart to see you like this.
My son, my precious child.
The agony, Oh, the agony.
I see you suff’ring and there’s nothing I can do.
But I’ll walk by your side till we come to the end.
My son my precious child.
I see the anguish in your eyes.
I’ve prayed this cup will pass you by, but I know that it has to be so. Though I don’t understand the reason.
So much pain so much confusion,
but you were born for this,
you were born for this.
My son, my precious child.
Fallen Again
Fallen again. Kneeling in shame.
Frightened, rejected unbearable pain.
Suff’ring in silence such patience unknown, not moving.
Can he go on?
Fallen again. Face to the ground. Soldiers abusing, heckling crowd.
Slowly he rises feet heavy unsure.
Strength fading still he goes on.
All Hail, King of the Jews
O great king O royal one, your cross awaits. Is there anything your majesty desires?
Is your cross too heavy sire?
May I shine your crown?
Let us relieve you of your splendid royal attire!
All hail king of the Jews!
All hail King of the Jews!
Come now king and rest awhile you’ve walked so far!
We bet you’re very glad the journey’s almost done.
We like your regal garments so we’re sharing them around.
Casting lots to see what can be won.
All hail king of the Jews!
All hail king of the Jews!
Murderers and brigands,
We thought we’d seen it all.
Every kind of criminal there can be.
But this one they call Jesus is the strangest of the lot!
A self proclaimed Messiah is he!
All hail King of the Jews!
All hail king of the Jews!
All hail king of the Jews!
Father, Forgive Them
Father forgive them for what they have done. They know not the scale of their crime.
Guilt in their eyes and my blood on their hands.
Forgive them dear father forgive.
Father why have you forsaken your son.
Alone I am left here to die.
My flesh and my spirit both wounded the same. Forgive them dear father forgive.
Eli Eli lama sabachtani. Repeat
Precious Saviour
Precious Saviour laid to rest.
Shattered hopes, such emptiness.
Lifeless Lord. It is over now.
Night has come, the darkest hour.
Our hope has gone.
Here in this stone-cold grave the one we thought would save us, where is solace to be found?
It is over now.
It is over now.
You Are The Way
You are the way
to our Father above!
Jesus send Your Spirit,
help our hearts to love.
You are alive!
You’re our friend and our guide.
We can always trust in you as you’re here
by our side!
At the cross,
forgiveness we pray
for moments when we’ve fallen astray.
Through the cross,
the darkness has passed.
The Lamb of God is light that will last!
We will take up our cross,
it’s a gain, not a loss.
We’ll reach out, love the poor and the lost!
https://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Way-of-the-Cross.jpg306748Margaret Joycehttp://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ppnewlogo.pngMargaret Joyce2024-03-15 15:00:202024-03-15 17:41:38KS2 Way of the Cross - lyrics to learn
We’re not sure we could have fitted more into this week if we tried!
On Monday, we went to Celtic Harmony for our History trip. Year 3 made shelters, hunted mammoths, made soup, listened to a story and saw how flint tools were made. Thank you to Lucas’ mum who was a helper on the trip.
On Tuesday Year 3 joined Year 4 in an e-safety workshop about keeping safe online. They were set challenges to solve and they enjoyed watching their class mates participate in the workshop through acting, answering questions etc.. They came away from the workshop empowered to become digitally resilient.
On Wednesday, along with Year 4, Year 3 attended a parish mass at OLSV as part of their Lenten preparations. Thank you to Noemi and Dafne who took up the offertory gifts. We also had a visit from Louis’ mum to read her favourite books. The class really enjoyed her storytelling.
Yesterday it was World Book Day. Everyone looked fantastic in their outfits. WBD is a highlight in the school calendar, recognising the power of books. We know that reading is important every day, not just once a year. World Book Day provides an opportunity to come together and share a love of reading, We also watched the live lesson on the BBC like hundreds of schools around the country. Miss Pringle came to Year 3 to read to the class in the afternoon and the children enjoyed seeing her in their classroom too. Your child has been given a World Book Day token. The £1 tokens and £1 books give all children the chance to experience choosing and owning a book – for free. So do encourage your child to take their token along to the relative shops to receive their free book.
We also did a book swap this afternoon. Some members of the class brought in a reading book and got one back in exchange! The children are keen to do this again…so please send in a reading book that your child no longer wants and your child should come home with another!
Wishing you a restful weekend!
Mrs Lines and Mrs McNamara
Home Learning
Next Friday, Year 3 are doing the St Patrick’s Assembly. They have been given their parts already and we would like them to practice them. Also, the class are singing two songs:
NB: Some children have mentioned that their accounts are working properly. I have been in touch with Mathletics and they are going to get back to me early next week. In the meantime, we hope that if your account is working, your child can complete the work set.
https://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_7516.jpg240320Margaret Joycehttp://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ppnewlogo.pngMargaret Joyce2024-03-08 16:20:062024-03-08 17:34:088th March 2024
We would first like to remind you that we have a class trip planned next Monday 4th March to Celtic Harmony. Please see the reminder below:
Year 3 Trip – Stone Age Day, Monday 4th March
The children in Year 3 are on a trip to a Stone Age Day at the Celtic Harmony Camp, as part of their creative topic for this term. The class will be travelling by coach to the Celtic Harmony Camp, Brickendon (near Hertford), Hertfordshire SG13 8NY and will be experiencing a range of exciting activities including:
Watching the Friction Fire lighting display
Gathering food in the forest and cooking with prehistoric herbs
Building their own woodland shelter.
Seeing the flint knapping demonstration, viewing a range of stone tools and hunting the mammoth!
We will be leaving school at 9.15am and expect to return to school before the end of the school day.
We will be outside all day so your child should wear their PE kit, with extra layers to keep warm. Your child should have a coat, gloves, a hat and scarf. Children can wear thick socks with their wellies/old trainers. Your child will also need to bring a packed lunch, with no glass bottles or fizzy drinks, and no nuts please.
This week in Maths the children have been working hard on subtraction with exchanging 10s for 1s and 100s for 10s. In English, we have begun our new unit based on the book Flotsam. The children built up their inference and deduction skills by searching though trays filled with flotsam that gave clues about a character.
In RE the class have spent time explaining what they already know about Lent and Holy Week as well as recalling the three practices of Lent. This week we have also launched our RE focus on the Stations of the Cross and Catholic Social Teaching (CST). Throughout Lent we will be emphasising a different CST principle each week, employing art as a medium for exploration. Following a launch assembly about this by Miss Donatantonio, the children contemplated the concept of “Care of Creation,” discussing and reflecting upon the painting below:
It was so lovely to hear how the children responded to this work of art on multiple levels.
Home Learning:
TTRs Log on and practise your 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 times tables.
Our final week has been a busy one, filled with some wonderful activities.
On Tuesday we celebrated Mardi Gras and made pancakes. The children showed fantastic cooking skills with the crepe maker.
On Wednesday, along with the rest of Key Stage 2, Year 3 attended the Ash Wednesday mass at OLSV. Thank you to Christian and Leonie who did the offertory so well. The children were reverent and sang beautifully throughout.
Today, the children shared their Lenten promises in class and attended house meetings about the fundraising we are planning.
It was wonderful to see you all at parents’ evenings this week to celebrate your children’s success and share their targets. We look forward to continuing to work together next half term.
Have a wonderful break
Mrs McNamara and Mrs Lines
The children have enjoyed learning a new song about The Stone Age Era. Here are the lyrics below if they wish to perform it to you. Unfortunately I cannot upload the music on here.
Now the weather’s warmer we don’t have to move around.
It’s the end of hunter gathering, it’s time to settle down.
We’re domesticating animals, we’re cultivating crops,
We’re producing more than we can store, we’re making lots of pots.
Nomadic no more, we’re living in the New Stone Age.
Oh, we’re farmers for sure, we’re living in the New Stone Age.
No more chasing animals, we’re taming them instead.
We’re building sturdy houses for the living and the dead.
We’re learning how to stitch and weave, we’re wearing handmade clothes,
And we look as sharp as the tools we carve from stone and flint and bone.
Nomadic no more, we’re living in the New Stone Age.
Oh, we’re farmers for sure, we’re living in the New Stone Age.
We’re learning how to get on with the neighbours. (Morning! Turned out nice again!)
We’re making rules to help to keep the peace. (Get off my menhir!)
We’re growing so much food we’ve got a surplus. (Mm, delicious einkorn, I’m stuffed!)
So some of us can choose a new career:
Potter! Weaver! Builder! Fighter! Leader! Artist! Priest!
Nomadic no more, we’re living in the New Stone Age.
Oh, we’re farmers for sure, we’re living in the New Stone Age.
We’re harvesting and sowing,
The population’s growing,
We’re giving up to-ing and fro-ing,
We’re staying put instead.
Nomadic no more, we’re living in the New Stone Age.
Oh, we’re farmers for sure, we’re living in the New Stone Age. No, no, nomadic no more, we’re living in the New Stone Age. Oh, we’re farmers for sure, we’re living in the New Stone Age. Living in the New Stone Age [x3]
https://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/lent.jpg381796Margaret Joycehttp://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ppnewlogo.pngMargaret Joyce2024-02-16 16:30:392024-02-16 17:24:10Friday 16th February 2024
On Tuesday, it was Safer Internet Day. Year 3 showed excellent knowledge about what they would do if they felt unsafe while online. Through a story about Digiduck, they explored the theme of being kind online and what they should and should not share. They also watched a live lesson streamed by the BBC which was viewed by hundreds of schools around the country.
Our Science learning about rocks developed this week by learning how fossils were formed. Year 3 drew the process in their books and also made their own cast fossils. They still need to dust away some of the playdough mould to gently excavate the fossil, much like real archaeologists.
In English, Year 3 have been writing up their final stories and showing off some beautiful handwriting.
In Maths the class have continued to explore division by grouping manipulatives and answering worded problems, They are working hard on understanding the correct vocabulary to apply the correct rule of number.
In RE, Year 3 have continued to learn more about what messages are given to us through the Exodus story and what the writer was trying to convey. They also learnt about what Passover was like in the time of Jesus.
In History the children have started to explore the Neolithic Era (New Stone Age Era) and have started to find out about Skara Brae. Their own research in this area has enhanced group discussion immensely. They have also learnt a new song about this era. In computing this afternoon the children explored Scratch, combining sound commands and ordering notes into a sequence…the classroom was noisy with many tunes this afternoon!
We look forward to seeing you all next week at parent consultations. If you have not had the opportunity to book, please log on and do so.
Have a wonderful weekend
Mrs Lines and Mrs McNamara
Home Learning
Please bring in a small plastic plant pot next week as we will be planting bulbs in them.
Spellingshed
Mathletics – complete the tasks set.
TTRs and continue to learn the 3 and 4 times tables.
https://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_7367.jpg640640Margaret Joycehttp://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ppnewlogo.pngMargaret Joyce2024-02-09 16:30:462024-02-09 16:55:19Friday 9th February 2024
