This week Crew Hamilton got out and about in the school grounds. We followed arrows on the floor, stoped at crosses and counted our steps to find a range of letters that we needed to unscramble to crack the secret code.
Today, Class 5 built on yesterday’s learning by taking part in purposeful critique. With sketchbooks open and first drafts in front of us, we carefully revisited our work and gave feedback that was kind, helpful and specific. Everyone listened thoughtfully, asked questions and showed real respect for each other’s ideas.
Using this critique, we then began our second drafts. You could see pupils making deliberate changes — adjusting shapes, refining lines and thinking carefully about composition. The improvements were thoughtful and intentional, showing just how powerful feedback can be when it is used well.
We also transferred these critique skills into our writing, as we began our non-chronological reports about Conisbrough Castle. Just like in our artwork, we edited and improved as we went along, rereading our sentences, making changes and strengthening our work in real time. This process required honesty and integrity, and the children supported one another brilliantly, offering feedback with care and respect.
Class 5 continue to show that critique isn’t about pointing out mistakes — it’s about helping each other grow, whether as artists, writers or as a crew.
This week, Class 5 revisited Austin’s Butterfly, focusing on the power of critique and redrafting. We reminded ourselves what makes great critique truly helpful — it should always be kind, specific and supportive, with the clear purpose of helping each other improve.
Before putting pencil to paper, we spent time looking carefully at Conisbrough Castle through an artist’s eye. We asked thoughtful questions together:
What shapes can we see?
What do the lines need to look like?
Would our sketchbooks work better in landscape or portrait?
These discussions helped us slow down, observe more closely and make deliberate choices before we began.
We then got busy on our first drafts. They are strong starts — thoughtful, detailed and full of effort — but we know they aren’t perfect yet. That’s exactly where the learning lives. Tomorrow, we’re looking forward to giving and receiving careful critique, using each other’s feedback to refine our work and create even stronger second drafts.
Class 5 are learning that great art (and great learning) doesn’t happen in one go — it happens through reflection, feedback and the courage to improve.
Today in Maths, we continued to practise making different amounts using coins and notes. The children worked together in pairs, exploring different ways to make the same total and explaining their thinking to each other.
There was lots of brilliant teamwork on show, with children showing respect by listening carefully and compassion by supporting their partners when they found something tricky. It was lovely to see everyone encouraging one another and celebrating success together. A great lesson full of collaboration and mathematical thinking!
Class 5 have been working incredibly hard in Maths today as they consolidated their learning from last week. Using real coins, the children worked practically to make different amounts, discussing their ideas and supporting one another along the way. It was wonderful to see so much teamwork and resilience as they tried different combinations and checked their answers.
Later in the session, we used the iPads to continue our learning through a range of Maths games. The children showed great integrity by challenging themselves, choosing different games and levels of difficulty to really push their understanding.
A fantastic effort from everyone today – well done, Class 5! 🌟
What a fantastic way to finish our Hook Week!
This morning we were delighted to welcome so many of our grown-ups into school to join us for a games morning. The children loved sharing their favourite board games, explaining the rules and, most importantly, playing together with friends and family. There was lots of laughter, teamwork and friendly competition – a really joyful atmosphere to end a busy and exciting week.
As well as being great fun, the morning also helped us begin important conversations about togetherness, fairness and belonging. Playing games gave the children opportunities to take turns, listen to others, negotiate rules and support one another – all skills that link beautifully to our new expedition.
Our guiding question for this expedition is:
“Diverse Doncaster – Where do I belong?”
Over the coming weeks, the children will be exploring what makes Doncaster special, the many different people and communities who live here, and how we all belong in our own unique ways. The games morning was a lovely starting point, showing how shared activities can bring people together and help us feel connected.
As the expedition develops, the children will be working towards a final product that celebrates Doncaster, our community and our sense of belonging. We can’t wait to share more details as their ideas and learning grow.
Thank you so much to all the adults who joined us this morning – your support really does make experiences like this extra special. It was the perfect way to round off Hook Week and launch us into an exciting new learning journey together.
This afternoon KS1 had a very exciting visit with a very special expert – a professional game designer and creator – who shared their fascinating world of board games with our students.
During the visit, expanded on their hook week knowledge and the children learned about the materials that go into making a board game, from the colorful cards to the intricate game boards and even the tiny tokens that make playing so much fun. Our guest also explained the step-by-step process of creating a board game, from the initial idea and design to the final product.
It was an inspiring visit that encouraged our students to think creatively, work collaboratively, and see the exciting possibilities in designing and playing games. We are definitely very excited to get stuck in with our product now!!
This week, we discovered that for one of our case studies we are going to be scientists — and we wasted no time getting started!
Yesterday, the children took part in a materials carousel, exploring a range of different materials. We focused on developing scientific vocabulary and identifying key properties such as hard, flexible, waterproof and smooth. The children handled each material carefully, talked about what they noticed and began to explain why different materials are suitable for different purposes.
Today, we applied that learning in a more practical way. Working together, the children explored a variety of different games, thinking carefully about what materials they were made from and why those materials had been chosen. There was lots of thoughtful discussion as children justified their ideas using the scientific vocabulary they had been learning.
Class Five don’t know it yet, but all of this research is going to play a really important role in our next expedition — and in shaping our final product. An exciting start to our scientific journey!
This week, our class have been busy designing and creating their very own Character Traits Top Trumps cards – and they’ve been a huge hit!
The children began by revisiting the character traits that are important to us as a class, such as kindness, courage, integrity and compassion. We talked about what these traits really mean, what they look like in action, and why they matter both in school and beyond.
Each child then chose traits to feature on their cards, carefully thinking about how strong each one was and justifying their choices. This sparked lots of brilliant discussion, reflection and respectful debate, as children explained why one trait might score higher than another and shared examples from real life.
Once complete, the children enjoyed playing their games together, practising turn-taking, fair play and clear communication – all while celebrating positive character traits. It was lovely to see how proud they were of their creations and how confidently they could talk about the values behind them.
As part of hook week, the cards also included a subtle clue about what our next expedition might be — and the children are already full of theories!
A fantastic mix of creativity, thinking and character development – well done, everyone!
Today, our Year 2 children launched their new expedition, with an exciting, hands-on science afternoon.
We began with a story called The Little House Made of Everything, which helped children think about the different materials used in buildings and everyday objects. As we explored the house together, children discussed why walls are made from brick, why windows are made from glass, and what might happen if a house was made from just one material.
The children then took part in a Feel and Describe activity, where they explored a range of everyday materials including wood, plastic, metal, glass, rock and card. Using their sense of touch, they described how each material felt, using words such as hard, soft, smooth and rough.
Another activity challenged children to find out whether materials could change shape. They tested materials by squashing, bending, twisting and stretching them, and talked about which materials changed easily and which stayed the same.
One of the highlights was our Build a Job challenge. Children looked at real-life photos of houses, bridges, chairs and windows and decided which material would be best for each job. They shared their ideas confidently, explaining their choices using scientific language and clear reasoning.
To finish the afternoon, children explored their own classroom, identifying objects and naming the materials they were made from. This helped them connect their science learning to the place where they belong every day.
It was a fantastic start to our expedition — full of curiosity, thoughtful talk and hands-on learning. We’re excited to keep building on this as we continue to explore our community and the world around us.
