Year 1

Friday 11th September 2026

Dear Parents,

Well done to all the children for completing their first full week in Year 1. The transition into Year 1 is a big one and all the children are doing remarkably well getting used to the new routines, lesson structure and surroundings. We are very proud of them!

This week, along with all the other children in the school, we explored the book Quest by Aaron Becker. It is a book with no words but with many detailed illustrations. The children loved looking at the pictures, understanding the story and retelling it themselves. In one lesson the children designed their own magic door and in another they thought about what they might pack if they went on a quest of their own.

In maths we reviewed number formation and spent time practising the correct way to write the digits. We also looked at how we can sort sets of objects, for example by colour, size and object.

In science the children thought about the four seasons and sorted some items into the relevant seasons. We reviewed the names of the four seasons and the different weather associated with each. When sorting the items, we weren’t sure where to put the rain cloud and decided it could go in every season!

We had a wonderful first morning at Forest School yesterday. It was so lovely to watch the children play and explore.

We had our first music lesson this week together with Year 2 and we began by singing some songs in preparation for Rosh Hashanah. We are very excited that Years 1 and 2 will be participating in the Barnet Infant Music Festival later this term. During our lessons, we will be learning songs all related to the story “The Koala Who Could” by Rachel Bright. This week we began learning the song “Can Do Avenue.” This is a very exciting opportunity for the children and more details will be sent once they are finalised.

Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova Umetukah.

The Year 1 Team

Friday 4th September 2026

Dear Parents,

It has been wonderful to welcome the children back after the summer holidays. They have all grown so much over the break and they have made a fantastic start to their transition from the EYU building into the main school. We are so proud of how well they have settled in. We also are happy to welcome Hanna to the class. The children have made her feel very welcome.

This week, we have been talking all about our summer holidays. A big thank you to everyone who sent in a photograph of their holiday adventures and the children have really enjoyed sharing their experiences with the class.

We have also started talking about what it means to be a Mensch. This is part of our whole-school How To Be A Mensch programme, which takes place once a term and encourages the children to think about how we can be kind, caring and considerate towards others.

The children were excited to learn about our Aleph Champ reading programme, which they will be starting after the Chagim. They were also introduced to their first Year 1 Parasha lesson, learning about Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelech. We learnt about Moshe preparing Bnei Yisrael before they entered Eretz Yisrael, and the important message that every one of us has a special part to play in our Jewish community.

The children have created some wonderful self portraits. We are really looking forward to displaying these and sharing them with you at our Meet The Teacher evening, next Tuesday 8th September at 6.45pm.