Croeso i Blwyddyn  2 – Turtles Mr Wedlake

Autumn Term 2026

A very warm welcome back! I hope you have all had a wonderful summer break. I am really looking forward to the year ahead, getting to know the children and sharing lots of exciting learning experiences together in Turtles Class.

Our class Teaching Assistant this year will be Mrs. Thomas-Penn, and together we are looking forward to supporting the children with their learning, development and wellbeing throughout Year 2.

We have already started talking about our new topic, View from My Window, and the children are very excited to begin exploring it! We will be thinking about what we can see around us, our local area and how the world around us has changed over time.

View From My Window

Here’s a little insight into some of the learning we will be doing this half term:

Literacy- Our Literacy learning will focus on Information as a genre. We will be finding out how information texts are organised and learning how to gather, organise and communicate facts clearly.

Maths- We will be developing our understanding of place value and exploring addition and subtraction. We will use practical resources, games and problem-solving activities to help us develop confidence with numbers and explain our mathematical thinking.

Humanities- Our Humanities learning will link closely with our View from My Window topic. We will be developing our map skills, exploring our local area and learning how to use and understand different types of maps. We will also investigate old photographs to compare our local area in the past with how it looks today.

Expressive Arts- We will be exploring a variety of drawing and painting techniques, experimenting with different materials and ways of creating artwork. We will also look at local artists from around the Gower, taking inspiration from the landscapes and places around us.

READING

Reading is such an important skill at this age, and we really appreciate your support at home.
Please continue to:

• Listen to your child read regularly, and read to them as often as you can – this helps build their love of stories, language and learning.
• Encourage your child to predict what might happen next in the story and summarise what they have read at the end of the session to check for understanding.

I will listen to the children read regularly in school and their reading books will be changed weekly.

Please return your child’s reading book and reading record every Wednesday, so that we can change the book and check progress. It will be sent home by Friday of that week at the latest. If you forget to send the book, just pop it in the next day. Thank you!

P.E.

P.E. will take place every Friday this half term and will focus on gymnastics.
Please send your child to school dressed in their P.E. kit.

To ensure your child is comfortable and prepared for all weather, please make sure they have:

• A jumper or zip-up jacket
• Jogging bottoms or leggings
• Trainers

All items should be clearly labelled with your child’s name. Thank you for your support!

OUTDOOR LEARNING

At Hendrefoilan, we are so lucky to have our wonderful forest area, Coed Cadno. We try and utilise the area as much as we possibly can.

Outdoor learning will be on a Friday. Please send your child into school dressed in appropriate clothing and ensure your child has a coat / waterproofs and wellies if necessary, for this day. Our cloakroom is limited on space, so I will not be keeping any outdoor learning clothes in school.

SNACKS / WATER BOTTLES

I believe it’s really important that children stay hydrated throughout the day. Please provide your child with a labelled water bottle.

Children may also bring a healthy snack in a small container to enjoy during morning break. Snacks will be kept in school bags, but please make sure any containers are clearly labelled with your child’s name.

Thank you for helping us promote healthy habits!

IMPORTANT DATES

Kerbcraft Training- commences Monday 14th September and will continue every Monday until the training is complete.

How to Teach Phonics Parent Workshop- Monday 12th October

HALF TERM – Monday 26th October- Friday 30th October

If you have any worries, questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

Mr Wedlake & Mrs Thomas-Penn

Turtles Home Learning 

Our exciting new home learning menu has been sent home and is also available to view below.

The home learning can come into school or can be shared via email at wedlaket12@hwbcymru.net. Your child’s work will be shared and celebrated within class time and is a highlight for all.

Thank you for your continued support.