Forest School Fun!

The children are loving the opportunity to have some sessions in Forest School! During our collective worship last week, we were discussing Creativity, one of our school values. We looked at some pictures by an incredible artist and sculptor called Andy Goldsworthy, who creates art from the natural world around him.  Inspired by this, the children created their own stunning natural masterpieces in the woodland.  I'm sure you will agree that the artist himself would be proud of these incredible examples - just brilliant!

Mrs Ryker :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Science - Rocks      15.1.26

This term, linked to our fabulous topic of 'Extreme Earth', the children are learning all about Rocks! 

We embarked on a full-scale investigation of grouping Rocks according to their properties. Before starting the experiment, the children made predictions and thought about their method. We also talked about what a 'Fair Test' is. They then worked in small groups with 8 different types of rock to determine the appearance, the permeability, the durability (using vinegar to replicate acid rain) and the hardness of each one (by scratching the surface with a nail). The children did really well learning all this new scientific vocabulary! Please enjoy the slideshow of photos below to see how brilliantly the children worked together in their groups, as they made their discoveries! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 2026!

I hope that you all had a wonderful break with families and friends.

I am so looking forward to teaching the children this Spring Term - I have lots of exciting learning in store!

Please do look at the documents below as they contain important information with regard to the Spring Term. The KIRFS (Key Instant Recall Facts) are very useful for keeping basic maths skills ticking over at home.

You will also find the Home Learning 'Buffet' Grid and each week's Spelling sheets in this section too.

*Please be advised that the P.E. days have stayed the same this term, being on a Monday and a Tuesday for the first half-term.

Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Mrs Ryker :)

 

A Christmas Message

Dear all,

First of all, may I say an enormous thank you for the very kind gifts, both collective and individual, that you and the children have so kindly given me. They will look very festive under my Christmas Tree! The children had a lovely chilled day, enjoying a movie with popcorn!

What an absolutely wonderful term it has been! The fantastic children in Nightingale Class have all worked so hard, so happily and with such amazing commitment. I have not set any Spellings over the holiday but the children will benefit from continuing to practise their x2, x5 and x10 Times Tables and specifically  x3, x4, x8 too, as these will form part of their Multiplication and Division Maths topic in January. Contained in their gift, the children have a sheet detailing some other essential tasks for the break! 

I hope that you all have a fantastic break with some real downtime and here's to a healthy and Happy New Year. Merry Christmas to you all!

With Love and Best Wishes 

Mrs Ryker  :)

Iron Age Crimewatch AD50! Who killed the 52 bodies at Maiden Castle? December 2025

As a culmination to their fabulous History topic this term, the Nightingales became archaeological detectives to solve the Iron Age mystery. They were given just the briefest of background information before being let loose to explore the evidence. 

The children worked really well, collaborating and discussing the evidence before deciding on which was the most likely theory!

 

Spellings for Autumn 2 and Home Learning Buffet Grid

Year 3 Cake Sale - 15.10.25

I want to extend a big 'thank you' to all parents who contributed such wonderful cakes to our cake sale this week! As you can see from the photos, a huge effort was made and there were some brilliant themed cakes too! The total raised was £220 - well done everyone!

Scintillating Science Investigations - Autumn Term 1 2025

The children have had fun with their science investigations this half-term!

In our 'Light and Shadows' topic, we have been looking at whether objects or materials are transparent, translucent or opaque.  

We've also learned how shadows are formed and we investigated whether different translucent, opaque and transparent materials and objects cast dark or light shadows or no shadows at all.  In addition, investigations were launched to determine how shadows change throughout the day and how the distance of a light source affects the size of a shadow. The children also did brilliantly in honing their measuring skills too!

Enjoy the photos from our dynamic sessions!

Mrs Ryker 

RE - Rangoli Patterns 22.9.25

The children are  learning about Diwali and, as part of this, they enjoyed finding out about Rangoli patterns. Rangoli is a type of art that started in India and is made up of beautiful coloured patterns. During Diwali, rangoli patterns are created at the entrance to people’s homes to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Coloured rice, vibrant powders, flower, leaves and lentils can be used to create these patterns.

The children created their patterns with coloured chalk on our playground.

Aren't they stunning?

Mrs Ryker 

����Open Day at Windsor Great Park - 11.9.25����

Today Year 3 and 4 had an incredible time at the Windsor Great Park Schools Open Day. It was a day packed full of hands-on learning and amazing discoveries!

�� The Gardens Team challenged pupils with a “Guess where from?” plant game, sparking curiosity about geography, botany and the wider world.

�� With the Forestry Team, children tried out real forestry skills, explored tools, and even spotted some impressive forest machinery.

�� We stopped halfway through for a well-earned lunch break, giving everyone a chance to refuel before the afternoon’s adventures.

�� The Buildings Team gave us a taste of traditional skills such as tiling, plumbing, and glazing, showing how craftsmanship shapes the buildings we see every day.

�� At Russell’s Barn, the Farms Team introduced the children to cows, calves, pigs and lambs, while sharing how to care for animals on a farm.

⛑️ The children then took part in a First Aid and Fire Safety workshop, learning important life skills like CPR as well as how to stay safe around fire.

�� And the grand finale — a tractor-pulled trailer tour of Windsor Great Park itself, complete with a fascinating live narration about the history, wildlife, and wonders of the park.

A huge thank you to Windsor Great Park and all the teams who made this day so engaging, educational, and memorable for our pupils. ��

Mrs Ryker 

Welcome to new Nightingales and Parents!

I'd like to welcome all parents, carers and children to the Nightingale Class Page and also to the brand new school year! 

On this page you will find lots of relevant information, documentation, as well as news and photos of what the children have been doing in class, so please do pop by regularly! In due course, I will add really useful documents below, which will give you lots of information about different aspects of your child's learning in Year 3, including our daily timetable and the Autumn Topic Overview.

**Please note that P.E. days for Year 3 will be Monday and Tuesday.**

It's fantastic to get started and to get to know all of you! We look forward to a very happy and successful year. 

Mrs Ryker 

Maths

I have provided the Key Instant Recall Facts (KIRFS) for Year 3 - Autumn 1 and Autumn 2 below. Daily practice of these will help to improve your child's mental calculation skills.  Your child has also brought home a hard copy of these.  I will post new KIRFS every term, so please do pop back!

Times Tables

It is expected that children learn their Times Tables as an important part of their Home Learning each week. This supports all aspects of their maths learning, not least when we specifically learn about multiplication and division. This learning also prepares children in good time for the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check.  A fantastic way for your child to practise their times tables is on the online resource ‘Times Tables Rock Stars’ (TTRS), which you may already be familiar with.

It is helpful if the children learn their times tables in the following order:

2, 10, 5, 3, 4, 6, 8, 7, 9, 11, 12

This is in line with the order they are taught in the curriculum.  6 and 8 come before 7 and 9 because we teach the children that they are double the 3 and 4 times tables. Please note that learning a times table also involves learning the linked division facts.

For example: 3 x 4 = 12, 12 ÷ 3 = 4 and 12 ÷ 4 = 3.

As you are aware, each child has their own individual login for TTRS, which they can access from home on a suitable device (computer, phone or tablet). I have sent home another copy of these (along with a reminder of their Purple Mash login.)

 

Reading

In Year 3, it is our expectation that children should please be reading every day as part of their homework.  Wherever possible, this should involve reading to/with an adult and, although this may only be for a short time, it is vital for your child's progress. In addition to supporting word reading and comprehension of the books being read, we would love you to encourage your child to develop a real passion for reading.  To support the choosing of appropriate books, please find some recommended texts for Year 3 children below.

Spelling

Each week, (starting next week), your child will bring home a sheet with the week's spellings. The idea is that they practise these spellings daily please. This work does not need to be handed in. We will also practise these spellings daily in school as one of our morning tasks. The children will then have a spelling test every Monday.

Please see below for lists of the Years 1&2 and Years 3&4 Common Exception Words, as well as some useful tips for supporting your child when practising spelling.