Archive - Year 2 2025/6

Southend Educational Visit

On Friday 19th June 2026, Year 2 enjoyed a fantastic trip to Southend Beach to conclude our Geography topic, At the Seaside. We began the day with a visit to the Sealife Centre, where the children were fascinated by the wide variety of marine animals. Our favourite exhibits included the playful penguins, the impressive sharks and the graceful stingrays.

In the afternoon, we made the most of the beautiful weather by spending time on the beach. The children had great fun paddling in the sea, blowing bubbles, enjoying delicious ice creams and, to make the day even more special, singing "Happy Birthday" to Clayton. 

It was a wonderful day filled with laughter, excitement and memorable experiences. The children represented St. Francis beautifully with their excellent behaviour, and we hope they will look back on this trip as one of their happiest memories of their time in Year 2.

 

May 2026

This half term, Year 2 have been thoroughly enjoying their Science topic on plants. We have carried out two investigations over the half term and have been recording our results each day/week. 

Our first investigation was looking at when a seed starts to grow. We put 4 seeds on a piece of wet paper towel inside a clear plastic bag. We then attached the plastic bag to the window so that the seeds would get lots of light. We observed our seeds every day for 7 days and noted down the changes that we observed. The first shoots appeared on day 2 which we were very excited about! We have included photos of Mason and Arlia's seed diaries for you to see.

Our second investigation was looking at what conditions help a plant to grow well. We could choose from two different investigations, water or light. We decided to investigate if a plant grows better with or without light. To set up our experiment, Mrs Willsher bought 2 identical plants. We watered both plants with the same amount of water and then put one on the windowsill and one in the cupboard. We predicted which plant we thought would grow best and drew a picture of each plant at the start of our investigation. We left the plants for one week and then observed them both. We noticed the plant on the windowsill had 4 buds and one pink flower. The plant in the cupboard had only one flower and it was white instead of pink. We recorded our findings and then put the plants back. We are really excited to observe them again just before half term and see what has changed. We have included photos of Zachary, Safia, Saoirse and Molly's recordings. 

Well done Year 2 on being super scientists!

March 2026 

This half term, Year 2 have been thoroughly enjoying their History topic all about the Great Fire of London. We began by exploring London past and present, helping the children to develop an awareness of how the city has changed over time. They loved comparing old pictures of London with what it looks like today and spotting the differences!

We then moved on to learning about life in the 17th century. The children were fascinated to discover how different everyday life was in 1666 compared to now. They explored homes, jobs and daily routines, and had some brilliant discussions about what they would and wouldn’t enjoy about living in the past.

Our learning then focused on the key events of the Great Fire of London. The children worked hard to understand what happened and practised putting the events in the correct order. They showed great enthusiasm and curiosity, asking thoughtful questions and demonstrating a growing understanding of this important historical event.

We also explored how we know about the Great Fire. The children learned about different sources of information, including diaries and historical records. They were particularly interested in how people from the past recorded events and how this helps us learn today.

Later, we looked at what happened after the Great Fire and how London changed as a result. The children were able to explain some of the improvements that were made and how these changes helped make London safer.

To finish the unit, the children reflected on everything they had learned, describing London before, during and after the fire. We have been incredibly impressed with how much knowledge they have gained and how confidently they can talk about it.

In Guided Reading, we have been enjoying a range of reading comprehensions linked to our topic. The children have worked hard on developing their understanding skills, including retrieving information and answering questions in full sentences. It has been wonderful to see their confidence growing.

We would also like to say a big thank you for your continued support with homework. It really makes a difference to the children’s learning. We have been especially impressed with the fabulous houses the children have created at home—so much creativity and effort has gone into them!

Well done, Year 2, for another fantastic half term of learning!

 

February 2026 

 

Expressive Art

This Spring term, Year 2 have been developing their understanding of expressive art, where the focus is on looking closely, exploring ideas and enjoying the creative process, rather than aiming for perfect results. The children have been inspired by the work of Charlie French, Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh. Through drawing and painting, pupils learned how artists respond to everyday subjects using colour, shape and brushwork. They also explored colour mixing, blending primary colours to create secondary colours, and using these expressively in their artwork. It has been wonderful to see the children’s confidence, focus and enjoyment grow throughout the term.

Sensational Safari!

During our Sensational Safari topic, the children have enjoyed learning about Kenya and the Maasai Mara. We explored what a National Park is and why these protected areas are important for wildlife and the enviroment. The children learned about the Maasai tribe, discovering aspects of their culture and traditions, and comparing daily life in Kenya with their own experiences. We also looked at what life can be like for children living in Kenya, helping pupils develop curiosity, respect and understanding of different ways of life. As part of the topic, the children learned some Swahili words, including hello (Jambo) and thank you (Asante), which they enjoyed using in class. We shared and enjoyed stories from Tinga Tinga Tales, which explore traditional African-style tales explaining how animals got their special features.

 

December 2025

This half term, we have explored some of the key beliefs and deepened our understanding of the Christmas story. The children have worked with enthusiasm, curiosity, and great reverence as we journeyed together through our unit on Mary, Advent and the birth of Jesus.

We began by learning that Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. The children reflected thoughtfully on Mary’s courage and trust when she said “yes” to God. Together, we talked about how we can also say “yes” to God in our own lives by choosing to live like Jesus and Mary. The children shared wonderful examples of what this looks like in practice—helping others, being kind, giving to charity, and remembering to speak to God in prayer. This led to some class discussions about the choices we make and how small acts of love can make a big difference.

As we moved on to the Nativity story, we focused on our belief that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. One of the highlights of the term was our group project where the children worked collaboratively to create model representations of Bethlehem using construction bricks. They took great care considering the journey Mary and Joseph made—the distance they travelled, how long it may have taken them, and how they might have felt along the way. We also enjoyed singing the much-loved song “Little Donkey,” which helped us imagine Mary riding patiently on her journey.

During Advent, we learned that this season is a time of waiting and preparing for Jesus’ coming. The children observed that in many Nativity scenes, the manger remains empty until Christmas Day, reminding us that we are waiting for Jesus’ birth. To help us reflect on this important message, the children created their own small mangers using lolly sticks and hay. These simple but meaningful crafts encouraged them to think about patience, hope, and the joy that comes with anticipating something precious.

We concluded our learning with our wonderful Nativity performance, I’m Gonna Shine. The children sang beautifully and retold the story of Jesus’ birth with such respect and understanding. We were incredibly proud of their confidence and the care they showed in portraying this special story. A huge thank you also goes to Mrs Stone for her support in helping the children learn the songs so well.

As we come to the end of this busy term, we would like to wish you all a peaceful New Year. Thank you for your continued support - we look forward to an exciting term ahead.

 

October 2025 

 

Science

This term in Science, our class has been exploring the fascinating topic of "Animals and Living Things." Our learning journey focused on understanding the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive. The children have done a fantastic job investigating and asking questions to deepen their understanding of the natural world around them.

We spent time learning how animals and plants are suited to the habitats they live in, and how those habitats provide for their basic needs. The children identified a variety of animals and plants in different environments, including some very exciting discoveries in microhabitats around the school grounds! 

Earlier this week, we had an incredible outdoor learning experience at Danbury Country Park. The children explored a range of natural habitats and worked together brilliantly during our team challenge to build dens — a fun and creative way to end our Science unit. They demonstrated fantastic teamwork and applied their learning to real-life environments.

This unit has been a great opportunity for pupils to engage with nature, build curiosity, and work together as scientists. We are so proud of their enthusiasm and the knowledge they have gained.

Art

This term in Art, Year 2 has been exploring the exciting world of collaborative creativity. We've discovered that art doesn’t always begin with a pencil or paintbrush — it can be made with all sorts of materials!

The children have enjoyed working with string, clay, and natural resources to create imaginative group pieces. Much of this work has taken place outdoors, where the space and surroundings have inspired the children to move, explore, and work together.

Learning outside has provided the perfect environment for these activities — offering both natural materials and the freedom to experiment. It’s been wonderful to see the children express themselves in new ways and discover that art can happen anywhere!

PE

This term, the children have enjoyed a fantastic variety of physical activities in PE. We’ve been fortunate to welcome specialist rugby coaches into school, who have supported the development of key skills such as coordination, teamwork, and spatial awareness through fun, energetic sessions.

In addition, a specialist dance teacher has been leading ballet lessons, introducing the children to the discipline and expression of dance. These sessions have helped improve posture, balance, and musicality, while giving pupils a chance to explore movement in a creative way.