Livingstone Newsletter
February Week 4
Friday 27th February
World Book Day Celebrations
Next week we are celebrating World Book Day with a variety of fun activities linked to reading. Information on the week's activities have been emailed to you separately. One of the activities is the launch of our world book day 'Wonky Bar' on Friday 6th March....
🍫🎩✨ Step into Our World Book Day WONKY‑Ful Adventure! ✨🎩🍫
Behold our World Book Day Wonky Bar!
Some hide tickets wrapped in gold,
With prizes waiting to be told.
On March the 6th, they’re sold,
(just try to keep your excitement controlled!)
If you’re the type who likes to plan,
Pre‑order from Monday in the ARBOR Shop—oh yes you can!
They’re £2.50—quite the deal. But here’s the rule (to keep things real): Just two per child, no more, no fuss—
So grab a bar, take a peek…
A golden win might make your week!
✨🎩🍫Good luck! May your bars be chocolatey and your tickets be golden! ✨🎩🍫
Remember for World Book Day, Thursday 5th March. Children can dress up as a book character or in pyjamas.
If your child would like to take part in our Book Swap for World Book Day, they have been given an A3 piece of paper to wrap and decorate a book they no longer wish to keep. On the paper, children will draw clues about their chosen book so that others can try to guess the mystery book inside. By donating a book, your child will then be able to choose a different wrapped book to take home in return.
Parent Champions Coffee Morning
Nursery
Welcome back everyone! We hope you had a lovely half term break and are feeling refreshed and ready for Spring 2.
This week we have continued learning about Lunar New Year. The children thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story of the Great Race and have taken part in lots of activities focused on retelling the story and exploring initial letter sounds.
To support their fine motor development, the children made pasta and cheerio necklaces and spent time strengthening their fingers with playdough activities.
Alongside Lunar New Year, we also celebrated Pancake Day. The children made healthy choices by selecting fruit to decorate their pancakes. Some created happy faces using fruit and we had lovely discussions about different feelings and facial expressions.
In Maths, we explored patterns using both colours and sounds. The children practised creating repeating patterns such as tap, clap, tap, clap and extended colour patterns using different objects.
Talking Homework Suggestions
To support your child’s learning at home, you could:
- Retell the Great Race: Ask your child if they can remember any of the animals in the race. Who won? Can they tell you what happened at the beginning, middle and end?
- Create Patterns Together: Try making simple repeating patterns with toys, socks, fruit or sounds (clap, tap, stomp). Can your child spot the pattern? Can they continue it?
- Talk About Feelings: Make different facial expressions in the mirror together. Can your child name the feeling? When do they feel happy, sad, excited or worried?
Kingfisher Early Years & Nurture
Welcome back everyone, we hope you enjoyed your half term break and are ready for Spring 2!
In both classrooms this week we have continued the theme of Lunar New Year, the children have enjoyed the story of the great race and have completed lots of activities around retelling, initial letters and word recognition. They have worked on their fine motor skills with modelling, colouring and collaging.
The year of the horse has inspired the Fun with Food sessions, we made horseshoe bread and animal biscuits.
The sensory story this week was inspired by our recent wet weather, 'Molly and her Jolly Brolly.'
Reception
Reception have had a very good week back after half term and have settled very well. This week we started exploring the story ‘Farmer Duck’ and have been learning about what a farm is and talking about what you would see on a farm. We have also been talking about Dentists and how important it is to look after our teeth, sharing our experiences of visiting the Dentist as a class.
Yesterday, Reception were very lucky to take part in a ‘Cupcake decorating workshop’ hosted by our catering company ISS. The children really enjoyed piping their ready- made cakes with icing and covering them in sprinkles. They especially enjoyed eating them afterwards!
Next week we have a very exciting week with World Book Day on Thursday - information about the day has been emailed separately. Have a lovely weekend!
Year 1
We have had a fantastic first week back. In Maths, the children have been developing their subtraction skills using mental methods and number lines to support their understanding. In Phonics, we are continuing to follow the Read Write Inc programme. Our writing this week in English has been inspired by the changing season of spring. The children have enjoyed reading a range of spring themed poems and practising performing them with expression. They have also begun using their senses to describe the sights, sounds, and feelings of spring. This learning links closely with our science topic on seasonal changes. We went on a local walk to the woods, where the children observed how trees and plants change throughout the seasons and we have started a weather record to track changes.
Homework
Maths- 61 and 62
This week's awards go to Charlotte for her great observations and insights in Science and Defne for her great efforts in Phonics and improvements with her handwriting.
Year 2
In Maths this week in Year 2, we have been learning about the 10 x table and learning how to divide by 10. We have also been exploring odd and even numbers. In English, we have begun our new book, 'Mrs Armitage on Wheels'. We've been making predictions and inferences about what the book could be about and practising different grammar techniques: verbs, adverbs, possessive apostrophes and suffixes. In the afternoon lessons, we have been learning about vehicles in Design and Technology. We've been exploring a range of wheeled products and identifying a wheel, axle and chassis. We have also designed and begun to make our own moving vehicles. On Thursday, Year 2 were also lucky enough to have a Cupcake Decorating Workshop hosted by the school catering company ISS!
Homework
Maths: Pages 61 and 62 (page 63 optional challenge but please try to have a go!)
English: Pages 50, 51, 52 and 53.
Please see the details in the Newsletter all about World Book Day, including dressing up and the Book Swap!
The first achievement award goes to Leslie for her enthusiasm in DT and excellent behaviour for learning. The second award goes to Khloe for her positive attitude and kindness towards others.
Kingfisher 1
In Maths, we have been learning to count in 2s, 5s and 10s. The children confidently counted in multiples of two, five and ten, and used Dienes to build two-digit numbers. This helped them to understand place value and recognise tens and ones in different numbers.
In English, we began exploring stories from different cultures. We started with Handa’s Surprise. The children thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story and taking part in role play, pretending to carry Handa’s basket on their heads. They used colourful semantics to help build sentences and retell the story, focusing on using full sentences with clear structure.
Please see the details in the Newsletter all about World Book Day, including dressing up and the Book Swap!
This week’s award goes to King for his excellent reading and his independent retelling of stories using colourful semantics. Well done, King!
Year 3
Our first week of swimming was a great way to start the second half of the Spring Term. Year 3 are becoming more independent getting ready for our lessons and are trying their best to improve their swimming skills. We began our English lessons by acting out the nasty tricks Mr. and Mrs. Twit played on each other. The children used excellent expression and the key vocabulary from the text. We look forward to continuing to learn the grammar that will lead to our own narratives inspired by The Twits. R.E. lessons have been filled with excellent discussions about different world views on Creation.
Homework:
Maths - Practise your 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 times tables on TTRockstars
English - Comprehension p 24 and 25
Please note that World Book Day is next Thursday 5th March. Please have the children come into school in their school uniform so we can change for swimming easily. If they want to dress up as a book character or wear pyjamas, they need to bring it in a bag so that they can get changed independently after lunch.
Achievement awards go to Denat and Dajjen for their determination and excellent listening during swimming lessons. Well done on your progress this week!
Year 4
Year 4 have started this half-term very well. In English, the children have written their non-chronological report about volcanoes. In Maths, the children have started fractions and have impressed us with their knowledge so far.
In the afternoons, the children have started Design and Technology. They will be using their knowledge from electrical circuits in Science to make a torch for Mr Sudbury. So far, they have designed three different types of switches and tested them with an electrical circuit and designed a torch they think would have all Mr Sudbury’s required features. Next week. they will make the torch!
Homework
Maths – pages 62 and 63
Reading – pages 30 and 31
Times Table sheet and please, read daily.
Please see the details in the Newsletter all about World Book Day, including dressing up and the Book Swap!
This week’s achievement awards go to Nirvani and Alex for their well-thought-out torch designs in D&T. Well done to you both!
Year 5
This week in Maths, the children learned about percentages meaning 'per 100' and how to find equivalences with fractions and decimals.
In English, we focused on Michael from Kensuke's Kingdom, looking at how the author wrote his feelings, actions and emotions. They also analysed letters ready for writing their own letter in a few weeks.
In Science, we started learning about Earth and Space with a trip to the Science Museum. The children have been very enthusiastic about this topic so far. They've learned how our Solar System has 8 planets that orbit the Sun.
Homework due by Weds 4th March
Maths: pages 68 and 69 (decimals and percentages)
Reading: pages 62, 63, 64 and 65 (The Solar System)
Please see the details in the Newsletter all about World Book Day, including dressing up and the Book Swap!
This week's awards go to Andreas for his enthusiasm and independent work about our Solar System, and to Renee for her impressive inference skills about Michael, the main character in Kensuke's Kingdom. Well done!
Year 6
This week in Year 6, we have been learning about angles in triangles, quadrilaterals and other polygons, applying our knowledge to solve reasoning and problem-solving questions.
In English, we finished publishing our first-person, present tense Blitz narratives and began exploring our new class text, Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll.
In the afternoons, we have started our new Computing topic. The children have been designing and creating their own websites based on topics we have studied.
Homework:
Maths: Pages 68 and 69
Reading: Pages 37, 38 and 39
Please see the details in the Newsletter all about World Book Day, including dressing up and the Book Swap!
This week's achievement awards go to Scarlett for her excellent work in maths, and to Soroiyan for her positive attitude towards learning in maths. Well done!
Kingfisher 2
This week in Maths we have been learning about place value. We have been reading, writing and partitioning larger numbers. We have also been comparing numbers and gave some great explanations as to why some numbers are larger than others.
In English we have started looking at stories by Jon Klassen. This week we looked at 'This is not my hat.' We have been exploring adjectives and prepositions.
Please see the details in the Newsletter all about World Book Day, including dressing up and the Book Swap!
This week's award goes to Andreas for excellent Maths - comparing numbers. Well done Andreas!
Sporting Fixtures
On Wednesday, we played our penultimate netball match of the season, and it proved to be a particularly important fixture as the opposing school were level with us on points. The children understood what was at stake and approached the game with a focused and positive mindset. The first two quarters were very evenly matched, with both teams demonstrating excellent skill, teamwork and determination. After a competitive start, Underhill pulled ahead in the third quarter, taking a 7–3 lead. Following a quick team talk to refocus and reset, the players returned to the court with renewed determination. What followed was one of the most impressive comebacks we have witnessed. The children refused to give up and worked tirelessly for one another. Their hard work paid off as they turned the game around to secure an incredible 11–7 victory. Well done, Livingstone! We have one game left which is next Friday. Wish us luck! Well done to,
Also on Wednesday, we played a mixed league football match against Sacred Heart which was another important fixture for the team. The children were eager to showcase the skills and teamwork they have been developing during training, and they did not disappoint. From the outset, the team played with confidence and determination, working well together to maintain control of the game. Their strong communication, positioning and effort were evident throughout the match, making it an excellent game to watch.
The children’s hard work paid off with a well-deserved 3–0 victory. We have a semi-final match on Monday! Come on, Livingstone! Well done to, Eli, George, Lukas, Zak, Leon, Edward, Ryan, Zakariah, Milo and Ellis.
Barnet's BACE Holidays and Positive Activities Programme
BACE Holidays provides free enriching activities, sports, and nutritious meals during school holidays for children and young people eligible for benefit‑related Free School Meals.
Alongside this, Barnet also provides a Positive Activities programme, offering a wide range of low-cost or free activities for any child or young person who lives in Barnet or attends a Barnet school - regardless of eligibility or background.
With the Government’s new School Childcare Offer, this is an ideal time to help families understand the support available both during term time and throughout the holiday periods.
Programme information and bookings: https:// barnetyouth.uk
Direct BACE Holidays (HAF) page: https://barnetyouth.uk/ baceholidays
Free Child Car Seat Safety Checks – Friday 6 March
Barnet Council is once again offering free child car seat safety checks to help ensure children are travelling safely on our roads.
Two trained experts from Good Egg Safety will be on site at Brent Cross Hendon Way Superstore (NW2 1LZ) on 6 March, between 10am and 3pm, to carry out checks, correct any fitting issues and answer any questions.
Your child doesn’t need to be with you for the check, although advisors can also ensure they are seated correctly if they are present.
No booking required. If you’d like to check waiting times before you travel, you can call us on the day: 07483 474617.
Regular checks make a real difference. Last year, most seats inspected in Barnet had at least one error, many of them simple to fix but potentially dangerous in a collision. This opportunity is an easy way to gain peace of mind and help keep Barnet’s roads safe for everyone.
MARCH 2026
Monday 2nd:
- A week of World Book Day activities begin
- Pre-order 'Wonky Bars' via the ARBOR Shop
- Mixed League Football Match vs St Catherines - 3:30pm
- Year 3 continue swimming
Tuesday 3rd:
- Parent Champions Coffee Morning 9am in The Cabin - all parent/carers welcome
- EYFS and KS1 Oral/Hands Hygiene Workshops
Wednesday 4th:
- World Book Day Mystery Book Swap
Thursday 5th:
- World Book Day - pupils can come to school either in pyjamas or dressed as a book character
Friday 6th:
- 'Wonky Bars' on sale where 'Wonky Winners' will cheer and hail (see below for more details)!
- Netball Match vs Christchurch - 3:30pm
Use this link to visit our School Calendar 25/26 for further dates