Year 1 blog – Queen's Hill Primary School

Y1 go exploring at Thrigby Hall!

18th January 202617th January 2026

Children had a fantastic day at Thrigby Hall this week. They enjoyed watching the animals ‘in action’ at Thrigby – especially the gibbons swinging around their area. They were keen explrorers, even able to spot Raja the tiger using his stripes to hide in the bamboo. As scientists, they were able to use their science learning to help them identify if animals were Birds, Mammals, Fish, Reptiles or Amphibians. They met Scott, Zoological Director, who explained about the different animals at Thrigby and how Raja had been transported to the zoo. A fantastic day of fun learning!

Year 1 writing

12th December 2025

We are so proud of the year 1 children this week. Not only have they shown great confidence with their wonderful Christmas performance, but they have also been working hard on their writing. They have been writing the story of ‘Lost and Found’. This is the longest piece of writing they have done so far and they have amazed us with their independence and creativity. Well done!

Year 1 – Comparing Cold Climates

5th December 20255th December 2025

In year 1, children have been learning about cold climates. They have learned about Antarctica in the South Pole and how penguins have adapted to live in the Antarctic conditions. They then compared this to the Sahara desert and looked at how camels have adapted to live in the hot desert. By using venn diagrams, they were able to think about what was the same, and what was different between these cold and hot climates. Finally, they learned about how the Arctic is an ocean at the North Pole which freezes over. Alongside their learning of cold climates, they made moveable penguins in DT and painted digital penguins in IT.

Have you seen this penguin?

14th November 2025

On Tuesday, Year 1 had an intruder in their classrooms! We saw clues in the class such as ice, frozen fish and webbed foot prints. After checking the CCTV, it became clear that the culprit was a penguin.

Year 1 tried to find the penguin by making some wanted posters. They wrote some fantastic descriptions of the penguin.

Year 1 Toy Museum

7th November 2025

This week, Year 1 had fun visiting the toy museum! They got the coach to Strangers’ Hall and met the Toy Maker who showed them some amazing old toys. The children sorted, made and tested different toys. They given got a chance to explore the toy room and look at toys that were over 100 years old! What a fantastic trip.

Year 1 Autumn Walk

10th October 2025

Year 1 had fun on their autumn walk today. They explored the outdoor classroom and went on a hunt for signs of autumn. The children found different coloured leaves, acorns and even some mushrooms! We all had a photo by a tree with yellow leaves and we will check back later in the year to see if the leaves have changed.

The Gingerbread Man

3rd October 2025

This week, children in year 1 had a mystery to solve. After lunch, there was a mess in the classrooms. Children wondered what could have happened and wrote ideas on PostIt notes. At the end of the day, CCTV footage was discovered of the gingerbread man and friends in the classroom!! Children are now busy learning the story of the gingerbread man which they will be performing to their buddies in Year 4.

Imagination Not Included…

26th September 2025

This week, children have been learning the poem ‘Imagination Not Included’ by Mark Bird. They will be performing this to buddies in year 1 next week.

During Busy learning, children have been choosing to make their own version of our story map and they have been writing about their favourite toys.

They have also been using their imagination to transform cardboard boxes into rockets (complete with engine and rocket boosters), cars, desks, beds, costumes. They even made a cardboard box from playdough!

Great imagination Year 1!

A mystery box!

26th September 202518th September 2025

Year 1 had a mystery delivery last week! A strange box arrived in our classroom in the afternoon. The children guessed what might be inside the box and were showing great curiosity. We opened the box and found a book inside called ‘Not a Box’. We read it and found that it is about how a cardboard box can be anything you want it to be if you use your imagination!

Settling in to Year 1

4th September 2025

Year 1 have settled well into the new school year. We have spent some time getting back into school routines and the children have enjoyed exploring the resources in their new classrooms. They have been enjoying using marble run, playing in the small world area, creating their own spiral art and much more! We are so proud of how they have started the year.