WELCOME TO YEAR 4 KESTRELS

Kestrels are enterprising and creative, and they approach all their endeavours with focus, commitment and enthusiasm, so they can soar above the land. As the older members of the Year 3 and 4 team, Kestrels use all these skills to be positive role models.

THIS TERM'S THEME

'One World, One Heart'

 Please scroll down to see our curriculum map to find out all about this term's learning. This term in Year 4, we will be learning about how our similarities and differences make us unique. We will be exploring how people are inspired by others.

P.E AND DANCE DAYS

 Dance and PE is on Tuesday every week.

Please ensure that your child has the correct kit in school all week, which is clearly labelled. For more information about kit requirements, please visit our 'Physical Education & School Sports ' page.  We will ensure that PE kits are sent home at the end of every half term.

HOME LEARNING DAYS

Home Learning will be handed out on a Friday and collected in on a Wednesday. This will give you the opportunity to explore aspects of your child's learning if you wish.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday 5th  January – Non pupil Day

Tuesday 6th January – First day of Autumn Term

Thursday 15th January – SEND Coffee Morning at 9am

Friday 6th February - NSPCC Number Day

Year 4 Swimming - Spring 1

Monday 9th February – School Nurse Drop-in sessions

Friday 13th February - Last Day of Spring 1

Monday 23rd February - First Day of Spring 2

Thursday 5th March - World Book Day

Tuesday 17th March - Parents Evening (In Person)

Thursday 19th March - Parents Evening (Virtual)

Friday 20th March - Red Nose Day

Wednesday 1st April - Year 4 Paddleboat Performance to Parents @ 2.30pm

Thursday 2nd April - Last Day of Spring 2

MEET THE TEAM

If there are any issues or concerns, please feel free to come in and see your teacher (Miss Tyrrell) or alternatively please contact our Year 3/4 team leader (Mr Passmore).

mtyrrell@whiterockprimaryschool.co.uk

bpassmore@whiterockprimaryschool.co.uk

ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/26

SPRING TERM

Spring Term Curriculum Map

Friday 13th February 2026 - PE

This half term year 4 have been developing their netball skills. Children have been learning about attacking and defending, how to pass and move successfully as a team and the key rules of the game. 

Tuesday 10th February 2026 - Online Safety

Today, Year 4 had a visitor from SWGfL who led an assembly around the importance of staying safe online. We also learnt a song to sing during this assembly which shares important messages about how to protect ourselves online. 

Friday 6th February 2026 - NSPCC Number Day 2026

Today we celebrated Number Day. Mr Passmore and Mrs Ayling started the day off with a whole school assembly. In class, we took part in a TTRS battle and completed some word problem tasks. 

Friday 30th January 2026 - Writing

In Art, Year 4 have been creating their own stories inspired by the text 'Cinderella of the Nile'. They had the choice of setting their story in the Arctic, Rainforest or Desert. The children really enjoyed this unit and have created some excellent stories. Well done Year 4!

Friday 23rd January 2026 - Art

In Art, the children have been learning about sculpture. They have explored different types of Anglo-Saxon pottery and modern pottery created by artist Jennifer Lee. In today's lesson, the children were practising to create their own pottery using plasticine in preparation for next week's lesson where they will be making their own pottery using clay. 

Tuesday 13th January 2026 - PE - Swimming 

This week, Year 4 started their swimming sessions at Brixham Swimming Pool. They have all improved their water confidence and have been working on improving their strength and technique when in the water. 

Thursday 8th January 2026 - Computing

In Computing, Year 4 have been learning about coding instructions to create different lines and shapes. The children were learning the basic code needed to provide instructions for an arrow to move forwards, backwards, right and left. 

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Tuesday 6th January 2026 - Drumba

We are continuing our Drumba learning this half term and have started to learn the Year 4 rudiments, including flams, flam tap, paradiddles and double paradiddles. We are increasing our strength and fitness as well as having fun!

ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/26

AUTUMN TERM

Autumn Term Curriculum Map

Thursday 17th December 2025 - Design and Technology

Today, Year 4 have been making a pasta sauce. They have researched different types of sauces and selected vegetables to make their own healthy sauce. They really enjoyed making it - have a look at the pictures below! 

Monday 15th December 2025 - PE

This half term year 4 have been focusing on football. They have been developing their dribbling and passing skills, working as a team. During lessons where we have not been able to participate in football, children have been completing activities to support with their strength, coordination and reaction time. 

Monday 1st December 2025 - Learning Celebration

A huge thank you to all the parents/carers who attended the Year 4 learning celebration. The children thoroughly enjoyed sharing all of the learning they have been doing this year.  Thank you for joining in with the songs and the times tables!

Thursday 28th November 2025 - Computing

This half term, Year 4 have been learning about computing networks and how information is shared around the world. In today's lesson, the children explored different sounds and content they can create on different websites, using Chrome Music Lab.

Wednesday 26th November 2025 - Indoor Climbing

Today, Kestrels went back to Parkfield to take part in the second of their 2 indoor climbing sessions. The children all challenged themselves to go even higher this week and all did! It was great to see the children encouraging and supporting each other and pushing themselves and many getting to the top. Well done Kestrels!

Friday 21st November 2025 - Music

This half term, Year 4 have been learning to play the Ukuleles. The children have learnt how to hold it correctly and how to play the chord 'C'. The children have thoroughly enjoyed it! 

Friday 21st November 2025 - Spanish

Year 4 had lots of fun this week learning how to order food and drinks from a Spanish cafe menu. iQué delicioso! 

We learnt words such a "por favor" and "gracias" 

Can you order some food and drink from the menu below?

Don't forget to use "QUIERO" = I would like (think of a key you put in the door and a chocolate aero bar!) iQué bien!

Wednesday 19th November 2025 - Indoor Climbing

Today, Kestrels went to Parkfield to take part in the first of their 2 indoor climbing sessions. It was great to see the children supporting each other and pushing themselves to get as high as possible. Well done Kestrels!

Thursday 6th November 2025 - Drumba

Today, Year 4 took part in a Drumba session which involved drumming and dancing linked to music. The children had a fantastic time and showed off their amazing skills! 

Tuesday 4th November 2025 - PE

Last half term year 4 were really lucky to Niall Leahy, a Devon community cricket coach, in their PE lessons teaching them some cricket skills. The children really enjoyed these lessons and developed their batting and bowling techniques, as well as learning the concept of the game. 

This half term, year 4 are focusing on invasion games. 

Tuesday 21st October 2025 - African Dance

We were so lucky to be one of the year groups that had the fantastic opportunity to take part in an African Dance workshop, led by two people from West Africa (one was from Ghana and the other from Ivory Coast). They taught us some traditional African dances and an African song. While teaching us the dance, they also explained the story of the dance which was fascinating! We all had a great time dancing and enjoyed learning about African culture as well.

Friday 17th October 2025 - Art

This week, Year 4 pupils have been exploring self-portraiture in art. Inspired by the vibrant and expressive style of Frida Kahlo, they began by sketching their own portraits and then brought them to life with bold colours and thoughtful details. Take a look below at their fantastic creations.

Thursday 9th October - Tag Rugby Festival

Today Kestrels enjoyed taking part at the PCSA rugby festival at Paignton Rugby Club. They started off with practising and learning skills and then headed into games. They enjoyed the afternoon and won their games too!

Thursday 9th October 2025 - Geography

This week, Year 4 have been learning about weather and climate. The children then had a go at creating their own weather broadcast to describe the weather on certain days in the Amazon Rainforest.

Friday 3rd October 2025 - Maths

In Maths this week, Year 4 have been learning about addition and subtraction using the formal written methods. They have explored adding four-digit numbers with more than one exchange and have just moved onto their subtraction learning.

Monday 22nd September 2025 - Science

For our Science learning this week, we have investigated the digestive system. We have built upon our previous learning about the function of teeth and started to think about what happens to our food once we swallow it. During our investigation, we found out that we have stomach acid to help break down our food before it is moves along to the intestines. Inside the intestines (which we replicated with tights), we learnt that nutrients (orange juice) gets absorbed from the food we have eaten (bread) and that we are left with a waste product. Finally, we investigated the final stages of digestion with the waste product exiting our body. Have a look at our investigation below...

Tuesday 9th September 2025 - Science

In Science, Year 4 have been investigating the function of teeth. We started our learning by biting into an apple and exploring which teeth we used throughout the process. The children were then challenged to eat another slide of apple using just their incisors, which they found was extremely difficult. As a class, we then discussed how different teeth are important for eating different types of foods. 

Friday 5th September 2025 - Class Reader

Year 4 have had a fantastic start to the new school year! We have started learning our 6 times tables, immersed ourselves in our new Writing journey and much more. The children are already enjoying the new class reading story.