Year 5

In history this week, we continued our exploration of World War I by learning about the vital roles women took on during the war. The children worked in groups to create posters showcasing the different jobs women carried out, from factory work to spying, and presented their posters to the class. We discussed the significance of these changes and how the war became a catalyst for greater rights and opportunities for women. Next week, we will be turning our attention to Richmond Park and its links to WWI, helping the children make a meaningful local connection to their learning.

In English, the children proudly published their WWI soldier diary entries, demonstrating empathy, detailed description, and strong historical understanding. We have now begun our new unit, ‘The Piano’. To introduce it, the children watched a short film about a veteran reflecting on memories as he plays his piano. They shared thoughtful reflections on the emotions shown in the video and how music can evoke powerful feelings and memories.

In reading, we continued with ‘War Game’ by Michael Foreman. The children have shown excellent engagement as we read further into the story, learning new vocabulary and using it to deepen their understanding. They have been practising essential comprehension skills, especially retrieving information concisely and accurately from a text.

In maths, we have been building on our previous fraction learning to tackle the addition and subtraction of fractions, including those involving improper fractions and mixed numbers. The children have worked hard to apply everything they have learned so far, and we will continue practising this next week, as these skills involve several steps and lots of careful thinking.

In science, the children have thoroughly enjoyed making their own sundials and are eagerly awaiting a sunny moment to test them out! They also worked collaboratively to organise the planets by orbital length, discussing the patterns and links to our earlier learning about the solar system.

In RE, the children compared dietary rules in Islam and Judaism, exploring similarities and differences and thinking about the reasons behind these practices. They also revisited the Ten Commandments and reflected thoughtfully on what our world might look like if everyone followed these rules. Their maturity and depth of discussion were wonderful to see.

In D&T, excitement is continuing to build as we move closer to our practical sessions. If you are willing to support the children and volunteer during these sessions, please contact the Year 5 email—we would be delighted to have your help. 

The whole of year 5 have been working extra hard this week with their assessments, however, they have also enjoyed some calm moments this week, including watching the KS1 Nativity rehearsal, which brought lots of smiles!

Science enquiry about the correlation of planets and their orbital lengths:

              

   

 

Science practical, learning about and making a sundial:

                 

           

                                     

w/b 01.12.25	w/b 08.12.25
Spelling rule: Adverbs of possibility and frequency   Key words: certainly definitely possibly  perhaps  probably  frequently often  occasionally  rarely always	Spelling rule: Year 5 common exception words    Key words: vegetable vehicle  bruise soldier stomach  recommend  leisure privilege occur  neighbour

 

Key Messages: 

• 16th December - Carol concert (11am) 
• 18th December - Christmas jumper day and lunch
• 19th December - School ends 1:30pm

 

Year 6

Despite the chilly winter weather settling in, Year 6 have continued to show remarkable resilience and enthusiasm during this incredibly long term. Our classrooms are now sparkling with festive decorations, bringing warmth and colour to the darker days and the children have enjoyed attending their first trips of the year with excitement and curiosity. Through it all, they have kept working hard, supporting one another, and demonstrating the fantastic attitude we’re so proud to celebrate.

In Maths, Year 6 have been introduced to algebra. They have been building confidence in creating expressions, rearranging them and solving a range of problems using logical steps. The children have also explored function machines to deepen their understanding of how numbers change, and they’ve been encouraged to try different methods to tackle challenges. It’s been fantastic to see their curiosity grow as they realise algebra is not as mysterious as it first seems!

In English, Year 6 have begun crafting formal letters to Lady Macbeth, drawing on their understanding of the play to adopt an appropriately authoritative and persuasive tone. They have explored the use of modal verbs, levels of formality and a range of sentence structures to create clear, purposeful writing that reflects the intensity of the story. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they experiment with these features to produce letters that feel both authentic and powerfully written.

In our wider curriculum, Year 6 has been busy exploring a range of fascinating topics—both in and beyond the classroom. A highlight this term was our visit to a real RAF bunker, where pupils had the unforgettable experience of sitting at the plotting tables, practising the role of wartime plotters, and even seeing the very spot where Churchill himself once sat. This hands-on encounter helped the children understand how the Blitz was tracked and why particular locations across the UK were targeted. In science, we’ve been delving into DNA, exploring what a common ancestor is, and discussing how mutations and variation over time can lead to new species and evolution. In design and technology, the children have moved from planning to creating, finalising their birdhouse designs and getting stuck in with saws and glue guns as they bring their woodwork projects to life.

                       

     

 

 

w/b 1/12/25	w/b 8/12/25
Words families   suggest digest congestion gesture gestation lightning daylight enlighten twilight limelight   Key words:  Equation, expression, unknown, subjunctive mood, modal verb, common ancestor, mutation, Blitz.	Prefixes   minibus miniskirt miniscule minibeast minicab minimum microscope microchip microphone microwave   Key words:  Equation, expression, unknown, subjunctive mood, modal verb, common ancestor, mutation, Blitz.

 

Key Messages: 

• Please support your child with their homework where necessary, and ensure they are not leaving it to the last minute.

• Please remind your child, if they bring a mobile to school, that they must hand it in every morning to their teacher and collect it at the end of the day. 

 

Key dates:

• Friday 5th December - Garnet Class RAF bunker trip. 
• Monday 8th December - Kyanite Class RAF bunker trip. 
• Thursday 18th December - Elf day