Year 5

As we reach the end of another busy half term, we are incredibly proud of the children’s enthusiasm, creativity and perseverance. They have embraced new challenges and continued to grow in confidence as independent learners.

In English, we have been inspired by Malorie Blackman’s Cloud Busting, exploring friendship and bullying through narrative poetry. The children have created their own poems inspired by significant school events, experimenting with haikus, repetition and rhyme.

In maths, we have been developing our addition and subtraction skills using mental strategies and formal column methods. We have also used the inverse to check answers and solve missing-number problems, approaching complex challenges with a growth mindset and determination.

Science presented us with a desert island survival challenge! We investigated how to filter dirty water using different materials and explored which substances dissolve in water.

In PE, we have been practising safe jumping and landing techniques in gymnastics, encouraging one another to improve our techniques. Meanwhile, geography has taken us to Türkiye, where we researched its population and compared it with Richmond.

Our Space Dome workshop was a real highlight last week! The children quite literally crawled into outer space, impressing our visitors with their fantastic knowledge and curious questions.

In PSHE, we have explored the responsibilities of a school councillor and are looking forward to hearing the children’s speeches before our democratic vote.

After half term, we are excited to explore World War One in history and visit the Poppy Factory to bring our learning to life! 

            

  

Key messages from the Year 5 team: 

• Please ensure your child has a healthy and delicious snack with them for break times!

• Please record five reading record comments per week, ready for checking on Mondays. 

• After half term, PE will be on Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

 

Useful links: 

• This half term’s learning bulletin which contains the knowledge and skills that your child is being taught, key vocabulary and suggested activities/reads.  

• Year group spellings  

• The Top 100 Recommended Reads for Year 

 

 

Year 6

As we enter the final weeks of our first half term, we couldn't be prouder of the children's engagement and determination. They have shown incredible maturity in their approach to Year 6, embracing the challenges and responsibilities that come with their final year of primary school. Their willingness to work hard, challenge themselves and make the most of every opportunity has been wonderful to see.

In maths, the children have completed their comprehensive exploration of calculation methods, culminating in long division, the order of operations and increasingly complex word problems. In which order would you solve 2² × (3 + 5) − 1?

In English, the wonderfully nonsensical world of The Jabberwocky has ignited the children's imaginations, inspiring them to invent their own creative narratives filled with peculiar creatures, mysterious settings and imaginative vocabulary.

In reading, the clues surrounding Stanley, Zero and the Warden are finally beginning to come together. Exciting theories and predictions are now swirling around our classrooms as the mysteries of Holes continue to unfold!

Our mouldy bread experiment has fascinated the whole school, challenging a few assumptions along the way! Is heat or light more influential in the growth and spread of fungi? The results have certainly sparked some interesting scientific discussions.

Meanwhile, the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence has been a key focus in computing. How does AI work? Why is it important to refine our prompts? And how can we use this technology respectfully and responsibly?

With half term just around the corner, we wish everyone a restful and enjoyable break. We hope the children return refreshed and ready for another exciting half term, full of new challenges, wonderful opportunities and, of course, plenty of festive cheer!

                        

  

Key messages from the Year 6 team: 

• Thank you to those who offered and helped on our first trip of the year. Our next trip is to a WW2 bunker. Please let the office know if you would like to join us and lend a helping hand.

 

Key dates (year group specific):

• Thursday 12th November - Jet bunker trip

• Friday 27th November - Kyanite bunker trip

• Friday 4th December - Garnet bunker trip

                                           

Useful links: 

• This half term’s learning bulletin which contains the knowledge and skills that your child is being taught, key vocabulary and suggested activities/reads.  

• Year group spellings