Welcome back…
Wishing you all a very happy new year. It has been so lovely to welcome the children back to school this week, despite the bitter cold. The most important part of any school is the people within it. We have loved seeing the smiles and listening to all of the wonderful stories that the festive season has brought. On Wednesday we walked down to church to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. It was an opportunity for the children to spend a few minutes in silence reflecting on what a miracle the baby Jesus was. Father Peter spoke about the gifts that the wise men brought and asked us all to reflect on how we use our gifts to make our world and community a better place.
The children have been thinking about what 2024 might look like for them. The children have all reflected on their year ahead and thought about their new year’s resolutions- what do they want to improve this year and what are they going to do to achieve this. They are all going to come across some monumental experiences and opportunities this year. Some of them will be challenging, some will be exciting, some they will be anxious about. Whatever happens, they know they have the skills to tackle it with great resilience and determination. I have to say, they have all come back to school extremely well rested and ready to take on all the challenges they come across in their learning- I am so proud of them this week, they have worked so hard!
This half term, we are looking at what it means to be a Eloquent and truthful learner. Both of these qualities will be really important as we journey towards half term, expressing our ideas and learning but also being truthful with ourselves and others in what we hope to achieve and what we need to do to get there…
This week we have done lots of work on rounding in Maths, to the nearest 10,000 and 100,000 as well as working on the accuracy of our arithmetic work. Our focus in English has been heavily on our writing, where each day we have written a paragraph on our class biography of Henry VIII. Over the last few weeks we have collected lots of biographical vocabulary, ideas and cohesive devices, so it was great using them in our own writing. We each had our own marking key to work off to, which we used to ensure we had all the necessary elements within each paragraph. This writing stage has been very much guided and modelled to them, we have worked together to bounce off ideas and help one another. Next week, they will start to gather information ready to write their own biographies where they have the opportunity to use these skills independently. They have a research task as part of their homework that they will need to help them with this next week- please check the homework as this is to be handed in slightly earlier. This week in indoor PE we have been practicing and developing our athletics events and trying to beat our personal best in speed bounce, standing long jump and triple jump.
End of Year Assessment
This year, the SATs tests will take place the week beginning Monday 13th May. I have had a conversation with the children this week, discussing what our plan of action is, to best prepare them. They know that the pace of learning will ramp up this term as we try and get everything that we need to cover, completed. This is the first time that we have discussed them as I am a great believer that Year 6 is not just about the SATs. However, it would be unfair if the children did not prepare for the tests properly.
The children know that there is nothing to be worried about and they should not feel anxious about taking them, all they need to do, is their BEST as their best is ALWAYS good enough. Please do not run out and start buying SATs materials, I will provide everything that you need and these will be targeted to the children and their current learning.
We will in the next couple of months arrange a meeting where we can discuss SAT’s and offer ideas as to how best you can help your child to prepare them. If anybody does have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Leading Learners
Well done to Harvey and Owen this week.
Harvey you have thoroughly got involved in learning this week and pushed yourself to be better each day. You have listened carefully in lessons, applied this to your work and managed those distractions really well this week- keep this up! We have been so proud of how reilient you have been and how yyou have shown great independence in your work- Keep up with your positive approach!
Owen, you work tirelessly in lessons to be the best you can be and I love teaching you as you are always so focused and engaged, with your great attention to detail- you most definitely keep me on my toes! Your thirst for learning is contagious and how you strive to challenge yourself in your work.
Lunch Time Awards …
Marvellous Manners awards … Daisy
Role Model of the week … Connor-Sean
Borwick Hall
The next payment towards our residential is now live on ParentPay, please ensure this next instalment in paid by Friday 9th February. Any problems or questions, do please come and see Mrs Nel in the office or Mrs Gregan.
Helpers in the mornings:
This week and for the first week back after Christmas we have the following children helping to take the younger children to their class:
Tabby Evan Owen Leon
Notices
Indoor Athletics Competition- Will take place on Tuesday 16th January at Stanley Park Sports Centre in Blackpool. Those that have been picked will have been informed and information will be on the sports page.
Have a lovely weekend everyone.
Mrs Harrison, Mrs Webster and Mrs Barker