Welcome back to our second half term. I hope that you have had a lovely time with your families this holiday. The children have come back into class this week, immediately picking up from where they left off; they really do amaze me.

It is hard to believe that we are at the end of our first half term together. I remember saying to the children at the start of September that time really does fly…it most certainly does. When I reflect on the growth of the class in these first 8 weeks, I am astounded.

Kindness doesn’t cost anything, it is something that we can all give and it makes our world a better place.

Jesus askes us to love one another as he loved us. This can be so hard to do at times when often we are not feeling loved ourselves. In my worship at the beginning of the week, I asked the children to think about all of the people who they love and how it feels to be loved.

At the start of the week we asked ourselves, '“What is the greatest gift that God has given to us?” Some children chose their eyes to see the world, some children chose their hands that do kind things and some children chose their brain to think deeply and to question.

The children have settled beautifully into Year 6 life - it is like they have always been here. This first half term in Year 6 is all about leadership; putting themselves forward to be the very best versions of themselves and excellent role models.

There has been such a warm and friendly buzz of excitement, anticipation and enthusiasm over the last two days in Year 6. I could not be happier with how the children have returned to school for their final year at Our Ladys

HELLO and a big welcome to Year 6 for 2021 and 2022. I bet you cannot believe that your child has journeyed all the way through school and are now in their final year here. I promise that this year will be one to remember and one that is full of opportunities and experiences for them to grasp with both hands.

We made it. After only three weeks of rehearsal, my amazing Year 6 cast took to the stage to perform their version of The Wizard of Oz. Yes, it was a little different to other years: we didn’t have an audience, we didn’t have Year 5 supporting us as cast and we filmed it in scenes - but my, what a job we did.

Blink, and the week has gone! I cannot believe how quick time is flying in school at the moment. Having said that, I also cannot believe how much we are getting through in class and in the hall.

Learning in class is a little different in the summer term. To allow for me to work in the hall with the children on the play, the children in class are tasked with planning their own learning (something that is essential for their life at high school). I am so proud of each of them as the work that they are producing is of the same standard that they have achieved this year, they have set the bar high.

Thirty hopeful and slightly nervous children entered the classroom this morning, eager to see which part they had been given in the end of year play. I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of all of the children this week. For some children, they took a huge leap into the unknown and really faced their fears of performing and singing solo. I cannot wait to start putting this production together.

Writing, writing and more writing has been the main focus of our week in Year 6. The children are half way through writing their six chapter story based on The Wizard of Oz. Writing a story is a consuming task, there are so many elements involved that it is important that the children have time and space to be creative.

I really think that if I was not present in class this week, the children will have carried on anyway and will have still produced some outstanding work. We have really found our independence in class and have fine tuned the ability to manage time efficiently.

Do you know what the difference is between a disciple and an apostle? We have been exploring this very question this week in Year 6. Disciples are learners, listeners and followers; apostles are teachers, missionaries and guardians…but can you become an apostle without being a disciple? Do disciples always become apostles?

It has been lovely to welcome all of the children back this week for their final term at Our Ladys. The sun has shone and we have been able to get outside and have fun with each other. Throughout this half term, we are continuing to explore the virtues of love and compassion. We are aware that for all of the children, a change will be happening in their lives come September. It is really important that we continue to look after each other and to treat everyone with kindness and compassion.