Year 5 Weekly Blog 22.05.26- ‘Rest isn’t a reward for the work, it’s part of the work’

What an exhusting, warm and yet exciting week it has been to finish our penultimate half term of the year! The first half of the week has been different for the children, with Mr O’Shea taking charge of the classroom whilst I was on residential. He could not have been more complimentary of the children and the level of respect, kindness and attitude that they had shown him- you did me proud! The end of the week has been action packed too with us having our forest school takover day, which the children and staff loved! (some of us enjoyed this a little too much). On Friday, many of our Year 5 members represented our school in the annual swimming gala competition, an event that often carries a lot of pressure and excitement- the children did themselves and the school very proud.

Conversation starters

History- Which part of forest school did you find the most enjoyable? Which part did you find the most calming?

Let’s Celebrate

As if our end of half term tradition, the children have voted for their star and learner of the half term.

Virtue Star of the Half Term: Our virtues for this half term are attentive and discerning. The star goes to Martha.

Learner of the Half Term: Issac

Notices

• Homework- Please check the homework blog for your child’ weekly homework, including the deadline date.

• School reopens on Monday 8th June

• Cooking in DT- Apologies for the delay on the children’s cooking lesson for their spaghetti bolognese. This will take place on our first day back after half term (Monday 8th June).

• Gym Jam Jog Friday 12th June- This will begin at 8am.

• Sports Day Wednesday 17th June starting at 1:30pm

• St Bedes Taster Day Wednesday 1st July- Children will need to come to school in full school uniform (no PE kits) with their own pack lunch.

Mechanisms- Fairgrounds

What an amazingly busy term we have had! We have loved looking at and designing our very own Ferris Wheels. Working to a set Design Criteria, the children have considered location and themes when setting about their design. We are now on to the decor and construction, we have thought about stability and have reinforced both the axel and the a frame so that we have a sturdy mechanism.

We even squeezed in a Art/Music lesson where we combined to two topics to create an imaginative planet or alien whilst listening to our focused sound scape.

After the half term break, we will be completing these and moving on to Cooking and Nutrition, where we will be thinking about healthy diet and designing and making a fabulously tasty wrap!

Have a lovely halfterm break

Good Bless

Mrs Mather

Cooking and Nutrition- Adapting a recipie

What a busy half term we have had!. We kick started it with the continuation of our food tech topic- biscuits. To say the children have had a beeno is an understatement! From creating their very own packaging to completing a spread sheet for budgeting, the children have done it all! But I think you will agree, the imaginative creations that they collaboratively came up with were fantastic! The combinations would have been a sugar lovers dream come true!! I hope you had the chance to try them too.

Have a lovely half term break

Good Bless

Mrs Mather

Craft and Design- Photo Opportunities

How the term has flown! We have had such lovely lessons full of creativity and self reflection. We started off the term by completing our Street Art unit, thinking about a topic that is close to our hearts. Then relaying that in a piece of art. The childrens use of colour and subtle messaging is superb.

We have now moved onto a touch of photography. We have worked to a design criteria to create a photomontage advert for a department store using a landcape design. Then we have experimented with Macro photography, where the children got up close to some fruit and veg, then trying to guess what the image is! They have explored how to add filters into their photography for effect. We will be continuing this unit after the holiday before turning our attention to memory boxes and “Come Dine with Me Forest School Style!”

This week...

Worship

This week we have concluded our branch ‘To the Ends of the Earth’. Our key words this week were celebrate, God’s children and family.

We looked at the early Christian community and the ‘Good news of Jesus’. Fellowship means being good friends and helping each other. We spoke about all the ways we are kind and help each other in Nursery.

As the first Christian community was being formed, many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe.  All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another.

They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed.

Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people.  And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

We watched this video to help us to understand: Click here.

We continued our Worship by watching this video about what a church looks like. Click here. . After this we went to our chapel in school to see if we could spot anything similar. We discussed going to church with our families and what we saw/did while we were there.

Silly hat and sock week!

A fabulous Silly Hat and Sock week!!! It has been great fun seeing everyone wearing their inventive hats and socks. Thank you everyone for joining in the silliness whilst raising funds for charity.

Learning Landscape

This week in our learning landscape we have:

• started to make Fathers Day surprises! You are in for a treat daddies.

• completed number challenges

• made hundred squares using numicon

• played on the swing that Mrs. Tierney has let us borrow.

• made a HUGE spider web to crawl under, over, and in between.

• started to Fred talk…we have completed the sound fort his year, we just need to practise.

• threaded small beads to practise fine motor skills.

  and best of all…had a jolly good time at nursery.

On the first week back don’t forget it is Sports Day (Wednesday 10th, be in before 9am) and the Gym Jam Jog (Friday 12th 8am- details are on your sponsor form). Please note: the children remain your responsibility until they are signed in to nursery as usual).

Lastly, have a great couple of weeks off and recharge your batteries in readiness for a REALLY busy last half term of the year!

Stay safe and God Bless

Barbara

Year 4 Weekly Blog Friday 22nd May "My precious, precious child, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Another beautiful ceremony last Saturday for Holy Communion. What a special time it has been and a privilege to get them ready for it. This week again we have seen 3 children leading the class in praying the Rosary - Freddie, Dexter and Henry Slinger. Really reflective and lovely. In RE this week, we have learned about the Communion of Saints and prayed for all those who have died on their journey to heaven.

We have had a really full and fun week! Forest school on Tuesday was such a lovely bonding time for the class - time to play and be in nature. We had a beautiful meditation and we made a treasure hunt rock game for our Laudato Si project to make something for our common home. Wednesday was our Streetlife Charity Walk. Children were so determined and we had a reflection on the beach using ‘Footprints in the Sand’ poem on how Jesus carries us in hard times. All children have made a pocket rock for someone who is homeless to remind them that God is holding them through hard times. Thank you so much for your sponsor money and all your kind donations to the foodbank. We will present it all to Streetlife after the holidays.

On Thursday it was our school talent show - and so many Year 4 children took part. I loved it! What a lot of talented children facing their fears and having fun with their friends!

In other news, children have begun to discuss pubery in RHE and may want to talk to you at home about this. We have not gone into depth but children have talked about their bodies and emotions changing from childhood to adulthood and how it is God’s plan for everyone.

Conversation starters

RHE

What is puberty?

Maths

Which times tables are still a bit tricky?

Let’s Celebrate

This week, the children in class have voted for the certificate and star virtue.

The class picked Heidi for the attentive and discerning star. They said you are always focused, hardworking and sensible. You manage distractions and are a lovely learning partner.

They picked Ruth for the certificate - all learning characters. They said you always listen and try so hard. You are kind to people and you do your best in every lesson. you are consistently attentive.

I couldn’t agree more for both girls. Well done!

Notices

Tuesday 16th June Official times tables test in school

Wednesday 17th June Sport’s Day Year 3 and 4 9:15am

Friday 19th June Anglo-Saxon and Viking dress up day.

This takes place in school and children will be doing lots of things to consolidate their understanding of these two important invaders to our shores. It is always such a fun day! They will need to come to school dressed as either an Anglo-Saxon person, a Viking person, or a Viking god/ goddess, elf, giant or creature! We are giving you lots of time to plan a costume - please don’t feel you need to buy one. Here are some examples of made costumes below.

We have 2 very exciting trips in July. Although this is a way off, we thought we would give you lots of preparation time and so have popped them on parent pay early. These are:

Thursday 2nd July UCLAN Electricity in Science trip

This trip consolidates our learning in Science. The cost of the trip is £20 payable on parentpay from today

Thursday 9th July Cuerden Valley Park Rivers Trip

This is linked to our Geography unit about Rivers and is a brilliant trip to discover the features of a River. This is £25 payable on parentpay from today.

Friday 3rd July St Bedes Prayer Day.

We are going to St Bedes for a day of prayer. This is a lovely chance for children to encounter their potential high school for the first time, whilst celebrating Jesus’s love.

Have a really lovely half term - lets hope it is sunny!

Mrs Lyons, Miss Edwards and Mrs Carragher

a.lyons@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

Painting and Mixed Media- Portraits and Cooking and Nutrition- Bolognaise

My goodness was a busy term we have had!! From creating our own mixed media portraits to having a fantastic go at drawing ourselves, it has been non stop! We have also moved onto our cooking and nutrition topic of adapting a bolognaise recipe. Thank you so much for your understanding in the last minute cancellation of the actual cooking session. We plan to do this the first Monday back.

Have a lovely half term break

God Bless

Mrs Mather

Year 6 Weekly Blog 'Life is all about taking risks. If you never take a risk, you will never achieve your dreams'

What a wonderful time we have had on our residential! The rain did not stop us, we have spent all our time outside to complete all the outdoor activities Borwick Hall had to offer! Every single child has reached their potential, challenged themselves to push beyond what they thought they were capable of and have shown such resilience and bravery! We could not be any prouder of them all. Every single one of them have supported their friends and as you can see from the photos there has been so much laughter and joy. We have all climbed, kayaked, rambled and completed many problems and challenges- it was a very varied week!

The final night, was the perfect finale of our stay as we were treated to array of talented acts. From theatrical performances, poems, dances, magic acts and comedy, to name but a few! What a range of talented bunch of children you have!

Enjoy the photos below which sums up our wonderful time away together making memories to stay in our hearts forever…

OUR FINAL DAY…

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Interviews

On Thursday Year 6 pupils took part in a formal interview process with the headteacher to determine the important roles they will carry out during their final half term. Dressed smartly and presenting themselves with confidence, they demonstrated maturity and pride throughout, answering questions thoughtfully and showing a genuine commitment to the school community. These roles hold special significance, as they give the children the opportunity to contribute positively and leave a lasting impact in their final half term of primary school, embodying the values they have developed during their time at the school.

Robin Hood

Year 6 have now all been given their roles for the end of year play- we are so excited to get started on it! I know each child will embrace their role and they will be encouraged both at school and home with great enthusaism! Every role in the play is crucial. Just like in a team, each member plays a significant part in working towards the shared goal. They will contribute to the overall success of the performance as a whole and help create something truly memorable. It will be a show you won’t forget because they all will play a part in creating it and we can’t wait!

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Delving deeper through talk …

What have you done this week to make you feel proud of yourself?

What have you learnt about yourself during your time away?

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Leading Learners

Well done to

Jacob we were so proud of your bravery during residential… you started off nervous and cautious in some of the activities but the next day you woke up with a fresh attitude. We loved the way you challenged yourself to go beyond what you thought you could do- this takes such bravery!

Attentive and Discerning Star

This half term we will be on the lookout for all the children that are attentive in the way we look at the world and in others, taking the time to notice the big and the small things each day. We will also be spotting children who are discerning, who choose the right decisions with integrity. These children are the role models of the school. This week we thank xxxx for being attentive and discerning to help others.

Notices

Keep checking the school calendar as there is so much coming up!

Gym Jam Jog Friday 12th June- This will begin at 8am.

Sports Day Wednesday 17th June starting at 1:30pm. Sponsor forms have not been given out!

Have a lovely half term, re-charging those batteries and spending much needed time with family!

We will see you in your child’s final half term at Our Lady’s.

The Year 6 team

Year 4 homework to be handed in on Thursday 11th June

Maths

Over the holidays - it is all about the times tables! The official test will take place on the second week back.

In ANTON I have set lots of multiplication units to practice - you can pick the ones you are a bit rusty on. Also get on TTrockstars and keep green!

English

We have learned how to write Limericks this week. Have a go at creating a limerick after reading the ones below with your family.

Final Talent Show Information

We are really excited for tomorrow night’s show and are busy getting final things in place. There are 24 tickets left for tomorrow night after every family has bought. We can therefore offer the option to buy 1 more ticket - ONLY IF NEEDED. If more than 24 families want an extra ticket, we will draw out of a hat the 24 who will receive one. Please email Mrs Nel by midday today if you require 1 additional ticket on bursar@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

Doors will open at 5.50pm tomorrow night for the show and there will be refreshments, raffle and programmes available - all £1. Please bring a raffle prize with you if you can to donate to the show.

Just a few reminders:

• Appropriate clothing for the event please.

• Bring some £s for the bits to buy here.

• Please stay for the entire show. The children in Year 1 have been placed in act 1 incase they get too tired and need to leave at the interval. Our children all need an audience!

• Lots of clapping, lots of cheering and lots of laughing please!

This is going to be a wonderful event and a superb fundraiser for the school too!

Borwick Hall - Day 2 - A little bit of rain and lots of sunshine!

Last night ended with a beautiful reflection around the camp fire as we celebrated the successes of the day - there was an awful lot to celebrate. From acts of kindness, to bravery and sheer determination; every child achieved something remarkable. I also think that this group of children were the best (in my many years of residential) to go to bed. All in bed by 10.30pm - and the majority asleep! A slightly early start but nothing too bad - clearly excited for he day ahead. Breakfast was a full English - oh how we have been spoilt before each group headed out again on adventures.

Mr Cornwell’s group started on the water in the canoes; rafted together and they were the best group I have ever had for canoeing; a great team!. After lunch, it was off on a wander and a scramble where we got a tad wet, before heading back to site for the leap of faith. Mrs Barker’s group kayaked this morning after their adventures in the canoes yesterday, then climbed Warton Crag this afternoon; seeing some breath-taking views from the top. Mr Nay’s group had a double water day with canoeing and kayaking - splashes all round and some very soggy children.

Tonight’s tea was again, utterly delicious - chicken fajita wraps with rice, followed by lemon cake and custard. The children are currently getting their bedrooms tidy, bags packed, showered and ready for tonight’s talent show. They will be setting off at lunch time tomorrow and we will make sure to send a text with their expected time back in school.

We hope you have enjoyed seeing the pictures and the fun they have had; I am absolutely sure that plenty of memories have been made. A huge thank you to the staff who have given up their time to take the children away - they are so very special!

Borwick Hall Day 1 - and we got sunshine!

What a glorious first day! We arrived to heavy rainfall and by the end of it, the sun is shining! After becoming familiar with our surroundings and getting used to our bedrooms, the children met their instructors and headed off to explore the grounds. We are so lucky to be in a beautiful part of the world - surrounded by nature.

The three groups have all had very different experiences today; tree climbing, canoeing and scrambling. The tree climbing and caving was fantastic - a group of very brave children (and teachers) who managed to ring the bell at the top of the tree. A spot of indoor caving too which will prepare them for the real thing tomorrow. The canoe group had fun on the water - after some raft building and team building games, the highlight was sliding down the canoes into the freezing water! Then finally, the last group headed off site on a hike. Check out the photos!

Tonight we have sat down to tea of pizza, chips and salad; with sticky toffee pudding for dessert - absolutely delicious! We have just sent the children off on an orienteering challenge before Mrs Tierney (who has joined us for the evening) lights the camp fire for an evening reflection.

Good night everyone!