Year 6 - Week in Review - Friday 22nd September 2017

It’s hard to know where the weeks already seem to be disappearing to. The saying “time flies when you’re having fun” is indicative of how well everyone has settled into life in Year 6. From chatting with a few parents, the children seem to be enjoying life as the oldest class, so far. Long may this continue. We are really enjoying working with them – they are enthusiastic and have produced some lovely work this week. We’ve been looking at using, ordering and applying work around decimals this week, which concluded in some reasoning questions about costs and money – including some pupils looking at menus and costing meals in a restaurant. Maybe that should be done as a class practical at a local venue!!!

The study of the River Thames continues – led by Mrs. Timmins – with the class completing their first texts about how London came to be, because of the river itself. They are now moving on to consider how the Thames was important for trading through the centuries.

Mrs. Cowell has been considering some rather intriguing topics in her science lessons involving a whole range of games and themes about adaptation, survival and………………mutations! Lovely!

We’re missing Madame Mottershead and her fabulous French lessons, but never-fear. Mrs. Cowell has taken on the mantle in Year 6 and this week, the French studies began with a different approach. (See suggestions below!!!) Of course, they’ve had Thursday afternoon with Mrs. Benson to enjoy too.

We would like to say how patient our pupils have been this week. We know that they are desperate to know who their new buddies are going to be, but we have reminded them that today was the first day that Mrs. Flint welcomed all of her pupils together for their first full day. It’s so important to get the pairings of pupils correct and there are so many factors to consider – it’s certainly one of the hardest decisions made each year and we are really proud that the Year 6 can understand that we all just want to get it right for everyone. A few more days of being patient now, should ensure happiness and contentment for the next school year. We did meet the reception pupils this afternoon for a short playtime, although rain stopped play a little earlier that they would have liked. We must comment on the fantastic buddy books which came in today. The Y6 shared these with each other in class and were able to “ooohhhh” and “ahhhh” at the colourful details and the care with which these are being prepared. We’ve sent them home again for final details and tweaking and we will – as soon as possible – let the pupils know their buddies’ names, so that their books can be personalised if they choose to.

We literally finished the week by looking at some ‘long-lost’ photos. These were of our current Year 6 class and their own Year 6 buddies, whilst they were looking around our Australia themed exhibition. What a lovely way to finish another great week.

Enjoy some family time over the weekend, Year 6 – we’ll see you bright and early on Monday morning.

Questions/talking points to ask your son/daughter this week include:

1)Tell me about the man behind the theory of natural selection.

2)What’s a “mutation”?

3)What music did Mrs. Benson share with you this week? What links the pieces you are listening to?

4)You worked with the artist, Jon Clayton for the entire Tuesday afternoon? What artwork did you produce and what media did you employ?

5)Can you remember what a “wharf” and a “quay” is? If not, find out next week.

6)Why did you spend Friday’s English lesson out in the sunshine, in the playground?

7)How was Mrs. Cowell’s first French lesson? Did Miss Atkins join in?

8)Describe what you think buddies will be like when your first meet them?

9)What dance is Miss Oakes teaching during PE? Can you teach me?????? J

Letters issued today:

No letters issued to families – just the weekly newsletter (available on our website).

Kind regards

The Year 6 Team