WELCOME TO YEAR 5 

Weclome to our class page, here are some of the things we've been up to this year: 

Year 5 Class Hero:

Here is everything you need to know about Year 5:

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April News

A fantastic start to the Summer Term! The children have begun this wonderful term extremely well; they are working hard and showing great enthusiasm when it comes to their learning.

We started strong by writing our narrative, which linked to our reading of The Nowhere Emporium. The children all produced stories with enticing expositions, nail-biting climaxes and great endings. From rooms made of chocolate to deep jungles, Year 5 had it covered! They also demonstrated their ability to use challenging Year 5 SPaG in their writing. In addition, we have been recapping relative clauses and those dreaded determiners!

We then moved on to our new English unit on Nelson Mandela. While exploring his story, we had a sing-along to the song Free Nelson Mandela, which was great in helping us understand his difficult battle against apartheid. Throughout the week, we hosted a mock trial to help the children understand how unfair and unjust the rules of apartheid were. We then moved on to looking at Martin Luther King’s inspirational ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. We will be writing our own persuasive speeches against apartheid.

We were visited by Constable Communications Data Investigator, Robert Meakin, who shared all about his career and what life as a police officer is like. We also discussed the pros and cons of technology and online communication, and the children shared some wonderful insights. Year 5 came up with some great questions that really showed they were thinking about future careers, as well as the importance of staying safe online.

Last week, Year 5 demonstrated what they can achieve when working as a team. Despite being behind in the TTRS battle after the holidays, the children realised that with effort from everyone, they could work hard and win—but this meant everyone had to participate. It was fantastic to see all pupils using TTRS before and after school to achieve something that meant a lot to the whole class. This is something I will continue to encourage each week—just 5 minutes a day goes a long way!

We continue to encourage the children to read daily (a minimum of three reads each week), as reading opens the door to so many opportunities. It supports their writing, builds vocabulary and helps develop confidence across the curriculum. The children are also encouraged to complete their homework in good time so that they can ask for help if they are unsure.

We have some very exciting units, trips and events approaching, and I look forward to watching all of Year 5 excel and enjoy their final term in Year 5.

May News

May half term is already upon us! Time is flying as we enter our final term in Year 5, and what a busy and exciting term it has been so far. 

The children have taken part in many wonderful activities this term and have been brilliant Ellington role models while out and about in the local community. We have been creating a science exhibition linked to our learning on ‘Life Cycles’ and ‘Animals Including Humans’. As part of this, we used our own Wildlife Garden and we walked to the Nature Reserve in Ellington to see what local wildlife we could discover. We did meet the very unfriendly swan who was protecting its nest! The children captured some wonderful moments and, when we returned to class, used their images to research and create pieces for our exhibition. It was fantastic to see their curiosity and teamwork shine throughout the project.

We also took a trip to Creswell Church as this linked with our RE  topic this term, ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ The children were introduced to the features of a church, which we have covered in previous topics, and were then able to hear a parable read by the wonderful Reverend Julia Lacey. This really helped the children to deepen their understanding of Christianity and reflect on the messages behind the parables. The children asked some thoughtful and respectful questions throughout the visit.

In maths, we are back working with fractions! This is something the children need to continue practising as they move towards Year 6. We have been focusing on equivalent fractions, multiplying fractions, converting between fractions and decimals and developing confidence when solving reasoning problems. After half term, we will continue our work on fractions, decimals and percentages. Any extra practice at home really does make a huge difference.

In History, we have started learning about Ancient Greece. We began by exploring the different time periods of Ancient Greece before moving on to discover who lived on Mount Olympus. This is something all of Year 5 have shown great interest in, eagerly sharing their knowledge, new learning and, of course, plenty of strange and horrible history facts! We are looking forward to learning more about Greek gods, democracy and the impact Ancient Greece still has on our lives today.

The children were fantastic when it came to supporting Year 6 during SATs week. They worked quietly and diligently throughout the week, showing real teamwork, maturity and respect. We were extremely proud of how sensible and considerate they were.

We continue to encourage the children to read daily (with a minimum of three reads each week), as reading opens the door to so many opportunities. It supports their writing, builds vocabulary and helps develop confidence across the curriculum. We have loved hearing the children recommend books to one another and discuss what they are reading in class. The children are also encouraged to complete their homework in good time so that they can ask for help if they are unsure.

Next term we have our Beamish Residential (meeting Monday 1st June at 5.15pm), where the children will experience the museum in its own special way — from fish and chip suppers to bonfires and night walks around the museum. It promises to be a fantastic and memorable trip for everyone involved.

We also have a trip to the Hancock Museum where Year 5 and Year 6 will take part in an ‘Odyssey Through Time’ experience. Alongside this, we have Sports Day, the Summer Fair and many other exciting activities planned to end the school year on a high. It is shaping up to be a very busy but rewarding final term!

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We hope you all have a lovely and restful half term break. 

June News 

We have had such an exciting and memorable start to our final term in Year 5. The children have been incredibly busy taking part in a range of fantastic learning opportunities and curriculum enrichment trips, creating memories that will last for years to come.

We started the term with our much-anticipated camping trip to Beamish. The children were an absolute credit to the school throughout the visit, demonstrating excellent behaviour, resilience and enthusiasm. From enjoying fish and chip suppers together to some very early 4:15am wake-up calls, the trip certainly had it all! One of the highlights was having the opportunity to explore the museum after closing time, walking along the cobbled streets and experiencing the old-fashioned fairground rides in a truly unique way. It was wonderful to see the children embracing every opportunity and making the most of such a special experience.

We have also enjoyed an amazing beach trip and paddle boarding session. The children showed tremendous courage and determination in the water, eagerly taking on new challenges and stepping outside of their comfort zones. Fair to say they managed to get me back for all the extra homework given this year—I ended up in the water more times than I can count! At the beach they spent the day playing games, developing our teamwork skills and having lots of fun. The paddle session ended with everyone taking part in some jumps into the water, some of which were certainly more graceful than others!

Sports Day provided another opportunity for the children to showcase the fantastic resilience, positivity and sportsmanship that they have demonstrated throughout the year. Every child gave their best effort in each event and should be incredibly proud of their achievements. It was also lovely to see Year 5 taking on additional responsibility by supporting and encouraging the younger children throughout the day. Congratulations to James Redford and Matilda Burt, who were awarded medals for being the outstanding Year 5 athletes.

In History, the children have now completed their unit on the Ancient Greeks. They have thoroughly enjoyed learning about Greek life, achievements and mythology, and have impressed me with the depth of knowledge they have gained. To finish the topic, the children will be completing a project later this term, allowing them to consolidate their learning and showcase the fascinating facts they have discovered about this remarkable civilisation.

We have recently begun reading our final whole-class novel of the year, Holes. So far, we have been introduced to Stanley Yelnats and his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather! The children have immediately engaged with the story and have been eager to discuss the characters, plot twists and mysteries. Their enthusiasm for reading has been wonderful to see and mirrors the excitement they have shown for all of our class novels this year.

In English, we are beginning to write a balanced discussion based on the question: Are the Olympics more helpful or harmful to the countries that host them? The children have already explored a range of arguments for and against hosting the Games and have participated in thoughtful discussions, considering economic, social and environmental impacts. I am looking forward to reading their finished pieces and seeing how they present their viewpoints using evidence and persuasive language.

We still have plenty to look forward to before the end of the school year. Upcoming events include visits to the Hancock Museum and Hirst Welfare, our Move Up Day, the Summer Fair and many more exciting activities. It promises to be a busy and enjoyable end to a fantastic year.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the year. 

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