Oak Class
Summer Term Letter 2024
It seems amazing that the final term for Oak class is already here…the time seems to have gone by so quickly! We are very proud of the manner in which all pupils have conducted themselves this year, working hard and being resilient. Their energy is boundless! I am sure that Year 6 will set a very high standard of behaviour when they go on their residential visit to Edinburgh in a few weeks’ time.
The term promises to be equally as busy as the past two, with many varied and exciting activities for the children to enjoy. Our topic focus will be geography; this half term concentrating on ‘Natural Disasters’ such as earthquakes and volcanoes. It will be followed by a topic called ‘Natural Resources and Sustainability’ where the children will learn about the importance of connecting our environment to sustainability and global citizenship. Science will cover Light and Electricity and PE will continue to be on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. We shall also be continuing Maths club for the next three weeks – our last being on Tuesday 7th May.
Homework tasks this term will largely remain as the previous two terms: reading, weekly spellings via Spelling Shed and a Maths and English task. In preparation for secondary school, the children will also be asked to complete a self-directed project on a theme of their choice. More details will follow however, I will give them the challenge to “think outside the box” to see if they can follow an unusual theme for their work, perhaps producing making a model with associated research. The focus of the project is to research and learn, putting information into their own words, making use of their best ICT and presentational skills.
SATs week commences on Monday 13th May and the tests will take place every morning, Monday to Thursday of that week. We do try hard to minimise the stress levels, but have needed to prepare children for how to take these tests, which we hope they enjoy rather than seeing them as an ordeal. Having a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast will help them to keep up the concentration levels needed. The afternoons will be spent in practical activities, in order to minimise over-tiring the children. In addition, during that week, we will be offering a breakfast club for Year 6 children only from 8.15am until 8.45am – cereal, toast and juice will be available).
As always, should you have any concerns about your child or require further information about events, please ring, send a note or pop in for a chat.
Yours sincerely,
Tracy Whetton
Spring Term Letter 2024
Welcome back to another exciting and busy term. Our topics this term begin with a science theme looking at Classification and Living Things and a history focus delving into The Kingdom of Benin, which I am sure you will soon be hearing all about! I’m sure they will inspire and catch the children’s imaginations resulting in work of a really high standard.
As always, this term is very hard working. The main aim in the Spring term is that the children continue to develop their independence and organisational skills both in their learning and personally.
An added input this term is a Maths Club, offered to Year 6 children as an extra boost in preparation for the Year 6 SATs and beyond. The small group activities will consolidate their understanding or help to eradicate some of the gaps in the children’s’ knowledge, in a friendly and fun environment, giving them more confidence before transferring to their secondary schools. The club will take place on a Tuesday afternoon, beginning on 16th January 3.30-4.30pm, and all children are invited. We begin the session with a biscuit and a drink.
Homework tasks this term will include: A home learning activity, regular reading (preferably to an adult) and more frequently a Maths or English task. Times tables challenges regularly take place, as table knowledge is crucial to so many aspects of mathematics. To this end it would be really helpful if you could fire some random questions at odd times during the day, to keep this skill sharp or to practice regularly the ones that your child does not know.
PE will be on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons [indoor and outdoor kit needs to be in school with appropriate footwear.]
Just to note, the Year 6 SATs take place from Monday 13th until Thursday 16th May. We do not put any pressure on our children regarding preparation although we do feel it right and fair to revise sufficiently this term. A letter regarding a meeting about the Yr6 SATs will follow shortly. If you feel that you are not quite sure about the work your child is doing, or how best to help them, then we would recommend looking at the English and maths sections on https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/primary where there are revision pages and challenges that are easy to follow.
As always, should you have any concerns or queries about your child’s wellbeing in school, please arrange a time to have a chat.
Key Dates: [More information to follow]
Maths Club to begin: Tuesday 16th January
Half Term: Week Beginning 9th February
SATs Week: 13th – 16th May
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Whetton
