Dear Parents,

Happy New Year! We are already into the new term and our curriculum is as follows:

Maths                                       Equivalent fractions, fractions of numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions and whole numbers, fractions on a number line, improper fractions, conversion of fractions, decimals, percentages, area, place value, number sequences, number facts and bonds.

English                                     Explanation, story writing, poetry, plays; spelling, grammar and handwriting

Science                                    Earth & Space, Human Health

RE                                           Christianity and Islam

PHSE                                       Dreams and Goals, Healthy Me

Humanities                              UK cities & counties, European countries & atlas work

Art & DT                                  Stained glass windows (Greek style), Greek masks

Music                                       Songs to accompany a performance

PE                                            Dance, Gymnastics

As you can see, there is a huge emphasis on fractions – a topic that many children feel unsure about. Knowledge of times tables is essential in making this easier. Doodlemaths is excellent for helping with this. Approximately one third of the class are regulars on Doodlemaths

Almost all the children have indoor PE kit. We will keep this in school until half term. The children have a new Reading Record book where spellings are recorded for additional practice at home. As a reminder of homework, the following is recommended to maintain a routine of good practice. The more you can encourage and support this suggested timetable, the better.

Some additional time will be given to Reading, Maths and Grammar papers, particularly for Year 6, as this year, we will be preparing for our ‘National Showing Off’ week in May.

Again, thank you for your support in the time you spend on the ‘over and above’  -  it all helps.

Yours sincerely,

Miss Stirling and Mrs Crothers

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the start of the new academic year.

Our curriculum this term as follows:

Maths                                                    Multiplication and division; problem solving and estimating; rounding, conversions, using symbols and knowledge of prime numbers

English                                                   Writing opportunities linked to other curriculum areas: persuasive letter, play script, biography, autobiography

reading, spelling, grammar and handwriting

Science                                                  Evolution, Living things and Habitats

RE                                                          Sikhism & Christianity

PHSE                                                     Being Me & Celebrating Difference

Humanities                                           Victorians

Art                                                          Portraits: Morris, Darwin; Designs: Morris

DT                                                          Gift boxes

Music                                                     Musical notation, singing with Mr Howell from Cothill

PE                                                           Outdoor Adventurous activities, swimming

We are all pleased to be finding that things in school are beginning to look like they were 18 months ago. Therefore I am gradually introducing some of our previous routines. During this academic year, we are focusing on these words: SAFE, KIND, RESPECTFUL, READY.

We are now in a position to have school reading books come back home. To do this, the children need to have a book bag. Not only does this help to keep books free from spillages, it is the place for children to put any letters and notes that come to and from school. Since the book bag has become slightly underused for the past months, several children are out of the habit of bringing one in. There are new ones in school at a price of £4.50.

Our reading scheme is progressive and children are directed to book boxes that are relevant to their reading age. As new information is gathered during the course, of the year, some children may ‘jump’ boxes from time to time. I will always make recommendations so that their reading is both enjoyable and informative – school books will do both. Usually, by years 5 and 6, the children become independent readers, so may not necessarily need your time. Establishing a good routine and setting 15-20 minutes aside for your child to read will be greatly beneficial.

Other than this, any additional finding out about our Victorian topic to add greater depth to their knowledge and understanding, practising times tables and revising how to tell the time, both with analogue and digital clocks/watches, will also be of huge benefit .

During this first half term, we will be swimming on a Tuesday but, as yesterday, there may be those ‘just in case’ times when we manage an additional activity which needs kit. Therefore we ask that PE kit is in school every day. As lots of our PE work will be outside, particularly after half term, weather permitting, the children need to have footwear suitable for running around, which may mean something other than their outdoor shoes. For safety reasons, jewellery, including watches, is not allowed and long hair needs to be tied back.

All the children look incredibly smart in their new uniforms; thank you for your support in helping your child to be ‘ready’.

Yours sincerely,

C. Stirling

                                                                                                                                                                            26th April 2021

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the Summer Term.

Our curriculum for the next few weeks is as follows:

Maths                                       Fractions, decimals, percentages, problem solving, co-ordinates, translating and

                                                  reflecting shapes, interpreting line graphs

English                                     Writing opportunities linked to other curriculum areas, spelling, grammar and

                                                 handwriting (ongoing)

Science                                    Forces continued, Famous Scientists

RE                                           Sikhs

PHSE                                       Relationships, Changing Me

Humanities                              Locational Knowledge, use of maps, Knowledge of Continents and Countries

Art                                           Creation from impressionist paintings

Music                                       Songs from around the world

PE                                            Net Games, fitness and well being.

As we have begun the term with lovely weather, the children have started to take off cardigans and sweatshirts. It has been difficult to return misplaced items that are not named. Could I please ask that you check your child’s uniform to make sure that it has their name?  

Please continue to check your child’s book bag daily for letters and other pieces of information.

Yours sincerely,

C. Stirling

September 2020

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the start of the new academic year.

It is lovely to see the children back! We have already settled to a fairly new way of working and are managing slightly different routines. We will be studying The Mayans this term.

Whilst we endeavour to fit in as much curriculum as we can per day, a significant proportion of time is taken with the all-important aspect of hand-washing. As this happens several times per day, we will rotate groups washing with soap and hot/cold water and hand sanitizer. This is readily available in the classroom, although I notice that some children have a small bottle of their own – this is going to prove extremely useful, not only in being time-efficient, but as good practice in general. The outline of this year’s curriculum can be found on the ‘curriculum’ part of the school’s website.

Our PE time is on Mondays and due to the unusual situation we have at the moment, we ask that children come to school on that day dressed in their kit. PE T-shirt and shorts can be worn as normal, together with tracksuit / jogging bottoms (no specific colour) and a warm sweatshirt. This could be their school sweatshirt. For safety reasons, long hair needs to be tied back and earrings taken out. It would also be wise to wear trainers suitable for running around in.

Built in to the curriculum, there will be sessions of Philosophy, which will encourage more abstract and critical thinking, a skill which will prepare them for later years.

Our assemblies will take place in the classroom and each week, we will be continuing our reward system and keeping up the merits and good marks. The overall theme for this term is REFLECTION, which will allow each child to consider where they are in their learning and the role they can take in moving forward.

The children are expected to read 5 times per week. It is of huge importance that they read for enjoyment as well as understanding, so establishing a good routine will be greatly beneficial. Please encourage your child to record a small summary of what they read in the Reading Record Book to aid understanding. At the back is a place for spellings. Some practice will be needed at home to support what they do in class.

May I thank you in advance for the support that you give to your child in any home activities (usually given on a Monday for Thursday). It does make a difference.

Please check your child’s book bag daily for letters and other pieces of information, although much of this will now come electronically through email.  Any reply slips to letters or any dinner money can come directly to the classroom so that it can all go to the office together.

Finally, another thank you to all who have named sweatshirts and cardigans  – it is very helpful when things are misplaced!

Yours sincerely,

C. Stirling

Welcome to Eagle Owls!

Year 5/6

10^th January 2019

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the Spring term. Please find an update for our curriculum this term as follows:

Maths:    Reading & organising data, problem solving including the Bar Model, reflecting and translating shapes; are& perimeter, fractions, percentages, number systems

English:  Writing opportunities linked to other curriculum areas, spelling, grammar and handwriting.

Class Book: Myths & legends from Egypt

Writing news reports, instructions, poetry

Science                                    Forces; Properties & Changing Materials

Computing                               Geometry and Art

RE                                           Christianity

PHSE                                       Dreams and Goals

History                                     The Ancient Egyptians

Geography                               Map work, time zones

Art                                           linked with Egyptians and Computing

DT                                           Moving objects, pottery

Music                                       Pitch and Pentatonic Scales

PE                                            Gymnastics and Dance

Our PE days are on Thursdays and Fridays, although changes in timetabling could alter this. If the children have indoor kit and something to keep their arms and legs warm every day, we will be always ready for those ‘just in case’ moments. Thank you for ensuring that the girls have something suitable for keeping their hair tied back and that all children have suitable footwear for outdoors – it really does make a difference.

Please continue to check your child’s book bag daily for letters and other pieces of information.

Homework continues to be given on Monday to be handed in on Thursday; thank you to those of you who play a part in helping your child with this. As usual, reading needs to be ongoing, 5 times per week with a record of what they have read is important.  Many summarise very clearly when they feed back to the class. Again, thank you for your support in this. The children really do benefit.

Finally, I’d like to introduce you to Mrs Crawford, who will be supporting intervention programmes alongside Mrs Hodgson who will continue to work with us in class. She has already made a start and has got to know some of the children.

Yours sincerely,

C. Stirling