We are Living in a Material World!
Year 5 and 6 have been hard at work this week – we have been planning, testing and evaluating properties of materials!
First, we had to plan our scientific experiment. We decided to test the strength of bags (made from different materials) by adding weights to them, until they reached their maximum capacity. We had to think about the variables to keep and change, as well as how to remain safe during this experiment.
Well, what did we find out? It turns out bin bags are rubbish… but we knew that already. The cotton bag was a huge surprise – it could hold a huge 40 kilograms! Some pupils went one step further and showed off their data presentation skills by using bar charts and line graphs to record results.
Where in the world am I?
This week we have been discussing green spaces, including urban green space. This is linked to the vocabulary that we are learning in class. We used OS maps to look for green spaces in Leeds and then moved onto discussing green belt areas. This is an area that is protected against most forms of development in order to preserve areas of natural beauty and to protect wildlife. This is to also stop city expansion impacting on our green space. Can your child identify and urban green spaces in Leeds?
Wake up Shake Up – WUSU
It has been great getting back to regular physical activity. We have been trying to remember our dances or making sure we are active for 10 minutes at WUSU to count towards our recommended 60 Active Minutes.
Living & Learning – 8Rs for learning
This week, we’ve introduced our new living and living theme: The 8Rs for learning.
These are 8 characteristics that help us to be effective learners – they apply to wider life, too.
We’ll be referring to these lots in school but for some practical tips on how you can help at home check out this parents guide.
Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA)
The Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) is statutory for all schools from September 2021.
It is a short, interactive and practical assessment of your child’s early
literacy, communication, language and mathematics skills when they begin
school, using materials that most children of your child’s age will be familiar with.
All Reception children will be participating in the reception baseline assessment (RBA) within the first 6 weeks of starting school.
The purpose of the assessment is to provide the starting point for a new measure that will help parents understand how well schools support their pupils to progress between reception and year 6 / the end of key stage 2.
For further information about the RBA, please see this guide.
Introduction to Reception – Zoom session
We’d like to welcome new Reception parents to our school by inviting you to a short Zoom session on Wednesday 15 September at 6pm. This session will be a 30 minute introduction to Reception at our Sphere Federation schools.
The sessions will outline the recent changes to the EY’s Framework and the introduction of a Reception Baseline Assessment. It’ll also offer you a few top tips on how you can support your child at home.
The session starts at 6pm. It will last around 20-25 minutes, plus there will be a questions and answer session at the end of around 5-10 minutes.
If you’re interested in attending this Zoom session, please either send us a message on the School Gateway app or email the school office. We’ll then email the Zoom joining details out to all those who have expressed an interest.
Watch out for further workshops relating to both English and Maths on your child’s class website page in the coming weeks.
Year 5 swimming survey
As part of the government PE and Sport Premium for primary schools, there is a condition requiring schools to publish how many pupils meet the National Curriculum requirements. As school swimming lessons have been disrupted due to Covid-19, please could you complete this short survey to provide up to date information for your child.
Thank you
Mrs Latham
PE/Health Leader
Phonics screening check
The phonics screening check determines how well a child can use the phonics skills they have learned in year 1, ensuring that they are on track to become fluent readers.
The check was cancelled by the government for year 1 children in June 2021.
In December 2021, the phonics screening check will be taken by all children in year 2 instead. Year 2 pupils who do not meet the expected standard in the autumn check will take the statutory check in June 2022, alongside year 1 pupils.
The phonics screening check contains 40 words divided into two sections. Both sections contain a mixture of real words and alien words.
The children are encouraged to add sound buttons or use phoneme fingers to read a word. Here is a video showing how we do this.
You can help your child at home by reading anything and everything!
Our First Week
Our first groups have had a great first week in school.
All the children came in confidently. They happily waved at their grown-ups through the window before finding somewhere exciting to explore in the classroom.
We enjoyed taking part in our first PE lesson. Check out our super balances, hoop skills and jumps.
We can’t wait to welcome more new starters next week!
Keeping happy and healthy – PE
All the Year 1 and 2 classes have done some PE this week. The glorious weather helped and we all enjoyed getting active. Children can wear their PE kit (following the school uniform guide) all day on their PE days. Please send children in shoes they can fasten themselves.
1A Miss Lowry – Thursday and Friday
1,2B Mrs Latham – Thursday and Friday
2C Mr Gathercole – Wednesday and Thursday