Year 5 Science Week - Does Toast Always Land Butter Side Down?
The Great Toast Tumble: Science or Superstition? If you spotted Year 5 dropping their breakfast on the floor this week, don’t worry—it was all in the name of British Science Week! Our budding statisticians have been investigating the age-old urban legend: Does toast always land butter-side down? To get to the bottom of this "sticky" situation, the children conducted a rigorous investigation using: Variables: We compared thick-sliced vs. thin-sliced bread. The Control: To keep things fair, we used a 'control' slice (unbuttered but marked) alongside our buttered slices. The "Jam" Factor: We even pushed the boundaries of science by adding jam to see if the extra weight or stickiness changed the outcome! The Verdict? After hundreds of drops and careful data recording, Year 5 discovered that the "butter-side down" myth is exactly that—a myth! Our results showed that toast falls completely randomly. Whether it was thick, thin, buttered, or jammed, there was no statistical evidence to suggest it prefers one side over the other. It was a fantastic way to see how statisticians use data to prove (or disprove!) the things we think we know about the world. Well done, Year 5, for some truly "crumbs-tastic" scientific thinking!
Year 5 Maths - Collaborative Learning with LBQ
Perimeter & Area: Mastering Measurement with LBQ! This week, Year 5 have been putting their geometry skills to the test as we consolidated our learning on Perimeter and Area. To sharpen our mathematical thinking, we dived into the LBQ (Learning By Questions) platform, which provided a series of tricky challenges to solve. The classroom was buzzing with mathematical talk as the children worked collaboratively in groups. It wasn’t just about finding the right answer; it was about the strategy. Groups were heard debating different methods, checking each other's calculations, and explaining their reasoning. What impressed us most was the incredible perseverance on display. When a question didn’t turn ‘green’ on the first attempt, the children didn’t get discouraged. Instead, they used the instant feedback to rethink their approach, discuss their mistakes, and try again until they succeeded. A brilliant display of teamwork and a real 'growth mindset' in action. Well done, Year 5!
Year 5 Dance: West End In Schools Workshop
Our Year 5 pupils had an incredible time bringing the story of Chinese New Year to life this week! We were thrilled to welcome West End in Schools for an energetic dance workshop. The children didn't just learn the choreography; they fully embraced their roles, leaping and grooving as they transformed into the different animals from the traditional tale. From mastering tricky dance steps to exploring cultural history through movement, the energy in the hall was electric! A huge thank you to West End in Schools for such an inspiring and fun-filled session.
Year 5 Science: Investigating Air Resistance
Science in Action: The Great Balloon Drop! Year 5 turned into flight physicists this week as we explored the invisible force of air resistance. To test how surface area affects the rate of descent, we blew up balloons to various sizes and carefully timed their journey to the floor. There were plenty of predictions (and a few stray balloons!) as we investigated whether a larger surface area creates more "drag" to slow an object down. Our young scientists practiced their fair testing skills by keeping the drop height the same, discovering first-hand how air molecules push back against moving objects. Over to you... If we dropped a flat sheet of paper and a crumpled ball of paper at the same time, which one do you think would hit the ground first, and why? Let us know your theories in the comments!
World Book Day Reading Cafe
???? A Page-Turning Success: Our World Book Day Reading Café! What a brilliant way to celebrate World Book Day! It was truly wonderful to see our school community come together to transform the hall into a buzzing hub of stories, snacks, and shared imagination. From pupils to parents, the turn-out was fantastic, and the atmosphere was even better. Here’s a look at the highlights from our literary celebration: ????️ The Great Masked Reader Hunt The highlight of the afternoon was undoubtedly our Masked Reader Hunt. It was a joy to watch everyone turn into literary detectives! Using a series of clever clues, pupils had to figure out which teachers were hiding behind their favourite books. ???? A Marvellous Finale To wrap up the event, Miss Peckson took to the "reading throne" to share a chapter from her all-time favourite: George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl. There’s nothing quite like the magic of being read to, and you could have heard a pin drop as we followed George's mischievous concoctions. Why it Matters At the heart of today’s event is a simple but powerful goal: fostering a lifelong love of reading. Reading isn't just about literacy; it’s about empathy, adventure, and expanding our horizon. Seeing our pupils enjoying books together reminds us that a good story is one of the best ways to connect with each other. "A book is a dream that you hold in your hand." – Neil Gaiman #WorldBookDay #ReadingCafe #LoveOfReading #SchoolCommunity
Year 5 - Maths Escape Room!
Cracking the Code: Our Maths Escape Room Adventure! Last Thursday, our hall was transformed into a sea of mystery and logic as we welcomed Chris from Lock Learners for an unforgettable Maths Escape Room! The children were faced with a series of incredible pirate treasure chests, each protected by multiple locks and hidden compartments. Working in small teams, our young mathematicians had to combine their skills and knowledge to solve a trail of challenging puzzles. From deciphering codes to calculating complex coordinates, every solved sum brought them one step closer to the final "treasure" inside! It was a brilliant day of high-energy learning, proving that maths is not just about numbers on a page, but a vital tool for adventure. We were so proud of how well the children collaborated, persevered, and—most importantly—had a fantastic time putting their maths brains to the test!
Year 5 English: Freeze Frames and Thought Tapping
Step into the Scene: ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ in Year 5 In our English lessons this week, Year 5 have been exploring the art of ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ to bring their characters to life. To help us understand how to describe emotions without simply naming them, we took our learning onto its feet! The children worked in groups to ‘freeze frame’ a dramatic moment: a time traveller from a sterile, silent future space colony arriving suddenly in the middle of a bustling, modern-day playground. We focused on using our bodies and facial expressions to convey the traveller’s shock at the sensory explosion of sights, sounds, and smells. The tension rose as we moved into ‘thought-tracking’; when a child’s shoulder was tapped, they had to break their freeze frame to deliver a single, powerful line of dialogue. From the traveller's stunned whispers to the confused shouts of the modern-day pupils, it was a masterclass in character development. These physical experiences are now providing a fantastic foundation for our descriptive writing as we translate those frozen moments into vivid prose.
Year 5 - R.E. Mind Mapping Ideas about Victory
Beyond the Trophy: Exploring ‘Victory’ in R.E. This week, Year 5 kicked off their moving new R.E. topic by diving deep into the concept of ‘Victory’ and its significance within the Easter story. The lesson began with a high-energy collaborative mind-mapping session. Each group worked like a well-oiled machine, featuring a Scribe to capture thoughts, a Reporter to ‘magpie’ brilliant ideas from around the room, and a Spokesperson to present their findings to the class. It was wonderful to see such a wide range of interpretations, from sporting triumphs to quiet moments of personal success. We then shifted our focus to the wisdom of Nelson Mandela, exploring two of his famous quotes about victory being rooted in perseverance and learning from mistakes. To show their thinking, the children ‘voted with their feet’, physically moving to the quote that resonated with them most. The room then buzzed with debate as each group tried to persuade the other to switch sides, using powerful arguments to explain why their chosen quote held the strongest message. What a fantastic start to the term! Our pupils are already showing great maturity in how they reflect on the theological and personal meanings of victory.
Year 5 PSHE - Life Education Workshop about Friendship
Friendships and Feelings: Year 5 Life Education Workshop Before the half-term holiday, Year 5 received a very special visit from Steven at Coram Life Education for an insightful workshop focused on friendship and emotional health. Our pupils dived deep into how the different parts of our brains can affect our daily behaviour. They also explored the vital differences between being passive, aggressive, or assertive when communicating with others. Through interactive activities, the children practiced new strategies for resolving conflicts and building stronger, more positive friendships. It was a fantastic session that left everyone feeling empowered to navigate their relationships with confidence and kindness!
Year 5 Holy Communion Service
Year 5 Visit St James’ Church for Holy Communion On Tuesday morning, Year 5 visited our church for a special Holy Communion service. It was a wonderful opportunity for the class to gather in worship and reflection. During the service, we were incredibly proud of one of our brave class members who stood at the front to read from the Bible, specifically Exodus 35:21-22. Inspired by the teachings of Paul to the Corinthians—that God loves a cheerful giver—the children also shared heart-felt prayers they had written themselves about the importance of giving cheerfully. It was a moving morning for everyone involved, showcasing the class’s growing confidence and their thoughtful contributions to our church community.
Year 5 - Aim High Day
Aiming High: Year 5 Explore Future Careers Our Year 5 pupils had a brilliant time during our 'Aim High' morning, where the hall was buzzing with inspiration and curiosity. We were lucky enough to be joined by a fantastic range of professionals, including a DJ, an electrician, an accountant, and local PCSOs, as well as a face painter, a craft creator, dentists, and a professional sportsperson. The children threw themselves into the various hands-on experiences, gaining a real insight into the world of work and the diverse paths available to them. It was a wonderful opportunity to see our students dreaming big and discovering new passions—there was certainly plenty of fun had by all! If you could try out any job in the world for just one day, which one would you choose and why?
Year 5 Art - Creating Backgrounds for our Monoprints
Year 5’s Hauntingly Creative Backgrounds Our Year 5 artists have been working hard to master the art of monoprinting. This week, we explored the vibrant properties of acrylic painted paper to create a series of beautifully layered, complex backgrounds. Drawing inspiration from the atmospheric poem A Ghost in the Garden by Berlie Doherty, the children used their custom-made booklets to experiment with colour and texture, resulting in some truly haunting and visually stunning pieces. These textured sheets will serve as the perfect foundation for the next stage of our printmaking journey. If you were imagining a ghost in your own garden, what colours and textures do you think would best capture the mystery?
.png){kind=logo}
