FRIDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2026 

Dear Parents,

Happy Friday to you all! We hope that you've had a fabulous week! With wet weather likely, can we ask that the children come to school with a coat every day. We tend to go out at break and lunchtimes unless it is heavy rain. The children have been very busy with all their learning. Do check out our weekly newsletter for photos and a general catch up on what is going on around the school.

DANBURY TRIP

We hope that the children had a great time on the Danbury Trip. All photos from the trip will be collected and placed in a folder that will be shared via Google Classroom soon. The children will be notified once this is complete.

BIKEABILITY

Please check the Class Dojo for information regarding Year 6 children who are participating in this event. Group Two children will begin this Monday 12th October.

YEAR 5/6 HOMEWORK TASKS

CGP BOOKS

MATHS

Year 5 Pg 12+13

Year 6 Pg 10

ENGLISH

Year 5 Pg 9-11

Year 6 Pg 10

• Reading: Remember 15-20 minutes reading to an adult every day is the optimum and should be continuing into Years 5 and 6. Please also encourage your child to read by themselves and then discuss the text afterwards, sharing opinions, their favourite part or questioning what happened so as to ensure that your child is understanding the text as well as reading it.
• Spelling words - please practise these at home by revising them from your spelling and times table notebook and by writing them down. Don't forget to use Spelling Frame to support your learning. Your children have been given their spellings and timestables to learn. Year 5 are continuing from the previous week due to Danbury
• Times table practice - next week we are looking at 12s. Please practise these at home by revising them from your spelling and times table notebook and by writing them down.

• TTRS/Sumdog - lots of practice on these amazing programmes that complement what we learn at school. Please see your reading diaries for log in details.

Have a fab weekend,

Mrs. Hurley and Miss Harvey

Year 5/6 Blogpost 02.10.26

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

We are once again back to another Friday - and it's now October!!!
As the weather is continuing to cool and provide us with free showers, could we please request that you provide the children with suitable school uniform and added layers for when we go out to play and learn.  We have had much fun in our learning again this week, so please take a look at our newsletter for some updates and photos.

HARVEST FESTIVAL

Over the weekend, we would like the children to create a poster to support our Harvest Festival. Details were shared in Thursday’s assembly.

BIKEABILITY

Please check the Class Dojo for information regarding Year 6 children who are participating in this event. Group One children will begin this Monday 5th October.

YEAR 5/6 HOMEWORK TASKS

CGP BOOKS

MATHS

Year 5 Pg 15

Year 6 Pg 14

Year 5 Pg 86-87

Year 6 Pg 18-19

• Reading: Remember 15-20 minutes reading to an adult every day is the optimum and should be continuing into Year 6. Please also encourage your child to read by themselves and then discuss the text afterwards, sharing opinions, their favourite part or questioning what happened so as to ensure that your child is understanding the text as well as reading it.
• Spelling words - please practise these at home by revising them from your spelling and times table notebook and by writing them down.
• Times table practice - next week we are looking at 8's. Please practise these at home by revising them from your spelling and times table notebook. The best way to learn is to repeat them out loud.

• TTRS/Sumdog - lots of practice on these amazing programmes that complement what we learn at school. We do set tasks for the children to complete. There are also school, county and nationwide contests from time to time. Please see your old reading diaries for login details or message your class teacher using Dojo.

We hope that you have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs Hurley and Miss Harvey

Year 5/6 Blogpost 25.09.26

 

Year 5/6 Blogpost 25.09.26

 Dear Parents,

Happy Friday. The children are now in full swing and have been working really hard this week. We are enjoying our lessons in art and linking this with our project on Earth and Space.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING

Over the weekend we would like the children to research a person of their choice. The information will then be used to write a biography during independent writing. The more information you gather, the better chance you have of writing an excellent example of a biography.

Year 5/6 Homework Tasks.

CGP BOOKS

MATHS

Year 5 Pg 10

Year 6 Pg 15

ENGLISH

Year 5 Pg 76

Year 6 Pg 17

• Reading: Remember 15-20 minutes reading to an adult every day is the optimum and should be continuing into Year 6. Please also encourage your child to read by themselves and then discuss the text afterwards, sharing opinions, their favourite part or questioning what happened so as to ensure that your child is understanding the text as well as reading it.
• Spelling words - please practise these at home by revising them from your spelling and times table notebook and by writing them down.
• Times table practice - next week we are looking at 4s. Please practise these at home by revising them from your spelling and times table notebook and by writing them down.

• TTRS/Sumdog - lots of practice on these amazing programmes that complement what we learn at school. Please see your reading diaries for login details or message your class teacher using Dojo.

We hope that you have a wonderful weekend.

Mrs. Hurley and Miss Harvey

Year 5/6 Blogpost 18.09.26

Dear Parents,

Happy Friday - the weeks are whizzing by...

Well done to all of the children that took part in the House Captain vote. The presentations and speeches were of a very high standard. Please see our newsletter for the results.

YEAR 5/6 HOMEWORK TASKS

CGP BOOKS

MATHS

Year 5 Pg 7

Year 6 Pg 8

ENGLISH

Year 5 Pg 6 and 7

Year 6 Pg 56 and 57

• Reading: Remember 15-20 minutes reading to an adult every day is the optimum and should be continuing into Year 6. Please also encourage your child to read by themselves and then discuss the text afterwards, sharing opinions, their favourite part or questioning what happened so as to ensure that your child is understanding the text as well as reading it.
• Times table practise - next week we are looking at 9’s. Please practise these at home by revising them from your spelling and times table notebook and by writing them down.
• Spelling practise - please learning your weekly spelling words that you have written in your notebooks.

TTRS/Sumdog - lots of practise on these amazing programmes that complement what we learn at school.

We hope that you have a wonderful weekend.

Mrs Hurley and Miss Harvey

 

Friday 11th September 2026

Year 5/6 Blogpost 11.09.26

Dear Parents,

Happy Friday. The children have loved coming back and this week we have looked at our world and how it is changing We are looking forward to learning more about Earth and space in the coming weeks.

We would like to thank all of our Parents/ Carers for making sure that full school uniform is worn. Children were reminded that shoes and not trainers should be worn, as in line with our uniform policy. 

We would also like to thank you for supporting the children to make sure that homework is completed. Without your support, the children are not able to make the progress that we would like this year.

ROALD DAHL DAY Roald Dahl day falls on Sunday this year so we will be celebrating on Monday. Your children are invited to dress up as a Roald Dahl character but normal school uniform if they do not want to dress up.

Year 5/6 Homework Tasks.

CGP BOOKS

MATHS Year 5 Pg 9 (Powers of 10) Year 6 Pg 24

ENGLISH Year 5 Pg 62+63 (Punctuating Speech) Year 6 Pg 8 (Antonyms and Synonyms)

• Reading: Remember 15-20 minutes reading to an adult every day is the optimum and should be continuing into Year 6. Please also encourage your child to read by themselves and then discuss the text afterwards, sharing opinions, their favourite part or questioning what happened so as to ensure that your child is understanding the text as well as reading it. All children will record their home reading in school.

• Spelling words - please practise these at home by revising them from your spelling and times table notebook and by writing them down. Your children have been given the 2nd spelling list.

• Times table practise - next week we are looking at 6s. Please practise these at home by revising them from your spelling and times table notebook and by writing them down.

• TTRS/Sumdog - lots of practise on these amazing programmes that complement what we learn at school. Please see your reading diaries for login details or message your class teacher using Dojo.

House Captains. Next Thursday, we will be holding House Captain elections. If any of our Year 6 pupils would like to be considered for this role, please encourage them to prepare a speech or presentation to explain why they would be good for this role (these have been discussed with the children in class).

We hope that you have a wonderful weekend.

Mrs. Hurley and Miss Harvey

Year 5/6 Blogpost - Welcome to the New School Year!

Dear Parents,

A huge welcome to you if you are joining us here in Year 5/6 and a big hello if you were with us last year! The children have had a very busy week and have all settled in well to their new classes. It is so great to see the children smiling when they are coming into school each day. 

Our weekly blog is the best way to receive communication from us. We will also use the Class Dojo from time to time when needed. If you have not received your child's log in please ask their teacher.

ROUTINES

• Messages to staff on the gate in the morning.

• Please ensure that children come on to the school grounds on their own.

• Please send in a note or email the office if collection arrangements are different to normal.

• Please call the office if collection arrangements change during the day.

• Please label all clothing including their tie.

• Ring the office if your child is off sick – must be clear for 48hrs before returning to school. 

• Please notify the office of any changes to mobile numbers or email addresses.

• Our PE day will be on Wednesdays.

• Snacks - Please provide fruit or vegetables for your child’s snack in a named, reusable container.

• Homework is set every Friday and will need to be handed in by the following Wednesday.

YEAR 5/6 HOMEWORK TASKS

CGP BOOKS

MATHS

Year 5 Pg 11

Year 6 Pg 6

ENGLISH

Year 5 Pg 33-34

Year 6 Pg 32-35

• Reading: Remember 15-20 minutes reading to an adult every day is the optimum and should be continuing into Year 6. Please also encourage your child to read by themselves and then discuss the text afterwards, sharing opinions, their favourite part or questioning what happened so as to ensure that your child is understanding the text as well as reading it.

• Times table practise - next week we are looking at 3’s. Please practise these at home by revising them from your spelling and times table notebook and by writing them down.

• TTRS/Sumdog - lots of practise on these amazing programmes that complement what we learn at school.

EXTRA HOMEWORK

• School Councillor - if you would like to be considered for this role, please prepare a presentation for you to share with your class next week.

Remember, you can either type out any extra homework on a Google document and share it with your teacher or hand write neatly onto paper and bring it into school.
Please ask for help if you are unsure!

INTRODUCING OUR AMAZING YEAR 5/6 TEACHERS

MANUKA CLASS

Hi there. My name is Mrs Hurley and I am very excited to be your child's teacher this year. I cannot wait to get to know your child over the coming year. Mrs Holland (LSA) works alongside me to support all our children. The happiness and safety of your child is very important to me, if you ever have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to come and see me. My classroom door is always open.

DAISY CLASS

Welcome!
I am Miss Harvey and will be teaching the year fives. Miss Chapman and Mrs Wright are the class LSA's who will also be here with me to support your children. 
I love Down Hall, both as a member of staff and as a parent and I am looking forward to a fantastic year with your children.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to pop into class or message us on the Class Dojo.
If you would like to speak to us feel free to call the office and we will get back to you when we can. 

Have a fabulous weekend,
Mrs Hurley and Miss Harvey

Year 5/6 Blog 03.07.26

 

Friday, 26 June 2026

Year 5/6 Blog 03.07.26

Dear Parents/ Carers,

We had a lovely day for sports day today and enjoyed competing with our houses. Year 6 have been extremely busy with their production rehearsals and year 5 have been shining through their assessments this week, showing everything they have learnt this year. Well done to everyone!

Tue 30 Jun, 09:35 (3 days ago)

***YEAR 6 LEAVERS' PERFORMANCE ***

We hope you have received the letter outlining all the key information. If not, please click on the link in this week's newsletter.

***YEAR 6 LEAVERS' ASSEMBLY***

Monday 13th July - Year 6 Leavers' Assembly 2pm

Please come to the hall via the Brooklyn Drive entrance from 1.50pm. All gates will be opened.

Sweyne Transition Day

Due to the cancelation of today's transition day due to the weather, this will now take place on Friday 10th July 2026.

Message from Miss Smith:

                        RACE FOR LIFE
We will be running our Race for Life next Friday (14th June).
Everyone will be taking part and children should come in PE Kit on the day. Children will also be given a card next week to bring home so they

can write the name of the person for whom they are running.

Please bring this in on Friday with a

safety pin so it can be worn on the day.

A Just Giving page is available for you to donate directly to Race for Life. This page will be open until the end of term. 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/down-hall-primary-school-2?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL

Diary Dates

Monday 6th July- District Sports (KS2)

Tuesday 7th July - Year 6 Production Dress Rehearsal at Sweyne School (morning only)

3:15 - 4pm - Open school - come in and see your children's work and check out their new class

Thursday 9th July (6pm) - Year 6 Production at Sweyne School. Please see our Class Dojo for

more details.

Please also ensure that your child is regularly:

• Reading: Remember 15-20 minutes reading to an adult every day is the optimum and should be continuing into Year 6. Please also encourage your child to read by themselves and then discuss the text afterwards, sharing opinions, their favourite part or questioning what happened so as to ensure that your child is understanding the text as well as reading it. All children have a Reading record to take home.

• Spelling Rule - None this week due to assessments

• TTRS/Sumdog - lots of practice on these amazing programmes that complement what we learn at school. Please see your reading diaries for login details.

• This week's times table is: Practise mixed tables on TTRS

We hope that you have a fabulous weekend!

Mrs. Hurley, Mr. Greenfield and Miss Harvey