17.09.21

 

Dear Parents/Carers

This week, in Year 5 and 6, the children have been taking cuttings of geraniums in their science lessons.  They have been learning about asexual reproduction in plants and are attempting to grow their own from the samples they have taken. 

Fingers crossed, we should get some roots appearing in a few weeks.  Watch this space for updates.

Thank you to the Year 5 parents who have completed the Children's University survey which was posted on the blog this week.  If you are yet to complete it, please find details on the previous post.

This afternoon, your children will have brought home a copy of The Essential Guide To Schools.  Along with open day dates for local schools, there are some interesting articles on the importance of sleep for children, keeping children safe on TikTok and information on applying to grammar school.  Well worth a read!

On Monday, your child will be brining home a reading book and their reading diary (which contains Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 spelling lists), their log in details for Google, MyOn, Times Tables Rockstars and Sum Dog. 

Homework books will follow shortly.

This week's homework is:

In preparation for our art and design technology work, linked to our Mayan Project, we would like the children to research Mayan Masks.  They need to find out why they were used and begin to consider their own design.  This should be submitted by Wednesday 22nd September.

Have a lovely weekend

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

Children's University - NFER

Dear Year 5 Parents

Down Hall are participating in an evaluation of  Children's University  

We would like to invite you to complete the following survey to indicate your interest in allowing your child to take part in Children's University activities if our school is selected.

Please use the link below.  The introduction to the survey gives more information about Children's University.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS FOR YEAR 5 PARENTS ONLY

https://surveys.nfer.ac.uk/uc/eecu_rd/?ses_password=wt399v16

Thank you in advance for your support.

Miss Sharman

10.09.21

Dear Parents/Carers

So, here we are at the end of the first full week of the new school year.  The children have, once again, made us extremely proud this week.  They have worked hard and behaved impeccably.  

This week, they have been impressing us with their writing, as well as their scientific knowledge about plants.

For homework this week we would like the children to:

• Research the life cycle of an animal, thinking about the different stages it goes through.  This should be submitted as a Google Doc, shared with their teacher.
• As always, they should also be working on their multiplication tables and the Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 spellings.  
• They should also be reading at home daily, either from a book or using MyOn.

Homework books will be sent home in due course.  Children will be expected to complete the pages set by their teacher.  Each week, the pages they are expected to work on will be posted on the blog and on Google Classroom.

Children will receive an email to their Google accounts inviting them to join their current classroom page.

Please remember that all school uniform needs to be labelled with your child's name.  We have already had a number of jumpers and cardigans left behind which are unnamed. 

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

Welcome Back!

 Dear Parents/Carers

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your children back to school.  Your children have done you proud over the last couple of days.  They have settled in brilliantly and have already shown us how sensible, kind and hard working they are.

We would also like to thank you for assisting us in a smooth return to school. As you are already aware, the decision was made to carry on as we were before we broke up for the summer with staggered entry and exit times etc. Please see the letter below which was issued in June if you are unsure of arrangements.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AqvnhZaWaeNok1zgc6w7PeT7X_8Khl7W/view

We will be reviewing current arrangements next week, so please keep an eye on the school website as this is where we will let you know when changes will be implemented.

If you have any questions regarding these arrangements please email year5_6@downhallprimary.com

Have a restful weekend.

Full week for all of us ahead next week!

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

Goodbye Year 6

 Dear Parent/Carer

Today we said our final goodbyes to the Year 6 children.  They thoroughly enjoyed their Pizza Party on Thursday afternoon and have spent today saying a fond farewell to Down Hall.

Miss Sharman has been working with Year 6 children this week to make a video in place of a leavers' assembly.  It is currently in 'post production' as Miss Sharman has had to be camera woman, director, script writer and editor! Phew! Plus, there was, of course, the obligatory technical problems!

It should be uploaded to Google Classroom at some point over the weekend.  Please remind your children to check.  It is best to watch it on an IPad if possible.  

Don't forget, Parent/Teacher consultations are taking place via Zoom on Monday.  Booking has now closed and you should have been sent your meeting invitation this afternoon.  We have everything crossed that we won't have any issues logging in etc.  If there are any problems, please telephone the school office or email the 5/6 email account.  If for any reason something goes wrong during the meeting, please remain in the waiting room and we will do our best to reconnect you.

Please note, that the Year 5/6 email account will not be monitored between Wednesday 21st July and Wednesday 1st September.  

A letter with details regarding the return to school is available on the school website.

All that is left to say is a huge thank you to all of our parents for your continued support this year.  Have a lovely summer.  Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you in September.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

09.07.21

 Dear Parents/Carers

The end of the year is almost upon us and is creeping up a little too quickly, as it means we are nearer to saying goodbye to our Year 6s.

This week, we have been busy working on an end of year alternative to the assembly that we usually do.  Watch this space next week!

On Wednesday, Year 5 and 6 took part in their sports day events.  Unfortunately, we didn't manage to get the throwing and jumping done, so we will do the rest next week.

It has been a football frenzy at Down Hall this week!  Each class celebrated England's win on Wednesday night with a sing along on Thursday.  Although very tired, the children did their best and we all had Sweet Caroline in our heads all day!

On Monday of next week, the registers will remain open until 10am.  This means, that if your child stays up late and watches the football on Sunday, they can come into school a little later than usual and won't be marked as 'late'.  

Have a lovely weekend

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

02.07.21

 Dear Parents/Carers

The end of term is fast approaching and our lovely children in Year 5 and 6 have been as busy as ever this week as it has been assessment week.

The children have worked so hard to show us what they can do and we are extremely proud of them.  They will be pleased to know that because of assessments, no homework will be set this week.

It seems the weather has brightened up, which has meant we have been able to do some lessons outside this week.  

We are hoping to complete our sports day events in PE next Wednesday, if the weather allows.  

You may have read in this week's newsletter that Parent/Teacher consultations will take place on Monday 19th July between 8:30 and 3:30.  If you would like to book an appointment with your child's class teacher, please do so using Scopay.

Once you have booked your appointment, we will send you a Zoom link from the Year 5/6 email address.

Have a lovely weekend - enjoy the football if you're watching it!

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall