19.11.21

Dear Parents/Carers

This week in Year 5/6 we have been participating in Anti-Bullying Week and Children In Need.  On Monday, children designed their own pair of odd socks for Odd Sock Day.  They wrote 'One Kind Word' on each sock as this is the theme this year.

Thank you to everyone who supported Children In Need today by making a donation and encouraging their children to come to school in their pyjamas.  They had a fun packed day completing activities, keeping fit with Joe Wicks, having a movie afternoon and 'bed time story' at the end of the day.

As you are probably all aware, we have had a few children and members of staff absent this week.  I would like to personally thank you for your support and patience.  Your children have, once again, been a credit to you and the school.  They have behaved brilliantly for the adults covering their classes.  We are all very impressed with them.

I would like to wish all our children, parents and teachers who are currently unwell a speedy recovery.  We are looking forward to welcoming them back to  school when they are better.

Have a lovely, restful weekend.

Miss Sharman

12.11.21

 

Dear Parents/Carers

We hope you are all well.  As you know, there have been a number of positive cases of Covid this week in Year 5/6.  We would like to thank you all for being so supportive and making sure that your children have received both lateral flow and PCR tests.  

Unfortunately, both Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall have also tested positive and will not be in school next week.  Classes will be covered by Down Hall staff.  I am currently planning and preparing lessons for their classes while they are absent to ensure the children continue to recieve the same teaching and learning their usual teachers would provide.

If your child is off school and feels well, work can be found on their Google Classroom pages.  These will be updated daily, next week.  Please ask your children to submit work to me to be checked.  If they are feeling unwell, then we do not expect them to complete work.

We wish all of our children and staff a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming them back to school soon.

Miss Sharman 

Welcome Mrs Morris

Year 5/6 have welcomed a new ISA to the phase.  Mrs Morris will be working alongside 5/6 phase colleagues and will spend time in each of the three classes each week.  The children have made her feel extremely welcome and she is thoroughly enjoying working with them.

Plant update!

Those of you have been following the (slow) progress of our geranium cuttings will be please to know that we have had a little success.  Some of the cuttings began growing roots over the past couple of weeks and are now planted in compost.  Fingers crossed they continue to flourish!

Remembrance Day

On Thursday, we took part in the two minutes silence to remember those who sacrificed their lives in wartime.

The children have been buying poppies and other poppy merchandise this week.  The total will be announced at a later date.  The collection boxes were very heavy, so thank you to those of you who made a contribution.

ODD SOCKS DAY.  MONDAY 15th NOVEMBER

This term we are covering ‘Celebrating Difference’ in PSHE. In light of this, we would like to invite our pupils to participate in ‘Odd Socks Day’ to celebrate Anti-Bullying Week, which begins on 15th November.

All children have to do to take part is wear odd socks, it could not be simpler!

The theme of anti bullying week is ‘One Kind Word’ so we will be linking this to RRS.

In class, the children will design a pair of odd socks and write a kind word on each to share with their friends.

A24:  Every child has the right to the best possible health, including mental health.

A1:  Children’s rights apply to all children, everywhere, all the time.

 

Friday 19th November 2021

This year to celebrate Children in Need, we will be having a pyjama day at school on Friday 19th November. Children can wear their favourite PJs to school, however please remember that all children still need to wear sensible outdoor shoes so that they will be safe going outside, and to also bring a coat.

Suggested donation is £1 per child to raise money for such a great cause, but you can give more if you wish. There will be a bucket for donations at the gate during morning drop off. 

Have a healthy and restful weekend

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

05.11.21

Dear Parents/Carers

A few announcements and reminders for this week:

School Council

Article 12 of the UNCRC states that every child has the right to have their voices heard in matters that affect them.  With this in mind we cannot wait to get the School Council up and running so that our children can share ideas, take discussions back to classes and ALL children can be involved in decision making in a democratic way.  A huge well done to everyone brave enough to put themselves forward.  Classes have now voted and the results have been counted!  Congratulations to our new School Councillors. Representing Year 5 and 6 are:

Ruby: Leo

Sapphire: Byron

Topaz: Ellie

Poppies

Next week, the children will have the opportunity to purchase poppies within class. As well as the poppies, there are some other Royal British Legion merchandise (such as key rings, wrist bands and stationery) which can be purchased. The suggested donation for these items are 50p for a poppy and £1 for other items. If you wish your child to get any of these, then please send them in with their money any day next week.

New Collection Arrangements

From today there was a slight change to the collection arrangements at the end of the day. These will continue next week.  Year 5/6 parents are invited onto the playground at the end of the day to collect their children.  Please be aware that if your child walks home independently, they will leave after the rest of their class have been collected.  

Homework

There will be no Year 5/6 homework this week.  Please ensure that your child reads and uses TTRS or Sumdog.  Homework from the CGP books will resume next week. 

Have a lovely weekend, enjoy the fireworks if you are taking part in Bonfire Night.  Stay safe!

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall 

21.10.21

Dear Parents/Carers

Here we are at the end of the first half term of the school year.  The children have worked so hard and we are very proud of them.

Although they have homework during half term, we would like them to have a good rest too.

Christmas Cards

Today, your child has come home with their Christmas card design which they can get professionally made into their very own cards. There is a covering letter which explains the process and how you can order your child's cards online should you wish to. If you have placed an order, tick the box on the sheet to show you have and then you must bring the design back into school on Monday 1st November as they are being collected to send to the print studio to be manufactured.

School Council Elections

In the first week back after half term, each class will be holding an election to choose one person to be part of our new school council. During half term, you might like to discuss with your child whether they would be interested in standing in this election. Discuss how a member of the school council needs to be a good listener but also able to express their own ideas and those of their class during meetings. Children choosing to stand might also like to create a poster and speech outlining why they think they would be a good candidate for the council. We look forward to sharing the results of the election at the end of our first week back. Happy campaigning!

Harvest Festival Collection

Thank you so much to all of you that have contributed to our Harvest Festival collection this year for South Essex Extended Services.  Every single donation does make a difference and is given to children and families in our own local community that need it the most. 

RRS A 27:  Every child has the right to a standard of living good enough to meet their physical, social and mental needs.

Have a lovely half term.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

15.10.21

Dear Parents/Carers

This week, in Year 5/6 the children have completed assessments in maths, English and reading.  They have all worked really hard and tried their best, which is all we ever ask of them.

Therefore, there is no homework this week. 

Thank you to those of you who have booked an appointment with us for next Friday's Parent/Teacher Consultations.  We are very much looking forward to seeing you.

We will send a Zoom link on Wednesday.  

Don't forget, Our Harvest Festival collection continues with a collection box at the gate and any contributions are greatly appreciated.  Here is the link to our Harvest Blog and to our Harvest Festival Samba song to get you in the mood!

Next Wednesday, children in Year 6 will take part in a virtual Crucial Crew event.  These have always been informative and beneficial in the past and we are looking forward to taking part again this year.

As you may have seen, a letter was uploaded this week detailing the new entry and exit times which will begin next week.  Children in Year 5/6 should arrive at school for the entry time of 8:45am.  The exit time will be 3:15pm.  More details are available on the letter, which can be found here . 

Have a lovely weekend 

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

08.10.21

 
Dear Parents/Carers

This week, in Year 5/6 we have been celebrating Black History Month by reading the story 'A House Like No Other'.  We have used it to inspire our own writing and even made wooden bead bracelets like the one our main character, Izzy, found in her Aunt's jewelery box.  The children have enjoyed the lessons and have produced some wonderful written work.

In maths we have been learning about coordinates, including translating, reflecting, rotating and enlarging shapes.

Best of all, the three classes have been mixing at break and lunch times.  It has been lovely to see the children playing together as a phase group again. 

Sapphire Class making bracelets - with a little help from Payton. 

Harvest Festival

Next week we will be starting our harvest festival collection for the children and families in our own community who might need a helping hand.  There will be a collection box at the gate from next week and any contributions will be greatly appreciated.  Here is the link to our Harvest Festival song to get you in the mood!  Harvest Festival Samba

Parent/Teacher Consultations

You are now able to book an appointment to meet with your child's class teacher on Friday 22nd October, 8:30am to 3:30pm.  Please use the Scopay app to secure your slot.  We will, once again, be using Zoom.  A meeting link will be sent to you nearer the time. 

Phase Emails

Please remember, that if you wish to contact your child's class teacher, you can use the phase email.  The address to use for the Year 5/6 teachers is: year5_6@downhallprimary.com

Your emails will be responded to as soon as possible by a member of staff.  This may not be until the following working day (or Monday, if sent after 4pm on Fridays.)

If you wish to inform a teacher of your child's absence, an appointment or a change in drop-off/collection arrangements, please contact the school office via text, telephone or email rather than the phase emails, as these are not checked regularly during teaching hours.

Have a lovely weekend

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

01.10.21

 Dear Parents/Carers

At last! The homework books have arrived.

This evening, your child will have brought home a CGP, GPS book.  The pages they are required to complete for homework are:

Year 5 Foundation - pg 43

Year 5 Targeted - pg 36

Year 5 Stretch - pg 44-45

Year 6 Foundation - pg 38

Year 6 Targeted - pg 36

Year 6 Stretch - pg 6-9

These page numbers are also displayed on our Google Classroom pages.  Homework needs to be submitted by next Wednesday.

Maths books arrived late this afternoon, so will be issued next week.

Maths homework for this week is on Google Classroom.

Height and Weight Check

As you may have seen on this week's newsletter, children in Year 6 will be having their height and weight checks on 18th and 19th October.  Parents in Year 6 should have received a letter via email.

Have a lovely weekend

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall