06.10.23

Happy Friday everyone!

Freestyle Football

This week in Year 5 and 6, children have enjoyed taking part in some Freestyle Football sessions with Jamie Knight.  The children thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and were amazed at the demonstration Jamie performed for them.

Harvest Assembly

This afternoon, the whole school took part in a Harvest celebration in the hall.  Each phase group had prepared a performance.  Year 5 and 6 read the poem The Ballad of Harvest Past.  We would like to thank all of you who sent in tins and packets.  We have a large collection in the hall which will go to those who need them.

Parent/Teacher Consultations

On Tuesday 17th October & Wednesday18th October between 3.30-6.00pm we will be holding our Parent/Teacher consultations. This will be an opportunity to meet and discuss how your child has settled into school. All gates will be open, but entrance to the school is via the main entrance by the school office. All meetings take place in the hall.

Bookings can be made from today and is done via Scopay. If you are unsure of your Scopay login, please go and see the office as they will be able to issue with your details. It is important to have these details as they will be used to book trips, pay dinner money and make Parent/Teacher meeting appointments throughout your child's time at Down Hall.

World Mental Health Day
On Tuesday 10th October, we will be celebrating World Mental Health Day at Down Hall.
The theme for 2023, set by the World Foundation of Mental Health, is "Mental health is a universal human right." Down Hall Primary School see mental health and well-being as "being comfortable, healthy and/or happy."

To mark this very important day, we would like the children to come to school next Tuesday (10th) in non-school uniform wearing clothes that are comfortable and, if possible, linking to the colours of "Inside Out" which are: green, purple, yellow, blue and red. We hope this will encourage them to explore some of their own emotions. Throughout the day, the children will be taking part in class activities relating to World Mental Health Day. We aim to raise awareness of mental health and drive positive change for everyone's mental health.

Harry Potter Book Day

Thursday 12th October is Harry Potter book day and Miss Harvey is inviting any fellow Harry Potter fans to attend a special after school event full of Harry Potter activities to celebrate. This will be straight after school until 4pm and all children are welcome to attend but be quick as there are only 30 spaces.

Dressing up is encouraged so please feel free to bring something to change into for the event. 

A letter will come home with your child by owl on Monday with a reply slip.

Miss Harvey

Homework has been set on Google Classroom.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

29.09.23

Happy Friday everyone!

We have had another busy week in Year 5 and 6.  Children have been enjoying learning about WWII in their project lessons and have produced a lovely piece of artwork this afternoon depicting London during The Blitz.

In English, children have been reading and finding features of biographies and have been continuing to work with place value in maths.

The Year 5 and 6 football teams played in two matches, this week, winning their first game against Edward Francis and losing to Plumberow.

Next week, it is the girls turn to represent the school on Wednesday in an all day tournament at Waterside.

A message from Mrs Yuille 

For Harvest this year we are collecting for The One Love Project; a soup kitchen and food bank providing support for those families and children that really need it.  We will celebrate in school with a special assembly where we will share songs that we have rehearsed for the occasion.  If you are able to send in any non-perishable items for the collection before Friday 6th October they would be most gratefully received.  We thank you for your continued support in helping our children to understand Children's Rights and learn how to look after ourselves, each other and our world. 

RSS Articles 24 and 27: Every child has the right to the best possible health and a good standard of living.

Homework has been posted on Google Classroom.

Have a lovely weekend.
Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

22.09.23

Happy Friday everyone!

This week has flown by!

The children in Year 5 and 6 have been enjoying rehearsing and performing parts of Macbeth in English.  They have amazed their teachers with their understanding of the play and their dramatic performances.  Oscars all round we think!

Children have been working hard in their maths lessons, learning about place value.  They are working hard and showing a good understanding of what they have been taught.

BIKEABILITY

Thank you for returning your child's Bikeability letter (if your child is in Year 6).  Miss Sharman has booked slots in November.  Letters will be sent out nearer the time with your child's course days.

TABLE TENNIS

Well done to the children who took part in the Table Tennis tournament at Grovewood this week.  Considering it was the first time we have ever entered the competition, the children played brilliantly and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.  

HOMEWORK

Homework has been posted on Google Classroom.  Please make sure your child checks the pages carefully, as we have had a number of children completing the wrong pages this week.  If they do this, the pages won't be marked until they have been set for everyone.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall 

15.09.23

Happy Friday everyone!

Thank you to those of you who attended our Parent Overview meeting on Wednesday.  If you were unable to come along, your child should have brought home a copy of the slides used in the presentation.  If you have any questions, please email year5_6@downhallprimary.com

SPORTS TEAMS

Children found out today whether they have been successful in being selected to be part of our football and High 5 netball teams.  Congratulations to all of those who were chosen by Mr Harrington, Mr Rush and Miss Coombes.  Well done to everyone who put themselves forward and took part in the trials.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

Clubs start on Monday.  There are still spaces in Tag Rugby.  Children have been learning to play during PE lessons.  We are due to take part in a tournament this term.  It would be lovely to be able to select children from the club as well as from lessons.  If your child wishes to join, please contact Mr Harrington.

YOUNG SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

On Thursday, we were fortunate enough to have The Young Shakespeare Company come into school and perform Macbeth for the children in Year 5 and 6.  The children (and staff) thoroughly enjoyed it.  

We are currently learning about Shakespeare in our English lessons and have written a review of the play and designed a poster to go with it in school today.

HOUSE CAPTAIN ELECTIONS

On Thursday we will be holding our House Captain elections.  If your Year 6 child would like to apply for the role, they need to write a speech stating why they should be chosen and prepare a poster to put on display.  Children will then cast their votes on Thursday afternoon.

Good luck to all of the children who are applying.

HOMEWORK

Homework has been uploaded to Google Classroom.  It is the children's responsibility to log into their classroom page and find the pages set each week.

•  'able' and 'ible' words on Spellingframe.  
• Year 5 GPS- Foundation - Pages 88 and 89          Targeted - Pages 82 and 83
• Year 5 Maths - Foundation - Page 11                      Targeted - Page 11
• Year 6 GPS - Foundation - Pages 84 and 85         Targeted - Pages 82 and 83
• Year 6 Maths - Foundation - 2 to 6 (including page 6 - place value)      Targeted - Pages 2 to 6 (including page 6 - place value)

Have a lovely weekend.  Enjoy the last of the sunshine!

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

08.09.23

Happy Friday everyone!

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you all back after what was hopefully a lovely summer break.

The children have settled into their new year groups quickly and have worked hard, despite the hot weather.

Next Thursday (14th) we are lucky enough to have The Young Shakespeare Company visiting the school to perform to the children in Year 5 and 6.

The performance is due to finish at 3:30pm.  Therefore, please collect your children at this time.  If they walk home alone, they may be a few minutes later than usual.

Don't forget, trials for our High 5 Netball and Football teams are next week.  Please see the newsletter for more information.

We look forward to seeing those of you who are able to attend our Parent Overview meeting next week.  This will be held in Sapphire Class on Wednesday 13th at 2:30pm.  This is an opportunity to meet your child's teacher and find out information about Year 5 and 6.  If you are unable to attend, a copy of the slides will be sent home with your child.

No homework this week.  Homework will be set next Friday.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

14.07.23

Happy Friday everyone!

Next week is the last week of the school year and we are getting ready to say a fond farewell to our Year 6 children.

Year 6 should have brought home an invitation to our Hawaiian themed pizza party which will take place after school on Monday.  Please ask them to bring their reply slips into school with them on Monday morning if they have not done so already.

Thank you to everyone who has returned their slip, booking seats for Wednesday evening's leavers assembly.  Again, if you have not returned yours yet, please do so on Monday.

END OF YEAR REPORTS

Children in Year 5 and 6 will have brought home their end of year reports today.  For children in Year 6, this also includes their SATs results.  When reading their results please note the Scaled Score they received as well as their level.  Children who gained 100 or more as a scaled score are working within the level expected for a child of their age.  Children achieving 110 or more are working at greater depth.

A MESSAGE FROM MRS YUILLE

We are once again holding a collection for Shoeshare so now is the time to start rummaging around your cupboards for old shoes that don't fit or you no longer wear!  Shoeshare is a collaboration between UNICEF and Clarks Shoes which works towards improving Children's Rights around the world.  More than £1.6 million pounds has been raised by Shoeshare to help ensure that children all around the world have access to quality education.  

You can read more about the scheme here.

It's hard to believe that together we can make such a huge difference by the very simple act of sorting out our shoes but we really can, and every contribution does help.  Shoes need to be in pairs and if possible held together with an elastic band.  There will be a drop off point at the office or you can just send shoes in with your child at any point during the last week of term.  

Thanks in advance for your continued support in helping our children to learn about sustainability, the wider world that we live in and how to care for others. 

RRS:  Every child has the right to an education and to a clean and healthy environment.

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

07.06.23

Hello everyone!

We really hope you enjoyed Sports Day, yesterday, especially those of you for whom it will be the last one.  

Don't forget that it is our Leavers Assembly on 19th.  If you have not returned the reply slip, please do so as soon as possible.

Mrs Witherall has asked that Year 6 return to school between 5:15pm and 5:30pm, in order for them to get changed and ready for the performance.

Important Dates

14th July - Non-uniform day

14th July - Reports out to parents

17th July - Year 6 Pizza Party - more information to follow

19th July - Year 6 Leavers Assembly

21st July - Last day of term

CLASS PHOTOGRAPHS

We have been asked to share the following information regarding the Class Photos that were taken recently:

Dear Parent/Carer,
 
Your recent Group photograph is now ready to view and purchase at https://htmp.st/DownHall23
 
There will be a free “deliver to school” option open for approximately 7 days, otherwise home delivery is available for £5 postage and packing.
 
If you need assistance, please call 01736 751555 (option 5) or click on contact us on the home page www.htempest.co.uk .
 
Many thanks,
Tempest Photography   

Have a lovely weekend.

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall