03.11.23

Happy Friday!

It has been lovely to welcome the children back for the second half of the Autumn term.  

This week we have been completing our Believe and Achieve writing.  The children have planned and written stories about a magic escalator.  They have produced some lovely, imaginitive work and demonstrated their understanding of structuring and punctuating stories.

This afternoon we made poppy wreaths in preparation for Remembrance Day, next week.

Dates for your diary

Monday 13th - Thursday 16th November - Topaz Class Bikeability

Friday 17th November - INSET Day.

Monday 20th - Thursday 23rd November - Sapphire Class Bikeability

Tuesday 21st November - Flu Immunisations

Thursday 23rd November - Individual School Photographs

Thursday 30th November - Rayleigh Lights

Homework

We like to encourage the children in Year 5 and 6 to access their homework independently via Google Classroom.  We understand that this can sometimes be challenging for children who lack confidence in using technology. 

Therefore, we have decided to add a link to the homework pages for parents.  You can find this week's homework pages here.

Periscope Making

Next week, we will be making periscopes in Science.  For this, we need as many cereal boxes as possible.  If you have any at home that you could donate, please send them in with your child on Monday.

Have a lovely weekend.  Enjoy the fireworks!

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

13.10.23

Happy Friday everyone!

This week in Year 5 and 6 we enjoyed taking part in Mental Health Day.  During the course of the day, we spent time completing relaxing, mindfulness activities.  Children played rounders, did art and crafts, played boardgames and some even did some knitting!

A Message From Miss Harvey

Thank you to everyone who came along to the Harry Potter Book Day event! It was very busy but it was lovely to see so many people attend. 

We didn't have time to fit everything in so here is a link to the activities should you want to have a go at them or finish your drawings and of course for anyone else who did not attend. At the end of the video, there are some spells and it shows you how you use your wand to cast them which looks really fun!

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/twinkl-partnerships/harry-potter/book-day 

Miss Harvey

Children from Topaz and Sapphire class have brought home a letter with the date of their Bikeability course.  A third session for Ruby Class will be booked as soon as a slot is available.  

Homework has been uploaded to Google Classroom

Have a lovely weekend

Miss Sharman, Mrs Devlin and Mrs Witherall

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