What a whirlwind of a term we’ve had in Year 5! From the stars above to the depths of the ocean, our pupils have embarked on a thrilling journey through a range of fascinating themes, all while developing new skills and deepening their understanding of the world around them.
We kicked off the term with a cosmic adventure into space, where our young astronauts explored the vast universe using the power of the internet to research the planets. Their enthusiasm was contagious as they created eye-catching space infographics, proudly showcasing their newfound knowledge of our solar system. To enhance the atmosphere, we introduced the children to Gustav Holst’s The Planets Suite. Inspired by the dramatic “Mars, the Bringer of War”, they crafted their own powerful poetry, capturing the intensity of interplanetary battles and sparking both creativity and imagination.
Our budding coders then took on the challenge of programming with Scratch, designing their own reaction-time games. They tested their astronaut-worthy reflexes and demonstrated great determination as they developed their coding and problem-solving skills, a real blast!
Building on our historical learning, we turned to the inspiring story of the Suffragettes. The children discovered the bravery and resilience of the women who fought for the right to vote, a right we often take for granted today. Year 5 engaged in a thoughtful and lively debate, presenting well-researched arguments and expressing their views clearly and confidently, echoing the passionate voices of those who campaigned for equality.
Next, we dived into our “Secrets of the Deep” topic, exploring the wonders of the ocean. We began by learning about the continents and oceans of the world, and the much-loved continent song has certainly become a classroom favourite! The children researched the seven marine wonders of the world, uncovering fascinating facts about the Great Barrier Reef, the Mariana Trench and the Red Sea, before presenting their findings in beautifully designed infographics. A particular highlight was handling fish during our Discover and Do lessons, an experience that sparked curiosity and excitement.
As part of our ocean exploration, we investigated the different layers of the sea and the remarkable creatures that inhabit them. It seems we may have some budding marine biologists in Year 5! We also delved into the story of the Titanic and were delighted to welcome Altru Drama into school for an engaging workshop. Through role play, movement and imagination, the children brought the story to life. They went on to write their own newspaper reports about the disaster and used maths and ICT to create databases and calculate the percentages of survivors on the lifeboats.
In maths, we continued to link our learning to real-life issues by analysing the school’s energy usage. The children interpreted data, calculated figures and identified patterns before writing persuasive letters to Newport Council seeking advice on how we might reduce our energy consumption. It has been fantastic to see them applying their mathematical skills to meaningful, real-world challenges while developing a strong sense of environmental responsibility.
Year 5 have also thoroughly enjoyed developing their physical skills through the County in the Community sessions each Monday. From improving hand–eye coordination to strengthening teamwork, the children have taken part in a range of fun and engaging activities that have enhanced their ball skills and boosted their confidence.
During Safer Internet Week, we were delighted to welcome Theo’s mum into school to speak to the class about data protection and staying safe online. The children learned about the importance of protecting personal information, creating strong passwords and understanding their digital footprint. It was a valuable and timely reminder of how to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
In the final weeks of term, we have been busy preparing for the Eisteddfod competitions. The children have been learning the Welsh poem Dw i’n Hapus, Hapus, Hapus for the recitation competition and the traditional Welsh song Calon Lân. They have also written creative stories entitled Trapped, sketched Welsh miners’ lamps and even constructed working mine shafts, fully immersing themselves in Welsh culture and language.
It has truly been a busy and exciting term, packed with learning, creativity and personal growth. We are incredibly proud of the effort, enthusiasm and maturity our Year 5 pupils have shown in every activity. We cannot wait to see what the next term brings!
