Class Teacher: Miss Launder

Teaching Assistant: Miss Knights

PE days - Tuesday and  Friday

Hello everyone and welcome to Sequoia Class.  Miss Launder is the class teacher, supported by Miss Knights.

We hope you have had a wonderful half-term and you are ready for the term ahead.

We have lots of exciting things planned and we cannot wait to tell you all about it!  The children will embark on new challenges, be given fantastic opportunities and have the most fun whilst doing so.  We will ensure that the last year of their primary education will be one to remember! 

English

We will begin the half-term with a continuation of our wonderful horror unit, based on a book called Thornhill by Pam Smy; a darkly gripping tale of two girls separated by thirty years but pulled together by the looming house of Thornhill.  We cannot wait to see the writing that the children will produce.

We will end the term with a unit on classic playscripts by William Shakespeare; this is oue of our favourite units to teach and I know the children are going to very much enjoy this; we will take part in an in-depth study of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.

Maths

In Maths, we will begin the term with a focus on percentages before moving onto measuring: perimeter, area and volume, and geometry.  

Multiplication is a pivotal part of Maths and underpins so many aspects of the curriculum throughout our school.  All children should be confident in their timetables by the end of Year 4 although, of course, it is understandable this may not be the case for all children. Therefore, we would ask that children continually practise timetables regularly to increase their confidence.  This will help them significantly as they progress through Year 6. 

We will also be offering SATS booster groups to children in preparation for the KS2 SATS Assessments in May; we will contact you after the half-term to confirm the dates and whether your child will be attending.  There will also be a parent forum, details of which will follow.

It would also be beneficial to children to practise SATS Companion over the next half-term.  Logins and passwords have been sent out.  

Science - Light

In Science, we will be studying electricity.  Dare the children enter the Dragons’ Den and market their very own inventive light decoration? They will be using motors, switches, bulbs and buzzers to make their product the stand-out choice of the dragons.

Guided Reading - Wonder

At Water School, we have a love of books and a passion for reading.  In our whole class reading sessions this term, we will continue reading our new novel 'Wonder' by R J Palacio; this heart-warming and impactful novel centres on Auggie Pullman, a boy with significant facial differences who enters mainstream school for the first time.

Physical Education

Our PE day will now take place each Tuesday and Friday afternoon.  Please can all children attend school in full PE kit.

Reading

We understand the importance of reading and expect children to read for at least 10/15 minutes each night.  It is extremely important that we focus on the skill of sustained reading, rather than just reading a few pages.  This will help children in all areas of their learning and make them much more independent as they progress through Year 6.   

Snacks

If you would like to buy a healthy snack for your child to have at break time, it is £1 per week.  This can be paid via Parent Pay each half-term.  A reminder will be sent out via text.  Alternatively, children are more than welcome to bring their own healthy snack to school. 

A note from Miss Launder

I am so excited to be part of your child's journey in their final year of their primary education.  I am confident that with hard work, determination and self-belief, your child will continue to flourish and make exceptional progress.  

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office.

Thank you so much for your continued support.  

Please also see our weekly newsletter for additional diary dates and information.  The link is sent in a text each Friday afternoon.

Many thanks

Miss Launder