Class Teacher: Miss Launder

Teaching Assistant: Miss Knights

PE - Monday afternoon

Swimming - Thursday afternoon

Forest School - Friday afternoon

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

We hope you have had a wonderful summer holiday and you are ready for the term ahead.  We are so excited to see our Year 6 superstars lead Water Primary School.  You are going to be amazing! 

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 start the new term with magic and wonder; this will consist of a study of the wonderful novel 'The Nowhere Emporium' by Ross MacKenzi.  This shared class novel will give the children a rich and exciting starting point for the term, helping to build discussion, reading and writing around one inspiring text.  By starting the term with a book full of wonder and imagination, it is a lovely way to set the tone for English lessons as we progress through the year.  

Our non-fiction will involve a study of science fiction, with a particular focus on a fictional planet called Pandora.  This is a wonderfully imaginative way to approach information writing, helping the children explore how non-fiction can be built around inventive ideas.  By studying Pandora, the children will be encouraged to look closely at description, classification and the presentation of information.  They will also be researching and creating their own planet, creature and humanoid. 

Lastly, we will end the term with some poetry; a study of the Black Lives Matter Movement.  This will help broaden the children’s understanding of the world around them. It reflects the value of learning that is both meaningful and relevant, supporting children as they begin to think about wider issues.

Maths

In Maths, we will begin the term with a focus on place value within 10,000,000 and the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).

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 in all aspects of Maths as they progress through Year 6. 

Science - Properties of Materials

In Science, we will begin the term with a study of properties of materials; we will compare and group together everyday materials based on their properties, including hardness, solubility, transparency, conductivity and response to magnets.  We will investigate whether materials will dissolve in liquid to form a solution and describe how to recover a substance from a solution.  We will then use our knowledge of solids, liquids and gases to decide how mixtures might be separated including through filtering, sieving and evaporation.  We will be carrying out comparative tests and demonstrate that dissolving, mixing and changes of state are reversible changes.  From this, we will then explain that some changes result in the formation of new materials and this kind of change is not usually reversible including changes associated with burning and the action of acid on bicarbonate of soda.  

Whole-class Reading - Holes

At Water Primary School, we have a love of books and a passion for reading.  In our Whole-class Reading sessions this term, we will focus on the fantastic novel 'Holes' by Louis Sachar.  Holes follows luckless Stanley Yelnats, sent to a Texas desert camp where boys dig endless pits under the warden’s watch.  This is one of Miss Launder's favourite novels and she cannot wait to share with the Year 6 children.

Physical Education

Our PE days will take place each Monday afternoon.  Please can all children attend school in full PE kit.  We will also be attending swimming lessons on Thursday afternoons.  Please could all children ensure they bring their swimming kits to school on this day; please ensure any children with long hair also bring a swimming cap.  

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 (£8 this term).  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. 

Water Bottles

Children are now able to bring their own water bottles to school each day.   Please note that they may be plastic or metal, but they must not be larger than 500ml (please no Stanley Cups), as we do not have sufficient storage space.

We also recommend that all bottles are clearly labelled with your child’s name, as some children may bring identical bottles. Water bottles should be brought into school on a Monday and taken home on a Friday.

Bottles will be rinsed and refilled with fresh water each day. If a child forgets their bottle, they will still have access to drinking water throughout the school day.

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:

enquiries@water.lancs.sch.uk or 01706 216414

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