Year 6 - Autumn 1 - Week 1
Date: 3rd Sep 2021 @ 8:06am
What a brilliant start we have had to Year 6!
It really has been fantastic to see all the children return to school with such excitement and enthusiasm. They have all settled in so quickly and the 'Year 6 team spirit' is evident already!
The majority of our first three days back has been taken up by our first PSHE topic - which focuses on the Disney film, Cool Runnings. The film has helped us to recall our school’s vision and values while also allowing us to reflect on our school motto, ‘Choose Wisely’. Throughout the week, the children have participated in various discussions around the themes of the film, as well as individual characters. Using our thinking hats and maps, we have been able to expand on our ideas and consider others’ viewpoints as we have tried to understand what different characters are feeling, the adversities they are facing and how they are choosing to overcome these challenges. This week has also been a great opportunity to connect our learning with our school’s 4C Thinking Curve and reflect on how - throughout the year - we should welcome challenges, as challenges can lead to better outcomes.
Linked to our ‘Cool Runnings’ topic, the children thoroughly enjoyed their first PE lesson on Thursday afternoon. Given the context of the film, it seemed only right that the lesson should be ‘Winter Olympic’ themed, thus the children were divided into different nations and took part in various winter events, including a team version of an alpine skiing event. This activity proved to be more difficult than originally thought, as the children needed to complete various courses while staying linked together throughout. Several conversations on strategy were required as the teams decided their order and calculated how fast they could go without breaking the chain! Eventually, each team was timed on the final ski course to determine an overall winner, but it was teamwork aspect of the challenge that really shone during this time! Although differing in times slightly, every team completed the final course without incurring any penalties – well done, Year 6! We are already looking forward to seeing how the ‘bobsled’ event plays out next Tuesday!
This week also brought us our first Music lesson with Mr Fogg. He led our first lesson without any instruments – instead playing various games that focused on rhythm, beat and tempo! We are very fortunate that he will now be teaching us how to play our brass instrument every Wednesday afternoon this term. Although we are at Robinwood next week, Mr Fogg will still be in to check and clean all the instruments, so please ensure that any instruments which were taken home at the end of Year 5 are returned to school before Wednesday.
We know that many children are excited for our school residential to Robinwood in Wrexham next week. Please ensure you have visited their website and read all the information given, including in their brochure and on their FAQ page. Attached to this blog is also a PowerPoint presentation, which will provide you with information that is specific to Year 6’s trip next week. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch via the class account (y6@tsp.sefton.school).
Please note that weekly homework (including spellings) would usually commence on Friday 10th September, however as the children are in Robinwood next week, this will now commence on Friday 17th September.
In terms of Year 6 reading, the children will have daily opportunities to read, either independently, in a group or as a whole class. Those children who receive their ‘home reading books’ from school will also still be listened to individually every week by an adult. However, it is really important that the children are encouraged to read daily at home and with an adult if possible. If you are struggling with book choices, please refer to the recommendations listed on our ‘Learning at Home’ page, or let us know and we will be able to offer suggestions.
Thank you to everyone for making the start to this academic year so wonderful. We hope you all have a great weekend and we look forward to seeing you all next week. We are certain it is going to be action-packed!