This term we have been learning all about different views on creation from Genesis to the Big Bang. This week’s lesson prompted lots of deep thinking and discussion about whether or not different beliefs can co-exist. 5J brought this thinking together in a wonderful piece of work where they documented their ‘I Wonder’ thoughts. They were then also able to make connections between these different ideas.

We have had a busy but wonderful few weeks of the new term in 5J. Every year our Year classes take part in the Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival. We have one half-term to learn, create and finesse a Shakespare play- in our case ‘Macbeth’.

The children have worked hard to understand and embody ‘ensemble theatre’, learn lines and get to grips with the theatrical process of putting together a performance ready show. We still have work ahead of us of course but if what they have so far is anything to go by, the show will be a roaring success! Shout out to Miss Jackson’s dad and Ethan’s Grandma for helping to make the props!

It has been quite the exciting morning in year 5 today. We were lucky enough to join an online assembly with the record breaking explorer Robert Swan. This wasn’t your average assembly- this was being broadcast from the Antarctic! We had the opportunity to see their camp and learn all about Robert’s mission to protect this amazing continent. Feeling quite inspired, our Eco club representative was eager to pass on some ideas at his next meeting and some children even decided to change their plans for their biography to write about Robert!

This week made the journey to Adel Woods and whilst it may not be in the Arctic like our inspiration, Ernest Shackleton, there was definitely a chill in the air. We made sure to wrap up warm and head out to get den building.

The children collaborated in their teams to consider the purpose of their shelters and how they might apply knowledge (such as triangulation) to support their structure. I think you’ll agree that they did a fantastic job!

We have been up to a lot this week in 5J, kicking off the week with Odd Socks Day and our Anti-bullying film making workshop. We learnt about the importance of being an upstander rather than a bystander. We also had lots of fun. I’ll let the pictures do the talking but I think the grown-ups may have even more fun.

Work has continued on our ‘Pole to Pole’ topic this week where we used our jumpers and a couple of boxes to learn how tectonic plates create mountain ranges. The children asked Miss Jackson lots of thoughtful questions to deepen the learning.

As part of our observation of Black History Month, we looked at black British literary talent. Miss Jackson recommended the book ‘Windrush Child’ by Benjamin Zephaniah. William felt so motivated that he went to the library, found the book and read in one weekend! He has inspired more of us to have a read over the half-term break.

We also read some poetry by Lemn Sissay (another British poet). We were inspired by his poem ‘Let the Light Pour in’ to think about what little things might bring joy to our day.

This term year 5 have been learning all about pilgrimages across different religions. This week, we have been learning about the Muslim pilgrimage ‘Hajj’. We brought together our learning of the ‘what’, the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ via a creative approach. See below an excellent example of a child demonstrating their knowledge but then deepening this thinking to consider what it might be like to embark on this spiritual journey.

A creative representation of the Ka’bah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia with a reflection alongside this.

All the year 5 classes spent Thursday at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds this week. We spent part of the day exploring the museum’s many artefacts (including over 2,500 pieces just in the amazing stairwell!) and were blown away by the sheer scale of some of the displays.

Our afternoon was quite tiring on account of us training to be Spartan warriors like boys did in Ancient Greece at the Agoge (warrior training school). We learnt how to make battle formations and how to correctly use our shields and swords. We finished the day in a story telling workshop led by a Greek oracle who taught us all about Perseus and Medusa.

Behaviour was absolutely outstanding with members of the public even taking time out to say how wonderful the children were. Well done 5J- you made me a very proud teacher!

What a way to kick off the term! 5J were in the very privileged position of having the first arts fortnight of the year. We created two main pieces of art inspired by our topic on Ancient Greece, drawing upon a wide range of skills. We first designed and built labyrinths before moving onto building clay pots using a coil technique.

In addition to this, we spent time in the café learning how to create a well-balanced and nutritious salad. The myth of Theseus and the Minotaur further inspired our creative writing and our fantastic dance. We loved being immersed in such a wonderful creative two weeks. Thank you Mrs Housam, Mrs Fox and Mrs Elliott for your support!