WOW and NOW
In Year 5 and 6, we often pause our learning for moments of reflection. We often get spiritual, recognising a sense of connection or a sense of awe and wonder – these moments have happened throughout the year and your child will be able to talk to you about some of these moments.
Often, though, some moments are unplanned and we refer to these moments as WOW, OW and NOW moments. Simply put:
Yesterday, we had an unexpected visitor to our classroom when a beautiful chiffchaff flew in. We saw this as both a WOW and a NOW moment. The children we very calm to ensure the bird did not become too frightened. We eventually set the bird free with the help of Freddie’s hoodie.
Help at home – are there moments where you think WOW? Share WOW, OW and NOW moments together. Talk about how these moments make you feel. Share them back at school.
Reading
This week, we have been focusing on poetry during our reading sessions. We have been using the poem ‘Refugee‘ by Brian Bilston as our stimulus.
Refugees
They have no need of our help
So do not tell me
These haggard faces could belong to you or me
Should life have dealt a different hand
We need to see them for who they really are
Chancers and scroungers
Layabouts and loungers
With bombs up their sleeves
Cut-throats and thieves
They are not
Welcome here
We should make them
Go back to where they came from
They cannot
Share our food
Share our homes
Share our countries
Instead let us
Build a wall to keep them out
It is not okay to say
These are people just like us
A place should only belong to those who are born there
Do not be so stupid to think that
The world can be looked at another way
(now read from bottom to top)
The poem is super interesting as you can read it forwards and backwards – this is called a palindrome poem.
First, we read it forwards and recorded our feelings. We were outraged by what we had read:
I dislike this poem because it discriminates against refugees. I felt shocked that people don’t treat refugees fairly. Kamile.
I don’t like it because it’s offensive! Tommy.
They don’t deserve to be treated unfairly as they have just arrived from a long, dangerous journey. Valerie.
I found that I was angry as I think it is a bit racist. Leo M.
The poet made me sad because he was discriminating against refugees. Ralph.
Then, we read it backwards and noticed that our views on the poem had completely changed.
Help at home – Read the poem with your child. Discuss your viewpoints. Can your child relate the poem to our Christian values of Peace, Compassion, Forgiveness, Honesty, Courage and Perseverance?
A few more action shots from the triathlon…
Brownlee Triathlon!
This week, KS2 took part in the Brownlee Foundation Triathlon event! All of the children represented St James well and completed the whole course with huge smiles on their faces! The children had to swim, cycle and run their way to the finish line, working together and spurring each other on. We even got to meet Jonny Brownlee, who very kindly took a photo with our school! Thanks to all parents and adults who helped organise the event. Here are some fantastic photos from our day:
Good Luck Year 6!
As you will all be aware, Year 6 begin their SATS tomorrow.
I’m sure you will all join me in wishing them good luck. They have made so much progress this year and this week will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase everything they have learnt.
RE
Kingdom of God
Today, we thought more in depth about God’s Kingdom and considered a parable that Jesus told:
The Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14: 15-24):
When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”
Children thought carefully about the reading and wrote down any thoughts and questions they initially had:
- Who were the original three? Why did they refuse?
- Who is the master? Why does he want people in his house?
- I feel bad for the master as he was turned down three times.
- Disabilities don’t matter; we are all equal, all the same.
We then considered some prompts about Jesus and referred to our previous learning and soon understood that the parable was Jesus’ way illustrating the Kingdom and God’s readiness to invite all.
Children spoke to each other at length about the reading links to the Kingdom. Here’s some of the things they shared:
- Everyone is welcome in the Kingdom – it is a choice yet not everyone wants to enter.
- All are equal, God doesn’t judge.
- Everyone is loved.
- God doesn’t mind how many enter.
- Is the Kingdom in Heaven/house/castle? The Kingdom is everywhere.
- The Kingdom can be different for everyone.
Leo M was then able to link the Kingdom to other faiths. He spoke about how the Kingdom can be different for people and linked this to the Hindu faith where many deities are revered.
A visit from Leeds Rhinos!
St James had a very exciting visitor from the Leeds Rhinos in today during our Collective Worship. Ian came in to talk to the children about teamwork and inclusivity – two key skills that help us to be happy and healthy in our school. We got the opportunity to learn about the different teams that Leeds Rhinos have, such as: men’s and women’s rugby; netball; a wheelchair rugby team and many more. The children responded really well when discussing the importance of inclusivity, teamwork and stereotyping, particularly in sport.
Ian also reminded us of the fantastic offer from Leeds Rhinos for pupils to go and see one of their matches! If you/your child is interested in this, discounted tickets can be purchased through school. Here are the details of the match:
Leeds Rhinos vs Hull FC
Friday 16th May
Kick off: 20:00
Netball at Wetherby High
Year 5 took part in a netball skills session at Wetherby High School this week, and it’s fair to say, we have seriously talented children! The afternoon began with lots of small team skills and games, where the children had to show teamwork, resilience and support for each other. I was super proud of how the children looked after each other and showed encouragement to not only our school members, but other schools, too.
The second half of the afternoon took us outside to play some netball games in a mini competition. Year 5 were split into two teams and competed against other schools. The children quickly adapted to the rules and positions needed for netball and showed off fantastic passing and shooting skills.
Again, I’d like to reiterate how proud I am of the Year 5 children and how they conducted themselves. They were polite, kind and gave 100% effort on a very warm day. Here are some pictures from the afternoon:
Living and Learning
This week our focus is to ‘recognise the importance of sleep’.
Did you know that at age 10, children are recommended to get around 10 hours of sleep each night. The average person spends 9,582 days of their lifetime asleep.
A good night’s sleep can improve a person’s:
- memory – Overnight, information moves from short-term to long-term memort.
- decision making – Our ability to think and make decisions is improved during sleep.
- concentration and mood – While asleep, activity in the brain improves a person’s focus.
- immune system – The immune system keeps a person healthy.
- body feel full after eating – This means a person who sleeps well is more likely to stay a healhty weight.
- body to grow and repair – During sleep the body repairs its muscles, organs and other cells.
We have been reviewing two different characters and thinking about their sleep patterns. We were able to highlight good and poor quality sleep and say how it might effect a person.
Then we devised our own action plan to help a young person improve their quality of sleep. It was important for us to consider daytime, bedtime and bedroom routines. Children we excellent at suggesting ways to improve these points (for example: less screen time, reading a book, blackout curtains, drinking water throughout the day). Finally, children suggested top tips for better sleep.
Children may be getting poor quality sleep due to worries and concerns. Children know where they can go should they be experiencing this:
Summer Term
Welcome back. Hope you are all feeling refreshed after a happy and healthy Easter break.
We have a short half-term ahead of us but lots of exciting things going on as well as lots of exciting learning.
Year 6 are working towards their SATS tests which take place from 12th – 15th May. The children are working so hard towards these in the classroom. They are really responding well and are taking suck encouragement from the progress they are making. Please continue to encourage your child to work through their SATS booklet at home and remember I can go through difficult questions with them in class, if required.
Year 5 children have several trips out of school this half term:
- Thursday 1st May – netball at Wetherby High School. 1-3pm
- Monday 12th May – ‘A Day in the life’ at Wetherby High School. All day.
Here are some of the topics covered this half term:
Reading – Our class novel this term is Letters from the Lighthouse. A superb book about WWII in Britain. Please speak to your child about the book and what they can remember/enjoy. Please also continue to encourage your child to complete activities in their reading record once a week.
Writing –
Journalistic writing. In History, children learn about The Blitz. In this piece, they apply this knowledge by writing journalistically about a bombing – imagining they’re there at the time.
Recount. Children learn about evacuees. They imagine they’re an evacuee who has just arrived at the new home. They write a letter to a loved one explaining what’s happened and how they are.
History – World War in Britain.
RE – What kid of a King was Jesus?
PE – Rugby.
Science – Variation and Adaptations.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.