Welcome to Blue Whales!

We are the brilliant class of year 5 and 6 pupils who strive to be outstanding role models for the rest of the pupils in the school. We consistently demonstrate the school values by aiming high, showing respect and being safe. We are also working hard on developing a growth mindset to support us on our learning journey.

Within Blue Whales, Mrs Cowley is the class teacher and Mrs O’Neill, Mrs H and Mrs Richardson are the teaching assistants.

Polite reminders

Please ensure your child:

• is punctual and arrives at school at 8.45am as learning begins straight away
• has their school reading book and diary
• has a named water bottle with them daily
• has their name clearly labelled in their school uniform
• completes their weekly homework which will be set on a Friday and returns it by the following Thursday

Swimming

We are very lucky to be accessing swimming lessons at The Healthy Living Centre in Staveley. Our slot is on a Monday morning and we will be leaving school promptly at 8.50am so children need to be in school by 8.40am. Children will need their swimming kit which should consist of goggles, a swimming costume/trunks and a towel and are encouraged to come to school wearing their PE kit.  

Autumn learning journey

This term, our learning will focus around answering the question, ‘Do our differences define us?’ This is a geographical-based enquiry where children will focus on exploring and comparing the UK (a developed country) with Brazil (a developing country). History will enhance this enquiry with children exploring the civil rights movement and the treatment of black people throughout history. It will be further enhanced by our PSHE learning as we explore what it means to be an individual, explore rights and responsibilities and promote respect and tolerance of diversity.

The enquiry will lead to children organising a fundraising event for a charity of their choice linked to our work on diversity. This will be an opportunity for children to make a positive contribution to society and will allow them to showcase their learning through the information shared at the event. More details will be shared on what the event will consist of in due course.

Within English, we will cover the following genres:

• Narratives
• Non-chronological reports
• Newspapers
• Letters
• Biographies

Maths for both year groups will have a focus on place value, the four operations and fractions.  

A love of reading will be fostered through the sharing of our class novel ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’ and through accessing high quality texts to enrich learning opportunities and provide children with new knowledge.

Below is the knowledge organiser which shows the key vocabulary and sticky knowledge which children will learn and retain as a result of our autumn enquiry.