We Begin Our Journey in Reception!

During the first weeks in Reception, we spent time getting to know each other, what we like, what we are good at and what makes us special. We are very proud of each and every child, parents and carers who played a vital part in ensuring a smooth and successful transition into new routines. 

    

  

Autumn Term 2

Back to school began with something truly special, tactile Story Time led by our amazing school librarian! Children immersed themselves in The Very Hungry Caterpillar story through touch and imagination, making it a joyful and memorable start to the new term.

              

  

 

 

School Trip: As part of our Place of Worship topic, we visited St Mary Magdalene’s Church in East Ham. We were welcomed by Reverend Katherine, who told us all about the church’s fascinating history.  Did you know it’s over 900 years old?

We had a wonderful time drawing and counting the crosses, learning about Christian symbols, and even watching Reverend Katherine baptise our baby doll, Sarah! To end our visit, we were treated to a special moment; Reverend Katherine playing the church organ for us.

It was a truly memorable and inspiring morning!

 

 

 

 

 

Topic: This term, Year 3 have been exploring the fascinating world of Ancient Egypt. We’ve learned all about mummification, pharaohs, and the River Nile, discovering what life was like thousands of years ago. One of our favourite activities was role-playing as Howard Carter, uncovering a hidden tomb filled with treasures — including a mummy and canopic jars! We even had great fun practising the mummification process on each other!

          

This term in Science, Year 3 have been learning all about forces and magnets. We’ve enjoyed carrying out exciting investigations to explore how these forces work. We tested how friction changes on different surfaces and experimented with magnets to answer our own scientific questions. It’s been a fun and hands-on way to discover how forces affect the world around us!

       

 

 

School Trip: Year 4 visited a Hindu temple to learn more about how Hindus worship. The children were fascinated by the colourful statues and images of different gods and goddesses, each representing special qualities and stories. They listened carefully as the guide explained how Hindus pray, offer flowers or food, and ring bells during worship to show respect to the gods. The visit helped the class understand the importance of devotion, peace, and community in Hinduism.

 

 

Maths: In the autumn term, Year 5 students have explored a variety of complex concepts that enhance their number sense and computational skills. One of the key areas of focus has been the exploration of Roman numerals, extending their understanding up to 1,000.

Pushing the boundaries of their numerical prowess, children have been mastering numbers up to 1,000,000, learning to read and write these large figures with confidence. They have delved into powers of ten and practised determining amounts that are 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000, and 100,000 more or less than given numbers.

Students have also developed their skills in partitioning numbers and have engaged in comparing and ordering values, which has fostered a deeper understanding of place value. Furthermore, the children have honed their rounding abilities, learning to round to the nearest 10, 100, and 1,000, as well as within 100,000 and 1,000,000. This foundation not only prepares them for future mathematical challenges but also instils a love for learning that will last a lifetime.

                  
 

History: During the autumn term, Year 5 embarked on an exciting journey through Victorian England, with a particular focus on Queen Victoria's reign and the transformative impact on the East End. Students enriched their understanding by placing significant events on a timeline, exploring the profound influence of Queen Victoria in British history. They delved into the industrial revolution using diverse sources and examined the migration from the countryside to East London. By comparing the lives of the affluent and the impoverished, children discovered the stark contrasts in living conditions. Moreover, they learned about the experiences of working Victorian children and the pivotal contributions of Lord Shaftesbury to education reform.

       
 

Science: During the autumn term, Year 5 students engaged in an immersive Science curriculum focusing on thermal conductors and insulators. Through a series of investigations, they tested various materials to determine their properties, making predictions and meticulously recording results in tables. Students explored everyday applications of thermal insulators by classifying and grouping objects found within the school and classroom that maintain warmth. One notable investigation involved determining which material keeps water warm most effectively. Using cups made from different materials and a thermometer, students measured temperature changes, deepening their understanding of thermal properties in a practical context.

                 
 

English: During the autumn term, Year 5 students have engaged deeply with the novel Street Child by Berlie Doherty. This literary exploration has provided a rich context for immersing themselves in the art of descriptive writing. Pupils have focused on identifying elements that constitute effective descriptive language, while gaining insights into the life of Jim Jarvis and his challenges during Victorian times. Through the use of drama, the children have developed empathy for Jim's circumstances, which has enhanced their understanding of narrative context. Additionally, they have been taught the significance of employing appropriate vocabulary to align with the atmosphere and purpose of a text.

      
 

Reading: Within the Reading curriculum, the children have been focusing on the text Secret Friends. They have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the complex relationship between the characters Lucy and Rafaella, delving into the nuances of their friendship. Students have successfully summarised key parts of the story in their own words and have demonstrated their ability to retrieve vital information. Moreover, they are beginning to infer aspects of the characters' personalities, as well as the author's intent, and are advancing towards an exploration of the book's key themes. The dramatic ending elicited surprise and emotional responses from the pupils, further enriching their reading experience.

Autumn Term 2: 

School Trip: This week, Year 5 swapped their tablets for chalkboards as they took a trip to
The Ragged School Museum in Mile End. The visit brought Victorian history to life with an immersive lesson led by a very strict (but funny!) Victorian teacher.

Pupils experienced what school was like over 150 years ago, complete with wooden desks, slates, and blackboards! Everyone joined in enthusiastically, practising copperplate handwriting and learning about life for children in the 1800s.

“It felt so real—like we’d gone back in time!” said one pupil.

It was a fascinating, hands-on history lesson that Year 5 won’t forget in a hurry!

         

A child’s recount… ‘First, Mr. Jenkins and Miss Mall had to get the lunches for the children who didn’t have packed lunches.

We then rushed downstairs to the gates and walked to the bus stop. We rode four stops to get to our destination — the nearest train station. Then we walked past loads of shops and interesting things. Once we got on the train, we got off at the fifth stop and exited the station.

We kept walking and saw a shabby place, but we couldn’t go inside. So we waited on the benches until Josh showed us in. We saw paintings, then went into a classroom. We had a strict teacher who was really nice. In less than two hours, it was finished, and we travelled back home.’

A child’s recount… 'First, we took the 474 bus to East Ham Station. Then we took a train from East Ham Station to Mile End. We went to the park because there was another school in the Ragged School Museum.

After that, we went inside and met Josh. Josh showed us around the museum. We were separated into boys and girls. Finally, we went into the classroom, and the teacher was very strict. Everyone enjoyed it.

A child’s recount… ‘The first thing we saw there was a gallery of children from the Ragged School. Some of the kids in the pictures looked around three to four years old! We met two of the workers named Josh and Rebecca. They took us to the cafeteria and told us there was an actor playing a Victorian teacher. She taught us art, geography, handwriting, and arithmetic.’