Year 5 Weekly Blog 22.11.24- ‘ Once we realise we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects from us’

What a lovely (yet chilly) week it has been in Year 5. We are edging closer and closer to Advent and the weather has certainly arrived early, as seen in the pictures below. Our preparations for advent have been in full flow as we practiced more the songs for our KS2 Christmas Concert, along with preparing our advent station for whole school prayer and liturgy. Next week, we will be making our advent promises as we enter the final week of November!

Speaking of promises, we have delved into some of God’s most famous covenants that he has made such as his promise to Noah and Abraham. The children have been really focusing how both God and his followers showed signs of love, trust, faith and hope in their actions which led to their covenant being so strong and meaningful.

In Science, we have been looking at animal offsprings, in relation to our human timeline, and matching up the names of common animals to their offspring. Were there any names of animals offpspring that you did not know? Can you find out some more that we didn’t cover in the lesson and tell both your parents and your teachers.

In Maths, we have been deep diving into some money word problems and investigating how to tackle some tricky and complicated questions. The children have been able to apply their previously learnt methods to help find the answers to these questions such as column addition/subtraction, adjusting, partitioning and number lining.

In English, we have finished collecting our legends style vocabulary and have begun to read our chosen legend story- ‘The Legend of Gelert’. With us just finishing this story today, the children have been on a rollarcoaster of emotions throughout the read and have been able to express these emotions in their writing.

Conversation starters

• My Happy Mind: We put our memories to the test by trying to memorize all 24 character strengths and placing them into their virtues. How many of the 24 strengths can you remember?

• Geography: We have looked at biomes and climates to compare different environments of the world. One of the interesting discussions we had was about the difference between a warm and tropical climate. Can you remember what this was?

Let’s Celebrate

Virtue Star of the Week: Our virtue star of the week goes to Louis. All three of your class teachers have spotted you this week Louis being so attentive towards other children in our class. You don’t choose to do this to be recognised or for appraisal, simply just to help others which is just lovely to see. Your calming approach to social situations is really appreciated by your classmates and also your teachers.

Sean for being a reflective learner: I have seen a big improvement since we have changed seats this week. Being able to sit next to your friends, while managing your distractions , can be really hard and this was something you have struggled with recently. However, I have seen a big shift this week and you have been eager to improve your levels of focus and attention to learning. Don’t let your standards drop.

Jacob for being a reflective learner: I have seen a big improvement from you Jacob in this past week. You have really been making some thoughtful decisions in how to apply yourself to both your learning and your attitude around the class. You have been trying and succeeding in taking care of your book presentation and also your responses to social situations. Keep this up!

My Happy Mind Champion of the Week- Seth

Lunchtime Certificates

Role Model of the Week- Toby

Marvelous Manners- Rose

Notices

• Homework: Make sure to check the homework blog and make sure homework is handed in on time.

• Coats: Now the weather is starting to drop and we edge closer towards winter, can all children have a coat with them to make sure they are protected when out at break times.

• Travelling Nativity: Please enjoy the wonderful story of the nativity with your child when you receive this. This needs to be brought back into school the following day to allow another child to share this joy. You can take a picture of your child with the nativity and send me this via email.

• Own Clothes Day: To celebrate the arrival of December and the festive period, then children can wear their own clothes and also donate a bar of chocolate for the Christmas Raffle. This will take place on Friday 29th November.

• Christmas Bake Off: Last year went so well, we just had to do it again! All things Christmas with cakes, bakes and jumpers on Friday 13th December.

• KS2 Christmas Concert: This will take place at Church on Monday 16th December. The children will perform the concert twice at 2pm and 6pm.

Year 4 homework to be completed by Thursday 28th November

Christmas songs

Please learn the next 3 Christmas songs below.

Yr4 are singing the Italian part of ‘The Prayer!’

You have a booklet with the words to all songs in your bag - please keep at home to practise and do not lose it.

There is also a copy of the words below as well as our videos.

I have added another copy of ‘The Prayer’ as the lyrics are wrong on the main booklet

Reading

Our book clubs continue to be such a success as we grow closer to our reading targets whilst having a lovely time reading! Keep it up Year 4.

Maths

Please complete TT rockstars each day

Spelling

In your best handwriting, follow the instructions on the sheets. Collect words like we did in class. Make it your aim to be a super speller.

Flute

This week, try doing a G with 3 fingers.

Optional Home Learning this half term

Here are some exciting tasks linked to our learning this half term which you may choose to do. Look out especially for pyramid building in history!

Year 5 Homework due on Thursday 28th November

Essential Homework

• Reading- 20 to 30 minutes a day at home.

• Times Tables- 5 minutes per day.

• Spellings- to complete the sheets in their books and 2 trail spelling tests

1. money

2. change

3. buy

4. learn

5. promise

6. group

7. reign

8. manor

9. hymn

10. choose

11. aggressive

12. competition

13. identity

14. profession

15. soldier

Mrs Barker’s group

1. cause

2. coin

3. raffle

4. money

5. change

6. buy

7. learn

8. promise

9. group

10. choose

Christmas Concert Practice

We have been practicing for our KS2 Christmas Concert, which will take place on Monday 16th December.

We have practiced the next three songs in our booklet;

Below are also the lyrics of ‘The Prayer’ as they are wrong in the booklet.

Geography

To complete their Biomes Research Project which is stuck in their books.

The children have been given 3 different biomes and will have to collect research for each of the four categories.

The children have made notes to help them with their research.

Year 6 Home Learning 21.11.24

Homework should be completed and brought back to school for the following Wednesday

Maths- Please keep going on TT Rockstars- 5 minutes every night! In your books please also complete the maths questions that are stuck in. We have been doing this in class, so the children should be able to have a good go at this!

Reading- Please complete the short reading paper. Remember to refer back to the text and underline the important information in the text.

Spelling - Please complete the spellings rules sheet in your books- we will practice these throughout the week in class but you also need to practice them at home ready for our quiz on a Thursday!

Christmas songs

Please learn the next 3 Christmas songs below.

You have a booklet with the words to all songs in your bag - please keep at home to practice and do not lose it.

There is also a copy of the words below as well as our videos

OPTIONAL HOME LEARNING FOR THE HALF TERM TO ENHANCE OUR CURRICULUM

Family Mass - Sunday 1st December

On Sunday 1st December, we will have our second family mass in church. Our first family mass was so well attended; thank you to everyone who came. This Mass will be extra special as it is the first Sunday of Advent - what a lovely way to start it together.

The children who will be directly involved in the Mass on Sunday are on the PDF below. If your child’s name isn’t listed, they will be involved, just sat with you taking part in the mass. Those children who are in the choir, will be sat in the choir loft with the parish choir. The readers and offertory children can sit with their parents and come up when it is there turn for involvement. Staff will be present too to support.

For the homily, as with every homily on the 1st Sunday of Advent, there will be a letter read out written by Bishop Paul. Having been visited by Bishop Paul this year, it will be special for the children to hear directly from him in a letter.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 1st December. Following mass, there is the monthly coffee and craft club at the Parish Centre. Please do attend if you are able to.

Year 3 Homework- Wednesday 20th November

Spellings

This weeks focus is the suffix ‘ous’ Spelling quiz will be on Monday 25th November.

1. poisonous

2. dangerous

3. enormous

4. serious

5. famous

6. nervous

7. continuous

8. obvious

9. jealous

10. curious

Key Stage 2 Carol concert

Below is a link to the words of the songs we are practising for our carol concert and a video of the first 3 song to practise singing along with.

Reading
Please try to read for 10-15 minutes at home each day - the children have made a great start and are already moving up our target board.

Purplemash
Purplemash log ins are in the front of homework books. Each week I will set ‘2dos’ link to our learning in class.
There are optional activities set on adding ones to 3 digit numbers and labelling compass points .

TT Rockstars & Numbots
Please keep logging on, practising times tables and number skills makes a huge difference. Can you recall number facts speedily?

Autumn Term Optional Homework

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Year 5 Weekly Blog 15.11.24- ' Everything is better in pyjamas’

The week has certainly flown by this week as the countdown to Christmas has begun! Lots of learning has been taking place, even when dressed in the comfiest pyjamas at the end of the week. Regardless of all of the excitement of teddies, onesies and oodies, the children’s focus and attitude towards their learning was still as expected- which is a big sign of maturity as upper juniors. This was seen during our English and spelling lessons today with the children thinking deeply into different pairs of homophones and how they differ and also when it was time to get active during our ‘legends carousel’ in English. Can the members of your household complete the ‘Pronunciation Poem’ ?

In Maths, it has been all things money this week, with us comparing the value of the different coins/notes we use and how we can combine these to reach total amounts. We have looked at different methods that we can use when calculating with money to make things simplier for ourselves- such as adjusting.

In Geography ,we have continued with looking into the world map and the countries within it- this week it has been all about capital cities. We shared what we already know about them and how many capital cities do they already know around the world. We then used our investigating skills to locate the biggest cities in the UK and where they are located on a map.

We also started our Computing lessons this week and deep dived into the world of coding. The children were able to apply their previously learned skills and their creativity to complete certain tasks.

Conversation starters

• Can you remember which character strength you chose that you need to work on in My Happy Mind. Share this with your parents and discuss how they could help you strive to improving this strength.

• Geography: We have looked at capital cities of the world. Compete with your family members to see who can name more capital cities of the world.

Let’s Celebrate

Virtue Star of the Week: Our virtue star of the week goes to Hudson. You have such a kind and caring nature Hudson and you are so prophetic in your actions- especially out on the playground. Your aim is always to have fun and to look after others and this is just a joy to see.

Joseph for being a determined and reflective learner: What a week you have had Joseph! I have seen a big shift in your maturity levels this past few weeks and how reflective you have been in your choices. I can see how determined you are in making sure your making more right choices and this has been noticed by all of your staff members. Keep this up!

Amelia for being a determined and enthusiastic learner: You are like a woman on a mission when it comes to your learning Amelia. You are so determined to get through your work, also making sure it is of a high standard- and you do this with such enthusiasm. Excellent work.

My Happy Mind Champion of the Week-

Lunchtime Certificates

Role Model of the Week- Tommy

Marvelous Manners- Charlotte

Notices

• Homework: Make sure to check the homework blog and make sure homework is handed in on time.

• Coats: Now the weather is starting to drop and we edge closer towards winter, can all children have a coat with them to make sure they are protected when out at break times.

• Travelling Nativity: Please enjoy the wonderful story of the nativity with your child when you receive this. This needs to be brought back into school the following day to allow another child to share this joy. You can take a picture of your child with the nativity and send me this via email.

• Own Clothes Day: To celebrate the arrival of December and the festive period, then children can wear their own clothes and also donate a bar of chocolate for the Christmas Raffle. This will take place on Friday 29th November.

• Christmas Bake Off: Last year went so well, we just had to do it again! All things Christmas with cakes, bakes and jumpers on Friday 13th December.

• KS2 Christmas Concert: This will take place at Church on Monday 16th December. The children will perform the concert twice at 2pm and 6pm.

Year 4 Weekly blog Friday 15th November, "Know your strengths and take advantage of them."

It has been a lovely week in year 4 and it was so great to see you sharing your child’s work on Thursday. Aren’t they doing well!

Our RE lessons this week have really made us think. We are learning about prophets and what it takes to be someone who can seek God’s Word clearly for others to see. This links beautifully to our RHE work on strengths - we have been thinking about how we can employ our top strengths in certain scenarios. Children and staff are noticing when they and each other are using them. We have talked this week about consciously responding to situations rather than reacting and choosing to use your strengths to overcome hardships .

Three children (see gallery below) led a beautiful worship this week about Love and read Scripture about the Crucifixion.

Our Science this week was all about changing states - how when particles are heated, they receive energy which makes them loosen and move - thus changing state to liquid. We did an experiment to predict then find the melting point of butter.

Maths has seen us delve deeper into measures and be able to solve problems with mass, capacity and length using numbers up to 2000.

In English, children learned the dreadful news that, indeed, Mr Zuckerman still intends to kill his pig at Christmastime, despite his fame. They have been learning the art of persuasion in order to persuade the farmer to reconsider. They might practise their new found art at home!

Here are a few photos showing our pride in our work this week:

CONVERSATION STARTERS:

1. What is the opposite process to melting? Do all materials have the same melting point? Why not find out the melting points of some different things?

2.My Happy Mind - this week talk about How could you use your top five strengths when things are difficult for you or when you are finding something hard to deal with?

Let’s Celebrate!

This week, our learning certificates are as follows:

Heath received a Bobby Bee certificate. It is lovely to see your conscious choice each lesson to be ready, give total attention and 100% participation. You are a phenomenal learner

Martha received a Lizzie Ladybird certificate. I can see you are such a mature, reflective person Martha. You are really reflecting on your work and trying to get that little bit better each time. Your listening has improved and you are striving to do your best. Well done you two!

Our virtues this half term are intentional and prophetic - intentional in choosing right choices and standing out for what is good. This week Louie received our star. Louie, you are so intentional about being pleasant and kind to all you meet. Your happiness and joy are infectious and your smile lights up a room!

PE champions in year 4 this week: Mia-Grace and Fletcher

Flute stars this week:

Ava has been our Happiness hero this week - starting our day by sharing a happy thought. Thank you.

Lunchtime awards:

Role model: Rosa

Marvelous Manners: Joseph

Notices

Holy Communion dates

If you click the button below, it will take you to a list showing which children will be making their first Holy Communion on which date - Saturday 10th May or Saturday 17th May. If there are any issues with this, please let me know at the earliest opportunity.

Christmas songs This class are such gorgeous singers! On the homework are the first 3 songs to practise for our Carol concert which is in church on Monday 6th December at 2pm and 6pm. Please encourage them to practise and you can start to get a little Christmassy.

Travelling Nativity Over the next few weeks, you child will come home with our travelling nativity. It has a lovely story in called ‘The Shepherd Girl’ that you can share together. Please look after the little nativity characters carefully. If you wish to capture your reflection together, you can send me a photo by email. It must come back to school the next day, so the next child can take it and have their turn before Christmas. Enjoy!

Own Clothes Day: To celebrate the arrival of December and the festive period, then children can wear their own clothes and also bring in a bar of chocolate into school for £1. This will take place on Friday 29th November.

• Christmas Bake Off: Last year went so well, we just had to do it again! All things Christmas with cakes, bakes and jumpers on Friday 13th December.

Have a lovely weekend

Mrs Lyons and Mrs Carter.

This week...

Christmas preparations are well underway! We are learning our songs for the Nativity…the children are loving them! We have also started making our Christmas surprises (secret, sorry)

I would like to start this weeks blog with a few important reminders…sorry!

School Admissions September 2025

If your child is in their last year of pre-school/nursery you can now apply for their primary school place at: www.lancashire.gov.uk/schools

It's quick and easy - and you will receive email confirmation of your application.

You must apply even if you already have siblings in school.

If you live in Lancashire you can include out of area preferences on your online application.

The closing date for primary reception applications for September 2025 is 23:59 on 15 January 2025.  

If you are applying for Our Lady Star of the Sea you are required to submit further documentation:

• your child baptism certificate

• signed faith reference (click the button below)

Water bottles

May I please remind everyone that only plain unflavoured water should be in your child’s water bottle. We have milk available if they prefer.

Christmas Nativity

We will be starting to learn our Christmas Nativity songs next week! We are all excited. The nursery children will be stars in our production. They will all require white leggings, a plain white t-shirt and a strand of silver tinsel please (named please). We have the shiny star costumes here ready and waiting.

Nativity productions will take place on:

Tuesday 3rd December: this production will be the dress rehearsal for the main school only. If you want your child to take part they will have to be in nursery at 8.45 am and collected at 10.30 am if it is not your child’s usual session. Please note a DVD of the production will be taken at this performance that you will be able to purchase.

Wednesday 4th December: Parent performance 9.30 am

Thursday 5th December: Parent performance 9.30 am

Please note: tickets are priced at £2 and owing to fire regulations are limited to 4 per family over both performances.

Have you ordered your tickets….they are selling fast. Complete the order form sent out last week and bring in asap.

Christmas Party

This year the KS1 Christmas Party is being held on Thursday 19th December 9.30-11.30 am. All the children are invited to join the fun but if it is not your child’s usual session they must be collected at 11.30 am. Dust of those dancing shoes children!!!!!

Parent Drop in session

On Thursday 19th November 3.45-4.45 pm we will be holding our half termly parent drop in session. We invite you lovely parents to come along to nursery and see what we have been doing and to have a chat with the nursery team. Please try and pop in to see us!

Travelling Nativity

Our Travelling Nativity has started its journey to the stable. The children who have already had chance to take it home have loved sharing the birth of Jesus as a family. We have seen some lovely drawings in our sketch book too. Thank you to everyone that has sent us pictures of your child enjoying this special story sack. We have been sharing them with the nursery friends.

If you have not had your turn yet don’t panic it will be your turn soon!

Emma’s blog

Hello everyone,

 What a week of learning and fun we have had.

 We have been busy practicing our cutting skills. The children have been cutting out pictures of healthy foods, such as fruit and vegetables, and unhealthy foods, like cake and sweets (which we talk about only having on our treats days). We have on our wall, a big picture of the inside the human body and we have been deciding where our cut outs should be placed discussing how the healthy foods benefit our bodies and help our brains work. The children enjoyed talking about how they like eating healthy foods and making good choices. Here is a short video about how its good to eat healthy food. Click here. Enjoy! 

The children have been working hard with their pencil control by having a go at writing the sounds that we are learning, m, a, s, t, d. We have been using the rhymes to help us write.

We have also been having a go a writing our numbers 0 and 1, again using the rhymes to help us write them. It has been lovely hearing the children say the rhymes as they are practicing.

0- round in a loop like an empty hoop.

1- one line down like a stick, makes a 1, that was quick.

Keep having a practice at home if you can.

Have a lovely weekend see you all on Monday.

Emma

Michelle’s blog

Hello everyone and welcome to this week's blog.

The weather has definitely been colder this week but that hasn't stopped our play. We have been developing our throwing and catching skills this week, in the garden and in PE with Mr. Murray. As it gets the closer to the start of Advent Christmas we have started practicing our songs for the Nativity, we are so excited. Don't forget to order your tickets if you haven't done so already.

Our brain growing continues as this week we learnt about digestion. We watched a video that shows what happens when we eat food. Watch the video here

We then did our own experiment to watch what happens to the crackers. First we crunched them up in a bag, then added liquid and watched as the crackers were broken down 

We've also learnt more about what our body needs and how to make healthy food choices. 

Have a lovely weekend 

Michelle 

Our Lady’s Christmas events

Check out Mrs. Gregan’s blog this week for more information!!!

Click on the button below for events and dates.

Have a fabulous weekend and we will continue our learning journey on Monday.

Stay safe and God Bless

Barbara

Year 5 Homework due Thursday 21st November

Essential Homework

• Reading- 20 to 30 minutes a day at home.

• Times Tables- 5 minutes per day.

• Spellings- to complete the sheets in their books and 2 trail spelling tests

1. pound

2. coin

3. note

4. eight

5. arrive

6. quarter

7. flour

8. groan

9. write

10. aisle

11. criticise

12. interfere

13. community

14. opportunity

15. symbol

Mrs Barker’s group

1. phone

2. toy

3. toes

4. pound

5. coin

6. note

7. eight

8. arrive

9. quarter

10. write

Christmas Concert Practice

We have just began practicing for our KS2 Christmas Concert, which will take place on Monday 16th December.

We have practiced the first three songs in our booklet;

• The Gift

• Hark! the herald angles sing

• Silent Holy Night

Each child has been given a booklet with the song lyrics on but they are also available here if needed.

Book Work

• Maths- How many coins make…

  Work out the equivalences of the coins e.g. 10 x 10p = £1

• Geography- Capital cities

• Grammar- Using commas for relative clauses (embedded)

Year 6 Weekly Blog -”The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” — Alan Watts.

This week’s liturgy and reflection has been focused around the word ‘Glory’. We reflected on this week’s gospel, where we hear Jesus tell us about the parable of the fig tree. A symbol that as soon as its twigs start to grow and leaves appear, we know that Spring is on its way. We then discussed other ways we know that something is going to happen, and how we know change is about to happen. The children of course discussed how we are about to enter advent, the time when we prepare for the birth of Jesus, and we reflected on how we can prepare our hearts for this time.

Thank you to this week’s group for their beatiful liturgy on patience, they led us in reverent prayer and reflection ….

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This week we have fit so much high quality learning in to our timetable. This is all down to your wonderful children, how hard they are working and how eager they are to deepen their knowledge and learn new skills! We have even got a small group of children making extra notes in journals and going away to re-learn and practice skills- how mature! This week we have continued with our adjusting method in maths, we have learn all about the function of blood and what it is made up from in Science, learn to translate french opinions in french, reflected on the portaits of Elizabeth I and the key messages she wanted to deliver and so much more …

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It was lovely to see so many of you there for the Year 6 book look. This is such a special time for both the children and adults, a time to reall celebrate the progress, effort and time they have spent on their work. They really take great pride in their work and are reaching our high expectations in Year 6, so it is so wonderful that we get to share this with you- I am sure you were all very impressed…

Wow, playtimes are so much fun. Here are just some of the games they have been playing at break times this week …

We have loved spending all day today in our PJ’s, thank you for all of your donations to raise money for Brian House!

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My Happy Mind this week’s focus was on celebrate! We looked at how everyone possesses 24 character strengths, but we all have different amounts of each of them and that’s what makes us unique! The children all thought about what they felt were their top 5 character strengths and then we took a survey to see what the professionals thought! We then compared them to see if we were right- it was fascinating but I think we know ourselves pretty well! Here are our top 3 character strengths no mug shots (promise) …

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Delving deeper through talk …

What is the function of your blood and what does it consist of?

My Happy Mind…

How have you used your main character strengths this week?

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Helpers in the mornings:

This week we have the following children helping to take the younger children to their class:

Elsie Archie Michael Ella
 

Leading Learners

Well done to Rex and Millie this week.

Rex- Focused Cooper Crab- Wow Rex, you are impressing us so much with your focus, eagerness, enthusiasm and determination. You are  so engaged during lessons, managing your distractions, participating fully and getting lost in each task.

Millie- Reflective Lizzie Ladybird- Millie you have come back after half term, ready and raring to go! We love the way you have took on board feedback and are actively using this to improve your work. We can see how determined you are to reach your goals!

Intentional and Prophetic butterflies

This half term we will be on the lookout for all the children that are intention in their actions. Children who make conscious decisions for the greater good. We will also be spotting children who are prophetic, who choose the right decisions with integrity and who display them publically. These children are the role models of the school. This week we thank Ola for being intentional and prophetic to help others.

Lunch Time Awards …

Marvelous Manners awards … Faye

Role Model of the week … Archie

Reminders

Notices

• Please see year 6 homework section to learn the songs ready for our Christmas concert.

• Costumes for the dance festival to be brought in next Monday 18th November please

• Tuesday 26th November - Dance Festival- more information on this event will be on the blog next Friday

• Own Clothes Day: To celebrate the arrival of December and the festive period, then children can wear their own clothes and also bring in a bar of chocolate into school for £1. This will take place on Friday 29th November.

• Christmas Bake Off will take place on Friday 13th December. The day will be all things cake, cake sales and Christmas jumpers!

• KS2 Christmas Concert: This will take place at Church on Monday 16th December. The children will perform the concert twice at 2pm and 6pm

Have a lovely weekend with your family.

Mrs Harrison, Mrs Webster and Mrs Carter

Girls Football Tournament- Thursday 21st October

Next Thursday, there is a girls football tournament for schools across Fylde that we have entered.

The tournament will be held at AKS on Thursday 21st November from 12:30-4:00.

The first game kicks off at 12:30 so children will need to be picked up from school at 12:15. Children will then be taken home via parents from AKS at the end.

If you are struggling to arrange pick ups then please either let Mr Cornwell or Mrs Gregan know or you can arrange your own pick ups with other parents.

Children will have lunch at school at 12:00pm.

All parking is to be off site at AKS on either King Edward Promenade or Inner Promenade.

The girls chosen to play are;

Year 6

Elsie, Cora, Bella, Layla. Millie, Faye

Year 5

Charlotte, Daisy, Beth