Thank you once again for you’re amazing efforts with your learning at home and a massive ‘Thank you!’ to parents for your continued support. We’re at the end of our fourth week of home learning already and I’m delighted to see so many of you working so hard to complete all the work to the same great standard you would do in school. I’ve also been really happy to see so many of you accessing IXL and Bedrock - most of you are now completing two or even more lessons a week which is fantastic! Miss Benson has also told me how well you’re all doing with your music work too. Keep up the great work Year 5, I’m so proud of you all!

I’m proud of all your efforts during the TTRS battle between the boys and girls this week. A big well done to the boys in particular who raced ahead at the start and have maintained the lead throughout. Great scores from the boys , well done! Girls, we’ll have to see if you can equalise that next time!

Our big score winners this week for the boys were Adam, Declan, Kayden, Theo and Lennon. Well done boys! A big well done also goes to Mia who scored well for the girls. Well done Mia!

Candlemas

Next week, on Tuesday 2nd February, the church celebrates The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus which is also known as Candlemas. Candlemas is celebrated 40 days after the birth of Jesus and marks the date when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to be presented to God in the temple. It was at the temple that Mary and Joseph met Simeon and Anna. Both Simeon and Anna had been waiting all their lives to meet Christ. Simeon said that Jesus would be a light to the people,

“He is a light to reveal God to the nations and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke 2:32)

On the 2nd of February, many people bring their candles to their local church where they are blessed during Mass. Since Simeon said that Jesus would be a light to the people, why not share how you shine your light next week. Below are some candle/lantern templates that you could make and write how you are going to shine your light.

The Year 5’s in school have made lanterns in preparation for mass (Father is going to display some in church) and a few members of Year 5 have been recorded reading for the mass on Tuesday. Don’t forget to look at Father Jim’s church website where you can take part in the mass and worship from home.

Candlemas resources

Year 5’s lanterns. How will you shine your light?

Children’s Mental Health week

Next week is Children’s Mental Health week and the theme is “Express Yourself”. It is important for us all to address Mental Health issues at this time and the lockdown will have affected all the children differently. The focus of our PSHE lesson Monday will be all about this, so please ensure that you watch the video and try to focus some of the week on expressing yourself and doing the things you enjoy (instructions on the timetable and resources referred to are in the PSHE resource folder). I’ve also included some resources below that you may want to watch together as a family, to help support you and your child, and there are some other suggested activities too.

Assembly Assembly Guide Suggested Primary Activities

Thank you to those who shared their resilient moves this week, I’ve really enjoyed seeing what you have been getting up to. What “Express Yourself” resilient moves will you make next week? Don’t forget to email them to me at year5@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk so we can share the ways you have expressed yourself next week.

To promote healthier life styles, Change 4 Life have made a ‘Healthy Year calendar’ which you can download to inspire your child to eat well, move more, and be mindful of their wellbeing - wherever they are.

I’ve enjoyed the work that has come in this week from our Wonderful Wizards Talk 4 Writing work. Here’s some of the Wonderful Wizard Top Trump style cards you have all designed this week…