It’s feeling like Christmas in Year 5 this week and it has really lifted everyone’s spirits. We have our Christmas trees up, twinkly fairy lights are lit and our advent wreath candles and Nativity set are in place. Last Sunday marked the first Sunday in Advent, which symbolises Hope with the “Prophet’s Candle” reminding us that Jesus is coming. It has been a really lovely week starting each day opening our advent calendar , sharing the Scripture of the day (read by the children) and saying our special advent prayer. The children have all made their advent promises, which we linked to scripture “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Please ask your child about their advent promise.
On Thursday, those of us not doing Bikeability this week, went to a special Advent reflection in church with Father Frank. He talked to the children about the meaning of Advent - coming - and what this time is for. We then passed a special candle to each other and whilst looking into the flame of the candle, in our hearts thought of one special person who we would like God to give a special blessing to this Advent. We now have the candle in class to remind us each day of that special person and we wait for God to answer our prayers at Christmas. 🕯️
Bikeability
A big well done to our final group of Year 5s who took part in Bikeability this week. You all did so well and like last week, you were a credit to our school - you lived out our school values of Care, Learn and Respect, showing great listening and resilience. Well done! 👏🏻
We thank the Bikeability team for working hard with both our Year 5s and Year6s over the last month. 🙏
Our award winners:
Golden Award (RESPECT) - Alexander
Writing Award - Hallie-Jayne
Maths Award - Callum
Our learning this week…
In English the children have been busy bees working on their formal report of a lunar landing. They’ve only got a bit left to do and then they will be using their editing skills to improve it.
Our focus in maths has been using and interpreting and drawing line graphs.
In RE the children have been working with Mrs Mannix and learning about the covenants made with God
This week’s prayer and liturgy was planned and led by Jackson and Stephen. The theme of their liturgy was Help Us, Lord Jesus. In this first week of Advent, as we anticipate the coming of Jesus and the beginning of the Year of Jubilee with the opening of the Holy Door, we can invite Jesus to open our minds. With minds open to welcome Jesus into our lives and be like Jesus to those we meet, we can learn how to respond to difficulties with strength and courage.
“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 28)
In science, the children who remained in class have explored the effects of water resistance like the group last week did.
We started our DT work this week and the children were challenged to make a simple working chassis with limited materials…
In PE the children are working with PE specialist Charlie from Blackpool Football Club Community Trust. The unit for this half term is dance.
Our Bounce Forward session (as part of our PSHE) linked to the Learning Potion. It looks at what the children’s goals are for future, both short-term and long-term. This helps the children to develop their life skills, focus on their future and give them a positive outlook.
This week’s resilient move challenges are:
Get enough sleep (Basics potion)
Engage mentors and learn from our role models (Learning potion)
Build your resilience
How many resilient moves can you make this week?
Use the resilient framework to identify the ones you and your family make. Resilience Framework
Thank you to Olivia and Eleena who both shared their resilient moves this week…
If you would like to share a photo of your child making a resilient move, then send them to our email year5@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk and I will post them here each week. For example, a photo of a bike ride - the resilient move would be fresh air and exercise which comes from the basic potion on the framework. Please note: if the photo has other children on it, please ensure you have consent to share it with me.
The BEBCMAT Rock Stars Super League competition continues and runs till the 20th December. Good luck everyone! Please make sure you take the time to do your bit. I will be rewarding house points to those children who go on TTRS.
Our school is currently in 3rd place out of 12 schools in the trust and we have scored 1769 points (school average score) so far.
This week’s Our Lady’s Top of the Rock’s Leaderboard:
1st Harriet Year 6 22392
2nd Matilda Year 3 21954
3rd Natalia Year 5 19627
4th Olivia Year 5 19351
5th Aibhin Year 5 9631
Well done to everyone on our leaderboard this week!👏🏻🏆
To read this week’s Good News Gospel reading, please follow the link to share the Gospel at home with your family. These are really child-friendly resources to share at home. Good News Gospel
Please also have a look at this Parent Newsletter linked with our weekly whole school and class worship…
Thursday 12th December Members of our school choir singing at Abbingdon Street Market 6pm
Tuesday 17th December Festive party clothes day and Christmas lunch
Thursday 19th December KS2 carol service in church - families welcome 2pm
Thursday 19th December close for Christmas 3.15pm
Monday 6th January 2025 First day back in 2025
Have a great weekend, Year 5!
Mrs McVey, Mrs Hodgkiss and Miss Andrew
If you need to contact me or have any questions/queries, please contact me on year5@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks.
