Welcome back to a new half term! I hope everyone enjoyed their week at home despite the very wet weather. Thank you so much to everyone who was able to take their plant pot home and look after it last week - some of them are now beginning to flower and we are keeping the Edina trust updated with our results.
Although Ash Wednesday was during half term, on Monday we started this new half term by marking the start of Lent and receiving the ashes in church. Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, or 46 if we count Sundays, we replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. It is a time to refocus on Jesus as we look ahead to his death on the Cross at Easter and rejoice over his miraculous return. It is a time for reflecting on what we could do differently or maybe what we could do more of or less of during this time. The children have made their Lenten promises, linked to one of the Beatitudes, which are eight blessings recounted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew . Please ask your child to share with you what their Lenten promise (linked to the Beatitude "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth" ) is and encourage them to keep this promise over Lent.
We have also decided to make some whole class promises too…
Year 5 will be collecting donations towards the end of Lent and it would be lovely if each one of us could donate just one item of clothing that is no longer needed. I will let you know when the children can bring their contribution in nearer to the end of this half term. We hope that you will be able to support us in this.
Lent Reading Challenge
We have also decided as a class to take on a class reading challenge for Lent. By the end of term, we - Year 5, Mrs McVey, Mrs McCooey and Miss Evans- will read one of three books (chosen by the children). In the last week before we break up, we will celebrate our reading achievement by sharing our thoughts on the book with a book club party. Please encourage your child to read their chosen book to enable them to enjoy our book club at the end of term. You never know, some children might even go the extra mile and end up reading all three (Now there’s a challenge!).
Our award winners:
Golden Award (RESPECT) - Elsie
Writing Award - Hallie
Maths Award - James
Well done to the children who took part in Schools Alive before half term and to Harriet for gaining her Bronze award music medal.
Our learning this week…
In English we have begun to explore William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This week we have begun to explore the different ‘worlds’ of the play and have begun to look at some of the main characters.
In maths the children have been working on finding cube numbers and have been using the inverse operation to solve some problems.
In RE we have started looking at the Beatitudes, eight blessings recounted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew. We also spent time making our Lenten promises.
This week’s prayer and liturgy was planned and led by Alexander and Henry. Their liturgy was on the theme of Lent based on the reading from Mark 1: 12-15 which describes Jesus’ temptation in the desert. The boys read prayers which helped the children to reflect on the ways they are tempted in similar ways to Jesus and how Jesus wants to help them to resist temptation and become more like the people God has created them to be.
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15
In Science the children have been comparing the life cycles of insects and amphibians.
In geography the children are working with Mrs Mannix and have begun looking at their new topic on latitude and longitude.
In PE the children are working with PE specialist Erin from Blackpool Football Club Community Trust. The focus of their lessons this half term is gymnastics.
In computing the children have been recognising coding structures and have used the micro-bit to create a polling program.
Thursday 7th March World Book Day Children can come into school dressed as their favourite book characters and will need to bring in their favourite book to share and enjoy.
Friday 15th March Dress up for Brian House Children can come in to school in something bright, something comfy, something stripy, whatever you want to wear and remember a contribution to our charity.
Thursday 21st March School trip - Look out for a letter coming home next week about an exciting trip we have planned…
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…
Have a great weekend everyone!
Mrs McVey, Mrs McCooey and Miss Evans
