Oracy Symposium
On Monday, Year 5 took part in the Blackpool Grand Theatre’s first ever Oracy Symposium with other schools across Blackpool and Fylde. There were Professors from Durham University and members of DebateMate who worked with the children in workshops to develop their oracy skills. They had a workshop on accent and dialect, one on debating skills and one on youth voice outside the classroom. The children worked really hard and I was really proud of how they all engaged in the activities with great enthusiasm and respect. Well done Year 5!
Dance club at Schools Alive
Well done to our Dance club who performed at the Winter Gardens last night. Mrs Ormerod was so proud of the amazing work you all did and you all looked fabulous! 👏🏻⭐️😊
Please see the link for photos from last night…https://animoto.com/play/XYKcNhVwejWqx5cJb1F8TA
Our award winners:
Golden Award - Laura
Writing Award - Willow
Maths Award - William
Our learning this week…
In English they’ve continued to develop their use of figurative language and they’ve also been writing sentences using parenthesis indicated by commas and dashes. Lastly, they have begun to plan their big write for next wek.
In maths this week we’ve been finding the perimeter of different shapes and have begun to calculate the area of rectangles.
In RE the children have been working with Mrs Mannix on the theme of Inspirational people.
This week’s prayer and liturgy was planned and led by Aibhin and Leo. The theme of their liturgy was Listen. This week’s Gospel tells us to love our enemies and bless those who curse us. Before teaching this, Jesus says, “I say this to you who are listening.” If we have the courage to listen seriously to Jesus’ words, we will find that they are very challenging! This prayer invites us to listen to what God is asking of us through Scripture and Aibhin and Leo challenged the Year 5 to apply it to each moment of their day..
“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations” (Luke 2:22-40)
In Science the children have thought about the process of asexual reproduction in plants. The children have investigated bulbs, runners, tubers and cuttings. We also planted a spider plant each, which had been growing off runners in our classroom and from one that I had at home. To do our bit for the planet, we have reused the milk cartons to grow our plant in.
In computing the children have used the Microbit to create a poll program.
In art the children have continued to work on their Alberto Giacometti inspired sculptures using modrock.
In Spanish the children can say how many siblings they have and say what they are called.
In PE the children are working with PE specialist Luke from Blackpool Football Club Community Trust. The focus of their lessons this half term is invasion games.
World Book Day Challenge!
On the 6th March, we will celebrate World Book Day by dressing up as our favourite book characters and bringing in our favourite books to share with each other. In addition to this, I’d like Year 5 to choose a favourite picture book they used to enjoy when they were 5 (this should be a different book to the other favourite one) and prepare a reading to read to their Reception buddy on the day. Year 5 should be able to share the book with confidence, enthusiasm and expression.
The BEBCMAT Rock Stars Super League competition runs till the 14th February. Good luck everyone!
Our school is currently in 4th place out of 12 schools in the trust and we have scored 1841 points (school average score) so far.
This week’s Our Lady’s Top of the Rock’s Leaderboard:
1st Matilda Year 4 32723
2nd Ava Year 4 32622
3rd Harriet Year 6 13096
4th Matilda Year 3 12811
5th Leo Year 5 10444
Well done to everyone on our leaderboard this week!👏🏻
Please encourage your child to practise their times tables by using TTRS so that they also contribute points to our competition. Unfortunately, only a small number of our class are actually using TTRS as part of their homework. Come on Year 5, you can do your bit!
Well done to Leo who is in our top five on the leaderboard!👏🏻
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…
12th February Safer Internet Day ‘Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online‘
13th February Year 5 RSC workshop .Although the children will be dressed in their dream job outfits, please ensure approriate footwear is worn for drama based activities. Please look out for an email regarding photo permissions.
13th February Dress up day - What will I be when I grow up? School Council have organised the day. Come dressed in your dream job £1 donation to launch ourCafod fund via parentpay
13th February School closes for half term 3.15pm
25th February School reopens
27th February Blackpool Symphony Orchestra musician workshop (invite only)
28th February after school PTFA Spring Bingo event for families
5th March Whole School Mass for Ash Wednesday in church – families welcome to join us.
6th March World Book Day – dress up day and bring your favourite book to school. Year 5 will also need to bring a favourite story book to share with your buddy (see note about World Book day above).
10th - 14th March Science Week in school
11th March Blackpool Catholic Schools Shared Lenten Liturgy St Kentigen’s School 6pm
17th March 1pm to 5.30pm parent information afternoon in school hall – booking link to follow soon
26th March Key Stage 2 Blackpool Cross County competitive team event
March – June 2025 Year 5’s in school workshops with experienced drama/dance practitioners as part of the Tales Retold project
Thursday 15th May Year 5 trip to Grand Theatre to watch Pig-Heart Boy. Payment for the trip can be made on Parent Pay (this can be done in instalments if you wish). Thank you to those who have already paid in full.
Great work this week Year 5, well done! Have a great weekend!
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.
