We’re officially halfway through SATs week, and what a journey it’s been so far! Year 6 students have been putting in an extraordinary amount of effort, determination, and focus to tackle their SATs papers. After days of sitting tests and pushing themselves to do their best, the students are now gearing up for their final papers. But before they dive into the last stretch, they’ve been given a fun, creative revision task to help them power through: Graffiti Revision! The teachers have written an array of maths problems on the tables and the children have one task: solve them all!

There’s something wonderful about getting lost in a good book — and this afternoon, Year 6 discovered just how enjoyable it can be when reading meets nature. With the sun shining, Whitebeam swapped desks for the great outdoors and took their reading time outside. For 20 peaceful minutes, the children lay sprawled across the grass and leaned comfortably against tree trunks and found that it only takes a short amount of time to become totally engrossed in a story.

It was more than just a change of scenery; it was an experience in reading for pleasure. We believe that reading should be enjoyable and inspiring — not just something we have to do, but something we want to do. This little change in environment reminded us that a good book can take you anywhere — even further than the school field!

Miss Shields was so proud of how enthusiastically Year 6 embraced the moment and is already planning more outdoor reading sessions.

Since coming back from Easter, Year 6 have been working incredibly hard, focusing on their revision in preparation for the upcoming assessments. It's been a busy few weeks of studying, but today, we found a well-deserved break. We took some time to sit quietly, read our books in the peaceful silence, and soak up the warm weather. It was a refreshing pause from all the hard work, allowing everyone to recharge and enjoy a moment of calm before diving back into our studies.

Yesterday, a group of enthusiastic Year 6 children came into school for a fun and focused activity morning designed to get their brains buzzing and ready for the term ahead. This session was packed with engaging revision games that made learning feel like play, helping to reinforce key skills in a relaxed and supportive environment. One of the highlights was a big mathematical treasure hunt, where pupils worked in teams to solve a series of number-based clues and challenges. It was a brilliant blend of fun, teamwork, and learning – and a fantastic way to keep minds sharp over the holidays! The children are ready for another fun filled morning today where they will be working in their own pizza store!

We have been delving into the fascinating connections between census data and the women's suffrage movement. The students learned how women, in their fight for the right to vote, used creative forms of protest—one of the most significant being the boycott of the 1911 census. Many suffragists refused to participate in the census as a statement against their lack of political representation. This act of defiance showed the power of collective action and highlighted the struggle for equality. To bring this history to life, the students created their own detailed timelines of the women’s suffrage movement. They included key events such as the formation of suffrage organisations, important protests, and significant legal milestones, like the 1918 Representation of the People Act. Alongside these historical events, the children incorporated their own research and insights.

The children are looking forward to telling you all about their learning and said they can't wait until the next census to see their learning in real life!

Last Friday, the children got involved in Red Nose Day by donating to support the incredible work of Comic Relief. Many brought in jokes to share, spreading joy and smiles in the classroom. They all expressed their creativity through acrostic poems, celebrating kindness and the power of helping others. These poems highlighted the importance of supporting one another and the positive change that Comic Relief brings to communities worldwide. It’s a beautiful reminder that even the smallest actions, like sharing a laugh or writing a thoughtful poem, can create a ripple of kindness, making the world a better place for all.

Following on from lessons where we experimented using pencils to develop our blending, today we practised with a different form of dry media - charcoal and chalk.

We enjoyed playing with light and shadow by carefully blending the two different media together. We considered where the light would be coming from and where shadows would naturally fall. It was messy but fun! 

During Science Week last week, children engaged in a variety of exciting activities centered around the theme "Change to Adapt." One of the highlights was a hands-on matching game where they paired animals with the specific adaptations that helped them survive in their environments. This activity sparked curiosity and deepened their understanding of how living creatures evolve to thrive. Following this, the children selected an animal of their choice and conducted research into its unique adaptations. They then created informative and colorful posters, showcasing the remarkable features that help their chosen animals adapt to different challenges. It was a fun and educational experience that allowed the children to explore the fascinating world of evolution and survival.

During Internet Safety Week, the children participated in a variety of engaging activities focused on the theme "Too Good to Be True," teaching them how to protect themselves and others from online scams. One key activity involved watching educational videos that demonstrated common online scams, such as fake offers and deceptive ads, highlighting how these scams often appear too good to be true. The children learned to identify red flags, such as unrealistic promises or requests for personal information, and they were encouraged to be cautious before clicking on links or sharing sensitive data. Through interactive discussions and fun activities, they gained a better understanding of how to stay safe online and how to help others recognize and avoid scams.

This term, sketching has been a primary focus across the school, encouraging children to develop their artistic skills while enhancing their creativity and attention to detail. Students have been using their sketching abilities in a variety of lessons, integrating art with other subjects to deepen their understanding. One particularly engaging activity took place during guided reading sessions, where children listened closely to a detailed description of a location and then sketched what they imagined these locations looked like. This exercise not only strengthened their listening and comprehension skills but also allowed them to express their visual interpretations, fostering a unique connection between language and art. By incorporating sketching into so many areas of learning, students have been able to explore their creativity while reinforcing key concepts in an enjoyable and hands-on way.