Autumn Term
WELCOME TO THE YEAR 5 AND 6 BLOG FOR THE AUTUMN TERM!
Week beginning 9th September
In our first full week of the term, UKS2 have been extremely busy starting many new units of learning! The highlight of our week was Tuesday's Sizzling Starter for our WW2 local history unit, when we visited the Lincolnfields Centre in Bushey.
UKS2 Trip to Lincolnsfield, Bushey for our WW2 Local History topic - Tuesday 10th September
On Tuesday 10th September, Years 5 and 6 made the short journey to Bushey, for a Children at War 1940s experience. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a number of staff who were in role as adults living in Bushey in 1940. They placed us in five groups and sent us to take part in our first activity.
Miss Kropman's group began by visiting a house that had been recreated to represent one from 1940. We were taken on a tour of the laundry room (and got to try out a mangle!), the kitchen, the lounge and bedroom. This was an interesting start to our learning about WW2 in Hertfordshire, as we explored rationing in the area and also learnt about how windows were protected during the blackout period. Following this, we went outside to the garden, which featured a vegetable patch, (model) rabbits and an Anderson Shelter. Whilst there, we learnt about the Dig for Victory campaign and the importance of home shelters. Suddenly, the air raid siren went! Despite the all-clear soon sounding, we were unfortunate to witness an unexploded bomb had landed on the roof of the home nearby, and we were tasked with forming a chain line to then put out the smoky remnants using a pump and hose. This was very hard work, and it was alarming to think that such tasks would have fallen to young people during the war. Next, we went to a school room. We experienced a WW2-style lesson, typical of that experienced by evacuees in Hertfordshire, including some tricky spellings and very strict behaviour expectations!
After lunch, we had the harrowing experiences of the Blitz shelter, where a gentleman who had lived through the war as a child led us into a mock North London shelter. We then witnessed the devastation that an air-raid had caused and were thankful that this was not a real situation for today. Finally, we visited the on-site museum, where we were fortunate enough to hold a real Tommy gun from 1940 and view many objects that were kept on the US air base at Bushey from 1942 - 1945.
The trip really brought to life what war would have been like for a child living in Hertfordshire, and was made even more realistic by us dressing up as evacuees. Miss Kropman would like to thank all of the phase (children and teachers) and also to Miss Pitfield, who accompanied us today. UKS2 demonstrated excellent learning behaviour and represented the school brilliantly: well done, everyone!
A glorious, sunny morning for UKS2 PE! - Friday 13th September
Year 6 House Captain Speeches - Friday 13th September
Well done to the Year 6 children who put themselves forward for being House Captains. They delivered their speeches and presentations with impressive confidence and had all clearly put a great deal of effort into preparing these. We eagerly await the outcome of KS2 and staff votes, and will let you know the results on Monday!
Week beginning 2nd September
Welcome to the Autumn Term and the UKS2 Phase Blog! Miss Kropman will update this each week to show you what we have been learning and experiencing in school. We hope you enjoy looking at this!
Topaz kickstarting the term with human air hockey, Hungry Hippos and Extreme Rock, Paper, Scissors! - Wednesday 4th September
Ruby and Topaz learning how to draw proportionally accurate self-portraits - Wednesday 4th September
Ruby enjoying their brand new Book Nook! - Thursday 5th September
Online Assembly with Picture News - Friday 6th September
Today, all of UKS2 logged into Picture News' live assembly entitled 'Celebrating Our Differences and Overcoming Adversity'. This was an engaging and interactive session, where we were able to communicate (via the 'chat' function) with schools from all over the UK. The presentation began with an image of people working together to repair damage suffered to their area during the recent riots. This then stimulated discussion about community and things that make us unique. Thank you to Mrs Davies for booking this interesting Friday assembly for us!
UKS2 Afternoon of PE - Friday 6th September
