Welcome to Years 4,5 and 6!
| Classes |
Hedgehog-Year 4
|
Badger - Year 5/6 |
Otter - Year 5/6 |
Grey Wolf - Year 5/6
|
| Class Teacher |
Miss Caroline Parry |
Miss Charlotte Cowdell |
Miss Ashleigh Maaka |
Mr Lloyd Marshall |
| Learning Support Assistants |
Mrs Melissa Smith |
Mrs Christine Hitchins |
Mrs Laila Fenton |
Mrs Lauren Weaver |
In Year 4, the children are supported appropriately to enable them to grow in maturity and are encouraged to take on the role of kind, integral members of our school community. Children are given the opportunity to show more responsibility for their learning and organisation and are provided with a range of opportunities to challenge themselves.
In Years 5 and 6 our children immerse themselves in a formal, rich and invigorating curriculum. As they embark on this exciting journey, we aspire for our children to be independent learners and good communicators being kind, integral and enthusiastic members of our community.
Through their unique personalities and drive for success, our children are challenged to reach their full potential by applying their skills and knowledge, embedding them within all areas of the curriculum. We encourage our children to take tremendous pride in their achievements and endeavour to support each other to grow as well-rounded individuals.
Years 5 and 6 are fast-paced and challenging as our children work incredibly hard to prepare themselves for the end of their primary school journey. Children in Year 6 take on many roles of responsibilities within school and participate fully in the life of the school in its wider community. As a year group they begin preparation for secondary school life, ensuring that they are inspirational role models to our younger peers.
We work hard to fully embed skills that our children have learnt during their time at the school and strive to achieve mastery approach to learning across all subject areas. Throughout the year, the children deepen their reasoning and reflective skills, showing a true understanding of how to improve and advance their learning.
Inspired by the huge breadth of skills our children have learnt on their journey through Bearwood, our children leave the school as kind, integral, and successful individuals ready to face the challenges of secondary school and adult life, becoming successful, compassionate and productive citizens.
In Hedgehog Class (Year 4), our gymnastics PE unit so far has been focusing on travelling along equipment and jumping off the end with a safe landing. Here are some photos demonstrating how we do this. Check out the school's Facebook page for the videos!
This week in Otter class, we loved sharing our learning during our class assembly. We proudly showcased our knowledge of the solar system and presented our fantastic Peter Thorpe–inspired rocket ship artwork. Thank you to all the parents and carers who came along to watch and for your continued support of our learning—it was wonderful to have you there.
This week during our Badger Art sessions we learnt about shading using hatching and cross hatching. We used these techniques to bring shade to certain areas of the drawing, adding depth and dimension. We completed part of an image of a soldier and some of us challenged ourselves to sketch Winston Churchill.
In Year 4 Hedgehog class this week, we have been newspaper reporters. We were amazed, shocked, confused by the bizarre sight of slimy frogs flying on flat green lily pads around the town! We hope you enjoy reading our newspaper articles all about it.
Year 5/6 have been busy investigating the properties of materials in Science. This week in Otter, we focused on thermal conductivity. We carried out an experiment to discover which materials are best at keeping heat in. To start, we filled three cups with hot water: one wrapped in tin foil, one in cotton wool and one plain plastic cup. Using thermometers, we recorded a baseline temperature and then measured the temperature over a 15-minute period. After analysing the results, we discussed which material was the best insulator. To finish the unit, we put our learning into practice by designing a brand-new coffee mug for teachers – all with the important goal of keeping break-time coffee warmer for longer!
This week in Badger class we learnt about how children were evacuated during World War II. We found out that children were evacuated to Berkshire as it was a safe area and that there was a hostel set up in Wokingham for 30 children to live in during the war. Children had to pack a few belongings and catch a train with their classmates and teachers, leaving their parents behind.
Grey Wolf had their class assembly and did brilliantly. Their assembly was all about their history topic from last term: The Kingdom of Benin and how it compared to England at the same time period. They acted out Freeze frames and performed a song to show this.
This week, UKS2 have been finishing off our tote bags in DT. We have been really proud with how they have persevered (particularly with threading the needle!) and shown patience to complete their designs.
Year 4 also enjoyed a local walk on Wednesday to the nearby church (St. Catherine's), where they had the opportunity to explore and learn more about their local community.
This week some of our UKS2 children went to Maiden Erlegh to take part in Sportshall Athletics, organised by School Games. All the children were fantastic! A special mention to Bobby, who managed to jump 2.1 metres in the standing long jump, the furthest of anyone in the competition!
Aiden, Tanishi, Cayden and Chace in Y6 took part in a 'Mathemagical' Event on Monday morning at Luckley House School. A maths teacher turned magic circle member performed maths tricks with the pupils, showing them the magic of numbers!
This week, our Year 6 pupils completed their Bikeability training. They developed essential cycling skills and learned how to ride safely and responsibly on the roads. Well done everyone who took part!
This week, UKS2 enjoyed an exciting visit from the local fore brigade! Pupils had the chance to explore the fire engine, learn about the firefighters' important work, and even try on some of their protective kit.
On Wednesday, we welcomed Dr. Bike, who offered a free bike maintenance service. He offered a free bike maintenance service. He checked over 15 bikes, inspecting brakes, steering, and other key components to ensure they were safe and road ready.
UKS2 had a fantastic day on Wednesday led by the Osun Arts Foundation. We were treated to African dancing and drumming by experts of African heritage. We also had a story-telling talk about the Benin Kingdom by Felix, the great grandson of a Benin Warchief!
Mr Marshall, in his capacity as NCETM (National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics) Maths Specialist, led an important professional development session for 17 teachers from other schools on teaching long division. It included him talking through the process with the teachers, and then having them observe him teach long division to his Year Six maths group. It is very satisfying to know we are able to share expertise with other schools.
This week LKS2 have been to Stonehenge. We got to learn all about the monument and how it was created, as well as learning a bit about the lives of people from the Stone Age period.
UKS2 have been busy learning about friction in their science lessons. Using Newton meters and weighted shoes, the children tested how different surfaces affect the amount force needed to move objects. It was a hands on investigation that brought their learning to life!
Some pupils from UKS2 were selected to take part at a Rugby festival at The Forest School. They represented our school brilliantly and had a fantastic time putting their skills to the test with other schools!
Years 5 and 6 have been creating abstract art this week, based off rocket paintings by Peter Thorpe. Here are some amazing finished pieces by Shrayaan, Advik and Amber!
This week in Year 4 Science we experimented with different types of rocks and completed three tests looking at: durability, permeability and density. We also used magnifying glasses to see if we could see any crystals to help us identify which type of rock they could be. The children enjoyed using items to try and scratch the rocks to see how hard or soft they were, testing their exposure to water and whether they would float or sink when emerged in a bowl of water. In groups, they were able to discuss the properties of the three different type of rocks: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Also this week, Raul impressed us all with his fantastic double page spread about Romania. His piece was beautifully designed, full of interesting facts, colourful illustrations and a clear layout made it a great read. Well done Raul, what an excellent piece of work.
Our Year 5 and 6 classes have had a busy and active week. They've been practising their forehand shots in tennis rallies, as well as investigating air resistance by creating parachutes! There has been excellent focus in class, and Grey Wolf's star-of-the-days have been treated with a morning petting session with Warner.
In Year 4, have had a fantastic first full week at school. We created hedgehog artwork and some will be displayed on our Bearwood Forest display in the hall. We learnt about the importance of friendship and created a mind map before the lesson and added to it after, to demonstrate what more we have learnt about what makes a good friend.
We wrote recounts of our summer holidays, describing where we went, what we did and how we felt along the way.
This week, our Upper Phase classes have been settling into their routines and have seriously impressed their teachers with their enthusiasm, focus, and fantastic start to the year. In a wonderful show of support for wildlife conservation, Badger Class adopted a real badger through a charity initiative. They were thrilled to receive their welcome pack, complete with information about their adopted badger (Billie) and a cuddly toy to mark the occasion!
Year 5 and 6 have been celebrating our fantastic homework projects this week - with some incredible efforts for solar system diagrams and biographies. Keep them coming - we love to share and show them off!
