The children have returned to school with a wonderful attitude towards their learning and have worked extremely hard this week, preparing for SATs in a few weeks time.
In RE, Year 6 created some beautiful Resurrection art, which will be displayed above our prayer table in class.
In PE today, the class were introduced to their new topic- cricket; they had lots of fun playing target games, in order to improve their throwing and catching skills!
Year 6 were also reunited with their reading partners this afternoon, after the long Easter break away from each other.
Well done to Amber and Christoph, who both wrote and led a lovely whole school assembly about St Bernadette , along with some of their friends from St Bernadette house, this morning.
To celebrate the Feast of St Bernadette (which was on Tuesday), Amber and Christoph generously baked cakes for their house, which they shared during their extra playtime this morning!
It’s hard to believe that we have reached the end of the second term and that Easter is this weekend!
On Tuesday, Year 6 led the KS2 Way of the Cross service for the families of the school and parish. As usual, the children made everyone proud with their reverence and their beautiful acting and singing. Thank you for supporting your child with this.
Yesterday, Year 6 also demonstrated their wonderful leadership qualities, by organising a special Lenten outdoor activity session for KS1 and KS2 children. Well done in particular to the sports captains: Naomi, Ellis, Siena, Caitlin, Ollie.
Home Learning over the Easter holidays
Testbase- work through as many of the SATs practice questions that you can.
This week, Year 6 have been very busy preparing for ‘The Way of the Cross‘ service, which they will be leading, next Tuesday evening.
Please note: The children have all been asked to wear black as a base colour- costumes will be provided on the night; if your child is a reader however, they will need to wear their winter school uniform.
On Thursday, the children had a wonderful time at the Deepening the Mystery – ‘Unexpected Treasures of Art’ exhibition, at the The Focolare Centre for Unity, in Welwyn Garden City. The exhibition itself is part of the travelling Methodist Modern Art Collection and includes some of the most powerful and arresting religious art pieces of the 20th and 21st centuries. The children took part in a workshop, where they got to explore the stories behind the paintings and made links with their own Catholic faith. The staff who led the session were very impressed by the children’s RE knowledge and their outstanding behaviour! You can browse some of the collection by clicking on the link below:
Today in PE, Year 6 had lots of fun putting together their own haka dances and performing them to each other. A haka is a traditional Māori dance involving synchronised movements, often involving the aspect of challenge. The haka has been made world-famous by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. They are often performed in groups and can demonstrate a tribe’s power, pride, and solidarity.
Maths home learning project
Create your own knowledge organiser/ revision poster focussing on the properties of shape. Choose some regular/ irregular polygons that you feel less knowledgeable about: e.g. trapezium, kite, rhombus, parallelogram, pentagon, hexagon, octagon and different types of triangles.
Include where possible:
number of sides
length of sides (regular, irregular)
how sides relate to each other (parallel, perpendicular, adjacent, opposite)
number of angles
types of angles (acute, obtuse, reflex, right angle)
diagonals
lines of symmetry.
As mentioned in class, these will need to be brought back on Monday, as we will be using them in the lesson.
Other home learning:
Please continue to practise your readings and songs for Tuesday night’s performance at the church.
This week, Year 6 joined the rest of the school in celebrating British Science Week; the theme this year was ‘Time’.
To kick start the week off, the children were asked the BIG QUESTION-
Does taller mean faster?
Initially, and after much debate, the children decided that they thought that taller did in fact mean that you would be quicker, due to your legs being longer and therefore covering more ground, more quickly. They were asked to put the question to the test.
First, they planned their test, thinking carefully about how they were going to ensure that it was fair. They then measured one another’s legs from hip to ankle and plotted the measurements on a table.
Then the class went outside onto the playground and began their tests, recording results as they happened!
Back in class, the children reflected on their results and represented these on a dual bar chart.
Upon finishing, Year 6 came to the conclusion that taller DID NOT mean faster!!!
Continuing with British Science Week, on Wednesday, Pope Paul were joined by Mr Kelly, one of the science teachers from Nicholas Breakspear, who delivered a special science lesson about dinosaurs, and how paleontologists are able to know about how life on our planet used to be, because of their work with fossils. The class then enjoyed a fun, practical activity, where they dug around for bones in layers of jelly and sand!
On Wednesday, Year 5 and 6 represented Pope Paul School at OLASV, where they attended mass to celebrate the feast day of St Louise de Marillac. As usual, the children made staff proud with their reverence and beautiful singing.
Today, the whole school were treated to a wonderful St Patrick’s Day assembly by Year 3. Fern , Caitlin and Lucy also took part in the assembly, wowing the audience with their amazing Irish dancing. Well done girls!!
Well done to Christoph and Eliana, who sent pictures of themselves with fairtrade products, this week!
Well done for today’s brilliant rehearsal with Year 5, for the upcoming Way of the Cross. For your home learning, please practise your words if you are reading: if you have left them at school, you can also find a copy here:
Please also practise the songs here, which will need to be learnt off by heart by the service (Tuesday 26th March).
Science Whole School Home Learning
Take a Science Selfie! Can you complete a science experiment at home and take a selfie of you and your family? Below are some websites with some ideas. Please bring in a photo to your class teacher.
My soul is sad. My heart is breaking tonight.
Could you not watch and comfort me until light?
Am I alone, surrounded only by night?
Could you not watch one hour with me?
Could you not keep awake for one hour with me?
Is it so hard that you should do this for me?
I die for you that you might always be free.
Could you not watch one hour with me?
And so I weep, and there is no one to hear.
I am in pain; will no one witness my tears?
I am your God, and as my Passion draws near,
Could you not watch one hour with me?
Stay With Me
Stay with me
Remain here with me
Watch and pray
Watch and pray
Walk Alone
Take your cross now Jesus man.
Walk the road to Calvary alone.
Your innocence a mockery Nazarene for what crime do you atone?
Walk alone.
Battered bruised and bloodied now, stumbling on the long and dusty road.
Stripped of all your dignity.
This final journey holds a fate well known.
Walk alone.
Death’s dark journey calls your name.
Crown of thorns, crown of shame.
Faces filled with hate and blame.
The good you’ve done forgotten now.
Take your cross now Jesus man. Walk the road to Calvary alone.
Walk alone.
Walk alone.
Walk alone.
Born For This
Born for this. You were born for this.
Born to walk this road and bear that rugged cross.
But it’s breaking my heart to see you like this.
My son, my precious child.
The agony, Oh, the agony.
I see you suff’ring and there’s nothing I can do.
But I’ll walk by your side till we come to the end.
My son my precious child.
I see the anguish in your eyes.
I’ve prayed this cup will pass you by, but I know that it has to be so. Though I don’t understand the reason.
So much pain so much confusion,
but you were born for this,
you were born for this.
My son, my precious child.
Fallen Again
Fallen again. Kneeling in shame.
Frightened, rejected unbearable pain.
Suff’ring in silence such patience unknown, not moving.
Can he go on?
Fallen again. Face to the ground. Soldiers abusing, heckling crowd.
Slowly he rises feet heavy unsure.
Strength fading still he goes on.
All Hail, King of the Jews
O great king O royal one, your cross awaits. Is there anything your majesty desires?
Is your cross too heavy sire?
May I shine your crown?
Let us relieve you of your splendid royal attire!
All hail king of the Jews!
All hail King of the Jews!
Come now king and rest awhile you’ve walked so far!
We bet you’re very glad the journey’s almost done.
We like your regal garments so we’re sharing them around.
Casting lots to see what can be won.
All hail king of the Jews!
All hail king of the Jews!
Murderers and brigands,
We thought we’d seen it all.
Every kind of criminal there can be.
But this one they call Jesus is the strangest of the lot!
A self proclaimed Messiah is he!
All hail King of the Jews!
All hail king of the Jews!
All hail king of the Jews!
Father, Forgive Them
Father forgive them for what they have done. They know not the scale of their crime.
Guilt in their eyes and my blood on their hands.
Forgive them dear father forgive.
Father why have you forsaken your son.
Alone I am left here to die.
My flesh and my spirit both wounded the same. Forgive them dear father forgive.
Eli Eli lama sabachtani. Repeat
Precious Saviour
Precious Saviour laid to rest.
Shattered hopes, such emptiness.
Lifeless Lord. It is over now.
Night has come, the darkest hour.
Our hope has gone.
Here in this stone-cold grave the one we thought would save us, where is solace to be found?
It is over now.
It is over now.
You Are The Way
You are the way
to our Father above!
Jesus send Your Spirit,
help our hearts to love.
You are alive!
You’re our friend and our guide.
We can always trust in you as you’re here
by our side!
At the cross,
forgiveness we pray
for moments when we’ve fallen astray.
Through the cross,
the darkness has passed.
The Lamb of God is light that will last!
We will take up our cross,
it’s a gain, not a loss.
We’ll reach out, love the poor and the lost!
https://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Way-of-the-Cross.jpg306748Margaret Joycehttp://popepaul.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ppnewlogo.pngMargaret Joyce2024-03-15 15:00:202024-03-15 17:41:38KS2 Way of the Cross - lyrics to learn
In English, the class have continued their exciting unit on Spiderwick. This week, the children have written and performed radio broadcasts and have shared lots of lovely learning experiences with each other, through role play.
In Maths, Year 6 have been finding the area and perimeters of rectilinear shapes.
In RE, the children have continued to learn about the prayer The Examen. They have also reflected on the theme Dignity of Workers, through Catholic Social Teaching and Fairtrade lessons and they have also continued to focus on the Stations of the Cross during prayer time.
On Tuesday, the class participated in a very engaging e-safety workshop, where they revisited the vital message of keeping safe online.
On Wednesday, the children were visited by Max from The Passage; he spoke about the important work he does for the charity. The Passage is based in the heart of Westminster, and provides practical support and a wide range of services to help transform the lives of people who are, or are at risk of homelessness. The Passage takes its values and ethos from the teachings of St. Vincent De Paul, who was a Christian and social reformer and who co-founded the Daughters of Charity in 1633. Vincent believed in action rather than words, and in hands-on service to vulnerable people. The class were very inspired by what he had to say.
Yesterday, the class celebrated World Book Day, along with the rest of the school. The children looked FANTASTIC in their costumes/ pyjamas- thank you so much for supporting them with this. After a special WBD assembly, the children met up with their Reception reading partners and spent some time with them. Following this, the class participated in a speed book sharing event in class. In the afternoon, the class had a very special visitor read to them- Ms Donatantonio!!!
Home Learning
SPaG- Parenthesis activity
Spelling Shed- Words that can be nouns and verbs
-Identifying antonyms and synonyms
Mathletics- Area and perimeter
Daily reading
Well done to those of you who complete every single piece of home learning set for you.
It was lovely to see you all at the parent consultations this week!
On Monday, the children were introduced to the new RE Lenten focus on Catholic Social Teaching (CST).
Throughout the duration of Lent the whole school will be exploring a different principle of CST every week.
This week, the CST focus was ‘Care of Creation. The children had a special assembly in order to explore this principle,; this was followed by a class discussion based on this painting:
The class have also been reflecting on the Stations of the Cross and writing prayers in response.
In Maths, Year 6 have been learning about the order of operations (BODMAS) and in English, the children have been participating in lots of drama work based on the book Spiderwick. The following photos depict the class acting out the role of a Boggart making mischief in the classroom!
In Science, Year 6 have been learning about Inheritance and that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but that normally offspring vary and are not identical to their parents. They had lots of fun demonstrating their understanding of this, by drawing pictures of the Little Miss and Mr Men characters and creating what they thought their children would look like!
On Tuesday, Year 6 took part in the annual Safer Internet Day, where they explored how technology has changed over time. Together, they had lots of fun thinking creatively and sharing ideas on what changes they thought might happen in the future.
In RE this week, Year 6 were fascinated by a video taken of a 3D app, which allowed them to explore Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem. This gave the children a really good understanding of the scale and layout of the temple, and also gave them additional information about what Passover would have been like during Jesus’ time. Many children have asked for the link to be added to the blog, so that they can have a go at downloading the actual app and exploring it for themselves.
This afternoon, the class were led in a very special Palm Burning Ceremony by our Year 6 Liturgy Leaders. The children had been given the responsibility of burning the palm crosses donated by the parish community, in preparation for Ash Wednesday, next week. As the class watched the palms burn and turn into ashes, they were reminded that God created us from the dust of the earth, and it is from this humble beginning that we emerge with purpose and potential.
In Maths this week, the children have continued to consolidate their understanding of formal long division written methods, and have applied this to real life problem solving.
In English, Year 6 began their new non-fiction unit, based on the wonderful book Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black.
Next week, the class will be planting bulbs and will need to bring in a small flowerpot from home, thank you!
Home Learning
Daily reading
TTRockstars
Spelling Shed
Mathletics
SPaG.com
Parents, if you haven’t already done so, please remember to book an appointment to meet with me next week, at one of the parent consultation evenings. Thank you!
Today, the children in Year 6 were led in prayer by Lucy, Naomi and Grey, in a very beautiful act of worship on the theme of ‘Diversity’. The accompanying music, bible reading and reflection were very well thought out, planned and executed, and certainly set a high benchmark for the rest of the class. Well done children!
This week, Year 6 have been very busy completing their Maths assessments, the results of which allow the staff to identify any gaps in knowledge or any misconceptions. Next week, they will also be assessed in reading.
Yesterday, 13 of our Year 6 children joined the rest of the choir attending the very exciting and energetic Young Voices concert at Wembley Arena! The day and evening were lots of fun and the children’s behaviour and performance were outstanding! Meanwhile, the rest of the class joined Ms Donatantonio and had a fun-filled afternoon, playing different dice games.
Home learning
Mathletics– Division
SPaG.com– Antonyms and Synonyms
Spelling Shed
TT Rock Stars– as discussed in class today, it is imperative that you are secure and fluent in every times table to 12, as this is the basis for so many other areas in Maths. If you are not, it is now a matter of urgency!
