Term 1 Week 5

It has been a wonderful week in Owls Class filled with creativity, curiosity and lots of hard work. The children have shown such enthusiasm and focus in every lesson, and it has been lovely to see how proud they are of their learning.

English – Escape from Pompeii
In English, we have been exploring the story Escape from Pompeii by Christina Balit. The children have worked so hard to write their own setting descriptions inspired by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. After planning, drafting and editing, they have now published their final pieces and displayed them for everyone to enjoy. The results are incredible. Each piece captures the drama and emotion of that moment in history with powerful vocabulary and vivid imagery.

Behind every piece of writing is a real sense of effort and determination. The children learnt how to use sensory language to create atmosphere and practised describing what they could see, hear and feel as if they were standing in Pompeii themselves. Their finished work shows how much pride they take in their writing and how far they have come as young authors.

Maths – Roman Numerals
In maths, we have been learning about Roman numerals. The children were fascinated to discover how numbers were written in ancient times and enjoyed comparing the Roman number system with the one we use today. They learnt the value of each Roman numeral and practised writing and reading numbers up to 100. We even used clock faces to help us recognise numerals and solve simple calculations. It was brilliant to see how quickly the children spotted patterns and applied their knowledge with confidence.

Here’s a challenge for our parents this week. You may ask your child to help you work it out. They will enjoy being the teacher this time!

History - Roman Army

In history, we have been learning about how the Roman Empire grew and became one of the most powerful empires in the world. The children explored how Rome expanded from a small city-state to an empire that stretched across Europe, Africa and Asia. We discussed how the Roman army played a major role in this success through its strength, discipline and clever battle formations. The children were especially impressed by the famous tortoise formation, where soldiers used their shields to create a strong protective shell. They enjoyed working together to recreate the formations and design their own Roman shields. It has been wonderful to see their curiosity and teamwork shine through this topic.

RE – The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
In RE, we have been learning about the parable of the wise and foolish builders. Jesus told this story to help his followers understand the importance of listening to his words and putting them into practice. The children reflected on what it means to build their lives on strong foundations, just like the wise builder who built his house on the rock. We discussed the benefits of following Jesus’s teachings, such as feeling supported, guided and at peace, even when things get difficult. The children shared some thoughtful examples of how they can show kindness, forgiveness and strength in their own lives.

Harvest Festival Worship
The highlight of our week was our Harvest Festival worship. We walked to the church where Reverend Mik led a beautiful service that reminded us all of the importance of gratitude and giving. It was so endearing to see the new Robins being welcomed into the church family and the Year Sixes closing the service with a thoughtful prayer for them. The atmosphere was filled with joy as all the children, including Owls Class, sang their hearts out and took part in the service with pride. It was one of those special moments that remind us how lucky we are to be part of such a caring school community.