Friday 4th December 

This week in English we have been publishing our biographies into our Big Write Books. We have used our researching skills to learn more about the history of Anne Frank during World War II, to then demonstrate these in our writing for our target audience.

In History, we looked at British and German propaganda posters during WW2. The children looked at how reliable these posters are and how they would persuade the general public. The children created their own posters to boost morale to the British citizens. 

We have had assessments in class this week to practice being in test conditions. The children persevered and tried their hardest in these tests.

Friday 28th November

This week, we have been completing our Art Mantle- 'Take one Picture'. We focused on the painting 'A Regatta on the Grand Canal' by Canaletto. The children have amazed me with their creativity and ambition with their final piece of art. We all worked together to create a collage using as many sustainable materials as possible. The children researched different collage artists and sketched a specific section of the painting. 

 

 

Friday 21st November

On Wednesday, we had a visit from Jenny who is a member of the Colchester Buddhist Centre. We are currently learning about Buddhism in our RE unit and it was great to find out more about the religion. Jenny brought in various artefacts as a discussion point, which got the children thinking and asking questions. She made a shrine in the classroom and led a short, guided meditation session.  

 

Friday 14th November

On Tuesday 11th November, we went to the Imperial War Museum Duxford. We went around various hangers, seeing multiple aircraft, including Concorde. My group loved walking through the aircraft and learnt many interesting facts. The children saw a piece of the Berlin Wall and steelwork from the Twin Towers, which they were fascinated with. We had a fantastic day and the children represented the school beautifully, even receiving positive comments from the staff and members of the public. Well done 6 Tolkien, I am extremely proud of you! 

Friday 7th November

6 Tolkien have had a great first week back after half-term. We are continuing with our topic of World War 2 and have begun reading 'Rose Blanche' by Christophe Gallaz and Roberto Innocenti. The children have read the first half of the story, planned and written a detailed diary entry of her experience. I have been impressed to see the children include emotive language to describe thoughts and feelings. In History, the children have learnt about the Evacuation of children and others to the countryside. They loved researching and creating informative posters. 

 

Friday 17th October

This week, we began our new English unit about the World War 1 Christmas truce, where the Allies and Axis called off the fighting for a day of playing football, burying the dead and exchanging gifts on No Man's land. The children have spent every day writing a section of their first-person narrative. I have been particularly impressed with the description and use of thoughts and feelings.  In Science, the children created a double page spread about how we see light. On Friday, to celebrate Black History month, the children researched and created a Google slides presentation about a significant person from the past. I was impressed with their collaboration and creativity. 

 

Friday 10th October

6 Tolkien have now finished reading Private Peaceful and have written an informal letter in the perspective of Tommo being stuck in the trench during a gas attack. I have been very impressed with their use of descriptive language and fronted adverbials. In Art, the children used either water colour or oil pastels to create WW2 blitz art. They loved being creative with the skyline and blending the colours together. 

 

Friday 3rd October

This week, the children have been very busy. In Computing, the children edited and improved a Scratch program. I was really impressed to see their programming skills, where many were able to change objects, include sounds and include game elements. In PE, the children loved warming up to 'I like to move it'. We then used kayaking as a theme to our dance. The children worked in pairs and were able to move in unison.  

Friday 26th September 

This week, the children have been busy having fun at lunch time with the 'loose parts' shed. They made obstacle courses, a marble run and shelter. It was lovely to see them working so well together. In History, we looked at the countries involved in World War 2. In Science, we undertook an experiment looking at how distance effects the size of a shadow. Also, in PSHE, we looked at identity and what gives us a sense of ourselves. 

 

Friday 19th September 

6 Tolkien have been very busy this week. In English, we are continuing to read the book 'Private Peaceful' by Michael Morpurgo. The children have created persuasive posters to encourage men to join the military. They have also planned and written a speech to do the same thing. In PE, the children have been playing hockey. Mr Watts has been impressed with their teamwork and listening skills. 

Friday 12th September 

We have had an excellent start to year 6 in 6 Tolkien. The children have enjoyed learning about World War 2 in History, light in Science and IP addresses in Computing. We begun our new English unit about the book 'Private Peaceful' by Michael Morgurgo. They have started reading the book and written a character description on Grandma Wolf. To get the children engaged in our new topic, they designed and created World War 1 trenches during the first few days back. An amazing start to Year 6. Well done! 

 

Friday 18th July

Year 6 had a fantastic time at Bawdsey Manor! They enjoyed zip lining, abseiling, archery, climbing Jacob's ladder, raft building and completing an obstacle course. The children had lots of fun, worked incredibly well as a team and were respectful to the staff and peers. I was so impressed with their helpfulness and resilience when working on team activities.

Friday 11th July

We have had a busy week! On Tuesday, we had Create Day. We took part in singing and dancing lessons run by the Royal Opera and Ballet over Zoom. They then performed their dance at the end of the day. They enjoyed this. On Tuesday and Thursday, after school, the children performed their production 'School of Pop' to their parents and carers. I was so impressed with their acting and singing skills. 

Also, I am so proud of all the children's SATs results. The progress they have made is amazing. They should be so proud of themselves! 

Friday 4th July

Last Friday, we took part in 'The Stanway Primary School Time Walk'. The children enjoyed making decorations and dressing up in 1960's costumes. We had fact files, posters, lava lamps and a VW Camper van displayed at our station. The children loved going round dancing and singing to the different songs. I was particularly impressed with Darcie, Louise, Lyla-Rose and Erin, who made a fantastic VW Camper van out of cardboard. Well done girls! 

 

Friday 27th June

This week, we have been preparing for our 'Create Day' with the Royal Ballet and Opera. This takes place on 8th July 2025 and is a whole school (and nationwide) event. The children have been dancing in unison and created their own solos. They worked in groups of 4, where they followed the leader with slow movements. They enjoyed being able to make up their own dance!   

 

Friday 20th June

This week, we have had sports week! The children have done many sports including:

• Year 6 rounders
• A daily mile walk (in the morning)
• Helped the Year 3 children with practising the carousel activities.
• Throwing- tennis balls, shot put and javelin

The children had such a good day on Friday, with the races. I have been really impressed seeing them help the younger children enjoy sport throughout the week!

Friday 13th June

This week, in English the children have been writing a narrative based on the short film 'Beyond the Lines'. This WW2 film depicts a boy and his younger brother reading their grandfather's letters from when he was in the war. They are imagining themselves being in the war during a battle. 6 Tolkien have impressed me with their use of figurative language, speech and use of show not tell.

Friday 6th June

This week, in Maths, the children have undertaken a project called 'White Rose Tours'. They have looked at different countries climates, transport costs and accommodation costs. In Science, the children have been learning about warm- blooded vertebrates and their characteristics. They created a poster to inform. Also, the children completed their last AR STAR reader test; they did fantastically! 

 

Friday 23rd May

This week, in English, the children were asked to write a letter of complaint to 'Delerium'- an imaginary theme park they visited and had an awful experience at. They came up with fantastic ideas of what they could complain about: long queues, mouldy food, litter everywhere and rude staff. 6 Tolkien have worked really hard to ensure their letter is formal and consists of Year 6 writing skills. Well done! 

Friday 16th May

And just like that... SATs are finished! The children have worked incredibly hard during this week. We are so proud to have seen them all stay determined and positive. On Thursday, we celebrated by having some extra play time. The children loved going on the climbing frame and playing football. Also, the children have been working hard practising the Year 6 production 'School of Pop'. You won't want to miss it! 

Friday 9th May

This half-term, the children have been learning how to play cricket with Mr Watts. They have learnt to bowl, bat, wicket keep and field. They had a turn of each position. Kieran said, "My favourite part was batting because I was able to hit it far and get many runs." Our star players this week were (drum roll please)... Sid and Sienna! Well done!

Friday 2nd May

This week, we have been completing our practice SATs papers. The children have worked extremely hard and tried their best. We are very proud of them! In English, the children wrote formal letters to persuade the Government to act on climate change. They worked very hard. In Art, we have looked at the artist 'Bridget Riley'. The children have created some lovely 'optic' art. Rehearsals for the Year 6 production are underway! The children are beginning to learn their lines and the songs are already sounding beautiful. Well done Year 6 for a great week!