Friday 20th March
Well, it has been quite the sporting week in Year 6, with two different competitions at Whickham School. On Monday, it was the cluster finals of the basketball tournament, where we represented our cluster after making it through the first rounds. The children played together with great teamwork and skill, and drew 1 and won 4 of their matches. This was joint best outcome with another 2 schools, so in the end, it went down to the number of baskets scored and Emmaville finished in bronze position. We were so proud of the way in which they embraced the tournament, and it was great to see how much enjoyment they got from the tournament.
Then, on Wednesday, we had a hockey tournament at Whickham school. For some of the children attending, it was their first opportunity to represent school in a sporting tournament, and what a great job they did. Once again, the children showed respect and teamwork, and had great fun playing against the other schools in attendance. A very successful sporting week; well done Year 6!
Friday 13th March
Another great week in North America class; the children are blowing me away with their work ethic across the curriculum, and the hard work is really paying off. We particularly enjoyed our Geography lesson this week, where we compared and contrasted a European city, Athens, with a city to us, Newcastle. We looked at human and physical features, and thought about how they influence and impact each other. We then gathered images and facts about Newcastle, and used imovie software to create our own tourism videos all about Newcastle. They are amazing, and the children thoroughly enjoyed creating these. Well done Year 6!
Friday 6th March
It was lovely to welcome the children back after a well deserved week off. We have got straight back into the swing of things, and especially enjoyed all things World Book Day! On Tuesday, we had a workshop with Bigfoot Arts Education, where the children worked with a poet to create a poem all about what their "Dream World" would look like. Amy took our ideas, and weaved them into a masterpiece, which she performed for us later. The poem is attached below, but one specific verse really stood out to me...
Everyone can be who they are
because difference is accepted
and not just accepted or tolerated
but admired and respected
I feel this is a really valuable lesson for us all to live by.
On World Book Day, we had great fun going down to read with our nursery friends. The smiles on the faces, of the Nursery children, and the Year 6 children, say it all!
Friday 6th February
In our Geography lessons, we have been learning about the threats which face our oceans. We first explored the idea of overfishing, where we all became fisherpeople with our own boats, trying to catch fish to sell. We soon learnt our lesson after we caught all of our fish Year One, and realised we had no more to sell for future years. We had a lot of fun, but also learnt some really valuable lessons about sustainability.
We then went on to learn about plastic pollution, and the impact that this is having on our waters. We were shocked to read about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and the statistics surrounding this. The children showed a very mature attitude, exploring what could be done on a personal or community level to help tackle such problems.
Grace was particularly inspired, and went home and produced a very powerful video all about plastic pollution.
Friday 30th January
On Tuesday, Year 6 ventured on a school trip to Ouseburn. Despite the torrential rain (!), spirits were high and we were excited for the day ahead. In the morning, we headed for a workshop with the Ouseburn Trust, where we learnt about evacuation and rationing, and also had a guided tour of the Victoria Tunnel, which was used as an air raid shelter for the residents of Newcastle during World War 2. We listened to really interesting stories and anecdotes about what it would have been like, and made it all seem much more real to us. Then, in the afternoon, we headed to Northern Print for an art workshop based around World War 2 propaganda posters. We focused on "Dig for Victory" and used a range of stencils and templates, as well as designs of our own, to create our own posters, before using the printing press to make our final products. We were really proud with what we produced, and had a thoroughly enjoyable day in Ouseburn.
Friday 23rd January
We were treated on Wednesday morning to another visit from our friends from the Music Service, for a KS2 music workshop. These are always filled with fun and the sessions are very much looked forward to. We weren't disappointed this time, as the team brought with them a set of djembe drums from Africa. As we all joined in with a variety of African songs, singing in unison, echo, call and response and in rounds, some of us were lucky enough to be given the chance to drum along with the beat.
We left the hall with our hearts lifted and our spirits high.
Friday 16th January
Our History and English topics link together this half term, which has helped to deepen our understanding of life in Victorian Britain. In English, we are reading Street Child, and have learnt all about Jim Jarvis and how he was helped by Dr Barnardo. In History this week, we looked in more detail at the sort of jobs that children had to do, and why they had to work in such conditions. After carrying out some research, we did a hot-seating activity where we took on the role of a mine worker, chimney sweep, factory worker and a bird scarer. We then followed this up with a diary entry showing a day in the life of these children 150 years ago. The entries are so informative, but also perfectly sum up what life could've and would've been like for these children! It was eye-opening, and made us feel slightly less frustrated about having to tidy our bedrooms, or help to empty the dishwasher!
Friday 9th January
It has been so lovely to welcome the children back after the Christmas break, and hear all about the lovely time they have spent with their families. We have got straight back into the swing of things, starting new units in most subjects. We have particularly enjoyed starting to read Street Child in English, and deepening our understanding of life in Victorian Britain.
Before Christmas, some of the children entered a competition organised by Daisy Education, where they wrote a poem all about festive feelings. We were thrilled to hear this week the news that our lovely Charlotte was overall winner. I emailed back to say how pleased we were, and that it was a double celebration as it was also her birthday. That afternoon, Charlotte's prize (£200 worth of Amazon vouchers!!) was dropped off at school, along with a birthday banner and balloon for her. What a birthday treat. We are so proud of you Charlotte!