Year 5 visit to the Gurdwara

Our Year 5 pupils had a fantastic and deeply enriching visit to the local Gurdwara in Hayes Town today. The children represented our school beautifully, showing immense respect as they removed their shoes and covered their heads to enter the prayer hall (Darbar Sahib). During the visit, they had the wonderful opportunity to see the Guru Granth Sahib, learn about the core values of the Sikh faith, and ask some incredibly thoughtful questions. A real highlight of the trip was experiencing the Langar (community kitchen), where the children sat together to share a delicious, traditional vegetarian snack, learning firsthand about the principles of equality and community service. It was a memorable day that brought our Religious Education curriculum to life, and the children have returned to school full of excitement and new insights.

English

This term, our young explorers are travelling through time and across continents as we dive into two powerful stories: the ancient Greek myth Theseus and the Minotaur and the moving modern classic Journey to Jo’burg. While one follows a hero through a dark labyrinth to face a legendary monster, the other follows two siblings on a courageous trek across South Africa to save their sister. Together, these books are sparking fantastic discussions about bravery, the meaning of justice, and the different types of ‘monsters’—both mythical and real—that people face. We are incredibly proud of how the children are connecting these diverse worlds to build a deeper understanding of courage and human rights.

Maths

This term in maths, the children will be diving into a mix of practical and spatial topics. We will explore Geometry by investigating the properties of various shapes and mastering position and direction. We’ll also be strengthening their number skills with decimals and tackling real-world measurements, focusing specifically on how to convert between different units and understanding volume. It’s a busy, hands-on curriculum designed to help them see how maths applies to the world around them.

• Geometry: Position and Direction
  • Household Treasure Map: Draw a simple grid map f a room and hide a "treasure." Give them coordinates or directions like "three steps forward, then a quarter-turn right" to find it.
  • Blindfold Maze: Guide each other through a simple obstacle course using only directional language like "forwards," "backwards," "left," and "right".
• Number: Decimals
  • Shopping Detectives: Lok at price tags or receipts together. Ask them to identify which digit represents the whole pounds and which represents the "parts" (tenths and hundredths).
  • Sporty Stats: Lok up the times of their favourite athletes or swimmers. Discuss how a difference of just 0.01 seconds can change a race result.
• Measurement: Converting Units
  • Kitchen Conversions: While cooking, look at the packaging. If a recipe asks for 1.5 litres, ask them how many millilitres that would be (1,500ml)
  • The Meter Walk: Use a tape measure to mark out one metre. Ask them to estimate how many metres long the garden is, then convert that final measurement into centimetres.
• Measurement: Volume
  • Water Play: Provide different shaped containers (bottles, jugs, tubs) and a measuring cup. Ask them to estimate which container holds the most water and then measure to see if they were right.
  • Box Building: Use building blocks to make a "box" shape. Talk about how the volume is the total space inside the shape, counting the blocks to find the total.

Guided Reading

This term, our Year 5 readers are embarking on a powerful literary journey through South African history as we explore Beverley Naidoo’s gripping novel Journey to Jo'burg alongside extracts from Nelson Mandela’s inspiring autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. Through these texts, the children will develop their advanced comprehension skills—focusing on inferring characters' motivations, analysing evocative language and discussing complex themes of justice, resilience and family. These stories offer a profound window into the past, allowing the children to explore the historical context of apartheid while celebrating the triumph of the human spirit.

We encourage you to chat with your child at home about the incredible journeys, both physical and emotional, that these characters and historical figures undertake, as their insights in class have already been incredibly thoughtful and mature.

History

This term, our history lessons will cover the sensitive and significant topic of the transatlantic slave trade. The children will learn how to use secondary sources, such as historical accounts and records, to research the lives of enslaved people and the global movement that eventually led to the abolition of the trade. We will also extend our study into more recent history by exploring the system of apartheid in South Africa, helping the children understand the long-term struggle for racial equality and the key figures who campaigned for justice.

This term, our history lessons will transport the children back to the fascinating world of Ancient Greece. We will be comparing the contrasting lifestyles of Athens and Sparta and tracking the evolution of the Olympic Games from their ancient origins to the modern day. The children will develop their inner historian by arranging key Greek events in chronological order and examining artefacts to uncover what these ancient objects reveal about daily life thousands of years ago.

Science

In Science this term, our Year 5 investigators are diving into the fascinating world of Living Things and Their Habitats. We will be exploring how scientists classify the incredible diversity of life on Earth into distinct groups, such as mammals, amphibians, birds and insects, based on their unique characteristics. The children will also be discovering the remarkable life cycles of these different organisms and learning how plants and animals have adapted to survive in environments ranging from local school ponds to vast rainforests. Through hands-on observations and research, the children are building a deeper appreciation for the interdependence of life and the importance of protecting our natural world. We encourage you to explore your own garden or local park together to see what wonderful habitats you can find right on your doorstep!

Art

This term in Art, our Year 5 students are exploring the vibrant world of collage, using their creativity to celebrate famous South African figures. A central inspiration for our project is the incredible work of contemporary South African artist Tsholo 'Splash' Motong, who is renowned for his powerful, textured portraits that use a rich mix of fabrics, patterns and mixed media. Through studying his unique style, the children are learning how to layer different textures, match bold colour palettes and use textiles to convey personality and history. This hands-on project not only refines their fine motor and design skills but also allows them to connect deeply with history and diverse cultures through visual storytelling. We can’t wait to showcase their finished masterpieces, which are already bursting with colour and character!