Dear Parents,

I hope you are well and have had a great summer holiday. I would like to welcome you to the new academic year, this is just a short note to introduce some of the routines for your children in Year 5.

Class Topic

Our topic for this half-term is called ‘The Black Gold of Wales’. This project has a history focus and teaches children about the lives and times of children during the Victorian Industrial Revolution. The children will take a step back in time to research and discover what life was like for children during these times, why children were so important for factory owners and the impact this time had on Wales, Britain and the World.

PE

For the first half term, PE will take place on Friday - with Mr Humphreys from Pontarddulais Comprehensive taking rugby sessions with the children. Following half term, PE will revert to Thursdays. Children will need to come to school dressed in PE kit suitable for outdoor PE lessons and they will be remaining in their kit for the remainder of the day. Earrings must be removed for lessons, if your child is unable to do this by itself, please could they not wear them on their PE day.

Reading

It is important that reading books and reading records are taken home and returned to school every day, as there are daily timetabled reading activities for your child. Children will be given weekly reading activities, including sessions when an adult will listen to them, so it is important that their reading records be brought to school every day to track progress. If your child finishes their reading book before their allocated reading day, then they can see myself or another member of staff to change their book - please do not wait until their reading day. If you have listened to your child read at home, could you please leave a note in their reading record, not only will this help them to improve their reading but they will earn a dojo once I have seen the note.

Homework

Weekly spelling homework will be set on Friday on the Reading Eggspress platform. There will also be weekly numeracy homework set on MyMaths. Any issues, please don’t hesitate to ask. Any issues, please don’t hesitate to ask. Passwords for these platforms will be sent out and emailed to the children.

Equipment

Just a reminder that no equipment, including pencil cases, are needed to be brought into school. We will provide everything that your child needs to participate in lessons. The equipment supplied will be cleaned and sanitised in line with WG guidelines.

Medication/Dietary Requirements

In order to maintain up-to-date records, please could you inform me of any medication, dietary or allergies your child may have. I am extremely looking forward to spending this academic year with the class and helping them progress and have lots of fun doing so.

Many thanks,

Mr Higgins J