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 6. 

Class Topic

Our topic for this half-term is called ‘Wales at War’. This project has a history focus and teaches children about the lives and times during World War II. The children will take a step back in time to research and discover what life was like for children during these times; the factors leading up to the war; the nations involved and the key personnel involved during WWII.

PE 

This half-term, PE will take place every Thursday. Please can all children wear their PE kit to school on Thursday. They must wear PE kit which is suitable for outdoor PE lessons. Earrings must be removed for lessons, if your child is unable to do this by themselves, please could they not wear them on their PE day. Please note - for the first half term, children will be swimming at Penyrheol Leisure Centre, please can you ensure that your child has the appropriate swimwear for these sessions. 

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 

Reading:  

Read, Read and Read more!  If extra homework is required…please allow and enable your child to read more.  We have such a huge reading resource at LPS, if you want more books, we will supply.  Our home reading scheme and approach has not changed, learners are able to change their books when they are ready, not on a specific day.  Therefore, children progress naturally and not are delayed.

Spelling 

Specific lists for each group within each class will be shared by the class teacher every Friday through the class webpage, as usual.  Additionally, there will be a bank of High Frequency Words (HFW) posted on each class page for all children to learn.  Randomly, 2 words will be selected from said HFW lists every week to add to their spelling test. 

Times Tables

Specific Tables for each group within each class will be shared by the class teacher every Friday through the class webpage.  Children will receive a test every Friday to ensure that their understanding of multiplication facts are progressing as they move through the school. 

MyMaths

This service will continue to run throughout the school as usual.  Log in details will be communicated to you by class teachers soon. 

Equipment

Just a reminder that we will provide everything that your child needs to participate in lessons. Anything brought in by the children is their own responsibility, and must be looked after by them. 

Medication/Dietary Requirements

In order to maintain up-to-date records, please could you inform the office of any medication, dietary or allergies your child may have.

Borfa Residential

I am thoroughly looking forward to another exciting and adventurous week at Borfa House for our residential week on the 15th of September. There has been a sub-page set up on our class website which will include photos of our daily exploits for you all to enjoy whilst we are away. 

Please note: for those parents whose children will not be staying overnight, we want to ensure a great experience for everyone while maintaining appropriate staff ratios for safety. Please kindly adhere to the following drop-off and collection times:

Drop Off:

Between 8:00am and 8:15am (Breakfast served at 8:15am)

Collection:

6:00pm (Dinner served at 5:00pm)

These will also be the same times for any children leaving or returning for appointments or sporting events.  These will be the only collection or drop off times allowed.  If we were to navigate other timings throughout the day or evening, then this would result in activities being stopped or delayed for other children. 

For example, if an event finishes after 6pm, you will only be able to return at 8am the following morning. 

Additionally, there is also a online consent form that needs to be completed before the trip, which can be found here:

https://www.swansea.gov.uk/gacconsentform

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