UKS2 – Newsletter – 20.11.2020

It has been an incredibly busy week in UKS2. 

On Monday, UKS2 had their cross curricular day. During the day,  pupils were given the opportunity to complete a range of activities across multiple subjects. One of these activities was a reading comprehension based on the famous palaeontologist, Mary Anning. After reading an information text on the influential Victorian scientist, the children were encouraged to use a range of reading skills to answer questions on her. All pupils engaged actively with the task and produced some excellent work 

In science, Class 8 were exploring the concept of natural selection and inherited characteristics. Using the peppered moth as their case study, the children discussed the influence of the environment on the inherited characteristics of wildlife, as well as the impact human behaviour can have too.

In PSHE, Class 9 explored the importance of financial security and the everyday payments most people make in order to live in society. Additionally, the pupils also discussed the importance of mental health and how to take care of theirs. The children engaged respectfully and produced some excellent work. 

In history, Class 10 compared the similarities and differences between Victorian and modern school uniform. Using a range of skills, including: illustration, labelling and inference, the pupils were expected to justify the changes and link them to their existing knowledge of Victorian schooling. There were some excellent discussions and exemplary pieces of work produced. 

Yesterday in Forest School, UKS2 were tasked with a Victorian codebreaking challenge. Using a combination of numerical and Caesar shift cyphers, the children had to navigate the tricky environments of the field and garden to decrypt a variety of encoded questions. With the end goal of solving the ‘secret coded message’, the children worked collegially and enthusiastically in groups of three, to win the codebreaking race. Well done everyone. 

Finally, there is more cause for celebration in UKS2 this week, with the following pupils receiving learnatic awards:  Archie and Esther  (Class 8), Charles and Nisha (Class 9) Isabel and Amelka (Class 10).  

Additionally, two Class 8 pupils have received extra commendation, being awarded a 50 team point star. Yaseen’s excellent writing and concentration in English produced a superb emotive letter from Mary Seacole. Ruby’s maturity and level headedness wowed Mrs Brosnan, resulting in both children being awarded 50 team points for their house team. 

All of the children displayed exemplary behaviour, a positive attitude and going above and beyond for their class community.

Well done all of you, keep up the hardwork.

Ooh Ahh… you’re a star!