It was so lovely to welcome the class back after half term. The children have returned with enthusiasm and have made a fantastic start to the new half term.

English

To launch our new Writing model text, the children created beautiful Victorian-style travel posters advertising the arrival of the Metropolitan Line in Rickmansworth in 1887. This creative “hook” helped immerse us in the period ready for our new unit.

We have now begun learning our model text: a recount written in the style of a newspaper report. This week, we focused on developing ambitious vocabulary, particularly generating effective synonyms for primary, to strengthen our journalistic writing.

Maths

We finished our topic on length and perimeter this week. The children consolidated their understanding that polygons are 2D shapes with straight sides. We explored the difference between regular polygons (where all sides and angles are equal) and irregular polygons.

Today, we began our new topic on fractions, starting by understanding the concept of the whole. We explored how a whole can be represented in different ways, such as:

4/4=1 whole.        7/7=1 whole

This helped the children see that when the numerator and denominator are the same, the fraction represents one whole.

Science

We commenced our new topic on Sound. The children explored what sound actually is and learned that sound is created by vibrations. We examined the inner workings of the ear and carefully drew and labelled diagrams to show how sound travels through it.

RE

It was a real pleasure to visit the beautiful BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, also known as Neasden Temple.

We learned that a Mandir means “where the mind becomes still” — and it truly lived up to its meaning. Built in 1995 using limestone from Bulgaria and marble from Italy, the temple was breathtaking in both its scale and intricate detail.

We were warmly welcomed and had the opportunity to observe prayers led by saints dressed in vibrant orange robes, symbolising the life-giving sunrise. It was a peaceful and memorable experience for us all.

Music

The children thoroughly enjoyed their recorder lesson with Mrs Wilson.
 A gentle reminder that all children should bring their recorder into school each Tuesday if they have not already done so.

History

This half term, we are learning about the history of Rickmansworth and its waterways. In our first lesson, we explored what a source of information is, looking at examples such as photographs, paintings, letters, diaries, official documents and statues.

We also discovered that Rickmansworth was first recorded in 1086 in the Domesday Book.

Spellings

This week we focused on the suffixes -ssion and -cian.

• If a root word ends in c or cs, we add -cian (e.g. music → musician).
• If a root word ends in ss or mit, we add -ssion (e.g. omit → omission).

Spellings have been sent home and are available on Doodle Learning.

Enrichment

We were very fortunate to enjoy a performance of The Wizard of Oz by M&M Productions this morning — a wonderful theatrical treat for the children.

Reminders

• Library: Every Thursday
   
• English and Maths home learning: Set on Doodle Learning every Friday morning, due the following Thursday evening
• TTRS: 7 minutes of Garage and 7 games of Soundcheck each week
• Reading records: Stamped on Friday mornings if children have read at least 5 times during the week

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.