Friday, 12th December 

We've had another busy week, with lots of thoughtful learning!

As we count down to Christmas, we have been enjoying opening our advent calendar each day and watching videos from different staff members re-telling the Journey to Christmas story. 

We have a Christmas Post Box in the classroom - if you would like to bring in Christmas cards, these can be posted in the post box to be handed out. 

In Science, we explored a range of fascinating optical phenomena. We investigated light dispersal, experimented with refraction, and tested different light filters to see how they change what we see. The children loved predicting what would happen and then watching the results unfold right in front of them!

In History, we continued our learning about World War One, focusing this week on what life was like for women during the war. We looked at the jobs women took on, how society viewed them, and whether the war ultimately helped or harmed women overall. The discussions were thoughtful and mature, and the children showed great empathy and insight.

In RE, we dug deeper into the idea of Jesus as the Messiah. We explored why Christians believe the world needed a Messiah and how this belief continues to shape Christian life today. Their questions and reflections showed a growing depth of understanding.

Our Music lessons have been especially exciting this week as we began creating our own film score compositions. Each child chose a specific theme— such as danger, love or a chase —and started crafting music that fits the mood. The creativity on display has been incredible, and we are very much looking forward to showcasing these final pieces next week.

Finally, in PSHE, we tackled the topic of stereotypes, especially gender stereotypes, and thought about how they appear in the media. Year 6 had some fantastic discussions about fairness, equality, and the importance of challenging unhelpful assumptions.

Home Learning

There are no Doodle assignments set this week. Please use the time to look over the words for our class song for the carol service (It's a Magical Time). 

Please continue to read - reading records will be signed for the last time this year on Friday. 

Next week: 

We have our KS2 Carol Service on Wednesday, 17th December at 6pm. Communication will be sent out from the office about timings for children to arrive at church. 

Any work for the Changemaker Project needs to be in by Wednesday, 17th December. Work will be evaluated and then stickers awarded on Thursday, 18th December. 

Y4-6 Christmas Disco is after school on Thursday, 18th December - you can sign up on the School Gateway. 

School finishes at 1.10pm on Friday (19th) for Christmas. 

Have a fantastic weekend, 

Mrs Rayburn

Friday, 28th November

We've had a busy week in Year 6 and Christmas has started to creep in! 

In Science, we carried out an investigation to discover how shadows change when an object moves closer to or further away from a light source. The children made careful predictions, measured shadow sizes and discussed why the changes happen.

In Art, we continued our work on light and shadow, using photographs of the Aquadrome as inspiration. We then began experimenting with watercolour techniques on the foam board that will form part of our wave bowl sculptures. There was some fantastic focus and creativity on display,  and next week we will begin painting the individual triangles that will eventually come together to build each wave bowl.

We have been bringing Sprites to life this week in English. We have been carefully constructing non-chronological reports about these mythical creatures and adding precise detail to their appearance, diet and habitat. 

On Thursday afternoon, we joined our family groups for a special celebration of Christian Christmas traditions from around the world. Every group made a unique Christmas decoration inspired by a tradition from a different country. These wonderful decorations will be proudly displayed on the Christmas tree in St Mary’s Church from this weekend.

In Collective Worship on Wednesday, we discussed the Changemaker Project and the Compassion activities for this half term. Please consider which task you which to take on and think about how you can be working towards that before the end of the term.

Home Learning

You have the following assignments set on Doodle:

Maths - Converting between standard units

English - Identifying synonyms

Spelling - -ant and -ent endings

Please learn the following words which contain -ant and -ent endings. 

abundant, decent, observant, innocent, tolerant, frequent, hesitant, confident 

Next Week:

PE will be on Monday and Wednesday next week as we have a session with the Schools Sports Partnership on Monday. 

In English, we will begin to plan and draft a non-chronological report about an innovated mythical creature. 

In Maths, we will be learning to understand and convert metric and imperial measures. 

Wishing you a great weekend, 

Mrs Rayburn

21st November 2025

We've had an exciting week this week! On Tuesday, we travelled to the Imperial War Museum to deepen our understanding of World War One. We explored the incredible galleries, discovered real artefacts from the trenches, and learned more about the experiences of soldiers and civilians during the war. This visit will also support our learning about World War Two, which we will be studying after Christmas. It was great to see the children so immersed in the topic - we particularly enjoyed walking through the model trench and feeling what it would be like for the soldiers to live there!

In Science, we put our knowledge of light to the test by making our own periscopes. We used mirrors to investigate how light reflects at the same angle that it hits a surface, and everyone was able to see this principle in action through their finished designs. We enjoyed testing them out, imagining we were on a submarine or in the trenches. 

In Art, we have been exploring the beautiful landscape paintings of J.M.W. Turner. We studied how he used light, colour and atmosphere in his work, and began experimenting with some of his techniques in our own sketches.

Next week, we will be looking at photos of the Aquadrome as inspiration of landscape art and using these to show light and shadow. If you have any photos of your own of the Aquadrome that you would like to share, please do bring or email them in! 

Home Learning

You have the following Doodle assignments set: 

Maths - Dividing a fraction by a whole number
English - Identifying types of adverbials
Spelling - Words with ei after c
Please learn the following words which contain ei: 
caffeine, conceive, protein, receive, ceiling, either, seize, deceive

Next week: 

On Thursday afternoon, we will be gathering in our family groups to celebrate Christmas around the world. 
In Maths, we will be learning to use and convert metric measures.
In English, we will be planning and drafting a non-chronological report. 

Have a brilliant weekend, 

Mrs Rayburn

Friday 7th November

This week in Year 6, we’ve been deepening our understanding across a range of subjects and making links between our learning.  The children have been asking thoughtful questions, sharing great ideas, and really showing their love of learning.
In Science, we’ve been investigating how light travels in straight lines and how it reflects off objects before entering our eyes. To help us understand this tricky concept, we used pieces of rope to demonstrate how light moves, creating some brilliant, hands-on models that showed the path light takes when we see things.
Our new topic this term in History is World War One, and we began by exploring why the war started, the countries involved, and how soldiers were recruited and encouraged to enlist. We played an interactive true or false game to find out who was allowed to join the war — there were definitely some surprising facts!
In English this half term, we’re learning to write our own non-chronological reports. To inspire us, we’ve been reading and exploring our model text, Mulgarath the Ogre King. We’ll soon be diving into Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You to help us gather ideas and learn how to write detailed, imaginative reports.
In Maths, we’ve continued our work on fractions, focusing on how to add and subtract mixed number fractions. We have been working hard to use efficient strategies and explain their reasoning — fantastic effort all round!

Home Learning

You have the following Doodle assignments set:

Maths - To add and subtract fractions
English - Using formal and informal language
Spelling - Homophones and near-homophones

Spelling words to learn: 
advice, advise, device, devise, practise, practice, licence, license

Please remember to read at least five times during the week, and have your reading book and reading record in school every day. Reading records are checked and signed on Fridays. 

Next week: 

On Tuesday, we will be participating in the Armistice Day Service at St. Mary's Church. Some children will be reading out the names from the memorial. We will leave school at approximately 10.15am and returning shortly after the two minute silence. Please wear smart uniform on this day. 

On Thursday, we have an exciting visits from Watford Schools Trust to deliver a lesson on 'Jesus in Art'. We look forward to learning about a range of representations. 

In Maths, we will be learning how to multiply fractions by fractions and integers. 
In English, we will be learning to identify and use the active and passive voice, and to use conditional statements. 

Have a brilliant weekend, 

Mrs Rayburn

Friday, 17th October 

It’s been another busy and creative week in Year 6!

In Science, we concluded our learning on classification by becoming scientists ourselves! Year 6 designed and classified their very own unique creatures — thinking carefully about their habitat, diet, behaviour, and how they might reproduce. We had some very interesting blends of creatures which got us thinking about how to classify them! The children did a brilliant job of explaining the characteristics of their creatures.

In Geography, we’ve been working hard in groups to develop our fieldwork presentations. Each team has been preparing to share their findings, including their research questions, methodology, data collection, and overall evaluation of their local study. Everyone has shown fantastic teamwork and critical thinking as they piece together their evidence — we can’t wait to see the final presentations next week!

In RE, our focus has been on exploring how Christians show love, holiness, and forgiveness through artwork. We considered religious symbols, architecture, and imagery, then began designing our own creative representations of these key values.

Home Learning: 

You have the following Doodle Assignments set: 

Maths - To simplify fractions

English - Using adverbials to express time

Spelling - Adding suffixes beginning with vowels to words ending in -fer

reference, referee, preference, transference, conference, inference, preferable, transferable

Please make sure that these are complete, and you are in the green zone for all 3 areas, by the end of the half term (Tuesday, 4th November). 

Please continue to read during the half term. Reading records will be checked and signed on the first Friday back. 

Next week: 

The last day of half term is on Wednesday. There will be a Book Look for KS2 parents on Wednesday between 3pm and 3.45pm. We invite you into the classroom via the external classroom doors to share in the children's wonderful work this half term. 

In Maths, we will be learning to compare and order fractions using the numerator and then the denominator. 

In English, we will be editing and publishing our characterisation narratives. 

Evidence for the Changemaker Project should be brought in on Tuesday (21st). This will be reviewed and then stickers will be awarded on Wednesday. 

Have a brilliant weekend, 

Miss Paxton

Friday, 10th October 

It’s been another busy and exciting week in Year 6!

In Maths, we’ve been tackling long division and growing in confidence with this tricky skill! In English, we have begun drafting our own stories, carefully building atmosphere and developing characters through action and dialogue.

In Science, we explored the fascinating world of fungi by investigating how spores are dispersed. Using  mushrooms, we created beautiful spore prints to observe the tiny structures that help fungi reproduce.

Over in Geography, we’ve started to analyse the data collected from our local fieldwork. We have been writing up summative statements and preparing a group presentation to share findings — excellent teamwork on display!

🔔 Reminder: Our Change Maker Project continues — next week is the final week for anyone who would like to complete additional tasks or add finishing touches before we share our work.

Home Learning 

You have the following new Doodle assignments:

Maths - The order of operations (BODMAS)

English - Identifying apostrophes

Spelling - Adding suffixes beginning with a vowel to words ending in -fer

referring, referred, referral, preferring, preferred, transferring, transferred, transferral

Reading records and Doodle home learning are checked on Fridays. 

Next week: 

On Thursday, we have a short visit from the police to talk to us about their anti-violence campaign.

In Maths, we will be using known facts (times tables knowledge) to solve more complex problems.

In English, we will continue drafting and editing our own portal stories based on our book Skellig. We are considering carefully how to 'show' emotions and features (e.g. scared or old) rather than tell. 

Next week, we will also be completing our first set of practise SATs papers. This is to help familiarise children with the format, structure of the week and begin to manage time.

Wishing you a lovely weekend, 

Mrs Rayburn

Friday, 3rd October 

What an action-packed week we’ve had in Year 6!

On Wednesday, we celebrated our Harvest Festival with the whole school. Year 6 took a leading role by performing a short drama, sharing Bible readings, and leading the congregation in prayers. The children spoke with confidence and really helped to make the service special.

On Thursday, we had a busy but brilliant day! In the morning, we carried out our geography fieldwork in Rickmansworth. The children worked in pairs to stop members of the public and ask questions from their surveys about the Aquadrome and McDonald’s. They were polite, confident, and gathered some fantastic data that we’ll be analysing next week.

Later that day, we celebrated National Poetry Day by taking part in an online workshop with poet Simon Mole. The children explored how poetry can be fun, creative, and personal – and even had the chance to try out some of their own writing.

In Science, our mould investigation is well underway! We have been observing slices of bread each day to discover which conditions microorganisms need in order to grow. The children are very excited to see what happens, and we’ll be drawing our conclusions on Monday.

Home Learning

Doodle assignments:

Maths - Multiplying by two-digit numbers. 

English - Using apostrophes for singular possession. 
Spelling - Words containing the letter string ‘ough’. 
Spelling words: bought, tough, through, thought, fought, although, enough, cough. 
Remember that completing assignments earns you stars and helps you stay in the green zone. 
Reading records should be in school every day, and they are checked on Fridays. 
 

Next Week: 

In Maths, we will be learning to use the method for long division. 
In English, we will begin drafting our portal narratives which focus on characterisation. 
PE is on the normal days of Wednesday and Friday.

Have a great weekend, 

Mrs Rayburn

Friday, 26th September 

On Thursday, we had the fantastic opportunity to visit Merchant Taylors’ for a Hockey Festival. The children showed great teamwork, energy, and sportsmanship throughout the day. It was wonderful to see everyone giving it their best and enjoying the experience.

In DT, our playground projects are really starting to take shape. The children have been working hard on their designs and models, and it’s been lovely to see their creativity shine through. The next step will be to add paint and those all-important finishing touches to bring their playgrounds to life.

In Science, we explored Linnaeus’ classification system. The children learned how scientists classify living things into groups, and then had a go at designing their very own zoos, carefully thinking about how the species would be grouped. There were some imaginative and thoughtful designs, showing both scientific understanding and creativity.

Home Learning 

As we are not in school today, reading records will be checked on Monday 29th September and signed from today's date. Please make sure your reading record is in school every day. 

Maths - Identify common factors and common multiples

English - Identifying formal and informal language

Spelling - Adding the suffix 'ation' to words

information, adoration, sensation, preparation, admiration, perspiration, conversation, explanation

Next week: 

On Wednesday morning, we have our Harvest Festival in Church. Year 6 will be sharing a short dramatisation of Harvest. 

On Thursday afternoon, we will be carrying out our fieldwork for Geography using tally charts, questionnaires and likert scales to find out what the people of Rickmansworth think about some changes that are happening. 

On Friday afternoon, we are visiting the Sky Up studios. The children will get to see behind the scenes of live TV in the Sky Studios, and use the equipment in the studios to create their own trailer. Please note that we will be back later than the end of the school day on Friday, and will keep you updated with an ETA closer to the time. 

In Maths, we will be learning to identify square and cube numbers, and will be using formal methods for multiplication and division. 

In English, we will be learning how to use a colon to separate two independent clauses and beginning to plan our own portal narratives that show character.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Mrs Rayburn

Friday, 19th September 

It's been a busy week in Year 6 once again. Thank you to everyone who came to the Meet the Teacher meeting this morning. It was lovely to see so many of you and to share what we have planned for the year ahead. The materials shared and referred to can be found at the bottom of this page. 

In DT this week, we began creating our playground models. We used saws to cut pieces of wood (carefully and safely!) and explored different ways to reinforce our structures so that they are sturdy and strong. It was great fun working like real designers and engineers and our apparatus are coming along well. 

In Science, we learned the acronym MRS GREN to help us remember the seven life processes: Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, and Nutrition. We also started to learn about the six kingdoms of life, which helped us understand how living things are classified.

In Geography, we have been preparing for our upcoming fieldwork. We mapped out our route and practised using maps to make sure we’ll be confident when we go out in a few weeks’ time. We have set the date for Thursday, 2nd October to carry out our fieldwork and will need parent support to help us to this. If you are able to spend the afternoon with us, please let the school office know. 

Home Learning 

You have three new assignments set on Doodle:
Maths - To round numbers
English - To use inverted commas 

Spelling - Adding the suffixes -ment, -ness, -ful, -less and -ly to words. 

Our spelling words to learn are: 
angrily, argument, happiness, plentiful, penniless, happily, government, accidentally

Please make sure that you are in the green zone for English, Maths and Spelling on Fridays as this is when it will be checked. 

Please also continue to read (at least) five times during the week, get your reading record signed and bring your reading record into school on Friday for it to be checked. Reading books & records should be in school everyday. 

Next week: 

On Thursday, we are attending a Hockey Festival at Merchant Taylors School. Please make sure you come to school in PE kit. 

Friday is an INSET day; school is closed to children. 

In Maths, we will be learning to find common factors and common multiples of numbers (using our times table knowledge) and know the prime numbers to 100. 

In English, we will be learning to show the emotions of characters through specific verb and adjective choice, and using a colon to separate independent clauses. 

Next week we will spend one of our Collective worship sessions as a class, discussing our new initiative: The Changemaker Project. We introduced this bespoke citizenship programme to the school two weeks ago and we are looking forward to hearing which activities have been chosen, and how each class is getting on progressing with it. If you've not had opportunity to discuss it with your child, please do so this weekend, ready for next week. They only need to choose one activity from the Friendship section - https://online.fliphtml5.com/hrjzj/ejai/

See you on Monday.

Have a brilliant weekend! 

Mrs Rayburn

Friday, 12th September 2025

This week in Year 6, we have been busy learning across lots of different subjects! In Science,  We explored classification and discovered how scientists group living things. To practise, we had a go at classifying sweets! We used their features (like shape, colour and texture) to create our very own classification keys. It was a fun way to understand how classification works in the natural world.

In PSHE, we learned how to negotiate respectfully and compromise when we disagree with someone. We practised using kind words, listening carefully, and using 'I' statements. 

We’ve been planning our very own independent fieldwork enquiries in Geography. We first learned about different data collection methods that geographers use. Then we chose the ones that would suit our own questions and carefully planned the details of how we will carry them out.

As part of our topic on structures in DT, we began designing miniature playground equipment. We researched real playground designs to inspire us, and sketched out ideas ready to build in the coming weeks. We can’t wait to see our models come to life!

Home Learning 

Please complete your Doodle Baseline assessments in English, Maths and Spelling. 

You have been set 3 assignments to complete: 
Maths - Reading and writing numbers to 10 million

English - Punctuating direct speech

Spelling - Homophones and near homophones. 

Our key spelling words (and the ones that will be tested on Friday) are: 

prophecy, prophesy, farther, further, guessed, guest, heard, herd.

Please also make sure that you are reading (at least) 5 times during the week and getting your Reading Record signed to show this so that you can earn your stamp. 

Please ask if you have any questions!

Next week: 

In Maths, we will continue with our topic on place value and learn to calculate with negative numbers and to round numbers to any required degree of accuracy. 

In English, we are learning to write narratives which show characterisation. We are reading Skellig by David Almond and using this to inspire our writing. We will be learning how to show the emotions of our characters through what they do and what they say. 

We look forward to welcoming you to the Meet the Teacher meeting on Friday 19th September at 9am. Any information shared will be made available to all.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, 

Mrs Rayburn

Friday, 5th September 2025

We are so excited to be back after the summer holidays, and what a fantastic first week it has been in Year 6! Everyone has settled in brilliantly, showing great enthusiasm and maturity as we begin our final year at primary school.

This week, we’ve been diving straight into our new topics. In geography, we’ve started planning our independent fieldwork and are already thinking about the questions we want to investigate about our local area. In PSHE, our theme of Me and My Relationships has sparked some thoughtful discussions about collaboration and respecting one another.

We’ve also been given our new positions of responsibility around school. From Reading Ambassadors and Class Mentors to Digital Leaders, Year 6 are already proving to be fantastic role models, helping to make our school a safe, welcoming and happy place for all.

Year 6 have been given their Reading Record so that they can begin logging their reading at home. These are checked every Friday. Next week, children will be given a school reading book. 

We are wishing the best of luck to anyone sitting a test this weekend. We know you will shine your light brightly and try your best! 

Have a restful weekend, 

Mrs Rayburn