This week, in English, the Year 4 children wrote and edited engaging newspaper reports based on their class book Oranges in No Man’s Land, a powerful story that reflects courage, compassion and resilience during times of conflict. The Year 5 children wrote a diary entry in role as Rosa Parks and a letter to the Queen in role as Mary Seacole, linking their work to Black History Month. The children explored how both women showed courage and determination in the face of injustice. Both writing pieces reflected themes of courage, fairness, resilience and equality, linking to the children’s learning about the rights to be treated without discrimination (Article 2), to have their voices heard (Article 12), to receive an education that promotes respect and understanding (Article 29) and to take pride in their cultural heritage (Article 30).
In PSHE, the children explored strategies to respond to bullying and discussed how everyone has the right to feel safe and respected. They identified ways to handle bullying situations, such as telling a trusted adult, walking away calmly, staying with friends and using assertive words like “Stop, I don’t like that.” The class linked their learning to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, focusing on the right to be protected from harm (Article 19), the right to have a voice and be listened to (Article 12 ) and the right to make friends and join groups safely (Article 15). They also reflected on how Mary Seacole and Rosa Parks showed courage, strength and determination in the face of unfair treatment.
Year 4 and Year 5 pupils then came together to analyse a poem, identifying its key features and discussing the poet’s language choices. They practiced reading the poem aloud with clarity, expression and confidence. Working collaboratively, the children added actions in preparation for their upcoming Autumn Poetry by Heart performance.
In History, the children explored Crime and Punishment in the Early Modern period. They imagined themselves as historical criminals—such as poachers, smugglers, or highwaymen—and discussed with their learning partners the reasons behind their crimes and the consequences they would have faced, including being transported to America. They then wrote powerful criminals’ speeches to bring their characters’ stories to life.
In PE, the children continued to develop their skills in both hockey and yoga. During their hockey lessons, they focused on learning and applying defensive techniques to gain possession of the ball, practising how to mark opponents and work effectively as a team. In their yoga sessions, the children explored the Sun Sequence and played the Shark game while practising new positions and postures to improve balance, flexibility and concentration. They also enjoyed the Rainstick game to develop focus and coordination and ended the session with the calming Ladybird Relaxation, promoting mindfulness and wellbeing.
