Joseph Coelho Class

Welcome to The Joseph Coelho Class page

Why Joseph Coelho?

Joseph Coelho is a British poet and children's book author who was Children's Laureate from 2022 to 2024. He works alongside schools and The Literacy Trust to promote reading and writing. He is well known for his poetry. He promotes that poetry is relatable, fun, and achievable and can open up new ways of understanding and expressing your own emotions and thoughts.

The children will have access to many of his books and poems in the classroom.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9

If you have any queries or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at c.hewitt@peaktorfederation.co.uk

Autumn 1 - World War II

Our first topic is WW2 - one of my favourites. I will be holding a WW2 day - which is always well-received - date to be confirmed. A letter will be sent out with details once I have set a date.

Mini project - turn a matchbox into a WW2 artefact. I will be sending each child home with a matchbox. Their challenge is to turn it into something which would have been found around the time of WW2 - it is a chance to be creative. Please see the pictures below for some ideas.

DT - Design and build a bridge

History - The impact of WW2 on children in Britain, the Blitz, key people involved and how the war started and ended

Computing - Binary code

Music - WW2 songs

Science - Electricity and circuits

Promoting Reading at Rowsley CofE Primary School

Click on the link below to add your recommended reads and find out what is recommended for you: https://padlet.com/chewitt32/rowsley-reading-padlet-vxauldbgjhxbn431

If you have a favourite novel or non-fiction book then please add it to the above padlet.

Do you love a graphic novel? I do. There has been a real surge in reading graphic novels and I think they are great in encouraging all readers.

Here is a link to a list of recommended graphic novels:

https://padlet.com/rruddick9zra/graphic-novels-73uh2srzpbia

Do you have a favourite graphic novel? Then please add it to the list.

Some of last year's work

Heart and Circulation

This topic had a strong Science focus where the children learnt all about the heart and blood vessels and the components of blood.

Shang Dynasty

We learnt about Ancient China. In Geography, we learnt about farming methods used in China (modern and ancient). In History we learnt about the warriors and lives of the people of the Shang Dynasty. In Art we completed clay sculptures of dragon eyes. In Computing, we coded music on Scratch.

Elizabethan England

This was one of my favourite topics as I loved learning about the Tudors for my A Level History and again at university, with history being one of my majors.

We were lucky enough to visit Haddon Hall, a Tudor property right on our doorstep.

Using PADLET

We sometimes use Padlet in English. I will share your child's padlets here once we have completed some.

SATs results from 2024-2025

Reading: 100% received Expected or above

Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling: 100% Expected or above

Writing: 90% received Expected or above

Maths: 90%

The percentage of children who passed all their papers either at Expected level or above was 90%.

Year 5/6 Info

Our School Day

The school day starts from 8:50am with doors closing at 9am.

The children will have morning activities from 8.50, which they are expected to access independently. Morning activities are English or Maths based i.e. Grammar & punctuation, spelling practice, reading, arithmetic practice but it can also be finishing off work or responding to marking.

9.00-9.30 Morning tasks

9.30-10.30 - English

10.30-10.45 - Break

10.45 - 12.00 - Maths

12.00-13.00 - Lunch Time

13.00 - 13.30 - Whole Class Reading

13.30 - 14.45 - Foundation Subjects

14.45 - 15.00 - Daily Mile

15.00 - 15.20 - Collective Worship

15.20 - 15.30 - Story Time

15.30 - Home time

Please note that pencil cases are NOT required. ALL resources are provided for.

Please provide a labelled water bottle for your child.

Your child may bring a healthy snack into school for break time.

Woods

KS2 will be going to the woods every Wednesday afternoon. Please make sure that they bring wellies and waterproofs in a separate bag - your child MUST have trousers and a long sleeved top for the woods sessions.

P.E

P.E. will be held on Friday afternoon - children MUST come in the correct school PE kit - not football kits. Friday mornings will also involve swimming for all Y5 and some Y6s. Swimming kits must be brought in on this day.

PE Kit

Navy blue/black shorts or joggers/leggings

White/Royal blue t-shirt (plain or with school logo)

Trainers

School jumper

Woodland Kit

Children must wear black/blue/grey joggers and their school long-sleeved pullover. They must bring either wellies or walking boots in a separate bag. They will need a waterproof coat and waterproof trousers and, for when the weather turns colder, a hat and gloves.

Please note that the children will go to the woods in all weathers except for high wind, so they must have the correct clothing in school. The woods are very shaded, so even on a seemingly warm day, it can get chilly.

Homework

Reading

Your child will be expected to read at least 4 times a week - their reading records are collected in every Monday morning. At this stage, they are not expected to read out loud to an adult every time, but should be heard rregularaly by a grown up. Every child who has read 4 or more times in the week will earn themselves 5 dojos

Your child will come home with a reading book from our reading challenge scheme. Their reading book should be in school EVERY DAY.

Maths

Your child will be sent home with a White Rose Maths homework book. These books are expensive and your child must keep them in good order. We use the White Rose Maths scheme most days in school, so your child will be familiar with the format.

Your child should not be spending more than 40 minutes per week on their homework, once they have completed 40 minutes, they must stop even if the work is not completed.

They will be told which pages they are expected to complete each week. Please do not complete more than is expected - they will be taught specific ways to calculate questions which may be different to the way you were taught.

Maths homework will be collected in every Monday. The children will get dojos for work completed and handed in on the correct day.

Spelling

Spellings will be sent out on a Friday and tested on a Friday. They will also be available on Spelling Shed, which your child will have a log in for. Please make sure your child practices at home for their test. If you have any queries about your child's spellings, please email Miss Sutton at m.sutton@peaktorfederation.co.uk as she deals with this part of the curriculum.

In Year 5/6, I work hard to get your child ready for Secondary School where they will be expected to complete a variety of homework tasks covering all subjects of the curriculum. Getting into a good routine at this stage stands them in good stead for their future. Please encourage your child to complete their homework independently.

The following websites are really useful and can be completed at home:

https://www.grammar-monster.com/key-stage-tests.htl

https://www.spellingshed.com/en-gb/

https://ttrockstars.com/

SATS PRACTISE YOUTUBE HELP VIDEOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fR85r6oz50 - HIDDEN ARITHMETIC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEN4082ADTI - CONVERTING UNITS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtSJY7PJfVU - LONG DIVISION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeKLSoVSHnY - ADD AND SUBTRACT FRACTIONS WITH DIFFERENT DENOMINATORS

Y5/6 Homework Club

Homework Club will be held on a Monday from 3.30 to 4.00 - please keep an eye on the school board to check that it is on. I will also send a ParentHub if it is not on. This is a chance for the children to get assistance with their maths homework, or just a time to get it completed at the start of the week.

These are drop-in sessions, so there is no need to book and the children don't have to attend every week. It is free.

The homework is completed in a relaxed and informal setting. So far, it has been well-attended and the children like getting their homework completed with my assistance and all out of the way in one go.

Some reviews:

"It's good. Brilliant. It gets your homework done so you don't have to do it in the week." (Y5 child) "I love it because it saves me tears at home." (Y6 Child)

Parents love it too - "It's brilliant, I find explaining maths difficult so it makes home-life much better if it can be done in school." (Parent of Y6 child).

"It has saved my child from getting upset about it at home. It is completed and out of the way when it is completed at homework club." (Parent of Y6 child)

CHILD WELL-BEING

The children's safety and well-being is of paramount importance to us.

Our Designated Safeguarding leads are: Mrs Hewitt and Mrs Wyer

Our Safeguarding Governor is Sarah Earlam.

If you are feeling stressed or anxious please talk to one of us in confidence or you can go to:

https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/

Useful links are also included on our monthly newsletters.

Mrs Chisholm is in school Mon- Wed - she is our Family liaison worker and is there for parents who may need support with benefits or if they are concerned about their own or another child's welfare.