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Upper Key Stage 2 Newsletter Summer 2023

Staff in Upper Key Stage 2

Golden Eagles

Mrs Fisher and Mrs Harrison

Wolves

Miss Templeman and Mrs Walsh

Hippos

Mrs Lashford and Mr Snowdon

This term our History learning will focus on investigating the following question:

'What were the greatest achievements of the Ancient Greeks?'

• The children will know that the Ancient Greek civilization existed between 1200BC and 146BC and can place the time period on a duration timeline. They will also learn that the Ancient Greek civilization can be split into different periods – Minoans, Mycenaean, Dark Age, Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic.

During the unit they will discover that the Minoans were an early Greek civilisation and that we can use excavations to find out about how they lived.

We also will be learning about what happened in Athens and Sparta after the Persians retreated (Peloponnesian War) and that Alexander the Great was a significant leader as he fought against the Persians.

The major achievements of the Ancient Greeks will be discussed and the children will be able to say which ones were the most important (theatre, democracy, Olympics).

Click on the button below to watch a video to find out about who the Ancient Greeks were.

Geography

Our Geography Learning for the Summer term will focus on Greece and in particular the similarities and differences between Greece and the UK.

The children will know the names of the countries in Europe and know how to use an atlas and digital mapping to locate them. They will learn that Greece borders Albania. Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

They will know that some of the physical features of Greece are the Aegean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, Mount Olympus, The Pindus range and the Haliacmon river and will compare these to physical features of the UK.

When learning about the phy

• I know that some of the famous Greek human features include; Acropolis and Pantheon and can compare this to some human features in the UK (Stone Henge and Westminster Abbey)

• I know that the climate (physical feature) in Greece is the Mediterranean climate (mild winters/ warm summers) is different to the climate in the UK (temperate climate – cool, wet winters, warm wet summers)

PE improves motor skills and increases muscle strength and bone density, which in turn makes students more likely to engage in healthy activity outside of school. Furthermore it educates children on the positive benefits of exercise and allows them to understand how good it can make them feel.

Our PE this term will focus on Fitness and Athletics. Children will be learning skills in these areas and also take part in team games. There are also some external tournaments that we will be taking part in.

Our Year 6 children will also be taking part in Swimming this term as part of a catch-up programme. Year 6 will be going swimming on the following dates: 15th & 22nd May, 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th June, 3rd, 10th & 17th July.

Our PE day is a MONDAY and a THURSDAY all children need to ensure they bring their PE kits to school on these days. PLEASE NOTE that if it is not a swimming session or if your Y6 child isn't swimming for any reason, they will need their PE kit on a Monday.

Our PE kit is as follows:

Plain white t-shirt, blue or black bottoms and a blue or black hoodie/jacket. All children will also need to wear suitable trainers.

Our RE learning this term takes us on many journeys. We will be learning how believers of different faiths take pilgrimages to special places.

We will be thinking about our own special places and where we would go to think, reflect or be at peace. The children will also learn that some people travel to other countries in order to feel close to their God.

During this unit of work, we will learn about the Catholic Pilgrimage to Lourdes, The Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Jewish Pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Our year 6 children will be taking their SATS on the week beginning Tuesday 9th May 2023! It is essential that all children are in school every day that week.

On the week of the SATs, all children will be invited into school early each day and breakfast will be provided for them. We find that this is a good way to keep the children calm and gets them prepared for the tests they are about to take.

All year 6 children are invited into school from 8am in order to have breakfast together. All children need to be in school by 8.30am at the latest. Thank you.

Diary Dates

24.4.23, 26.4.23, 28.4.23 Ardagh Visits

1.5.23 Bank Holiday

5.5.23 King’s Coronation Activity Day

8.5.23 Bank Holiday

9.5.23 Y6 SATs Week

17.5.23-19.5.23 PGL Residential

12.7.23 Year 6 Production – 5.30pm

13.7.23 Reports due out

14.7.23 Year 6 Leavers’ Day

20.7.23 Year 6 Leavers’ Service – 10am

Thank you for all your support and helping us to provide the best possible education for your children.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns or comments, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

You can message us on Dojo, email us on info@stbotolphsacademy.co.uk or catch one of the UKS2 staff team on the door at the beginning or end of the day.

Mrs Fisher and the UKS2 team.

Created By
Emma Fisher
Appreciate

Credits:

Created with images by Valentinos Loucaides - "Ancient Greek temple of Poseidon / Neptune, at Cape Sounion near Athens, during sunset" • Showmeyourflowers - "nike shoes family" • Piman Khrutmuang - "Hand with pencil mark on calendar date" • Alexas_Fotos - "thank you feedback letters"