St James the Great R.C (V.A) Primary & Nursery School

Notes for Year 5 Parents

Literacy and Numeracy Hour:

The Literacy Hour has been in operation for a year, the only recent change being that we now set for English across the year group. This is in keeping with the system of grouping for Maths, which has successfully been in operation for a number of years. The Numeracy hour was introduced at the beginning of the Autumn term. It must be emphasised that grouping for these subjects is flexible and children's performance within their ability group will be reviewed on a regular basis.

Topic Cycle:

Year 5 will cover the following topics this year:

Ancient Egypt- History led

Jamaica compared with Crystal Palace- Geography led

Materials- Science led

The Human Body- Science led

Electricity-Science led

(Parents should note, however, that the Numeracy and Literacy development mean that less time can be given to such topics and accordingly they may not be covered to the same degree as in the past.)

Educational Visits:

Crystal Palace Museum

The Science Museum

The British Museum

Please note that parent volunteers are needed for these trips and they will be unable to proceed if there is inadequate parental support.

PE

Children in 5.1 have PE on Wednesday and 5.2 on Tuesday. Parents are asked to adhere to school uniform policy in equipping their children for these lessons. The children swim at Streatham pool two weeks out of every three. They require a predominantly navy kit for this. On completion of the ranger badge the children move on to participate in the school's ice-skating programme.

Homework:

Details of the range of homework provided for the year group may be found in the school's homework policy. All of the children in 5 and 6 will be provided with a homework diary. We would appreciate your support in signing these on a weekly basis. The children will bring home a group reading book with a focused skills task weekly. Please initial "thought books".

Uniform:

Please ensure that your child wears correct school uniform at all times and inform the school promptly if there are any difficulties with this. We would remind you that the school's dress code extends to regulation in regard to hairstyles.