Year 6
Information
Welcome to Year 6. We are settling into the autumn term here in school
and your children are beginning to get used to the new routines and
expectations of year 6. In Year 6 we believe that children need to build
confidence and independence in preparation for the secondary school
environment. To this end, children are encouraged to be organised and
prepared for school. This requires that children be responsible for their
belongings, complete homework in the given time and arrive punctually at
school. Children are expected to bring to school: a P.E. kit and a pencil case
containing all the necessary equipment (a black pen is essential – not biro).
HOMEWORK: Children have a
homework journal in which they need
to record their work for the week.
The homework journal has a space in
the back for you to write notes for me
and vice versa. Maths, Literacy, or
Topic homework is given out on Monday
and expected in on Friday. This is to
allow children homework-free
weekends. Children should still be
reading every night. I cannot
over-stress the value of regular
reading. Maths homework is intended to help consolidate or revise previous
knowledge. For Literacy, children are given ten spellings which they need to
learn for Friday. They are also expected to write a sentence containing each
spelling. Additionally, children are asked to write five synonyms for a given
word. These exercises are intended to expand children’s vocabularies as well
as developing dictionary and thesaurus skills. Topic homework is an
opportunity for children to take charge of their own learning: creativity and
originality is encouraged. There is also a Maths Challenge test every Friday
which is based on the recall of Tables facts and beyond.
PE: PE will take place on Thursdays and Fridays.
Children will continue swimming on a Thursday
until the end of Term 1. Later in the term
children will need to keep a tracksuit or joggers
and warm top in their PE bag for colder days.
CLOTHING: It is essential that all items of clothing have your child’s name in them
in some way – particularly the sweatshirts! Can you also ensure that your child has
indoor and outdoor shoes and comes to school in a coat after the October half term
until the start of the February half term. All children are also required to wear a
plain coloured T-shirt during P.E. lessons.
TOPICS: Our History topic this year is Ancient Egypt,. In Geography we will study
mountains and contrast local communities (Charlbury & Oxford). We will be
attending an Egyptian workshop at the Ashmolean museum on the 7th of November
and visiting Oxford in order to contrast it with Charlbury in the Summer.
YENWORTHY: The residential
to Yenworthy will take place on
the week beginning the 19th of
November. An information
meeting about Yenworthy will
take place on the 7th November
in the school hall at 6.15pm until
approximately 7pm.
ASSESSMENTS: We are required to submit two sets of data at the end of the
school year on your child’s attainment levels: KS2 SATs results and Teacher
Assessment. The expected level of attainment for the average Year 6 child is a
4b. SATs are currently externally marked and will be held in the week beginning
13 May 2013 (testing levels 3 to 5). Externally marked Level 6 tests in English and
mathematics will be available to administer to eligible pupils on an optional basis.
The dates for these tests have not been confirmed, however they should be held
in the week following the SAT’s. The introduction of a grammar test for literacy is
new this year, so it is important to practice correct grammar both in school and at
home.
Teacher Assessment results are based on work through-out the year – not a single
test. These results are decided by considering class-work, previous assessment
scores, and results on practice papers. Mrs Holt, Mrs Morris and I meet to
discuss the TA level each child should receive.
You will receive both sets of results in the final part of Term 6. Please note, that
although we use sublevels (4a, 4b, 4c) in order to track progress, the final levels
will only be whole levels (3, 4, 5 or 6). This is because these are the levels that we
are sent and this data automatically generates the certificates containing the
results. SATs and TA levels are passed onto your secondary school.
MINI-ENTERPRISE WEEK: In the final school term,
Year 6 will organise and run a Mini-Enterprise week.
This entails small groups of children creating and running
a business for the week. Running a business enables
children to extend their skills: dealing with money;
communicating; working as a team; being organised and
thinking creatively.
Our goal is to raise enough money to enable the class to
go on a free trip. Since the cost of this trip is approximately £1200, Year 6 will
also organise a cake sale and Non-Uniform Day to add to the money raised during
Mini-Enterprise week. Previous years have been very successful, and the trip is
always a big-hit with the children. Last year we spent the morning laser gaming in
the woods, rolling through the undergrowth whilst trying to complete our missions.
In the afternoon we had an exhilarating journey
sailing from tree to tree on a high-ropes course.
The future of this free end of year trip is in
constant jeopardy due to the spiralling costs of
buses and activities. So please lend your
support by giving your child ideas; help with the
baking; and general encouragement.
LEAVERS: In the final week of
the year, there will be a Year 6
play and Leavers’ Assembly: both
of which I hope you will be able to
attend. This is our way of sharing
happy memories and celebrating
the achievements of Year 6 (many
of whom will have been at
Charlbury School for seven years)
before saying a final farewell.
TRANSITION TO YEAR 7: Your child’s secondary school will organise their
transition. Usually this consists of a one, or two, day visit to their new school during
Term 6; plus, a visit from secondary school teachers to Charlbury Primary to speak
with both the children and myself. Normally, children are asked to write down the
name of a friend they would like to be in a tutor
group with; although this information is considered
by secondary schools, it is no guarantee that
friends will be placed together. If you have any
concerns about the transition to Year 7 it is best
to raise these sooner rather than later.
COMMUNICATION: There are two formal parent consultations opportunities; one
in November and one in March. However, I am nearly always available at the end of
the day to discuss any worries that you may have, or to make an appointment for a
longer discussion.
I hope you have found this information helpful and I look forward to meeting you
during the term.
Mr Richard Dunstan - Year 6 Class Teacher
Year 6 2012-2013 Science and Humanities Curriculum
Science:
Terms 1 and 2
Interdependence and adaptation
Micro-organisms
Terms 3 and 4
How we see things
Changing circuit
Balanced and unbalanced forces
Terms 5 and 6
More about dissolving
Reversible and irreversible changes
Humanities:
Terms 1 and 2
Egyptians
Terms 3 and 4
Mountains
Terms 5 and 6
Contrasting localities
School Term and Holiday Dates
Term and Holiday Dates 2012-2013
Term 1:
Mon 3 Sept 2012 Inset Day (school closed to pupils)
Tues 4 Sept 2012 Inset Day (school closed to pupils)
Wed 5 Sept 2012 School reopens for pupils
Fri 26 Oct 2012 School closes at 3pm for Oct holiday
Half Term Holiday 29 Oct – 2 Nov 2012
Term 2:
Mon 5 Nov 2012 School reopens for pupils
Fri 21 Dec 2012 School closes at 1.30pm for Christmas Holiday
Christmas Holiday 24 Dec 2012 - 4 Jan 2013
Term 3:
Mon 7 Jan 2013 Inset Day (school closed to pupils)
Tues 8 Jan 2013 School reopens for pupils
Fri 8 Feb 2013 School closes at 3pm for Feb Holiday
Half Term Holiday 11-15 Feb 2013
Term 4:
Mon 18 Feb 2013 School reopens for pupils
Thurs 28 Mar 2013 School closes at 1.30pm for Easter Holiday
Easter Holiday 29 Mar - 12 Apr 2013
Term 5:
Mon 15 Apr 2013 Inset Day (school closed to pupils)
Tues 16 Apr 2013 School reopens for pupils
Mon 6 May 2013 School closed for Bank Holiday
Fri 24 May 2013 School closes at 3pm for Spring Holiday
Half Term Holiday 27-31 May 2013
Term 6:
Mon 3 Jun 2013 Inset Day (school closed to pupils)
Tues 4 Jun 2013 School reopens for pupils
Tues 23 Jul 2013 School closes at 1.30pm for Summer Holiday