October 2010 - Update
Years Five and Six have had a varied week of special events; last Friday they were invited to the International Forestry Exhibition on Cannock Chase where they learned something of the importance of the forestry industry in the UK. One of the stands demonstrated the dangers of electricity and of using Railway Crossing properly.
Among other exciting things happening was the second day of the International Chainsaw Carving Competition, this eagle was a firm favourite with the children.
On Wednesday we were visited by Timezone to help with our Topic on Ancient Greece so the children could get a sense of what it was like to be living in Ancient Greece. There were many activities available to the children; we started with a heated debate to decide which City-State was to lead the nation in the fight against the invading Persians which aroused some fierce passions.
Once the decision was made we moved on to try some of the games the Greeks enjoyed as well as trying to write using quill pens.
The day was capped off with some Army Drill exercises which we managed to carry out between the rain showers.
September 2010 - Welcome
We are looking forward to all the challenges and experiences of a new term, we have had to rearrange the classes and teaching groups into three rather than four groups for some parts of the Timetable as well as adding a new "Activities Afternoon" on Thursdays.
We have arranged a visit to the APF International Forestry Exhibition on Cannock Chase which promises to be very interesting, the letters for this trip were sent out in the first week of term; if you wish to attend as a Parent Helper then please let us know as soon as possible.
The week after the visit we will be hosting "Timezone" for a Greek Day, they visited two years ago and it was so enjoyable that we immediately arranged for a return visit to support this term's topic on The Greeks. Currently we are in the process of compiling a Whole-Year Planner with significant dates on, we will be sending this out in the near future.
2010 Pupil Timetable (pdf)
2010 Circus Development (pdf)
Forestry Exhibition Letter (pdf)
DT Dream for Year 5
This Thursday afternoon year 5 had a great afternoon at Chase Terrace technology College. We were invited to take part in their enrichment week. The children were able to make their own Mexican wrap, having made all the ingredients themselves.
They were then able to try out their soap carving skills making a traditional native American totem pole. Thank you to Mr Douglas and the DT department for making our afternoon so much fun!
Birches Valley Field Trip
On March 11th and 12th Years Five and Six visited Birches Valley on Cannock Chase to add some first hand experience to supplement their work in the classroom.
As well as finding evidence of Food Chains, the children tried their hand at Pond Dipping to see if they could identify the creatures active underwater this early in the year.
There were plenty of opportunities for more wide-ranging activities designed to stimulate young minds and bodies. These included Orienteering, constructing self-supporting towers as tall as possible, making a fire using a steel to create sparks and finally constructing a shelter for their group which was supposed to protect them from being soaked with water from a watering can.
The children and staff had a thoroughly enjoyable time despite the mixed weather. Many thanks to all our volunteer helpers who assisted enthusiastically in all the activities.
Year Six Cookery Club
Pictured are some of the latest ‘Graduates’ from the Year Six Cookery Club run by Mrs Heap and Mrs Lichfield. To mark the end of their Course, the pupils invited their guests to tea before the presentation of Certificates by Mrs Ferguson and Mrs Heap after school on Tuesday March 2nd 2010. Once again mention must be made of Midland Expressway, the operators of the M6 Toll, who have generously funded the provision of the ingredients used by the pupils.
Pizza by Hollygrove!
On Tuesday 2nd of February the pupils in Year 6 had a very enjoyable morning at Chase Terrace Technology College. The children had been learning about healthy lifestyles and as part of their studies they had to design and make themselves a balanced meal to include a pizza, salad, fruit salad and yoghurt.
The planning was done at Hollygrove and the preparation, cooking and eating was carried out at Chase Terrace Technology College. All of the children thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We would like to thank Mr Douglas, the Head of ICT at Chase Terrace Technology College and a special thanks to Mrs Taylor and Mrs Shepherd for allowing us to use their facilities and for their invaluable help and advice.
The children learnt lots of cooking techniques and were able to use a whole array of equipment which we do not have at Hollygrove.
Tudor Day
Timezone visited us to help us understand a bit more about the Tudors. All the children managed to dress in Tudor Costume of one sort or another.
There were Tudor Gentlemen in Year Five:
their Ladies
some of the servants and “Lower Orders”
and the Nobility in all their pomp and majesty!
Once we had all admired the costumes it was time for the Gentlemen to lead their Ladies into the Great Hall to meet the Actors from Timezone. We listened to the tales about Sir Francis Drake and his exploits in Cadiz when he ‘singed the beard of the King of Spain’ then met the new village schoolmaster and priest before being allowed out to eat bread and gruel.
A highlight of the day was the chance to prepare for the threatened invasion by the
Spaniards; everyone was trained in the battle formation needed to defend us against cavalry charges.
The Pikes were at the back, with the ranks of Halberds in front of them. The stamping and yelling seemed
to be the favourite part.
Once we had all recovered we went back into the Great Hall which had become a Courtroom for the Trial of a witch who had been discovered living in the village. She was being guarded by the Constable and the Churchwarden, who both took their responsibilities very seriously. Not all of the witnesses seemed to realise the gravity of the charges they were making against the unfortunate prisoner. However, it all turned out right in the end as the entire village found the Witch guilty and a hanging with a picnic was arranged for the next day!
We all had a wonderful day and one which we will remember for a long time, well done to all those who took part with such enthusiasm, especially Mrs Heap and her team in the Kitchen for their efforts with the Tudor Lunch.
Autumn Term 2009
This is an especially exciting term in Year 5 & 6. The Topic this term is one of our favourites, 'The Tudors'. As well as studying the history of the Tudor monarchs we will be finding out about how people lived in those days, how they travelled and explored the world. Children will have a chance to try some Cross stitch tapestry, make a Tudor inspired clock and Year Six will be able to make a Stained Glass Window with the help of Chase Terrace Technology College.
We are all looking forward to our visit from Timezone on Wednesday September 30th; when they have visited us before everyone has come to school dressed as Tudors, you can see pictures from previous visits if you go to 'Previous Years' on the Year 5 & 6 section of the school website. You should also see pictures of our visit to Blakesley Hall, this time we are visiting on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th October.
While you are looking through the pictures you may see Mr Carter the Tudor Music Man; he was to have visited us this term but unfortunately was very ill during the summer and will not be able to come this term, he is getting better now and we wish him a speedy recovery.
2009-2010 Timetable, Years 5 & 6
Pizza by Hollygrove!
On Tuesday 2nd of February the pupils in Year 6 had a very enjoyable morning at Chase Terrace Technology College. The children had been learning about healthy lifestyles and as part of their studies they had to design and make themselves a balanced meal to include a pizza, salad, fruit salad and yoghurt.
The planning was done at Hollygrove and the preparation, cooking and eating was carried out at Chase Terrace Technology College. All of the children thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We would like to thank Mr Douglas, the Head of ICT at Chase Terrace Technology College and a special thanks to Mrs Taylor and Mrs Shepherd for allowing us to use their facilities and for their invaluable help and advice.
The children learnt lots of cooking techniques and were able to use a whole array of equipment which we do not have at Hollygrove.
Birches Valley Forest Centre
In March, Years Five & Six went on their Annual Trip to Birches Valley Forest Centre. The two day-visits are to help the children with their work about Life and Living Processes as well as providing an opportunity for some cross-curricular work.
The ability to work as a team is fostered by activities such as making the tallest structure which will support a fir cone for 30 seconds using only 8 canes and two rubber bands. As can be seen from the photographs, the final results reached above the children’s heads.
One of the most valuable aspects of a visit such as this is the opportunity it affords the children to carry out work which would not be possible in the grounds of the school.
An example of this is the Stream Survey, in which small groups investigate a section of stream; they have to measure the width and depth of the stream bed, the rate of flow, the temperature and the water quality. Once this is completed, they collect specimens of the wildlife which inhabits the water.
Cooking up a Storm in the School Kitchens
Pictured are some of the first members of the ABC Cookery Club which is being run for interested pupils in Year Six. Our School Cook, Mrs Heap, contacted Waitrose in Lichfield to see if they would help with this new venture. Waitrose kindly agreed to fund the club, not only providing the money for the extra equipment needed, but also providing all the ingredients needed for each week's recipes.
The aim is to give the children experience of preparing some basic meals, a bonus is that they get to take home each meal for their family to eat.
The emphasis is on healthy choices and on preparing meals from raw ingredients. Dishes prepared so far have included: Fruit Salad, Leek and Potato Pie, Meat Hot Pot and Vegetarian Pasta. The 'treat' dishes have included Healthy Shortbread Biscuits and Apple Crumble.
Tudor Music
This week saw the last of our 'Tudor' visitors coming into school. Mr Carter, the Tudor Music Man, gave an interesting talk to Years Five & Six on Wednesday.
The children listened to many of the musical instruments which Mr Carter had brought along and were able to sing accompanied by him on some of the instruments.
The highlight of the session was the chance to take part in a Tudor dance, led by Mr Carter and Mrs Ferguson, both resplendent in their costumes.
Tudor Day
Last week Years Five and Six were visited by Timezone as part of the topic on Tudors. We learned about how farms and villages were run, how to write with a quill pen in the Schoolroom with a very strict Schoolmaster. We also learned how to play some of the games such as Nine Men's Morris, Skittles and Hoops.
In the afternoon we were shown some of the gruesome weapons used in battle then had a go at Drill Practice to help us use the weapons. The last part of the day was spent trying to convict a witch of witchcraft.
Many thanks to all those who dressed up and entered into the spirit of the day.
Blakesley Hall Visit
Years Five and Six have had busy week learning about the Tudors. On Monday Year Five visited Blakesley Hall, a Tudor House administered by Birmingham Museums Service, (Year Six will be visiting on October 1st).
On Wednesday Timezone came to school and we recreated a day in a Tudor Village. Many thanks to all those who dressed up, photographs will be put onto the Website as soon as all the necessary Consent Forms have been returned.
Year 5 & 6 timetable.
Please follow the link for a printable version of this years timetable.
Year 5 & 6 timetable
IMPORTANT - Blakesely Hall trip.
Please follow this link for an important letter about the various activities and
trips planned for this year and for the permission slip to allow your child to take
part.
Blakesely Trip
IMPORTANT - Swimming 2007
Swimming lessons will resume at Burntwood Baths on Tuesday, 18th September, 2007 for Y5/6 pupils.
Please follow this link for the details / permission slip.
Swimming arrangements 2007
Wolseley Centre visit.
Year Five visited the Wolseley Centre recently for the Words and Willow project. Photographs
and Poems can be found on the Words & Willow at the Wolseley Centre Website, or by
clicking on the link below:
Wolseley words & pictures
Run Holly Grove Run.
On Tuesday, a team of 8 Year 5 and Year 6 children competed in a Cross Country Race. They had to run over 1000 metres contending with many obstacles on their way. All of the children ran superbly with not one of them having to stop! After the results from each of the races were confirmed Holly Grove received the trophy as overall winners! Well done to Millie Ridgeway, Hannah Spencer, Rebecca Jones, Alice Fone, Luke Childs, Callum Rose, Tom Price and Jack Goodier!
Autumn Term 2007
Next term our main History Topic will be The Tudors.
This is a Topic which we all look forward to as there are several special events we take part in. We are in the process of arranging a visit to Blakesley Hall, which is a Tudor Manor House in Yardley. We have arranged a visit from Timezone who will help us recreate a Tudor Day. When they visited us two years ago everyone tried to dress to suit the occasion.
We take part in a number of different activities, such as finding out how the Tudors prepared their herbs, how they amused themselves in their spare time as well as getting a taste of Tudor Schooldays. One of the most exciting activities was learning how to be a soldier and practice Drill using Pikes.
Area Recorder Festival
On Tuesday 22nd May our Recorder Group took part in the Area Recorder Festival
which was held at Lichfield Cathedral. The Recorder Group have been learning to play the recorder
since September and really enjoyed the opportunity to play with about 300 other children in a Concert
for their parents.
As most of the Group are in Year Five we hope that they build on their success next
year.