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Spotlight on: Year 5 & Year 6

Spotlight on: Year 5 & Year 6

Our Year 5 and Year 6 teachers on their year group's activities this term

Year 5 - Mrs Susan McKay and Miss Agata Wygnanska

If you were to walk into the Year 5 classrooms earlier this week you would have been welcomed by some very weary faces, but still with a smile. The girls have worked incredibly hard over the past year and have enjoyed every minute. Asking the girls about their highlights, the answers ranged from the Junior School carol service to improving in Mathematics, and from the Junior School summer concert and taking part in the recent Year 5 and Year 6 performance of The Tempest to making new friends, and the residential trip to Grafham Water.

 

This year has certainly offered the girls many challenges in many shapes and sizes – and the Year 5 girls certainly rise to them and always want to do well. One such challenge happened recently when the group went to the Green Britain Centre in Swaffham, Norfolk, as part of the Year 5 study on the Fens and on renewable energy. The day in question, Monday 19 June, happened to be one of the hottest days to date. The girls found themselves climbing the stairs of a wind-turbine – a metal cylindrical shape which only insulated the heat even more – the challenge being to climb 305 steps to the top and then descend again. At the top the views were spectacular and as the day was crystal clear visibility was excellent and we were able to see across to Ely! It did feel, however, as if we were on a ship in the middle of an ocean with the top of the tower swaying with the wind; there was a tendency to feel a bit ‘air sick’. Thankfully all was well and the descent down was made. 

Other highlights this term have been the opportunity for some of the girls in the year group to participate in the RoboCup Championships – their successes were outstanding – if you haven’t already read the news please click here to do so

The annual Inter-House Swimming Gala gave the girls an opportunity to put their cheering hats on, as well as their ‘flippers’, to encourage each other as they took part in a multitude of hotly contested races!

As Year 5 draws to a close, the girls have, without doubt, earnt their summer break. They are excited about their new forms for next year and all that Year 6 will bring.

Year 6 – Mrs Sarah Cliff and Mrs Jane Freebairn

Year 6 pupils had mixed feelings about starting the year, as they knew it would be a year of hard work, lots of activities and many 'lasts' during their final year in the Junior School.  

Some of the girls’ favourite moments this year have been their residential trip to the Isle of Wight, putting on their performance of The Tempest, and learning Shakespearean insults.

Academic highlights have ranged from reading Holes, producing some fine artwork, and challenging themselves to gain a deeper understanding of Computer Science under Mr Andrew Severy’s instruction. All of the girls were delighted with their musical achievements too, including taking part in the Sing for your School competition, and performing a range of pieces in the Junior School summer concert.


Although they were disappointed that sports day was rained off last week, they have loved athletics this year and many of the girls have represented the school in different sports matches and competitions. The Inter-House Swimming Gala was an exciting end to a busy year in sport. Congratulations go to all girls but in particular to those in Paston House who won on the day.

Finally, Prize Giving on Monday and the Year 6 leavers' assembly were great occasions to congratulate students on their successes this year and to bid them a very fond farewell as they leave the Junior School.