KEY STAGE 2

To contact staff please phone 01228 675 283 or email contact@fir-ends.cumbria.sch.uk

Summer 2026 News

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Welcome back to (what will be for some parents) the final half term of life at Fir Ends! A very busy looking half term has already began with the travelling theatre company on Monday morning. Please look to the calendar below for other events over the coming two months.

Hoodies have been delivered this week. Once the office has worked out what needs to be calculated in terms of payment, they can be given out to the children and worn as part of the uniform.

I'm currently in the process of completing the Y6 yearbooks and, at the back of my mind, am thinking about the Y6 leavers' assembly. I will be asking for a 'pre-Fir-Ends' photo for part of an activity. So, if possible, could you hunt one out - that would be very much appreciated. Digital copies can be emailed if you are comfortable doing so, hard copies can be photocopied and returned or sent in a returnable envelope or similar. Also, if you could start to chat with your child about what they might want to share as part of the leavers' assembly. We have briefly discussed this in class and started planning accordingly. Each child will be expected to present individually or as part of a small group something they wish to share.

Year 4/5 concert

Last year, the children took part in a concert at William Howard and this year they will repeat it. It is Year 5 children and Year 4 children. Rehearsals start this Friday afternoon with Mrs Cooper from WHS, so children will miss part of our outdoor learning as a result.

Rock Day

Next week (10th June) is Rock Day throughout the school, where children get to dress up as a Rockstar for the day. This has been very successful in previous years and as always I would encourage all children to take part. I have spoken with children in Class 3 about there being no need for it to be an expensive affair. Parents can, if they wish, spend money on costumes and accessories, but a simple outfit can be fashioned from cutting the sleeves off an old t-shirt, using the sleeve as a headband a little bit of make-up here and there.

A little bit of homework

On Tuesday, during our history lesson, we explored the history of the World Cup. As part of that lesson, I asked the children to speak to a parent or relative about what their earliest memory was of the World Cup. I shared Italia 90' Roger Milla scoring against Argentina and doing his little dance at the corner flag. Whilst it isn't expected that this is a written piece, please feel free share with your children and perhaps show them (if such a clip exists!)

We will be dipping into the World Cup and there will be activities closer to it commencing.

That's all for now.

Many thanks

Mr G

OLD NEWS (and photos) below...

Outdoor Learning

This Friday will see the return of outdoor learning in Class 3. Timed to coincide with the Summer term and (hopefully) nicer weather, there should be no need for the purchase of additional clothing. This Friday, children will only need to bring a coat and wellies (if they want to wear wellies). Normal school uniform should be worn. This week's session will be the preparation of the outdoor areas , the following week will be lost to the Sponsored Walk (see below).

Mr G

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Class 2

I can't believe we've made it to May half-term- these weeks are flying by!

I've added some photos of some of the things we've been up to, over the last few weeks including mummifying a tomato and making some ancient papyrus style paper.

Maths homework should be all up to date until the end of summer now. For year 4's, please ensure they are on TTRockstars, especially on the soundcheck and studio modes. We will be undertaking the MTC within the first two weeks of June.

Miss Fisher :)

Summer Term - Dates for the Diary

June

Monday 1st-Friday 12th June -Yr4 MTC Weeks

Friday 5th June- Class Photo Day

Wednesday 10th - ROCK DAY (ALL children have told me they will be dressing up)

Wednesday 17th - Year 5/6 trip to Bolton Fell Moss

July

Thursday 9th July -KS2 Sports Day @ Sheepmount

Friday 10th July- Summer Fayre and Colour Run

Monday 13th July - Yr 1-6 GRAND DAY OUT IN THE LAKES

Tuesday 14th July - Wheelchair Basketball

Wednesday 15th July - Y6 leavers assembly (time TBC)

Wednesday 15th July - Y4/5 concert @ William Howard School

Two brilliant tools to support fast maths and number fluency skills at home. Can be downloaded from the usual place where you get your apps. Some children have said they won't be able to as they have no screen time during the week - that is totally fine. 5 minutes before bed specifically working on these would be acceptable or just weekend use if you have those sort of controls in place.

For White rose infinity - children will need our school code (FLW-XGW) and an activity code for each activity. Rather than me release these weekly. I will bulk release for you to give to your child when you see fit. Please see below for some to get into this term.

All concepts below HAVE been taught this school year.

Year 3 and 4

62 - 92 - 70 Area

96-01-66 Addition and Subtraction

Year 5

95-83-85 Addition and Subtraction (AUTwk4)

24-91-24 Multiplication & Division (wk7)

01-29-76 Fractions (wk11)

61-15-61 Multiplication & Division (SPRwk1)

Year 6

82-26-63 Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication & Division (AUTwk3)

67-66-39 Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication & Division (wk6)

67-25-14 Fractions (wk9)

09-28-49 Fractions (wk10)

Our Classroom Staff

Class 2 is taught by Miss Fisher Monday - Friday.

Class 3 is taught by Mr Greenslade Monday - Friday.

Other adults regularly involved with our classes include:

Mrs Thompson - pupil support and interventions
Miss Potts - pupil support and interventions
Mrs Powley- interventions
Mr Draper - singing & recorders
Madame Leighton - French
Mr van Iterson (Paul) and Mr Barnes - Monday PE

Uniform

Black trousers or skirt (not leggings or PE shorts unless it's a PE day, please)
Green polo shirt
Green jumper
Black shoes suitable for daily running activities
School book bag NOT rucksacks, please

click for Uniform specification

We do ask that long hair is tied up and no jewellery apart from stud earrings to be worn. Earrings must be removed for PE and swimming sessions.

PE

Class 2 and 3 PE will be on MONDAY and THURSDAY this term.

Outdoor Ed - dates TBC

Homework

Weekly homework will be set and it is important that children complete the majority of it independently; although some adult support to organise the time to complete it and to ensure the task is understood is sensible:

Class 3 - Once we are actively teaching each maths unit in class, they will go live for completion at home. This will be highlighted inside the front cover of the maths book. They should be completed and handed in by the date set.
For those handed in after completion of the first unit, I have added a corresponding End of unit test report inside each front cover. This should show progress from before the unit was taught to after all the lessons in class were complete.
Actions to take depending on 'Post test scores' should be something like that outlined below:

Score of 0-5 Review all taught concepts ensuring your child understands the most basic of concepts (outlined in the homework but additional lessons can be used here https://www.thenational.academy/teachers/key-stages/ks2/subjects )

6-12 Review the more challenging elements, referring to the more challenging aspects in the homework - again, the lessons above could plug gaps

13 - 17 As above, with less review. Begin to push on to deeper understanding by accessing the website below

18-20 Push on learning using the following website https://nrich.maths.org/number-and-place-value-0

Maths Part A : Weekly exercises in the White Rose Maths practice Journal (see here)
Maths Part B: Children should practice times tables at least three times a week (see 'supporting mathematics at home')
Spellings and spelling sentences will be set on a Tuesday and are due on the following Monday. The children will be tested on these spelling words on a Monday.
Regular reading is also required (a minimum of 4 entries in their reading record per week). Your child is able to complete the reading record independently.
Children should practice recorder pieces for at least 15 minutes a week (3 x 5 minutes)

Failure to complete the homework will result in children being asked to do it during break times.

Times tables

Please keep practising those times tables in front of the mirror at home. It has been noticeable who has been practising and it's been great to see some surprise children leading the way when reciting times tables aloud to the class, under time pressure.

NEW: KS2 MATHS HOMEWORK - WHITE ROSE WORKBOOKS - INFORMATION PAGE

Supporting mathematics at home:

The best way to support maths is by helping children to secure basic number facts - bonds to ten, fifty and a hundred; times tables and division facts; ten more, ten less. All of these facts are used in calculations and the more fluent we are the easier maths becomes!

The White Rose maths scheme includes some useful tools for parents.

1-Minute Maths - does what the title suggests , and covers all the mathematical facts that children should know to become fluent mathematicians Browse to https://whiteroseeducation.com/digital-tools and use our unique 3-word code: bib-teg-beg
Online lessons - these replicate what is covered in the classroom using the same presentation slides; allowing you to repeat anything your child found difficult - or missed due to absence. We use the V3 scheme. CLICK HERE

TIMES TABLE ROCKSTARS MODES

https://ttrockstars.com/

GARAGE - build up your child's heatmap of known facts - and earn coins. Automatically chooses the ones they need to practice.

STUDIO - get a 'Rock Status' based on the average of the last 10 studio sessions - and contribute to our school's chart position

GIG - 100 questions in 5-minutes to check what you really know!

JAMMING - choose the ones you want to practice

SOUNDCHECK - simulates the Year 4 tables check

Note: we appreciate that it may be tempting to play the games yourself as they're quite a lot of fun - but this plays mischief with the algorithms that award certificates and select the right things for your child to learn. Please don't. :-)

Class 2

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