Class teachers - Miss Craven and Miss Lincoln

• January - Determination and Perseverance

• February - Honesty and Trust 

• March - Learning and Effort

This term we will be looking at 'The Lost Thing' by Shaun Tan. This imaginative and humorous story follows a boy who discovers a strange, unusual creature while collecting bottle tops at the beach. Realising that the creature is lost, he tries to help it, but everyone else seems too busy to notice or care.

Children will investigate the story’s structure, characters, and themes, considering ideas such as belonging, kindness, and noticing the overlooked. They will then use their imagination to create their own ‘lost things’ and develop story plans. This will lead to writing their own original narratives, inspired by the style and ideas of Shaun Tan’s work.  

We will also be exploring William Shakespeare’s 'The Tempest'. Throughout this sequence of learning, children will have the opportunity to investigate the themes, ideas, and characters in the play. They will also engage in a variety of writing tasks, including character descriptions and comparisons, scene and setting descriptions, and diary entries.

In addition, children will learn about the conventions of writing play scripts, such as creating characterisation through dialogue, using stage directions, and showing action. They will also explore some of Shakespeare’s techniques, including iambic pentameter.

Our work this term will culminate in children creating their own ‘tempest’ stories, which they can either read aloud or perform. These performances will take place on the stage in our Big Hall, giving children the chance to share their work and offer thoughtful critiques and compliments to their peers.

We will be reading 'Polar Bear Explorers’ Club' and exploring it during our Guided Reading sessions. In these sessions, children will read the story, discuss the characters, events, and settings, and think carefully about the author’s ideas and language. They will have opportunities to ask questions, share their thoughts, and make predictions as the story unfolds. Through these activities, children will develop their reading skills, comprehension, and understanding of the text.

In Welsh we will be revisiting previous language patterns and expanding our knowledge. We will be learning about directions in Welsh and using them in other areas of the curriculum.

This term, we will focus on calculating the area and perimeter of 2D shapes, including rectangles, squares, and composite shapes. Pupils will also learn how to apply these skills in real-life situations, such as designing layouts and understanding space.

We will be introduced to the basics of algebra, including identifying patterns, using simple formulas, and solving equations with unknown values. These activities will help develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

In addition, we will spend time exploring fractions. Pupils will work on understanding equivalent fractions, converting between mixed numbers and improper fractions, and adding and subtracting fractions with the same denominator. These lessons will build a strong foundation in number sense and mathematical reasoning.

Following Oldcastle’s PE scheme, Year 5 will focus on working together, building resilience, perseverance, and independence. Pupils will take part in team activities that help them collaborate and support each other.

At the end of each day, we have a check-in session where pupils can talk about their day, ask questions, and think about ways to move forward. This helps everyone develop empathy and understand each other better.

Oldcastle Primary School uses Thrive, a programme that supports pupils’ emotional and social development. Pupils will take part in group activities both in class and across the year group, helping to build confidence and strong relationships.

As a Year 5 group, we will focus on teamwork and making sure everyone has a voice. Pupils will learn to listen to others, share their ideas respectfully, and use evidence to support their thoughts. We will also continue learning about Human Rights and the Rights of the Child, exploring how to exercise these rights responsibly through the Voice 21 principles.

During Enrichment, children will explore sustainable building design through hands-on research and creative problem-solving. They will investigate different types of houses, study the local area to identify common building styles, and compare these with housing designs from around the world. A key focus will be on how sustainable materials and environmentally friendly features are used both locally and globally. Using their findings, children will then plan, design, and build their own model houses, encouraging creativity while developing an understanding of sustainability, architecture, and responsible use of resources.

Our unit of work will focus on exploring the geographical and scientific aspects of the environment, both locally and globally. Pupils will develop a deeper understanding of Earth’s structure, including tectonic plates, magnetism, and natural processes that shape our planet. As part of this, we will look closely at local issues, such as the flooding in Bridgend, to explore the causes and consequences of extreme weather events and how communities respond to them.

Children will also investigate the importance of physical features, such as rivers, valleys, and coastlines, for the survival of plants, animals, and humans. Through this, they will consider how humans interact with and impact the environment. Pupils will be encouraged to reflect on their own roles in driving social and environmental change, thinking critically about how everyday choices in energy use, food consumption, and waste affect both local and global ecosystems.

In addition, pupils will engage in hands-on investigations, including experiments to compare energy efficiency and explore sustainable solutions. By combining scientific enquiry with geographical understanding, this unit aims to inspire pupils to make informed decisions that positively impact the world around them.

Children will also celebrate St. David's Day by participating in 'Welsh Week' and take part in Welsh based activities to celebrate the Eisteddfod and St. David's Day. Children will be able to wear House Colours to join in the celebrations. on March 2nd. 

All pupils should have a water bottle in school every day. PE will take place on Tuesday. Children are expected to wear their kit to school on PE day. 

Children should read their reading books daily and practise their times tables at home as much as possible.  

Over the course of the year, pupils will engage in outdoor learning opportunities, pupils and parents will be notified of these in advance. 

We ask that each day, pupils attend school with a water bottle and appropriate outdoor clothing to suit changing weather conditions. Pencil cases are limited to one per pupil and should remain in bags until needed. We provide pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and rulers. 

Don't forget to download our School App via the Play or App stores - The School App will provide you with up to date information about activities and events at Oldcastle Primary School.  Please look out for our weekly newsletter issued via The School App and available on our website on a Friday afternoon.  The newsletter contains all forthcoming diary dates for the school.