Key Stage 2

Last month, our school celebrated Humanities Week from Monday, 21st October, to Friday, 25th October. Centered on the theme, "Our Local Area: Exploring the Wonders of Merton," the week offered children an exciting opportunity to delve into the history, geography, and culture of our community. With a strong focus on oracy, the week was designed to help children develop speaking and debating skills through engaging activities and hands-on learning.

Highlights of Humanities Week

The week began with a lively assembly on Monday morning, featuring a debate, modelled by staff, on “Is Merton a great place to grow up in?” This stimulating session set the tone for the following days, encouraging children to think critically and express their ideas with confidence.

In Geography, children explored the concept of "wonder," learning about the location and key features of the Seven Wonders of the World and comparing them to the Seven Wonders of Merton. This exercise helped them appreciate the unique geographical characteristics of our local area.

In RE & Worldviews, discussions focused on what makes something wonderful. Children reflected on the wonders in their own lives, exploring their significance and creating presentations and posters to showcase their ideas.

In History, children learned about the historical significance of Merton’s wonders. Younger pupils (EYFS and KS1) created timelines to understand chronology, while older pupils (KS2) took part in debates to determine which of Merton’s Seven Wonders is most important.

The week concluded on Friday afternoon with a spirited class debate, where children passionately defended their chosen “best” Wonder of Merton.

Developing Oracy Skills

Oracy was a core focus throughout the week. Through debates, discussions, and presentations, children refined their ability to communicate clearly and confidently. These activities not only strengthened their communication skills but also boosted their critical thinking and understanding across subjects.

Humanities Week was a tremendous success, and it was wonderful to see the children so engaged and enthusiastic about exploring the wonders of Merton. Thank you to Miss Barnes, Mrs Roach and Mrs Murphy who contributed to making this deep dive into our local area a memorable experience for our school community!

Year 5 had the exciting opportunity to be visited by a teacher from The Past Presents and participate in an immersive Saxon and Viking workshop! This hands-on experience brought history to life, allowing the children to explore aspects of ancient cultures in a memorable way.

The day began with a re-enactment of a fierce battle, where children played the roles of Romans, Celts, Anglo-Saxons, and Vikings. Through this lively activity, they gained insight into the strategies and tactics that warriors from each group might have used in historical conflicts. Following the battle, they learned about warrior burials, discovering the fascinating items that would accompany a warrior to the afterlife.

Next, the children had the chance to wear traditional Anglo-Saxon clothing, which helped them envision what life might have been like in that era. They also took part in a simulated raid on a monastery, where they “seized” valuable items as Viking raiders might have done, gaining a deeper understanding of the Viking lifestyle and its impact on history.

The workshop continued with activities that revealed aspects of daily Anglo-Saxon life. The children practised writing with a quill and ink, a skill valued in ancient times, and explored the role of herbs, weapons, and various artefacts in Anglo-Saxon culture. These activities highlighted how people of that era met everyday needs and prepared for battle.

To finish, the children prepared a model Viking longship for a voyage, learning about the skills and planning that went into setting sail across the sea. This hands-on project capped off a day full of exploration and learning, giving Year 5 a remarkable insight into the world of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings.

Some of our Year 4 students traveled to the New Wimbledon Theatre to attend Wimbledon BookFest! They were lucky enough to meet the children's author, Pamela Butchart, who captivated them with her fun and interactive talk.

Pamela Butchart, known for her brilliant children's books, got all the students involved and even had them performing a little drama! The children were absolutely buzzing with excitement, and to top it all off, they each received a copy of her books The Great Crisp Robbery and The Baby Brother from Outer Space to take home!

We’re thrilled to offer our students such fantastic opportunities to meet inspiring authors and foster a love of reading! ️

A huge thank you to Wimbledon BookFest for this incredible experience.

This week, our Year 5 children have shown incredible determination as they completed the Bikeability Level 2 course—despite some very rainy weather! ️

The objective of the course is to teach our young cyclists how to handle traffic safely on short journeys, preparing them to navigate real-world situations with confidence. Training took place on local residential roads, giving the children hands-on experience in dealing with junctions, parked cars, and other common road scenarios.

The weather may have been challenging, but the children powered through, showing great resilience and enthusiasm! They’ve learned essential skills, such as signaling, road positioning, and awareness of other road users

A big well done to all our Year 5s for their hard work—and to our instructors for keeping the sessions engaging, even in the rain! We're so proud of their achievements and can’t wait to see them put these skills to use.

Stay safe and keep pedaling, Year 5!

Last week was a spectacular showcase of talent as our Year 6 students took to the stage in their production of The Greatest Showman. From dazzling dance routines to powerful singing and captivating acting, our children delivered a performance that left the audience in awe.

Mrs. Ryder, our Headteacher, expressed her admiration: "I am incredibly proud of our Year 6 stars for their hard work and dedication. They truly brought magic to the stage and showcased their talents beautifully."

Highlights of The Greatest Showman Production:

Outstanding Performances:
Raven, who played Barnum, wowed the audience with his charismatic portrayal. "Playing Barnum was a dream come true. I loved every moment of being on stage and bringing the character to life," Raven shared enthusiastically.

Dazzling Dance Moves:
The choreography was dynamic and perfectly executed by our talented dancers. "Learning the dance routines was challenging but so rewarding. It was amazing to see it all come together," remarked Sophie, one of the Year 6 dancers.

Musical Excellence:
The singing performances were powerful and emotive, capturing the spirit of the iconic songs from The Greatest Showman. "Singing in front of everyone was nerve-wracking at first, but once I started, I felt exhilarated," said Aury, who had a solo in one of the songs.

Backstage Brilliance:
Behind the scenes, our dedicated backstage team ensured smooth transitions and stunning set changes. "Being part of the backstage crew was a lot of fun. It was exciting to see everything come together on stage," shared Antoni, a member of the backstage team.

Thank You to All Involved:

A heartfelt thank you goes to the hard-working staff who supported our students every step of the way, from rehearsals to the final performance. Your guidance and commitment made this production possible.

To our Year 6 stars, backstage crew, and everyone involved in making The Greatest Showman a success, you have filled our hearts with joy and pride. Well done on an outstanding performance that will be remembered for years to come!

Here's to celebrating the creativity, talent, and teamwork that made this production truly unforgettable. Bravo, Year 6! 🌟

We are thrilled to share the incredible experiences our Year 6 children had during their PGL residential trip to Marchant's Hill! Last week was filled with overcoming challenges, making new friends, and representing our school with pride.

Mr. Myers, Assistant Headteacher who attended the trip, remarked, "It was amazing to see how the children tackled every activity with enthusiasm and determination. They truly made the most of every moment."

Throughout the week, our Year 6 students participated in a wide range of thrilling activities that tested their skills and pushed them out of their comfort zones. From raft building to zip lining, rifle shooting to fencing, they embraced each challenge with courage and teamwork.

"We had the best time ever!" exclaimed Lilly, reflecting on the trip. "I never thought I could zip line, but I did it, and it was so much fun!"

"We made new friends from other schools, and the instructors were really nice," shared Khaleah. "I loved every activity, especially raft building!"

A huge thank you goes out to all the staff who accompanied the children on this adventure-packed trip. Your dedication and support made this experience possible, and we are immensely grateful for your commitment to providing our students with such a memorable and enriching experience.

The Year 6 PGL trip to Marchant's Hill has not only been a highlight of their final year at primary school but has also created lasting memories and friendships that will stay with them for years to come. Well done, Year 6, for your resilience, camaraderie, and adventurous spirit!