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Upton Junior School

Upton Junior School

One Childhood - One Chance

14.11.25 Year 5 Weekly News

Term 2 Week 3

English

This week, our classrooms were filled with imagination as the children dived into the cosmos, crafting their own space narrative poetry. They let their creativity soar, using rich figurative language to transport us through the wonders of the universe. From twinkling stars to distant planets, their poems were a vibrant reflection of their thoughts and feelings about space.

In addition to our cosmic adventures, we honoured Remembrance Day by creating blackout poetry inspired by Flanders Fields. The children skillfully selected words from existing texts, and with a keen eye, transformed them into poignant messages that pay tribute to those who served. It was heartwarming to see them engage with such an important theme, combining artistry with reflection. Each poem resonated with a sense of respect, reminding us of the significance of remembrance. Overall, this week was a beautiful blend of creativity and contemplation in our poetry journey! Next week, the children will be working on retelling a part of the story as a playscript.

 

Maths

This week in maths, our young learners dived into the world of multiplication, starting with short multiplication before tackling the slightly more challenging long multiplication. It was fantastic to see their confidence grow as they grasped the different methods, and by the end of the week, many were multiplying like pros!

To wrap up our exploration, we introduced a fun investigation where the children had to work backwards. They were challenged to determine which numbers could be multiplied together to reach specific answers. This activity not only reinforced their multiplication skills but also nurtured their problem-solving abilities. Next week, we will be using short division.

Thematic

This week, the children had an exciting time learning about some remarkable women who have made history in space exploration. They delved into the inspiring stories of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to travel to space, and Katherine Johnson, the brilliant mathematician whose calculations were vital for NASA's missions.

We then shifted gears to explore the space race's darker side, uncovering various space disasters that occurred during this thrilling period. To showcase their newfound knowledge, the children crafted a double-page spread, combining facts, illustrations, and their reflections on these pivotal moments in history. It was a fantastic way for them to not only learn about the contributions of women in space but also to understand the challenges faced along the way. Their creativity and enthusiasm really shone through in their displays!

 

Take a look at some of our fantastic homework!

STEM Morning

What an exciting morning Year 5 had as they participated in a fantastic STEM session with the RAF! Through a live lesson, the children explored the fascinating world of engineering and various career paths linked to it. They delved into the wonders of space and gravity, setting the stage for some creative fun.

In pairs, the students set to work designing their very own rockets, showcasing their imagination and teamwork skills. After a thrilling demonstration, they built two of their designs and took them to our test space for launch. Each child had the chance to mark where their rocket landed with their name, adding an element of friendly competition!

We even crowned a winner at the end of the day. The enthusiasm and teamwork displayed by the children were truly outstanding, making this STEM morning an unforgettable experience for all involved!

Christmas Art Competition

It’s that wonderful time of year again and what better way to celebrate than with some Christmas creativity!

This year, we’re inviting all pupils to take part in our Christmas Art Competition, with the brief of creating a Christmas decoration inspired by an artist or art style.

Your challenge is to design and make a decoration that shows both the spirit of Christmas and a link to an artist or artistic style. You can use any materials you like — card, paint, collage, recycled objects, fabric, glitter, or anything that makes your decoration shine!

Here are some ideas to inspire you, some of which we will discuss in our Christmas art assembly

  • Pieter Bruegel the Elder – create a cosy winter village scene full of people and snow.

  • Edward Burne-Jones (Pre-Raphaelite) – design a stained-glass-style angel using colour and pattern.

  • Andy Warhol – make a Pop Art decoration with bright colours and repeating Christmas shapes.

  • Yayoi Kusama – cover your bauble or star in dots and patterns like twinkling Christmas lights.

  • Georgia O’Keeffe – take inspiration from nature — holly leaves, snowflakes, pinecones, or stars.

  • Banksy – design something that shares a message of kindness, peace, or togetherness

To Enter:

  1. Create your decoration linked to an artist or style.

  2. Hand it in to Mr Mason or your class teacher, who will pass it on to him.

  3. Make sure to include your name and class somewhere on your work.

  4. Deadline: The last day of this term.

All entries will be displayed on our school Christmas tree art display, so everyone can admire your creativity. There will be prizes for outstanding entries. Winners will be announced in our next Art Assembly!

 

 

Key Dates

Monday 24th November- Parliament Week

Wednesday 3rd December- Open day

Friday 5th December- Pantomime

Monday 8th December- Christmas Concert

Tuesday 9th December- Christmas Concert

Friday 12th December- Christmas fair and Christmas Jumper Day

Tuesday 16th December- Christmas lunch

Wednesday 17th December- Year 5 party

Thursday 18th December- Last day of term. School closes at 2pm.

 

Homework

- Please read with your child at least 3 times a week.

- All children have been given a ZPD to help them identify the correct books for their reading level. Once your child has read their book, they will need to complete a quiz on it before getting a new one. These quizzes can be done either in school or at home on Accelerated Reader using the log-in codes found in their reading records.

Welcome (renaissance-go.com) 

- Children should be playing TTRS at least 3 times a week to build their confidence and fluency with time-tables knowledge.

- Mathletics homework has also been set for the children to complete by next Friday.

- Please see the homework menu attached for our thematic homework. This can be completed in the homework book provided if you wish.

- Please choose ten spellings each week to practice with your child at home. They can use the format shown in the book.

The Year 5 team

 

Contact Us

Upton Junior School
Edge End Road
Broadstairs
Kent
CT10 2AH

(01843) 861393