Once Again it is the beginning of the new academic year. We have a busy and exciting time ahead and would like to take this opportunity to outline some of the activities to come and some procedures for Year 5 during 2008/2009. General Information There are two classes: 5B – Mr K Barrago, 5W – Mrs S Williams and Mrs H Aldridge Assessment Assessment will take place over the year and certain tasks will be used for assessment purposes which the children will be fully aware of. During November, children will complete a Cognitive Ability Test or C.ATs test. The test, which is similar to an IQ test, will determine learning potential and learning style. Parents will be informed of the results during parents evening. Monday WELSH (5B) R.E (5B) TuesdayWelsh (5W) WednesdayPE (5W) ICT (5B) PE (5B) ICT (5W) Thursday FridayGAMES Year 5 Timetable The Year 5 timetable is very busy to accommodate all National Curriculum requirements. The 2008 curriculum means that there is more flexibility in when and how subjects are taught. This is reflected in our timetable. Assemblies and Productions Year 6 children will take part in a Christmas class assembly Parents / Friends are very welcome to join us at the local church in December and attend the end of year production in July. Parents of Reception / Year 3 are invited to the Harvest Festival as new parents / friends of the school.

Curriculum The Year 5 curriculum is very exciting and captivating. We study a range of topics throughout the year and here are just some: English – Greek myths and Legends, Space literacy and ‘Who lives in the Bwgan Wood’ by Anne Lewis (Welsh novel) Science – Gases and environmental issues, Space, Sound, electricity and our bodies. Mathematics – Place Value, Multiplication and Division Strategies, Real Life problems, Mathematical Investigations. History – Tudors Geography – St Lucia /Pembrokeshire ICT – Art and graphic programmes, data bases, Spreadsheets and Flowol. School Trips We have several trips planned for this academic year. All trips are curriculum based and from previous experience enhance the curriculum greatly. Costs are an approximate guide and further information and permission slips will be provided nearer the time: Newport Dragons - (Autumn Term) Visit to Newport Stadium - £5.50 Llanciach Fawr - (Autumn Term) Visit around the Manor house to experience life in Tudor Times. – linked to Science Centre i- (Spring Term) Pupils will participate in a range of interactive science activities. Linked to Space topic in science. Technology Day – (Summer Term) Risca Comprehensive School will host a day of Technology activities for pupils. Free PE / Games PE will be undertaken on a weekly basis and our PE day is Wednesday. Kit will be required on this day every week. The PE kit consists of a plain t- shirt and plain shorts / tracksuit bottoms. Games is undertaken every week. Our Games day will be Friday. Kit consists of plain t-shirt or long sleeve sports top in Winter, Plain shorts or Tracksuit bottoms and a pair of trainers. Kits can be stored in the cloakroom areas and taken home every few weeks for washing. PE and Games are a statutory requirement of the National Curriculum and therefore all children must participate. Children can be excused for medical reasons only on receipt of a note from parents. If a note is not received children will need to participate. All notes are kept as a record of attendance. Homework Mathematics: Task usually given on a Friday and due on the following Friday. Further tasks may be given during the week on occasions. The homework given will usually mirror what has been undertaken during the week. Children may use any strategy they find beneficial and please feel free to explain any strategies that you may have for completing the work. Literacy: Spellings will be given out every Friday and the test will be on the Friday. A spelling task may accompany the spellings in the form of sentences etc Topic and Task Completion: On occasions children may be asked to research and present a topic as a form of Independent study. It may be necessary for some class work to be brought home for completion. We ask for your support regarding this matter. We will notify you if homework is repeatedly late or not completed. If the homework cannot be completed for any reason children are asked not to worry but to simply bring the uncompleted work with a note to explain. We simply ask for children to “give it a go!”