DOWNSELL PRIMARY SCHOOL

YEAR 6 NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2015

Dear Parents/Carers,
We would like to extend a warm welcome to you at the start of your childs final
year at Downsell Primary School. As you will appreciate, this is an extremely
important year for your child and we will offer them all the support and
encouragement necessary to reach their goals.

Year 6 Staff:
Class 19

Mrs Dawood

Class 20

Mr Africa

Class 21

Mr Rahman

Supporting Year 6:
Miss Miller, Miss Payne, Mrs Smith, Mrs Osman, Mrs Williams and Mrs Britton
(Learning Mentors).
Ms Jean Phase Leader
Punctuality & Attendance
May we take this opportunity to remind you that school starts at 8:55am and
finishes at 3:20pm. Please can you make sure that your child is punctual and attends
school regularly. If your child is absent from school, please telephone the school on
020 8556 0103, giving a reason for their absence or provide a note when they
return to school.

Physical Education
PE takes place every Thursday for Year 6 pupils. Children must remember to bring
their PE kit which includes:
Navy blue or black shorts or tracksuit bottoms
Plain white T-shirt
Plimsolls or trainers
Please ensure that all of your childs clothing is named (including their school
uniform) and placed in a bag. We trust that all children will take responsibility for
bringing their P.E. kits every week.
Curriculum
Our topics for this term are:
Maths Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, problem solving,
fractions, explaining and reasoning about how to solve calculations, shapes
and measures.
English Poetry: Power of Imagery. Non-Fiction: Biographies &
Autobiographies, Journalistic writing (newspaper reports, radio & tv news
broadcasts). Narrative: Fiction genres. Comprehension skills, Grammar and
Spelling.
Science Living Things and Habitats. During this Unit of study children will
be expected to plan and carry out scientific investigations.
RE Christianity: Faith in action. Islam: The Ummah.
Geography Mapping Skills and language associated with map reading.
Art Masks What a Performance involves sketching and investigating
masks. Creating and making own masks.
DT Textiles (Christmas stockings)
PE Ball games (Football & Basketball): refining control skills and working as
a team.
PSHE Enabling Enterprise
Computing We are APP Inventors
History - Victorians
Behaviour & Rewards
Good behaviour and work is rewarded through the House Point System, which is in
place for the whole school. Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated at any
time. This will be recorded on a referral slip. If your child receives three of these
within a week, a letter will be sent home and you will be asked to come to school to
discuss your childs behaviour. Hard work and good behaviour will be celebrated and
acknowledged using a variety of reward systems (house points, stickers,
certificates, prizes). Please encourage your child to try their best throughout this
year.

Reading/Library Books
Reading books are changed regularly, or as often as a book is finished (depending on
the length). Your child should be reading at home for at least 10-15 minutes every
evening. Please write comments in the reading record books concerning your childs
reading. Some questions you may wish to ask of your child: Were they reading
fluently, using expression and intonation? Was the reading well paced? Have
they understood the text? Can they read all of the words? Ensure all books are
kept in your childs bag and that they are returned to school daily. Library books
must be returned on time and we would like to remind you that damaged books will
incur a fine.
Homework
Children will be given homework every Friday. The homework should be
completed and returned by Wednesday of the following week. Homework is
issued as a means of consolidating and reinforcing the work covered during
the week in class. It is an ideal opportunity for parents to work with their
child at home. It would be beneficial if you encourage your child to complete
and hand in their homework on a regular basis. Times Tables and spellings must also
be learnt weekly.
Secondary Transfer
Your child has recently received a secondary school application form and booklet.
Please can we ask you to make sure you complete this form and return it to the
address given on the back of the form. All forms must be completed by Friday 30th
October 2015.
And finally
Thank you for your support, co-operation and continued commitment to your childs
education. If you have any concerns, please feel free to make an appointment to see
your childs teacher or the Phase Leader.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Africa

Mrs Dawood

Mr Rahman