The sun shined bright for Year 6’s visit to Coombe Country Park today.

We began by learning some history behind the River Smite that runs through Coombe before showing off our knowledge about river systems and features.

The trip was then split into two parts. In the first half of the session, we got to get in the river and use our fieldwork skills to measure the width and the depth of it at different points.

We then tested the flow of the river by timing how long it took for a ball, stick and dog bone to travel from one person to the next and from this learnt which part of the river was flowing the fastest. We also learnt more about the river processes of erosion and deposition.

In the second half of the session, we got to go pond dipping to see what fresh water invertebrate life could be found within the park. We found many different creatures that lived in the pond such as a water boatman, red beetles, pond worms and a pond snail!

This trip was part of our geography unit on Rivers this term but also tied in well with our Science unit on Living things and their Habitats. We all had a great time and were very proud to receive such positive feedback from the staff at Coombe who contacted the school to commend the class on their exemplary behaviour and for being so engaged in the activities.

Well done for representing our school so perfectly, Year 6!

Year 6 have been experiencing what it’s like to be writers this week as they have spent many days planning, sequencing, drafting, writing and editing their stories based on ‘The Day of Ahmed’s Secret’ to show off all the grammar and punctuation skills they have learnt so far. I have been so impressed with their attitude towards this task, their increased writing stamina, proofreading skills and, of course, the outcome!

Here they are busy visiting different editing stations to improve their own work…

And, here are some snippets of their final pieces..

They should be very proud of themselves!

Year 6 were lucky enough to take part in an enjoyable and informative ‘Justice’ workshop today. A visitor from the Coventry Magistrates court came and spoke to them about their job as a magistrate and introduced the children to a dilemma through roleplay. Roles such as magistrates, defence, prosecutor, legal adviser and usher were given out and the children took on different roles, following a script. Essentially, the children had to use all of the information gathered to decide if the suspect was guilty or not and if so, what an appropriate consequence would be. Ask them what their verdict was and how they came to that conclusion.

Year 6 are scientists! They have been looking at helpful and harmful micro-organisms and are currently trying to grow mould by observing 3 pieces of bread in 3 different conditions.

They also did an investigation involving balloons and yeast to find out if yeast is a living thing. Ask them what happened and what they found out!

This is a just a reminder that Year 6 will be visiting Coombe Country Park on the afternoon of Thursday 14th February to take part in a River Study.

As mentioned previously, we will be doing two trips on the minibus to keep costs at a minimum.Children have now been split into two groups are aware of whether they are in Group 1 or Group 2.

Group 1: Leave All Souls at 11.20am and return at 3pm ready to be picked up as normal at the end of the day. This group must bring their lunch in disposable packaging as they will be eating this at Coombe.

Group 2: Will eat their lunch at school and then leave school at 12pm and return between 3.45 and 4pm (depending on traffic).

The children should wear their school tracksuits and wellies as they will be getting wetting and muddy! Please note children will not be allowed in the water without wellies on. They should also make sure that they are wrapped up: they should all have waterproof coats, hats and gloves as we will be outside for some time.

We still have quite a number of outstanding payments. The cost of the trip is £5.50. Please pay and give consent via Sims Agora by no later than tomorrow, Friday 8th February. If there are any problems, please pop in and see me.

Thank you,

Mrs J Hartwell

Well done to the children from Year 6 who led today’s homily in our shared celebration of Mass beautifully. We were reminded of the current state of our world, which God created out of his love for us. The poignant message urged us to consider our individual roles in saving the planet that we were entrusted to nurture and love.

Here are the following dates for the Confirmation Program:

All the Sundays of Lent (10th Mar – 14th Apr 9.30am) – A Lenten Journey. A Lenten Discipline

Saturday 6th April (5pm) – Baptism and Belonging

Saturday 20th April (8.15pm) – Easter Vigil, Baptism and Mass

Sunday12th May (9.30am) – Family Mass and Our Commitment

Y6 children wishing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, together with their parents, will be expected to attend these dates as an essential part of their preparations for receiving the Sacrament.