Welcome back! We hope everyone had a lovely and restful May Half Term break. Year 5 have returned full of energy and ready to learn for Summer 2.

In English, after finishing Viking Boy, Year 5 have started a thrilling new book: Anglo-Saxon Boy by Tony Bradman. It follows the story of Magnus, a young Anglo-Saxon boy, as he heads toward one of the most famous battles in British history – the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Year 5 made some fantastic predictions about what might happen to Magnus and his family. It’s been brilliant to see their imaginations and historical knowledge come together.

As well as diving into historical fiction, Year 5 have been building their writing skills by exploring the features of a newspaper report. This week, they have focused on emotive language and how to use both direct and indirect speech.

In History, Year 5 had a deeper look at religion during Anglo-Saxon times. The children were fascinated to learn about Pagan beliefs and how Britain gradually converted to Christianity. There were lots of thoughtful questions and discussions, especially around the reasons for the change and how religion influenced daily life.

Even though Sports Day had to be postponed – due to the unpredictable British weather - that didn’t stop Year 5 from keeping up with their PE practice. From sprinting to teamwork games, Year 5 are making sure they are ready to give it their all when the big day comes next week!

Finally, one of the highlights of this week was a special assembly with Athena, a real-life Gladiator! She shared an inspiring message about the importance of hard work, dedication, and believing in yourself to achieve your goals. The children loved practising her famous poses and asked some really thoughtful questions. Everyone was captivated, and her powerful words will stay with Year 5 as they continue their learning this term. Before she left, Athena gave the class a big high-five to say goodbye!