6GM
Week Commencing 22nd April 2024
Thursday afternoon started like no other! Unexpectedly, an air raid siren was sounded and all the Year 6 children had to huddle in to their bunker. Similar to a modern-day fire alarm, they quickly and quietly headed for their safe zone in a single file line so that they were able to follow instructions clearly and everyone was accounted for. That is where the similarities ended…
At the bunker, the children were tightly packed under the protection of tables which acted as hard cover. It was hot and cramped, the sound of the air raid siren was deafening. Luckily for us this only lasted a few minutes. It was hard to imagine what this may have felt like for children who were actually fearing for their lives and didn’t know when the nightmare would end.
Week Commencing 15th April 2024
We are just one week into the Summer term and already the children are impressing me! This half term our history topic is World War Two and after an introductory lesson about the key leaders of the war, Amelia took it upon herself to do some extra research at home which provided the basis for our class shared write. Well done and thank you, Amelia!
Week Commencing 25th March 2024
To bring our learning about Antarctica to a close, we learnt all about natural resources and how countries use them.
We found out that in Antarctica, there are resources (and of course land) which the rest of the world desperately needs but learnt that a ban currently forbids any mining there.
Considering the views of people associated with Antarctica, we discussed how whether the ban should be lifted in 2048.
We hope you have a well rested Easter Break!
Week Commencing 11th March 2024
This week, the children have been rewriting the twisted tale of Hansel and Gretel, adding their own variations to the story. Well done to Beau, whose story was extremely creative – it was nice to see her own author’s voice shining through!
Week Commencing 4th March 2024
This week in Science, the children had a go at conducting an experiment to replicate Darwin’s study of finches. After using different utensils as ‘beaks’ the children were able to support Darwin’s theory of evolution and adaptation, recognising that some of them wouldn’t have survived on certain islands! We all had so much fun and here are some photos to show!
Week Commencing 26th February 2024
This week the Year 6 children loved getting to meet Paul. He was such an inspiration as he described overcoming his differences to hold two Guiness World Records for basketball and his acting career. Here are some photos of the day and some of the activities they completed with him (Mrs Wilson and Mrs Mason couldn’t resist getting involved too)!
Week Commencing 5th February 2024
This week the children have become journalistic reporters! Well done to Amelia who showcased the correct presentational features when writing a newspaper report about our guided reading text ‘Pig Heart Boy’.
Week Commencing 29th January 2024
In 6GM, we have spent much of our PSHE time looking into discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping. Although we have now moved onto uses of the internet and how images can be altered online, we really enjoyed looking at this video clip that not only shows incredible editing skills, but also shows how altered images can be a positive way to challenge stereotypes…
Women’s World Cup 2023: Viral French Ad Subverts Gender Expectations in Soccer | TIME
Week Commencing 22nd January 2024
This week, 6GM had their Victorian enrichment day where they experienced a day in a Victorian school. They learnt very quickly how differently children were treated, discovered the structure of their lessons and experienced some of the harsh treatment and sanctions faced by the children.
Here are some photos of the day as well as comments from the children…
Jessie: For me, the worst part of the day was the gruel as it tasted terrible. The teachers were strict, but I did like arithmetic and the other activities we were asked to do. I would however rather be back at QHA – the things we do at school are very different today!
Maryam: On Monday, I hope we go back to a normal school day although Victorian day was fun. We played traditional Victorian games, learnt elocution and some tricky maths. My least favourite part was the gruel – it tasted really bad. In comparison to today, school is a lot less strict and teachers are a lot kinder and more respectful to their pupils.
Muhammad: I wish it was Victorian day every day as I believe children would behave better due to the harsh punishments such as getting ‘caned’. I really enjoyed the ‘hokey pokey man’ game but hated the gruel!
Alfie: I wish we had one more day like this! It was so much fun and I really enjoyed the activities. I definitely would not have wanted to be a child in Victorian Britain if this was how they were treated.
Fred: Today has been fantastic! First, we learnt how to write like Victorians. Also, we did some tricky maths questions! We tried gruel and played some really fun games like rock, paper, scissors (with a Victorian twist) and the ‘Hokey Pokey man’.
Week Commencing 15th January 2024
This week in Science, the children have been looking at how light travels and reflects. During the lesson, they created their very own periscopes using a cereal box and two mirrors! Here are the results and the children using them to be able to see around the classroom!
Week Commencing 8th January 2024
This week in English Year 6 have been writing a historical recount about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius! Children have recorded hour by hour the key events adding emotion and personification to describe the volcano. Well done to Aleeza who made her work onto the Golden Writing wall!
Week Commencing 3rd January 2024
During their first week back of the new school year, 6GM have started their new History unit ‘The Victorians’. Within this lesson they looked at a range of sources which they then used to piece together Victoria’s life and reign – I think we were all most surprised about the assassination attempts on her life!
Week Commencing 18th December 2023
This week in English, the children have been writing diary entries from different perspectives based on a German Christmas Advert. Well done to Albert who was able to switch roles really effectively, creative really emotive work! Here is just one of his pieces!
Week Commencing 11th December 2023
This week the children have been super excited, rehearsing for their Year 5 and 6 Christmas performance! They can’t wait to have their parents come in and watch and take part with them too!
Week Commencing 4th December 2023
This week the class have been writing letters as if they have visited Mexico and at least two attractions – one that is humanistic and one physical to show their understanding of the differences between them.
Well done to Maryam for both her presentation and level of detail about her experience! Here is her letter below. After reading this, we are now all very much craving a sunny holiday adventure like hers!
Week Commencing 27th November 2023
This week, 6GM have been getting festive and have spent some time creating their Christmas decorations in the hall! Here is our final product…a Christmas pudding bunting!
Week Commencing 20th November 2023
This week, the Year 6s have started constructing their pinatas! They have built the base and will be decorating them next week using traditional designs. Thank you to all parents who brought in lots of carboard for the children to use.
Week Commencing 13th November 2023
This week 6GM have started their new unit where they will be learning about balanced arguments. They have been looking at a range of different discussion questions and have then selected one that interests them!
Most of the class have spent the week researching whether screen time should be limited to 30 minutes per day, whilst others are arguing whether animals should still be used in war.
What are your opinions?
Week Commencing 6th November 2023
We have had a fantastic day at the Museum of Power in Maldon!
From learning about how circuits work and making things fly, to exploring how diet coke makes a lightbulb glow.
We all thoroughly enjoyed a visit to Astaria, the only model village in Essex. Have a look through the photos and see what a wonderful time we had.
Week Commencing 30th October 2023
This week 6GM had fun going out to the tree to place our poppies for Armistice day! Come and have a look at all the School’s poppies – can you spot our ones in the photo?
Week Commencing 16th October 2023
This week the school celebrated Black History Month by dedicating a day to different influential Black women in history. In 6GM, we had many visitors from different year groups and focused on inspirational Black female athletes such as: Denise Lewis, Serena Williams, Althea Gibson, Wilma Rudolph, Simone Biles and Nicola Adams. To finish off our lesson, we had a go at shadow boxing like Nicola Adams – here are some pictures of Year 1 showing off their new boxing skills!
Week Commencing 9th October 2023
This week in English, the children have moved on from Anne Frank to begin their non-chronological report writing unit. They have spent some time researching the human eye and discovering how incredible it truly is!
The children particularly enjoyed our lesson investigating the different types of optical illusions and why our eyes and brain are tricked by them. Why not have a go yourself by simply moving your eyes around the image – are the cogs moving?
Week Commencing 2nd October 2023
This week Year 6 enjoyed their first enrichment day all about the Tudors! After learning calligraphy, the children found out about all of the gruesome punishments faced as a Tudor depending on what crimes were committed! Afterwards, they learnt a Tudor recipe for making bread and spent the afternoon playing traditional Tudor songs on the glockenspiels and learning some of their dance moves too!
Week commencing 25th September 2023!
In English lessons this week, year 6 have been learning all about the life of the important diarist, Anne Frank.
We have been captivated listening to what happened to Anne and her family during World War Two.
Why not ask us to share some of the interesting facts we found?
Week commencing 18th September!
This week in 6GM we have been looking at the circulatory system in Science, with a particular focus on blood. After learning about the 4 key components, the children had a go at making blood in the classroom and then used their knowledge to write a non-chronological report.
Here are some photos of the process…
Week commencing 11th September 2023!
This week in English the class have started their new unit ‘Mourning Dove’ a video clip with no words. The children have done brilliantly bringing the characters and their story to life using dialogue and here is Gideon’s (our golden writer).
Well done 6GM, I can’t wait to read your narratives next week!
Week commencing 4th September 2023!
6GM have all made a fantastic start to the year and I have been incredibly proud of everyone! We have also spent some time delegating new roles and responsibilities including our wellbeing ambassadors, lunchtime helpers and School Councillors.
Below is a picture of our new school councillors for the year, Emily and Jeffrey 😊
