This week, Year 6 have been learning about the impact of WWII on our local area. We looked at aerial photographs of the Richmond area to identify any evidence. We were able to identify anti-aircraft guns, anti-landing trenches in Hampton Court Palace gardens and bomb damage. Various photographs showed vast areas of allotments and prefabricated housing. We noticed something very unusual about Pen Ponds. The water was drained from them so that enemy aircraft could not use them as navigation points using the reflection of their lights.

Have a look at some of the photos. Can you spot anything unusual? 

Written by Year 6 pupils

This week in our maths lessons, the children were challenged to represent and solve problems using bar models. We learnt that a bar model can help identify what calculations need to be carried out. The teachers were thoroughly impressed with the positive attitude shown by the children and they way in which they worked together. 

Year 6 have been learning about the role dialogue plays in conveying character. We have learnt that it is not only the words that the person says, but also how they say it and the actions that accompany the words. 

Continuing with our abstract expressionism painting unit, based around the works of Mark Rothko, this week the children started planning for their final piece.

We learnt about microorganisms in our science lessons this week. We found out that not all microorganisms are bacteria and protists - some of them are fungi too! Mould is an example of this as it is made up of millions of tiny fungi. They start off as microscopic spores which are carried through the air, but when they land somewhere with enough moisture, nutrition and oxygen to grow, they develop tiny fibres called hyphae, which can be seen as fuzzy patches in different colours.