Home School Book Week Ending 17th May

Home School Book – Year 6

Dear Parents,

The SATs examinations have taken place in the UK this week.  International schools can expect to receive the papers towards the end of next week.  Providing these arrive on time, it is my intention to begin testing on Monday 27th May for two weeks. Pupils will be sitting Maths and English examinations spanning attainment levels 3-8; may I again draw your attention to the fact that at the end of primary school, the expected pupil attainment level  is 4 and level 7/8 is equivalent to Year 9 at secondary school. The children themselves, have chosen to aim for higher levels; whatever the results, they should be congratulated for their determination and motivation during this academic year.  I am very proud of all of them. Would you please avoid taking your child out of school during the test weeks, thank you.

Obviously the focus is now on practising examinations style questions. In literacy this week we have been concentrating on how a setting of a story helps create a particular atmosphere or mood, as well as answering practise questions about storyline, theme, descriptive detail and imagery. Being able to give a personal response to the text and supporting the points made by detailed and relevant reference to the text is a key skill expected at higher levels.

In maths, some children have been answering level 5- 8 questions on Algebra and Shape and Space, others have been working through mock examination papers.  All children are being tested at KS3 for mental maths and doing well.

Rehearsals are taking place in the afternoon.  To help with understanding the plot, we have been watching a modern day interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, ‘West Side Story’. In our performance, there is an intriguing selection of ‘Romeos’ and ‘Juliets’; all romantic Romeos will require black costumes and Juliets will require pretty pink outfits.

Fed up with the rain affecting our PE, the students endured a ‘killer’ workout in the BISB Dance and Fitness Studio!  Work is progressing; the ceiling has been painted, the kitchen sink removed and the walls prepared for painting by Year 6.

The ‘Rippledown’ usb stick is on its way round…

I hope that the sun shines this weekend.

Best wishes,

Mrs T.