In Year 5 and 6 we have had a fantastic start to the year.   We have been learning about the invasions of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings and how they struggled for control of England.    We have also learnt about their culture and how they lived.  We have made Anglo-Saxon brooches from clay in our Art lessons and built Anglo Saxon buildings in DT, developing our skills of joining materials.    In English we have studied a version of the Ancient Anglo-Saxon epic poem, Beowulf.  This has been very exciting and also rather gruesome!  We all enjoyed creating our own monsters and heroes when we wrote our own Anglo-Saxon story.   

 Science this term has been all about materials.   We have investigated which material would be best for insulating an Anglo-Saxon warrior on a freezing cold day in England, as well as having great fun, and getting rather messy, separating materials using sieves and filters. 

We were really looking forward to our trip to Ufton Court to continue expanding our knowledge of Saxons and Vikings and experience some engaging hands on, practical activities and we were certainly not disappointed.   We spent the morning as everyday Saxons, learning all the skills we would need.  Then, taking part in a court room drama to find out about Saxon crime and punishment.   The afternoon turned to the Vikings, and we experienced  raiding across the world on a real Viking long boat, as well as testing our skills as Viking warriors, with shields and swords.  We learnt so much and had a fantastic day.

Year 5 Church Service Words

It was a cold night and the chilled air brushed against the faces of the shepherds.  It was just a normal night for the shepherds, counting and looking after their sheep.

Without warning, a bright light, even brighter than the sun, shone in the distance.  They gazed at it as the angel came closer and closer.  As they blinked, the angel appeared in front of them.   The shepherds dropped to their knees in amazement and fear;  it was the angel Gabriel.