Dear Parents,

First of all, a big welcome back after the winter holidays! We hope you had a good rest and enjoyed visiting families, friends, and relaxing. With what we hope to jump into this term, a good rest is perfect to help start the term with high learning-energy.

In literacy, we will continue to work on topics that cover and focus on the basic writing elements. Coming up this term are paragraphs (both fiction and non-fiction) and “showing, not telling”. Of course, development of punctuation, vocabulary use, and sentence structure will also continue to be focuses throughout the term.

In numeracy, we will explore measurement and geometry before we cycle back to number sense, calculations, fractions and algebra. As data handling is very practical, this area is taught through our science and DT topics. As usual, we ask that the students continually revise math topics and calculation skills to keep things fresh and studyladder is always a click away, with many topics and different levels of practice available.

In computing, students will begin to explore the world of coding beyond drag and drop block programming. They will be using Introduction to Java Script through the Kahn Academy’s web site (following on from An Hour of Code). As well, students will have the opportunity to explore graphic design through Photoshop, looking at the use of layers and editing skills.

In science, we are exploring the world of the Cardiovascular System, looking at the heart, blood, and the lungs, seeing their interdependence and looking at ways to help keep this system healthy. Next, we will move onto our Classification and Identification unit. Both topics focus more on biology, in contrast to our last term where we concentrated on physics.

Our foundation subjects bring many exciting topics this term including: Painting: a world of light and shadows, Mongolian Patterns in Felt-making, The Silk Road: Travel and Trade, and Slippers.

Finally, a little mention of weather-related concerns, or more specifically, missed school work from snow days.

In the event of snow days, students are:

  • Encouraged to use studyladder,
  • Complete tasks from the “Snow Day Homework list”,
  • We may, in the event of multiple snow days, email the students set tasks to complete using their bisi.org gmail accounts.

Finally, we continue to appreciate your support with your child’s education. Understanding that the students are entering the age where “they want to do it by themselves”, we recognise that it’s not easy! A top tip is to ask your child to show their work to you and explain what they did and why (yes, that pesky why). This helps let the students develop their independence while keeping the educational conversation between you open. As well, it allows you to keep up to date with what they are doing at school. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact either of us.

Looking forward to an excellent second term and with warm regards,

Miss Frigeri and Mr Tough