Summer Week 8 11 / 07 / 2025
I’m going to take this opportunity to celebrate each and every member of Year 6 – what a journey it’s been. This year, you’ve shown something truly remarkable: resilience. Through challenges big and small, you’ve kept going, with kindness, with determination, and with a sense of humour that lifted the whole school and the classroom on multiple occasions.
Your progress—both personally and academically—has been incredible to witness. You tackled your SATs with quiet confidence and achieved outstanding results. But more importantly, you supported one another through it all, putting blood, sweat and tears into the preparation and that says more than any score ever could. You done the best you could and strived to achieve.
PGL will be one of those memories that stays with us forever. The bravery, the laughter, the teamwork… it showed us just how special this group really is. And just last week, you all shone again leading by example on Sports Day, cheering each other on, showing grace, spirit, and that unshakable Year 6 competitive spirit. You’ve been brilliant role models throughout the year to your beloved Buddies, at St. Mary’s with Reverend Sarah and most importantly day-to-day around the school community like at Canoeing and completing your School Jobs. Your sporting achievements throughout the year have made us all so proud too – from individual successes to team accomplishments in Tag Rugby, Football and Athletics.
But beyond all of this, what I’ll remember most is your kindness, your care for each other, and the way you’ve grown – not just as learners, but as people. Thank you for being such a joy to teach. The school community will miss you more than you know, but we also know you are ready—truly ready—for the exciting journey ahead. Go forward with courage, curiosity, and kindness.
Year 6, thank you and all the very best for the future – Mr Parsons & Mrs Jeffries
Summer Week 6 – 27 / 06 / 2025
Year Six have had an eventful past fortnight, with the production up and running (special thanks to Angela for all her help so far). The class have been learning their scripts, taking part in drama games to develop characterisation and working on nuances like intonation and character specific subtleties.
Lots of our class have started to take their first step into secondary school with their transition days – it’s an exciting time for sure!
We have also taken some time to explore and particpate of their favourite outdoor activites like Den Building and Climbing Trees at Forest School with myself and Mr Pemble. Both adults also faced off in an annual rounders competition with year 6, where Team Parsons were victorious!
On Friday we enjoyed a magnificent visit from The Sealed Knot, who followed up last year’s successful whole school visit with new stations and activities for the children to learn about and enjoy.
Here is the programme that Year 6 participated in.
Drums and Colours
Caring for and maintenance of a live horse – Tilly
Civilian life – Live Music & Clothing
Cooking and traditional drinks and food
Pikes
Musket firing (controlled by the experts)
Finale – Musket Volley and charging / defending against a horse
Friday also marked our last Mandarin session for the year, with the vast majority of the class loving the opportunity to learn a new language that is unique and special to Cropredy – thank you to Ms Chang for your enthusiasm and teaching.
Week 4 – 13 / 06 / 2025
| Year 6 |
| Girls’ Football Team – Result
William Morris 1 – 2 Cropredy Scorer – Matilda x 2 (Y6) Player of the Match – Matilda (Y6)
Boys’ Football Team – Result William Morris 0 – 7 Cropredy Scorers – x 5 Henry-James (Y5) & x 2 Henry H (Y4) Player of the Match – Henry-James (Y5)
Girls’ Football Team – Result Hiilview 3 – 1 Cropredy Scorer – Matilda (Y6) Player of the Match – Eadie (Y6)
English – PGL Information Leaflet & Writing Moderation This week we have started to create our leaflets as part of our final writing assessed piece. The children have enjoyed reflecting and reminiscing whilst enjoying looking at the pictures (see a selection below or the full range on the password protected site) from their time at Barton Hall. We’ll post the finished outcomes in our next newsletter feature. Production – Alice in Wonderland Firstly, thank you to Angela (Bridget’s mum) who has given up her time over the past two weeks to help with the upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland. Auditions have taken place over the past fortnight – informal style – where the class have been able be all the characters they are interested in playing whilst experimenting with the full range of unknown members of the cast. Auditions have concluded today, and the class now need to learn their lines. We have worked on specific scenes to rehearse and then performed them in front of their peers whilst using drama games to aid expression, intonation and stage presence. Mandarin Takes place each Friday afternoon in Year 6 and this term has focussed on family members whilst continuing to build their knowledge of numbers, months, days and years. The sessions are full of songs, catchy reminders and repeated phrases to embed the language. This past Friday concluded with a game of Bingo where the class had to test their knowledge of what they have learnt so far. Music In preparation for the Fairport Convention at Cropredy this August, Katie has been leading rehearsals and honing the arrangements with years 4 and 6. Both classes participate in singing and playing an array of instruments in the style of folk with much joy, fun and success. Mary Mack, Rio Grande, Shepherd’s Hey, Wella Man, Alley Oh and Hey Ho! are the six songs that have been selected to be performed alongside a range of musical instruments that the class have played include Harp, Shruti Box, Spoons, Accordion, Tin whistles, Baran Drums and Ukuleles.
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Summer Week 2 – 02 / 05 / 2025
Year 6 have had an amazing start to their last summer term at Cropredy with some memorable experiences already enjoyed. Forest School with Mr Pemble and myself (Mr Parsons) has allowed the class to revisit some memories of their time here and explore the new lay-out and options available in the wooded area; tree-climbing and den building have been the favoured activities so far.
Through the back of forest school, you can see the local canal where, if you were out and about, our first twelve children could be seen paddling along on a sunny Tuesday morning. All dozen children displayed bravery and confidence to take on the challenge of canoeing (most for the first time) with everyone able to even stand up in their canoes on the water! A special thank you to Kirsten, Sally and the team at Banbury and District Canoe Club for facilitating this. The club have an open day this Bank Holiday Monday 10am – 14pm for anyone interested in having a go.
The class have mastered their two dances for the May Day celebrations. We have learnt ‘The Spider’s Web’ on the Maypole with every child participating which is always lovely to see, and our colour dance of ‘I’ve Got a Feeling’ is certainly one to enjoy. They have done exceptionally well to learn them both so expertly on top of all the other demands that we are currently balancing.
On top of all these activities Year 6 have been working diligently in preparation for their upcoming assessments. With the curriculum now covered, the class are using past papers to practise the different question types, honing their ability to answer concisely as well as fine-tuning their time-keeping skills. Top tip, stay calm and keep adding those little one percents so you can perform to our best.
Please find attached the summer term overview, timetable and year group letter. https://cropredyprimary.co.uk/
Spring 6 – Week Six – 04 / 04 / 2025
| English – we have been combining our Topic and English units to create a Newspaper Report chronicling the Benin Punitive Expedition 1897. Reported and Direct Speech as well as bias, layers of inference and sensationalist techniques have been utilised.
Maths – Algebra, Ratio and Decimals are the three areas that Year 6 have been focussing on, in addition to, worded problems through individual, small group and whole class booster sessions with myself, Mrs Jefferies and Mr Reeves. PE – Our themed colour song and Maypole rehearsing for the May Day celebration as well as our school football teams’ first games – see match reports below. Church – the class has visited St. Mary’s and Reverend Sarah this week to Experience Easter with Year 5 on Monday and alongside their Cygnet Buddies on Thursday when they also completed a run-through of the end of term Easter Service. The Church looks wonderful with a selection of work with each year group. Music – Years 4 & 6 continue to rehearse for the Cropredy Fairport Convention in August this year. The songs that they are fine-tuning – Mary Mack, Rio Grande, Shepherd’s Hey, Hey Ho – are really coming along and Katie is very happy with them. Alongside this the range of musical instruments that the class have played include Harp, Shruti Box, Spoons, Accordion, Tin whistles, Baran Drums and Ukuleles.
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| Girls’ Football Team – Result
St. Mary’s 2 – 1 Cropredy Scorer – Matilda (Y6) Assist – Eadie (Y6) Player of the Match – Rosie D (Y6) Players – Darcie (GK) & Captain, Rosie D (Vice Captain), Rosie A, Rosie M, Harriet, Eadie, Matilda – all from Year 6 Report by Matilda and Eadie
Boys’ Football Team – Result St. Mary’s 1 – 5 Cropredy Scorers – Harrison x2 (Y6), Monty x2 (Y5), Henry-James (Y5) Assists – Henry (x2) (Y4), Monty (Y5), Ted (Y5) & Harrison (Y6) Player of the Match – Nicholas (Y5) Report by Rory and Leo
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Spring 4 – Week Four – 21 / 03 / 2025
English
We completed our Persuasive speeches (see below for some examples) linked to our class text Floodlands and have now started on our Newspaper Reports. This piece crosses over into our topic work on the Kingdom of Benin and centres around the event known as the ‘1897 Benin Punitive Expedition’. The class have been learning about the use of sensationalism and hyperbole to convince people to purchase a newspaper.
Science
Mr Reeves has been teaching Science to Year 6 this academic year. Recently, they have worked on creating their own classification key for plants living within the school grounds. Having created their own classification keys, they then spent time with their Cygnet Buddies talking to them about how they work before venturing outside to show them how the classification key works within the local area.
Art
As our topic on the Kingdom of Benin concludes we will be having a ‘Clay Day’. We have researched, designed and created templates that will come to life through clay. These designs have been based on authentic Benin patterns and using the religious symbolism that is representative of the period.
PE
The class having been learning their Maypole dance for the upcoming May Day celebration event and The Black-Eyed Pea’s ‘I Got A Feeling’ for their respective colour -themed dance.
Spring 2 – Week Two – 07 / 03 / 2025
English
I have been so impressed with the most recent writing outcome, with many year sixes producing their best piece of writing so far this year. Please see below several examples of a persuasive speech, said speeches were designed to be impactful and emotionally appealing, to convince their fellow islanders into joining the character from Floodlands (our class text) in battle. Very impressed!
Maths
The class are working hard at consolidating all areas of the maths curriculum and extending themselves with the more complex areas of maths.
Booster sessions have started as we run-up towards our assessments in May – these are taking place in the first part of the afternoons and during lunchtime.
Mandarin
We welcomed a new Mandarin teacher (every Friday afternoon) who has been continuing to build their knowledge of numbers, months, days and years. They really enjoyed using rice paper and black paint to calligraph the characters used in the Mandarin language.
Music
Mrs Harris has been teaching the class all year (Tuesday afternoons) how to sing and play an array of instruments in the style of folk with much joy, fun and success.
The songs that Year 6 are currently perfecting are: Mary Mack, Rio Grande, Shepherd’s Hey, Hey Ho!
The range of musical instruments that the class have played include Harp, Shruti Box, Spoons, Accordion, Tin whistles, Baran Drums and Ukuleles.
This all culminate at the performance that Years 4 & 6 will be doing at the Cropredy Fairport Convention in August this year.
Just to clarify, as discussed in the recent parents’ evening, the next two months are crucial to maintain and build upon the work that has built up so far this year, with any extra little ‘one percents’ being beneficial. CGP books and past test papers are an excellent way to top their knowledge, confidence and understanding.
Primary curriculum, key stage 2 – GOV.UK
Past papers are available through this link to download or see. I’d recommend particularly using 2022, 2023 and 2024 to familiarise with what the most recent assessments have been like.
Key Dates for Year 6 – including Production (Summer Term)
SATs Week – Monday 12th – Thursday 15th May
Hoodies Given Out and allowed to be worn – Friday 16th May
PGL – Monday 19th – Friday 23rd May
Production
Monday 07th July – Dress rehearsal to the School
Wednesday 09th July – Performance One to Parents – afternoon 13:30 – 14:30
Thursday 10th July – Performance Two to Parents – evening 17:30 – 18:30
Spring 1 – Week Six – 14 / 02 / 2025
Year Six have finished this half term with a flourish, lots of happy faces, a palpable sense of pride and achievement within the class which has been lovely to witness.
English
We have culminated this half term’s writing skills and focus on Marcus Sedgwick’s Floodlands with a diary entry from the perspective of the main protagonist, focusing on a specific emotion to base the writing on. Please see some fantastic examples below.
Maths
Completed assessments and data analysis has been used to map out the next few months teaching to consolidate weaker areas and build on new areas of learning like volume, mass, units of measurement, BODMAS an complex multi-step questions.
Science
Mr Reeves has taught the class again this past term about the heart and how it functions. They have completed experiments linked to heart rate, anaylsed the location of the heart in relation to other organs and explained the complex nature of how the heart keeps the human body alive. Please see some certificate winners below who were selected for their excellent non-chronological reports on this area.
PE
The class have enjoyed an array of PE over this half term, from playing tennis with myself and Mr Pemble, to tag rugby club at lunch, football club with myself, swimming on Thursday and completing fitness circuits in both PE and Science. The importance of staying active and keeping fit is an essential part of growing up and maintaining good mental and physical health.
Assessments
Last week the cohort completed a set of Mock assessments from 2018 – the class performed exceptionally well and should be proud of their progress. You will find the test papers have been sent home with your child this week. As discussed in parents’ evening this past week, the next three months are crucial to maintain and build upon this and any extra little ‘one percents’ will be beneficial. CGP books and past test papers are an excellent way to top their knowledge, confidence and understanding.
Primary curriculum, key stage 2 – GOV.UK
Past papers are available through this link to download or see. I’d recommend particularly using 2022, 2023 and 2024 to familiarise with what the most recent assessments have been like. Please find separate communication with regards to Booster sessions which will begin after half term.
Have a great half term and be prepared to take things up another notch after half term – let’s go Year 6!
Spring 1 – Week Four – 31 / 01 / 2025
English
We have been working on our book Floodlands where the end outcome is a diary entry from the perspective of the story’s protagonist. The class have refined their use of an apostrophe for omission and possession, used sensory language for specific details as well as using the ‘show not tell’ technique to convey emotions. Their writing is really coming along and I’ve been impressed by the improvement in presentation, handwriting and paragraph construction. Please see below how Year 6 performed some drama to accompany this work.
Maths
We have finished our unit on fractions and have now started looking at interpreting data shown in graphs, tables and charts.
Languages – Mandarin
In Mandarin the class have been learning numbers to combine with their knowledge of the days of the week and months of the year so they can accurately say full dates. The class continue to enjoy learning a new language and it is certainly a highlight of the week for many.
In Religious Education we have been comparing different religions and their views, exploring what a worldview is and how it can affect our decision-making.
Finally a big well done to the class for completing their Level 2 Cycling Proficiency last week and I would like to particularly thank John and David who were very kind and generous with their time supporting and encouraging the children. The children were able to successfully recall what they were taught this week – Priority / LOL (lots of looking) / Communication / Observation / Position.
Reminder – next week is a mock assessment week – myself, Mrs Jeffries and Mr Reeves will be facilitating this. There is nothing you need to do but I just wanted to remind you all. The assessments will replicate SATs week so the tests will take place Monday – Thursday.