Today, 5S had a fantastic time working with micro in our computing lesson. We explored input and output by creating our own emotions badge.

The children programmed the micro so that when button A was pressed it showed a smiley face and when button B was pressed it showed a sad face. This helped us understand how the device takes an input (pressing a button) and produces an output (an image on the screen).

After that we extended our learning by turning our micro into a Magic 8 Ball. We asked the micro different questions and programmed it to randomly respond with “yes”, “no” or “maybe”.

The class did a brilliant job experimenting with the code and testing their ideas. It was great to see everyone thinking like programmers and enjoying their computing!

Our Year 5 class recently took to the stage at the Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds to perform a fantastic Wild West–themed version of Macbeth and what an incredible performance it was!

From the moment the curtains opened the children showed confidence, enthusiasm and brilliant acting skills. Transforming Shakespeare’s famous story into a Wild West adventure was no small challenge but the class rose to it brilliantly. With cowboy hats, dramatic showdowns and powerful lines they brought the story to life in a creative and exciting way.

Every single pupil played their part with energy and commitment. Whether they were delivering important lines, acting out dramatic scenes or supporting the action on stage they worked together as a team and made us all extremely proud.

We have received so much wonderful feedback from teachers and parents who came to watch. Many commented on how confident the children were, how clearly they spoke and how entertaining the performance was. We were flooded with emails about how they were amazed by the children’s acting and the way they brought Shakespeare to life in such a fun and memorable way.

The children should feel incredibly proud of themselves. Performing on a real theatre stage is a big achievement and they truly rose to the occasion. Their hard work, rehearsals and teamwork really paid off.

Well done Year 5—you were amazing!

Today, we started our exciting journey with MakeCode and the micro:bit. In our first lesson, the children created their own digital name badges, learning how to program text to appear on the micro:bit’s LED display.

As they explored MakeCode, pupils experimented with blocks, tested their ideas and saw their code come to life on the device. It was great to see their confidence grow as they discovered how simple changes in code can create different effects.

A brilliant first lesson full of curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving — we’re looking forward to building on these new skills in the weeks ahead!

Today in our MindMate lesson, we learned about mental health and what it means. We talked about how mental health affects how we feel and think and how anyone can experience poor mental health at times.

We discussed ways to support good mental health, such as talking to a trusted adult, relaxing and looking after ourselves. We also learned how strong emotions can affect mental health and practised using kind and appropriate language when talking about these topics.

At the end of the lesson, the children created uplifting posters with positive affirmations and practical ideas to help someone who might be struggling. The posters shared kind messages and helpful strategies to support others.

On Monday, the children attended a special church service to celebrate the festive season. They sang a wonderful selection of Christmas songs and listened beautifully throughout. We were especially proud of the children from Year 5 who were selected to read out their Christmas prayers and wishes. Their words were thoughtful and heartfelt, making the service even more meaningful for everyone.

Today, our class had an amazing experience watching a LIVE online event from Antarctica! We were joined by the incredible explorer Robert Swan, who shared his adventures in the icy continent and taught us about its wildlife, glaciers, and the importance of protecting our planet.

The children had the chance to send in their questions! It was inspiring to see the wonders of Antarctica up close and learn from someone who has explored it first-hand.

We all left feeling inspired and full of curiosity about our planet and the amazing places still waiting to be discovered!

This week our class embarked on an exciting adventure to Adel Wood! Armed with nothing but our creativity and a sense of adventure, we set out to build the ultimate den.

We scoured the woodland floor, gathering a variety of natural materials like leaves, twigs, and stones. Some teams even found larger branches to create sturdy frameworks for their dens. The air was filled with laughter and the sound of rustling leaves as we worked together to construct our shelters.

Our dens were judged on several criteria, including stability, aesthetics, weatherproofing, and size. Each team worked tirelessly to ensure their den met these standards. In the end, it was Team Wentworth who emerged victorious with their impressive den.

Today, our class learned all about Matthew Henson, one of the first people to reach the North Pole and an extraordinary explorer. His courage, determination, and skills helped his team travel through some of the coldest and toughest conditions on Earth.

We also learned that Matthew Henson faced racial discrimination throughout his life. Even though he was an essential member of the expedition—and may have been the very first person to physically reach the North Pole—he was not given the same credit or respect as his white teammates at the time. Many people didn’t recognise his achievements simply because of the colour of his skin.

The children discussed why this was unfair and why it’s important to make sure everyone is recognised for their talents and contributions. We talked about how history hasn’t always been equal, and how learning about people like Matthew Henson helps us understand the importance of fairness and celebrating everyone’s achievements.

Despite the challenges he faced, Henson showed incredible courage, teamwork, and leadership. His story teaches us about resilience, equality, and the importance of standing up for what is right.

In art this week, we explored the work of Henri Matisse, one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. Matisse was known for his bold use of colour and his unique “cut-out” style, which he used later in life when he could no longer paint easily. One of his most famous pieces is Icarus (1947), which shows the mythological figure Icarus falling from the sky after flying too close to the sun.

To connect with Matisse’s work, we used Google Drawings to create our own digital versions of his cut-paper art. Using simple shapes, bright colours, and layers, we tried to capture the same movement and emotion found in Icarus. Even though we were working digitally instead of with scissors and paper, we still had to think carefully about composition, colour balance, and shape design—just like Matisse did!

Sometimes the most ordinary places hold the most extraordinary memories. Every special place and memory reminds us that each of us is a unique part of one body, joined together in love.