On Friday 25^th January, the whole of year six gathered together for a momentous event: the official, grand  opening of the  art gallery.  The year six classes wanted to share their professional art work with their fellow students.
            Whilst we stood outside the art gallery, Mr Sherwin gave his opening speech. “Thank you everyone for gathering around. This is a truly exciting occasion, I hope you find it inspiring and simply thrilling. I now declare this art gallery,” he cut the red ribbon, “OPEN!” We clapped politely; we were buzzing with excitement and couldn’t wait to get inside.
We all entered, hoping that our paintings would be displayed. We could barely contain our enthusiasm. Excited, we strolled up to the first painting that caught our eyes. The paintings were magnificent. They really illustrated the words of Alfred Noyes (the writer of the book “The Highwayman.”)
            Groups of us walked around with cups of squash held aloft in our hands in a sophisticated manner. Plates of crisp and biscuits were laid out on tables to enjoy whilst examining paintings of our liking or taste.
            Teachers and teaching assistants asked a few children about their thoughts on specific pieces of work. Sharmin Mumen of Venus class quoted: “I like the colours used in the paintings because I think that they express emotions very well.”
            Overall, the year group has presented fantastic work and Mrs Miller (head director of the gallery) stated, “I am delighted with the opening of the Art Gallery and am proud of year six’s achievements.” Mr Sherwin also commented: “I am truly impressed, both by the work produced and by the way the artists have been able to talk about their paintings and the paintings of others.” It seems that the art gallery has been a major success and will be updated with this term’s work soon.

Written by Fariha Jahan and Nuha Miah, Venus Class.

On Wednesday 16th January 20 pupils from Year 6 took part in a target and throwing festival with children from two other local primary schools in Luton.  After school the pupils went to Challney Boys High School where their Year 10 sports pupils delivered a 1 hour session allowing children to improve their skills as well as particpate in new sports.  The children had to throw balls at targets at different heights, shoot into the basketball nets from different distances and also had the opportunity to try golf.  All the children had a fantasic time and really enjoyed the expereince.

On the 21^st and the 30^th of November, year six visited the Imperial War Museum in London to find out more about World War Two.

            First, everyone came to school as normal on their trip day (Mars had their trip on the 21^st while Jupiter and Venus had theirs on the 30^th). After the register, the classes set off for Leagrave Train Station. At around 9:30, the train came. Stepping on (while minding the gap between the train and the platform) we immediately started chatting about the museum.  At 11 o’clock the train stopped at Farringdon in London. Many breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the journey was over for now. However, we only disembarked to change trains. Fifteen minutes later, the train FINALLY arrived at Elephant and Castle so we could walk to the Imperial War Museum.

            Looking inside the exhibitions themselves, we were fascinated! Daimlers, Spitfires and gas masks that filled the halls intrigued us while a model of a 1940s house showed us how an ordinary family would live their lives during the Second World War.

            All too soon, it was time for lunch. After devouring our meals in two minutes flat, we had the chance to handle authentic World War II artefacts! A little while later, we visited a gallery and an exhibition about the Special Operations Executive (the SOE) and MI6. Eventually it was time to go back to school by train. When we arrived back at school, it was four-thirty. Finally, everybody went home. The whole of Year Six had a smashing time and are looking forward to more trips in the future.

Can I please say a massive thank you to all the teachers and teaching assistants for organising and helping out on the trip.

Written by Rashida Hussain, Mars Class 

In Year 6, we have been studying Black History Month and World War II . In particular, we are learning about Jesse Owens- a famous African-American black athlete.  We are all learning about him as he is linked to both of the topics mentioned above (you’ll see why).

            Jesse competed at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (that’s three years before the Second World War). That is certainly a feat to be proud of as Hitler (a really evil dictator) was very racist and refused to shake Owens’ hand. What’s even more remarkable is the fact that he won FOUR gold medals in track and field! It’s no wonder that the Germans threw autograph books through his window in the Olympic Village!

            Soon after the Olympics, Jesse was very popular and he and Minnie Ruth Solomon got married and had four children. In his sixties, unfortunately the famous athlete was diagnosed with lung cancer after smoking a packet of cigarettes every day. Then Jesse Owens was no more. He had died.

            Even today, more than twenty years after his death, Jesse Owens is still considered as one of the world’s most inspirational people. That is why we are learning about him.

By Rashida Hussain - Mars Class

As part of our Olympic topic, the children were asked to design and make model Olympic stadiums.  The children began their work by practising their sawing and joining skills and then by researching recent Olypmic stadiums.  In pairs, pupils designed and constructed their own models, presenting the finished products to "judges" who chose a winner from each class.  The stadiums look brilliant, are imaginative and everyone had a lot of fun!

In Year 6 we have been studying the effects of the Second World War and asked, "Is It Right To Fight?"   We celebrated the end of the topic by having a Victory in Europe party, but the children prepared for and planned the event themseleves! 

Through fun, mathematical, problem solving activites, the year group converted WW" recipes from imperial to metric and then measured the ingredients (also thinking how much of each ingredient they would need for the whole year group) ; designed the layout of the party venue and investigated how many songs could be played during the party.

It was a great day and everyone had a fantasic time!