Year 5 English – Monologues and Drama

By Sophie Porteous11th February 2026

Lesson 1

This week, Year 5 have had a drama focus in their English lessons. We have been learning all about monologues, reading with expression and performance techniques such as emphasising words and altering the tone of our voices.

We started the week by taking part in an online lesson with Hull Truck looking at drama techniques for performing monologues. We learnt how shifting the emphasis onto different words can completely change the perceived meaning.

Try reading the following sentence, shifting the emphasis to the word in capitals each time:

I didn’t say she stole YOUR money.

I didn’t say SHE stole your money.

I didn’t say she stole your MONEY.

I didn’t say she STOLE your money.

Do you notice how although the words are the same, the meaning changes?

We learned all about monologues and their purpose in plays and performances – to show a character’s inner thoughts and feelings. We explored how song lyrics can be performed as monologues.

Here is an example from Phoebe:

 

Y56 Safer Internet Day 2026

By Sophie Porteous11th February 2026

Safer Internet Day is held every February all around the world. Last year, over 170 different countries celebrated the day! Safer Internet Day is a chance to think about any worries we might have about using technology and the internet, but it’s also about celebrating all the fantastic things technology can help us with. Last year, over half of the children in the UK heard about or joined in with Safer Internet Day.

To mark Safer Internet Day this year, the Year 5/6 children took part in a whole-phase assembly. 

This year for Safer Internet Day we were thinking about an exciting type of technology: AI.

AI stands for artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is a type of computer system, which has been designed to try and do some of the things a human brain can do. Over time, computer scientists have developed AI to try and do some of the amazing things our brains can do. AI uses information too, but it’s normally called data. AI can be trained to spot patterns and make certain decisions, and as the technology improves, it is being used in all kinds of exciting ways.

AI is like any technology – we can use it to do amazing things, but we also need to remember to use it safely and responsibly, in a way that makes you and other people feel good.

Here are some important things to remember when using AI technology:

  • It can be fun to create jokes, images and videos with AI. But we must always make sure we are being kind to others. Even if something is made with AI, it can still hurt somebody’s feelings.
  • If you are researching or finding information, AI can be a great tool! Just remember, sometimes it can get it wrong. If you are unsure about the information you have been given, it is always best to check it, for example by asking a trusted adult.
  • If you see a new AI tool you would like to use, ask a trusted adult before using it so they can make sure it is safe for you.
  • Sometimes AI might show us something we didn’t want to see. If that happens, it’s not your fault! You can always talk to a trusted adult if you ever feel worried, upset or unsure when using AI. They can give you support and help you with any problems you are having.

Persuasive letters

By Etienne Hull29th January 2026

In English this week, Year 5 have been learning how to write effective persuasive letters. Working in pairs, the children wrote letters to Mrs Marson, trying their very best to convince her that our class should be allowed to have a class pet.

Y6 Design and Technology: Truffle Making – Focused Practical

17th December 2025Miss L STEWART

Year 6 are in the process of preparing to be chocolatiers this week to create a produce (truffles) with a purpose (a gift) for a person of their choosing.

This week we took part in a focused practical activity and observed the process of how to make the truffles using a simple recipe. With a little assistance and guidance from Miss Stewart, some children weighed, snapped, crumbled and added the necessary ingredients to create a batch of delicious truffles, which were shared and devoured before being evaluated.

Our next step is to be the chocolatier and independently create and design our own truffles so watch this space…

HUB 2: FESTIVE BISCUIT DECORATING

12th December 2025Miss L STEWART

In HUB 2 this week, we demonstrated our creative flair and decorated some homemade shortbread biscuits with a range of Christmas themes alongside some of our own personal interest.

We persevered, focused and carefully concentrated on the task to ensure that our designs were delectable masterpieces.

And voila…from Christmas Trees, Christmas Stars and Snowflakes to Sonic, Batman, Spiderman and the Joker, we certainly enjoyed the task before devouring and sharing our fine creations with our loved ones.

Merry Christmas everyone!

PSHE – JIGSAW: CELEBRATING DIFFERENCE – RUMOURS AND NAME CALLING

By Miss L STEWART3rd December 2025

Y5H discussed the emotional and physical impact of spreading rumours and calling people names in our Jigsaw lesson today.

We began the lesson by playing the game ‘WHISPERS’ around the class to show how a simple statement can be altered, changed or become misconstrued.  This activity helped the children identify that rumours are often stories which are circulated that are not always the true as they can be altered in the way they interpretated by the receiver.

We then discussed and debated a scenario based upon a girl called ‘Carol’ who had started a new school but felt isolated by a group of girls as they would not accept her as part of the group and they began to give her nasty looks. Carol then began receiving anonymous text messages calling her nasty names which resulted in Carol feeling sad, lonely and worried about attending school.  From this, the Y5 children identified what Carol both should and should not do to help her situation:

  • Speak to a trusted adult (Parent/Carer, Teacher, Friend or a trusted relative) – Never keep it to yourself or ignore when someone is being unkind to you
  • Call Childline (0800 1111) or the NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000)
  • Show the text messages to a trusted adult  – Never delete them as the situation may not just go away – the messages need to be reported
  • Never retaliate as the situation could become worse
  • Be an Upstander not a Bystander – if you see or hear that someone is being unkind to another person – SPEAK UP and TELL A TRUSTED ADULT
  • If the situation escalates, call the non-emergency number 101 for help and support

The children then created a ‘Snakes and Ladders’ board game related to Carol’s scenario highlighting 4 things that we should do to help a situation like Carol’s as well as 4 things that we should not do as they could make the situation worse.

We are looking forward to playing each other’s games next week!

HUB 2 P.E – AUTUMN TERM

By Miss L STEWART3rd December 2025

The HUB 2 boys have been enjoying a range of activities with Brad and Callum from Tigers Trust during this Autumn Term’s P.E sessions.

We have been demonstrating the great ‘SPORTSPERSONSHIP’ values of  RESPECT, TEAMWORK, RESILIENCE, PERSEVERANCE and TOLERANCE while participating in a range of games such as Bogey Tig, Stuck in the Mud, What Time is it Mr Wolf, Monkey-Ball Tig,  Dodgeball and Penalty Shoot-out.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Brad and Callum for all your hard work this term!

D&T Year 5 – investigating sandals

By Sophie Porteous1st December 2025

In D&T this week, Year 5 have investigated sandals. We have looked at the materials used in sandals and their properties. We have also thought about design decisions that will have been made during the process of producing sandals: the materials used, the cost of production, the appearance, safety features, comfort, practicality, the user and their needs and wants etc…

Investigating Friction – Year 5

By Sophie Porteous1st December 2025

In Year 5 this week, we investigated friction and learned about how it can slow object down and also create heat.

We planned and carried out and investigation to find out which material would make the best zip wire for Mrs Porteous’ children’s toy elephant. We investigated ribbon, string and utility cord and timed how long it took the soft toy to travel down the zip wire.

We wanted a zip wire where the toy didn’t get stuck or take too long, but also one where there was some friction created so there was some resistance and the toy didn’t whiz down it too quickly!

Our results prompted questions about rough and smooth surfaces but also surface area contact and how this may have affected our results.

Year 5 – Up-leveling sentence work

By Sophie Porteous1st December 2025

In Year 5, we are working towards writing an explanation text to inform people about how the Nowhere Emporium works. In today’s lesson, we looked at improving simple sentences by using causal conjunctions, technical language and specific information and details to make our writing better.

We up-leveled our sentences, doing lots of editing and improving and sharing our ideas with the rest of the class.