1. Welcome to the Year 5 Parent Information Meeting
Mr Russell Price – Head Teacher
Miss Claire Hammond – Deputy Head Teacher
Mrs Hart (5H) – Maths Subject Leader
Mr Chris Jones (5J) – PSHE Subject Leader
Mr George Lumley (5L) – Year 5 Teacher
Mr Ben Silva – PE Subject Leader
Mrs Emma Ecobichon – Year 5 Maths Set Teacher

2. Aims of the evening
To raise awareness of routines and expectations in Year 5
To inform you of the curriculum content
To reinforce and outline the importance of the school and parent relationship and co-operation
To maximize learning opportunities and ensure that your son makes the most of this very important year at VCP
To raise awareness about our trip to Bude 7th -12th June 2015

3. Major events Town walk – Next week Harbour Gallery Trip – 6th October
Parent/teacher meeting – Week beginning 21st October
Reading Week - Week beginning 21st October
War Tunnel Trip – 21/22/23 October
The Great Warrior workshop – 25th November
French Eisteddfod – 1st December
States Chamber – Spring Term (Date TBC)
Bude – 7th – 12th June
Safety in Action – July (Date TBC)

4. Reading and Writing
In Literacy and in other curricular areas, a variety of genres of writing will be covered, focussing on VCOP (Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers, Punctuation) and Alan Peat writing techniques.
Reading is covered across the curriculum and focuses on comprehension, inferential and deductive skills
Spelling – accurate copying of words provided is encouraged. Personalised Spelling Progammes are reviewed through the year
Handwriting – By the end of Year 5 we expect the boys to be writing with ink pens in a joined, fluent style. Ink pens/ handwriting pens need to have blue washable ink in them (no biros)

5. Numeracy
We are following the New 2014 Curriculum using Abacus Active Learn as the main framework but we include many other approaches to supplement it.
4 differentiated sets – (Mrs Hart, Mr Lumley, Mrs Ecobichon, Mr Jones)
Mental maths (tables, doubling/halving, money, measures, time and time tables and the associated facts)
Homework – please encourage your son to share his methods with you. Do not be tempted to teach a method they are unfamiliar with.
Change of sets

6. Science In science the following areas will be covered:
Forces and Friction
Keeping Healthy
Living Things
Habitats
Earth, Moon and Sun
Properties of Materials

7. Humanities Technology Occupation Water through Rainforest focus
Hinduism
Technology
Rockets
Egg Mobiles
Pizza making
CAM toys

8. Sport and PE
Team selection: trust the highly qualified PE staff. It is always a difficult issue. There are extensive trials and boys are looked at during lessons and at after school clubs.
Games - Wednesdays. Please ensure that your son has the correct named kit. Predominantly white trainers (with white laces) and black moulded stud boots. Always bring trainers!
Children to come to school in whites and full tracksuit for PE and games kit and full tracksuit for games.
Swimming: please ensure that they participate in this
If your son is unable to participate a note is required
Extra-curricular activities - Teams, times and locations are posted on the sports board and it is the boys’ responsibility to check and note down information
Texts are sent in the event of changes or cancellations
Sportsmanship: VCP prides itself on this aspect of sport along with effort. Please try and encourage the boys to show excellent sportsmanship at all times!
Please refer to the Sports Booklet for more details
Please collect your child on time.

9. ICT In line with the new curriculum, we will be covering:
We are cryptographers
We are artists
We are web developers
We are bloggers
We are architects
We are game developers
Boys will be allocated a Mac Book Air for their sole use
A named pendrive is a vital acquisition

10. Music
Recorders need to be kept in bags at all times in case of timetable changes
Hymn books named and in school
Practice 3 x 5 min sessions per week
Senior Choir – all welcome
Chamber Choir - selected
Orchestra

11. Homework and Communication
Homework diaries – main form of communication - look and sign daily (50 mins homework daily – 10 mins of which is reading out loud)
Reading – Free and Planet books (10 minutes out loud daily, check for comprehension, extend vocabulary, listed and signed on completion).
Spelling daily (LSCWC, joined, practise using a dictionary or discuss words in context to ensure meanings are understood, remember to sign)
Deadlines – may vary depending on the subject
Must be a priority

12. Homework and Communication
Boys to record fixtures, clubs and commitments accordingly
Please check Parent Mail regularly
Parental input – please tell us if there are problems as we need to know
Questions or concerns that you do not want your child to see in the diary, to
Research – access to computer required – notes not just pages of printed text!
Equipment also needed at home eg pencil case, scissors, glue, ruler…

13. What you can do to help
1. Check that your son has the correct equipment
2. Maintain daily reading and spelling routines
3. Practise mental maths daily
4. Sign the Homework Diary
5. Encourage independence
6. Presentation - support your son to take pride in their work

14. Bude Trip VCP has been visiting Bude for over 20 years
Adventure International has an outstanding safety record and an excellent range of equipment
Trip leader / organiser - Mr Price
The Bude trip is invaluable and a favourite memory for many boys of their time at Prep
Activities include kayaking, mountain boarding, mountain biking, surfing, body boarding, abseiling, dragon boating, team challenge, high ropes, climbing wall and caving
Having a go and challenge are key components to the trip; boys are encouraged greatly to have a go but are never forced.
Please remember that although your son may have reservations now or be slightly anxious at being away from home for an extended period, June is a long way off and they will be more confident and more mature by then
Payments are in installments – please try to pay on time!
Please do not hesitate to contact Mr Price or your son’s class teacher if you have any queries

15. Behaviour & Core Values Based on our four core values our school aims are:
To ensure that all have high standards and expectations of themselves. We want the school community to be passionate about their learning, interests and accomplishments. (ASPIRE)
We want our whole school community to feel valued and have a sense of belonging. We want to promote an understanding and compassion for each other, our local communities and the wider world with a sense of responsibility for the conservation of our environment. (RESPECTFUL)
We want to adapt to the range of opportunities that are available to us. We want to be ready, willing and able to learn in different ways; thinking, discovering and understanding by using a range of resources effectively. (RESOURCEFUL)
We want all our learners to feel safe in taking a risk and work through difficulties even when circumstances are challenging. We want to develop every individual’s ability to manage their own learning, behaviour and feelings. (RESILIENT)

16. Expectations Smart appearance (uniform, kit, hair)
Appropriate behaviour
Rewards and sanctions
Open communication

17. Strikes
This system will be used by all teachers in Year 5 to ensure consistency and transparency
They are not designed to cause concern, but instead, to ensure that each pupil is meeting school expectations.
By issuing strikes when required, it allows us to monitor and guide pupils prior to situations escalating.

18. Strikes are issued for:
Homework - quality
- punctuality
- diary completed, signed and handed in
Spellings completed, checked and signed
Equipment games kit
- recorder
- stationery
- specialist ie plastic bottle for DT!
Behaviour constant interruptions for example
There are 3 strikes per section before a debit is awarded. Importantly, strikes are not transferable! That way, each area or foci stands alone.

19. Friends of Prep
We are very grateful for all the support they give the school
Please get involved if you can
Class representative role is available