Visit to the Mosque in Ilford

On Thursday 23rd June Class 5M went to the Mosque in Ilford. It was on Balfour Road. We left school at 10.15am to get to the mosque. We took the 150 bus which was about a 40 minutes journey. We had a good time on the bus with Romario singing 'the wheels on the bus'. After our karaoke session, we got off and walked about ten minutes up the road to the mosque. As soon as we were at the door of the mosque, we had to take off our shoes before we took a step on the holy carpet. We all placed our shoes on a shoe rack. Then a man called an Imam (a special priest) introduced himself and his friends. After we sat down, he started telling us about the mosque and then he bought us into the room where Muslims clean themselves before they start praying. Imam and 2 of his friends then showed us how they clean starting with their neck and then mouth, and lastly their feet. They then took us upstairs to where Muslim children go to learn about Islam. After a while we had to go - so it was shoes back on, to the bus stop and back to school. When we arrived back at school we were just in time for lunch - delicious!!

Anansi Stories

In Year 5, for the past few weeks we have been  looking at stories from different cultures. This week we are looking at Anansi stories, Anansi stories were set in all different countries. Most of all the stories were set in Africa. Anansi is a spider who was brought up by his mum. He is half human and half spider. His stories are very well known around the world. Most of his stories are about Anansi doing the wrong things or doing things which he has been told not to do. In class we have read twos stories so far, Anansi and the pot of beans, then we read Anansi and the turtle. Today we write the setting of Anansi and the pot of beans and underlined all the vcop we wrote down. We are all really enjoying this topic.

By Umar

     Anansi in Spider Form       Anansi in human form with turtle

History - The Tudors

In year 5 History, we have been learning about the Tudors. We have also been studying about King Henry VIII. King Henry VIII  had six wives, first came Catherine of Aragon then Anne Boleyn next was Jane Seymour after was, Anne of Cleves next was, Kathryn Howard and last, Katherine Parr. King Henry

also wrote a song for Anne Boleyn called Green sleeves which was very popular.

We shall be visiting Kentwell House in July which is a Tudor experience where we have to dress up and everything is like going back into the Tudor times. We are all really looking forward to this trip!!

By Taran

The Highwayman

For the last few weeks we have been learning about the poem The Highwayman. We have written letters in the style of the highwayman to Bess -  here's verse 3:

Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard,

And he tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred;
He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Bess, the landlord's daughter,
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.

We are continuing this project by writing up a storyboard, then into a longer story.

To read the full poem, click on this link: The Highwayman Poem

by Umar

Christmas Events!

• This week Year 5 are having their Christmas parties, which will be held in 5M, 5S and 5R classrooms.  Some people have bring in a CD to listen to.   We are having a dancing competition and the winners will be awarded medals.

• Year 5 did a Christmas carol concert. Some of us are visiting going to Belmont Lodge old people's home to sing more Christmas carols, we hope they enjoy them. 

• For young children there was a Santa’s Grotto at our Carol Concert last week.   Most of Reception and Year 2 visited Santa, you can see most of the pictures on our website.

By Harrison

Anti-Bullying Week 2010 - Taking Action Together

This week is Anti-Bullying week and we have been reading “There’s a boy in the girl’s bathroom” It is about a bully who sits last seat last row of the classroom.

When a new boy joins, it makes things worse for Bradley. Lots of things start to happen - bullying someone to get a dollar and Bradley gave it back for being his friend. A few chapters later Jeff goes into the girls bathroom. After school that day Colleen punched Bradley in the eye and Jeff was accused for punching Bradley. Jeff has 8 friends and dislikes Bradley. A new councillor called Carla helps to sort out some of Bradley’s problems. This story is very, very enjoyable. If your child has read it then ask them about it.


We are drawing a poster about Anti-Bullying week and later on in the week or next week we will be doing a poem. We hope everyone feels safe around school, so we are doing some work in class to talk about that feeling, and making a questionnaire.

By Umar and Charlie

What's going on at Fairlop?

This week is Anti-Bullying week, where the theme is Taking Action Together.  We are learning many ways in which to help each other when we see some form of bullying.

Friday 19th November is our Heritage Day.  Please come and support your child. You can come to watch us from 2:30pm, and the country we are representing is Zimbabwe.

Last Thursday 11th November was Remembrance Day.  We stood in the playground for the two minutes silence to remember the soldiers in World War 1 and World War 2 on the battlefields. Fairlop sold many poppies in school and raised money for this good cause.  Prince Harry placed a cross of remembrance at Lydiard Park near Wootton Bassett.

by Umar and Charlie