This term we have been exploring the theme, Secrets of the Deep. We have learned so much about the fascinating world that lies beneath the surface of the water. We began the term by celebrating St. David’s Day and then World Book Day, when we all came dressed up as our favourite book characters. Since then we have been diving into all sorts of interesting topics related to the ocean.

One of the things we have been exploring this term is the incredible ability of some people to hold their breath for a really long time. We learned about Herbert Nitsch, who is the world record holder for free diving, and we even had a go at some breath hold investigations ourselves! It was pretty challenging, but we all did our best and were amazed at how long we were able to hold our breath for.

Another thing we learned about this term was the Dead Sea, which is a really unique body of water that is incredibly salty. We did an experiment where we tried to float an egg in a mixture of water and salt, just like people can do in the Dead Sea. It was really cool to see the egg floating effortlessly on top of the water, and it helped us to understand why people can float so easily in the Dead Sea.

Recently, our class had a debate about whether marine mammals should be kept in captivity or not. It was a really interesting and thought-provoking discussion. Some students argued that marine mammals should not be kept in captivity because it is cruel to keep them away from their natural habitat. They also mentioned that keeping these animals in captivity can lead to stress and health problems for the animals. On the other hand, some students argued that keeping marine mammals in captivity is necessary for their protection and conservation. They also mentioned that it provides opportunities for people to learn more about these animals and how to protect them in the wild. We had some really thoughtful discussions and used our Talk Tactics to express ourselves clearly whilst respecting others’ points of view.

Another topic we explored this term was the Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the most incredible natural wonders of the world. We wrote balanced arguments about whether or not tourists should be allowed to dive on the Great Barrier Reef, taking into account the environmental impact that tourism can have on this delicate ecosystem. It was really interesting to think about the pros and cons of different approaches to protecting this incredible natural resource.

We learned about the problems faced by turtles, which are some of the most vulnerable creatures in the ocean, investigating how plastic pollution and climate change are affecting turtle populations. We thought about ways that we can all do our part to help protect these amazing animals. In addition to all of the amazing things we learned about the ocean this term, we also had a chance to learn how to code using a BBC micro:bit. We all had a lot of fun learning how to program and create our own digital projects.

What sort of marine creature could you make using plastic waste? We have been getting creative by making marine animal sculptures out of recycled plastic waste. It was a fun and challenging activity that required us to think about the importance of recycling and how we can help to protect our oceans and marine life.

We are excited to share with you our recent online workshop with the author Flora Delargy. We joined her for a free virtual event to celebrate the shortlisting of her book, Rescuing Titanic, in the Yoto Carnegie Awards 2023. During the workshop, Flora shared with us her inspiration for writing the book and her writing process. She also gave us some tips on how to develop our own writing skills and create compelling characters and stories. We had the opportunity to ask Flora questions about her book and her experiences as an author. She was very generous with her time and gave us some great insights into the world of writing and publishing.

We look forward to more exciting topics next term!

Happy Easter

From Team Y5