Summer 2
Croeso nol i tydalen Dosbarth Gwiwer and our wonderful class page.
This half term, our learning will be guided by the theme "Words That Changed the World: Exploring Emotions and Energy with Welsh Voices." We’ll explore the power of language and storytelling through the voices of Welsh authors and poets. Our central text will be "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl, which will spark our curiosity about how chocolate is made and the impact this has on the people who grow the beans—helping our learners to understand their role as ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the World.
We’ll also explore the lyrical beauty of Dylan Thomas's poetry and dive into the myths and legends of Wales, discovering how traditional stories shape Welsh identity and connect us to our past. These rich texts will help us reflect on emotions, imagination, and the influence words have in shaping how we see ourselves and others.
Alongside our literacy work, we’ll be getting hands-on in the garden as we prepare for 'Glyncollen in Bloom', learning about the life cycle of plants, sustainability, and the calming benefits of connecting with nature. This term will offer lots of opportunities for creativity, empathy, and inquiry.
Our learning will link across the curriculum, including:
Literacy – Exploring stories and poems, descriptive writing, and storytelling through performance.
Science and Technology – Investigating chocolate production and plant growth; exploring forces and energy in the natural world.
Humanities – Looking at global trade, fairness, and our place in the world.
Health and Wellbeing – Working together in the garden and using literature to explore feelings and relationships.
Expressive Arts – Reimagining Welsh myths through drama, visual art and music.
It promises to be a vibrant, creative term where words, stories, and the natural world come together to help us grow in every way.
Hey!
Welcome to the summer 2 page.
We started this year off with a bang and went on an educational visit to The Royal Mint!
Today, we visited The Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant, where we discovered the fascinating journey of how coins are made. During our guided tour, we learned about the Mint’s 1,100-year history and visited the circulating coin factory to witness, firsthand, how freshly minted coins tumble from the presses. We also took part in a coin-design workshop, where we explored different shapes and sizes — including round, 12-sided, and bimetallic coins — and learned how symbols, patterns and textures are carefully chosen for each design. One lucky pupil had the chance to strike our very own Red Arrows 50p coin, which we brought back to school as a special keepsake for the class.
We were also fascinated to learn about the future of The Royal Mint, including how it is now making beautiful jewellery and medals using recycled precious metals. This part of the visit helped us understand how traditional skills can be used in new, sustainable ways — and gave us lots to think about when it comes to protecting the planet. It was an inspiring, hands-on day full of learning, creativity and curiosity!
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As part of our focus on celebrated Welsh authors, we have been enjoying the timeless classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by the brilliant Roald Dahl. We chose this story because Dahl uses his extraordinary imagination to describe characters, places, and inventions in the most magical and captivating ways. His unique style has inspired us to explore the power of descriptive language in our own writing.
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Inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we took on the role of imaginative inventors and designed our very own chocolate bars! After exploring Roald Dahl’s magical descriptions, we created detailed designs and wrote vivid descriptions to bring our delicious inventions to life. From popping candy surprises to swirling caramel rivers, our creations were as wild and wonderful as Willy Wonka’s factory itself!
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Today we spent some time working in our garden, getting it ready for Glyncollen in Bloom. We have been learning about the legend of the red and white dragon, from the tale of Lludd and Llefelys, where the two dragons battled for victory. Inspired by this story, we made sure to plant white and red flowers around our beautiful castle. Soon, we will also be adding our own fighting dragons to bring the legend to life!
