Hello to all our new students and parents, and a warm welcome back to those returning. I hope you have all enjoyed a happy and relaxing summer, filled with time to rest, recharge, and make wonderful memories. Now that the new school year is here, I am really looking forward to the year ahead and to all the learning, growing, and fun we will have together.
I would like to warmly invite all parents to our Class Information Meeting on Wednesday 3rd September. This will be a chance for new parents to find out more about our class and what lies ahead this year, as well as an opportunity for returning parents to hear about the updates and changes for the year to come.
If you look at the top of my class page, you should be able to see our class timetable. Please note that PE will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so your child will need to come to school wearing clothes they would feel comfortable running around in.
Please don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions at emmatemple@hyundaiforeignschool.com
As we come to the end of another school year, it’s time to say goodbye to the classroom and hello to summer!
It has been such a privilege to teach Year 5/6 this year. Your children are truly wonderful, and I’m incredibly proud of all they’ve achieved. They’ve taught me just as much as I’ve taught them, and I feel so lucky that they were my first official class as a teacher.
To the students who are moving on from HFS, I wish you all the very best in your new schools. You’re going to be amazing, wherever you go! And to my returning Year 5s, I can’t wait to see you again as confident, capable Year 6s. How time flies!
I hope you all have a restful, fun-filled summer, however you choose to spend it.
I can’t believe we’re already nearing the end of the school year! It’s been such an exciting week, packed with memorable moments. From the QR Code Treasure Hunt and robot-building teamwork to our student awards and Ready, Steady, Splash, it’s been non-stop fun. We even managed to squeeze in some much-needed Unwind Time on Friday. I’m exhausted just thinking about it, but Year 5/6 have had huge smiles on their faces all week, and that makes it all worth it!
Thank you so much to everyone who had time to come in for Parent-Teacher Conferences the last two weeks. It’s always so nice to share your child’s successes face-to-face.
Here’s what they have been up to in the penultamate week:
Year 5
Sum.5 – Converting units
Sum.5.1 – Kilograms and kilometres
Sum.5 – Converting units
Sum.5.2 – Millimetres and millilitres
Sum.5 – Converting units
Sum.5.3 – Convert units of length
Sum.5 – Converting units
Sum.5.4 – Convert between metric and imperial units (This was a tricky one)
Year 6
From now until the end of term, Year 6 Maths lessons will focus on revising key content, working through UK past SATs papers, and building confidence for the transition into Year 7.
Literacy
This week in Literacy, we explored the power of words through the lens of art appreciation. After creating expressive self-portraits inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat, the children wrote thoughtful art critique reviews of one another’s work. They then peer assessed these reviews, identifying the comments that made them feel most valued as artists. This reflective activity not only developed their descriptive writing and evaluative skills, but also helped them consider how Basquiat himself might have felt when his unique style was recognised and celebrated.
Useful Information
Due to the recent unpredictable weather, there is a slight chance we may need to change the date of the Gyeongju World trip. Parents will be informed of any changes by Monday 23rd. Regardless of the day, trip timings will remain the same.
On the day of the trip, please ensure your child:
Wears their HFS school uniform and comfortable shoes. It might be a good idea to bring a change of clothes if they plan to go on any water rides.
Brings a lunch that doesn’t need to be microwaved, along with a snack and a water bottle.
Note: While there are food stalls in the park, they can be very busy and are often expensive.
If they wish to, they can bring spending money, though it is not required.
The amazing HFS PTA are helping to organise a Last Day Potluck Lunch on Friday, 27th June (last day of term) Here are the details:
Time: From 12.30pm
Location: On the playground and football pitch at school
Parents and friends of the school are invited to join us for some lunch and a social gathering to celebrate the end of term
The PTA have organised this spreadsheet for families who want to share a dish
Please add to the spreadsheet if you want to share some food
If you have questions about food, please contact the PTA
Students will likely not need an individual lunch on this day but are welcome to bring one if they wish to
The school will provide a small amount of pizza for all students
After a picnic lunch, there will be time to socialise
Here is what is coming up for the ABC Countdown in our final week:
Another week gone means that we are getting closer and closer to the end of term. Thank you so much to everyone who has attended the Term 3 PTCs. I am still available to meet during Week 11 if you would like to make an appointment.
Here is what we have been up to this week:
Maths:
Year 5
Negative Numbers
Sum.4.2 – Count through zero in 1s
Negative Numbers
Sum.4.3 – Count through zero in multiples
Negative Numbers
Sum.4.4 – Compare and order negative numbers
Negative Numbers
Sum.4.5 – Find the difference
Negative Numbers
End of unit assessment
Year 6
From now until the end of term, Year 6 Maths lessons will focus on revising key content, working through UK past SATs papers, and building confidence for the transition into Year 7.
They have all worked incredibly hard this year and all achieved fantastic assessment scores. They should be very proud of themselves.
Literacy
This week in Literacy, we concluded our work on Radiant Child by applying our understanding of formal, persuasive writing in a creative and engaging way. Students became art critics, researching two very different pieces of art. They were challenged to write one positive review and one negative review, using expressive language and powerful descriptions to persuade or discourage others from viewing the artworks in person.
A key focus was the use of adverbs to show certainty, helping students sound confident and convincing in their critiques. They also worked on crafting varied and descriptive sentence structures, choosing vocabulary carefully to reflect their opinion while maintaining a formal tone. The activity allowed students to develop their critical thinking and writing skills in a meaningful context, while also sparking lively discussions about personal taste, artistic value, and how language can influence others.
IPC
This week in IPC, students took part in a collaborative research project exploring how different plants disperse their seeds. Working in small groups, they investigated the fascinating journeys seeds take in the natural world and created informative and visually engaging posters to showcase their findings.
Each group focused on a specific plant—dandelion, coconut, burdock, or pea—and examined the unique method it uses to spread its seeds. Through guided research, they explored where their plant is found, how its seeds travel, what features support that movement, and what kind of environment the seeds need to grow.
Once their research was complete, students created detailed posters that included labelled diagrams, maps showing the “journey” of the seed, and fun facts to engage their audience. They then presented their posters to the class, explaining how their plant’s seeds travel, the challenges they face, and why dispersal is so important for survival and growth.
This activity not only helped students deepen their understanding of plant life cycles, but also encouraged teamwork, presentation skills, and the ability to explain scientific ideas in their own words.
Useful Information
Parent-teacher conferences are still open to everyone.
Here is a link to the form if you would like to meet with me: PTCs
*Please note that Wednesday 18th (2:30 – 2:50) is no longer available.
The Permission form for Gyeonju World, happening on June 24th, has gone out to everyone. If you haven’t already signed it, please do so as soon as possible.
Class trip, Sports Day and two red days! I think the universe was smiling on all of us last week.
Despite the rain ruining our morning Nature walk at Ahopsan, everyone made the most of their extra few hours in Hero Kids Park. Here are some photos of what Year 5/6 got up to when they were there.
Useful Information
The HFS Art Exhibition is happening this Friday! Ms Yuli and a dedicated team of helpers have been working hard for weeks to make this exhibition one to remember! Our class will be visiting at 2:30pm, but you are welcome to drop by anytime from 1:30 onwards to see the amazing art your children have created this year. Come and celebrate their creativity and hard work!
I have sent out a Google Form to organise Parent-teacher conferences. It would be lovely to see you all in person and celebrate your child’s success.
Here is what is coming up this week for the ABC Countdown this week:
Wow! The ABC Countdown has definitely added some extra energy to our week! Everyone has had so much fun with it so far and there is more excitement to come!
Here is what Year 5/6 have been up to this week:
Maths:
Year 5
Decimals
Sum.3.9 – Decimal sequences
Decimals
Sum.3.10 – Multiply by 10, 100 and 1,000
Decimals
Sum.3.11 – Divide by 10, 100 and 1,000
Decimals
Sum.3.12 – Multiply and divide decimals – missing values
Decimals
End of Unit Assessment
Year 6
Shape
Sum.1.11 – Nets of 3-D shapes
Position and Direction
Sum.2.1 – The first quadrant, Sum.2.2 – Read and plot points in four quadrants
Position and Direction
Sum.2.3 – Solve problems with coordinates, Sum.2.4 – Translations
Position and Direction
Sum.2.5 – Reflections
Position and Direction
End of Unit Assessment
Literacy
This week, we continued reading Radiant Child and delved deeper into the early life of Jean-Michel Basquiat. We explored the car accident he experienced as a child and the emotional impact of his mother’s time in a mental institute. This sparked thoughtful conversations about whether these experiences could explain the sense of pain and intensity in his art.
The students practised writing questions they would ask Basquiat if he were here today, helping them develop a sense of curiosity and empathy for his life story. They also wrote a clear, concise paragraph summarising his childhood for someone who may have never heard of him, using evidence from the text to support their explanations.
To finish the week, we analysed some of Basquiat’s artwork, discussing what the pieces might mean and why he chose such a unique, bold style. The class shared insightful ideas and showed great respect and appreciation for the emotions his art conveys.
IPC
This week in IPC, our class engaged in a fascinating exploration of how plants grow, focusing on the journey from flower to fruit and the conditions that help seeds thrive. We began by investigating how pollination and fertilisation lead to fruit formation, examining the important roles of pollinators like bees.
As part of our practical learning, the students conducted an experiment to test how different conditions affect seed growth. They planted seeds in a range of environments, changing one variable (like light, water, or soil) while keeping everything else the same. This taught them about fair testing and the importance of controlling variables in scientific investigations.
In addition to our experiments, students explored real apples to see how fruits protect seeds. They carefully cut apples open to reveal and sketch the different parts – skin, flesh, core, and seeds – and discussed how each part plays a role in protecting and dispersing seeds. Using magnifying glasses and close observation, they considered how different seeds are arranged inside fruits and what that means for the plant.
Students then took their learning further by creating detailed fact files on various fruits and vegetables. They identified whether the plants have fibrous roots or taproots, helping them understand how different root systems support the plant’s growth.
It was an inspiring week of hands-on learning, scientific investigation, and creativity, laying the foundation for even more exciting discoveries to come.
Useful Information
Monday 2nd of June is the day of our class trip! We’re all so excited!
Here is thelinkto the permission form with more detailed information about the day.
A gentle reminder: To help us keep all students safe, please ensure that no students are dropped off before 8:45am unless prior arrangements have been made with the school. We understand that there may be special circumstances requiring an earlier drop-off, and we’re happy to assist; just let us know in advance so we can make appropriate supervision plans.
Here is what is coming up this week for the ABC Countdown this week:
What a lovely week it has been! Lot’s of excitement about the ABC Countdown starting, Sports Day meetings and the upcoming class trip!
Here is what Year 5/6 have been up to this week:
Maths:
Year 5
Decimals
Sum.3.4 – Add decimals with the same number of decimal places
Decimals
Sum.3.5 – Subtract decimals with the same number of decimal places
Decimals
Sum.3.6 – Add decimals with different numbers of decimal places
Decimals
Sum.3.7 – Subtract decimals with different numbers of decimal places
Decimals
Sum.3.8 – Efficient strategies for adding and subtracting decimals
Year 6
Shape
Sum.1.6 – Angles in a triangle – missing angles
Shape
Sum.1.7 – Angles in quadrilaterals
Shape
Sum.1.8 – Angles in polygons
Shape
Sum.1.9 – Circles
Shape
Sum.1.10 – Draw shapes accurately
Literacy
This week in Literacy, we began exploring the book Radiant Child, which tells the story of the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. After reading the first few pages, the students made thoughtful predictions about the book and considered what kind of person Basquiat might have been.
To build on our grammar focus, the class wrote descriptive sentences about Brooklyn buildings using relative clauses, showing a strong grasp of how to add detail and interest to their writing.
We also analysed several pieces of Basquiat’s artwork. The students shared their opinions and worked collaboratively to generate powerful adjectives and descriptive phrases to capture his unique style. These responses were then used to create a vibrant classroom display in the spirit of Basquiat’s bold and expressive visual language.
IPC
This week, we launched our new IPC unit Roots, Shoots and Fruits, which focuses on how plants grow and their importance in the environment. The students began with an exciting knowledge harvest, using a scavenger hunt-style activity to explore key plant-related concepts such as photosynthesis, seed dispersal, and pollination. Each group worked collaboratively to match questions to answers or generate their own questions, helping to assess what they already knew and spark curiosity about the upcoming learning.
We also looked at some of the most fascinating plants in the world, including the oldest recorded tree. The students enjoyed researching and discussing how certain plants have adapted to survive for thousands of years.
To build on this, we explored the parts of a plant through labelled diagrams and clear explanations, helping the students understand how each part plays a vital role in growth and survival. The class showed great enthusiasm and asked thoughtful questions throughout. We’re off to a fantastic start and look forward to digging deeper into plant life next week!
Useful Information
Thank you all so much for signing the permission form for your child to go on the class trip to Busan next Monday. If you have not paid yet, here are the details:
The price is 17,500 won but if your child already owns “Hero Kids Park” socks then it will only be 15,000 won
Here is thelinkto the permission form with more detailed information about the day.
A gentle reminder about PE. We have PE every Tuesday and Thursday. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for PE. Certain clothes like long dresses and jeans do not allow them to move around freely. It is also getting very warm very quickly, so a hat and sunscreen are highly recommended.
Here is what is coming up this week for the ABC Countdown this week:
It’s so nice to have had a full week again! Thank you all so much for signing the permission form for the upcoming class trip on June 2nd so quickly. Everything has been booked and I’m sure everyone is so excited to go!
Here is what Year 5/6 have been up to this week:
Maths:
Year 5
Position and Direction
Sum.2.6 – Reflection in horizontal and vertical lines
Position and Direction
End of Unit Assessment
Decimals
Sum.3.1 – Use known facts to add and subtract decimals within 1
Decimals
Sum.3.2 – Complements to 1
Decimals
Sum.3.3 – Add and subtract decimals across 1
Year 6
Shape
Sum.1.1 – Measure and classify angles
Shape
Sum.1.2 – Calculate angles
Shape
Sum.1.3 – Vertically opposite angles
Shape
Sum.1.4 – Angles in a triangle
Shape
Sum.1.5 – Angles in a triangle – special cases
Literacy
This week, the students continued to deepen their understanding of how language changes depending on purpose and audience. After reviewing the key features of formal and informal writing, they applied their knowledge to new letter-writing scenarios, making thoughtful choices about tone, structure and vocabulary. We also watched an educational video about how rubbish is discarded and the serious impact this has on our planet. This sparked some excellent discussions around environmental responsibility. In response, the students worked in groups to create persuasive presentations aimed at encouraging others to recycle and be more mindful about waste. Their passion and creativity really shone through as they used persuasive techniques to inspire change.
IPC
This week in IPC, we delved further into our unit on extreme weather and natural disasters with a strong focus on floods and earthquakes. To make the learning active and engaging, the students took part in a fact-finding treasure hunt around the school. Clues were hidden in different locations, and each team had to work collaboratively to uncover key information about how these disasters occur, their effects on communities, and how people respond in emergencies.
After gathering their facts, each group presented their findings to the rest of the class, using diagrams, examples, and clear explanations to teach their peers. We then tested their listening skills with a multiple-choice quiz based on the presentations, which sparked some lively discussions and reinforced the main learning points.
Later in the week, the students put their knowledge into action by planning and performing their own dramatic news reports. Working in small groups, they chose either a flood or an earthquake scenario and imagined they were reporting live from the scene. Their scripts included emergency updates, interviews with “witnesses,” and expert commentary, and their performances showed excellent teamwork, creativity, and a solid understanding of the topic.
Useful Information
I have sent a Google form for everyone to sign up for the class trip. Here is the link if you have not had the chance to look at it yet. The price is 17,500 won but if your child already owns “Hero Kids Park” socks then it will only be 15,000 won
If there are any changes to your child’s usual going-home arrangements—such as being picked up instead of taking the bus, or vice versa—please inform the school office by 12:00 noon on the day of the change. This allows us sufficient time to notify the bus teachers and update the bus schedule accordingly.
Thank you for your cooperation and support in ensuring a smooth and safe dismissal process.
It’s that time of year again…The ABC countdown has arrived!!! Here is what we all have to look forward to in the coming weeks. Please note that days where your children are asked to dress up, or bring anything in is completely optional.
What a short week it has been. I hope you all enjoyed your five-day weekend!
Here is what Year 5/6 have been up to this week:
Maths:
Year 5
Shape
Sum.2.5 – Lines of symmetry
Year 6
End of Term Assessment
Arithmetic
End of Term Assessment
Reasoning and Problem Solving
Literacy
Although it was a short week, the students remained focused and made great progress in understanding the difference between formal and informal language. They explored how language changes depending on the audience and purpose, and practised identifying key features of both styles. As part of their learning, they translated texts from formal to informal language and vice versa, demonstrating a growing awareness of tone, vocabulary and structure. To consolidate their understanding, they were given a variety of real-life scenarios and used these to write their own letters, carefully choosing the appropriate style based on the context. It was wonderful to see them engage thoughtfully with each task and apply their learning creatively.
IPC
This week was full of creativity and hands-on learning in IPC. The students finally had the opportunity to dedicate more time to working on their dioramas, carefully adding detail and bringing their ideas to life. It was great to see their imaginative designs take shape as they applied what they’ve learned in such an engaging and artistic way.
Useful Information
I have sent a Google form for everyone to sign up for the class trip. Here is the link if you have not had the chance to look at it yet. The price is 17,500 won but if your child already owns “Hero Kids Park” socks then it will only be 15,000 won
