Dosbarth Pili-pala
Welcome to our Class Page!
Croeso i'n Tudalen Dosbarth!
Autumn Term 2026 / Tymor Yr Hydref 2026
During the Autumn Term Dosbarth Pili-pala will be studying the following topic:
This term, our theme is based on Changing Wales: Explorers, Voyages and Discoveries. Learners will explore the adventures, journeys and discoveries of Welsh people and consider how these have changed Wales and influenced the wider world. Through this theme, we will develop skills across all areas of the Curriculum for Wales.
What your child be learning:
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Explore the big question: “How have Welsh explorers and discoveries changed Wales and the wider world?”
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Investigate Welsh explorers, journeys, inventions, industry and communities, considering where people went, why they travelled and what changed as a result.
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Learn about Welsh migration to Patagonia in 1865, including why Welsh settlers left Wales and what happened when they arrived.
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Explore Wales and its connections with the wider world through maps, journeys, migration, goods and ideas.
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Read The Explorer by Katherine Rundell, alongside poems and information texts linked to exploration and journeys.
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Write diary entries, letters home, newspaper reports, fact files, stories and poetry.
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Develop speaking and listening through explorer interviews, hot seating, role play and discussions.
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Develop number, multiplication and division, fractions, shape, measurement, time and data-handling skills in Mathematics.
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Use Mathematics in real-life investigations, including calculating luggage masses and measuring and comparing the distance travelled by Welsh settlers.
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Investigate forces and magnets, including friction, magnetic attraction and repulsion, and magnetic materials.
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Explore rocks, fossils, soils, coal and Welsh slate, including why coal was important to South Wales.
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Explore how music, drama, dance and art can tell the story of a journey, including the voyage of the Mimosa from Wales to Patagonia.
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Develop physical skills through dance, fitness and orienteering, including creating a dance based on the 1865 journey to Patagonia.
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Explore belonging, identity, culture and beliefs through the question “What makes somewhere feel like home?”
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Take part in outdoor learning such as navigation challenges, map-making, treasure hunts, rock investigations, shelter building and orienteering.
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How you can support learning at home
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Read regularly with your child and talk about books, characters, journeys and new vocabulary.
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Practise times tables regularly and encourage your child to explain how they solved mathematical problems.
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Look at maps together and explore where Wales is connected to around the world.
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Find out about a Welsh explorer, inventor, industry or community and share what you discover.
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Talk about the reasons people might leave their home and start a new life somewhere else.
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Look for different rocks when you are out and about and discuss their colours, textures and possible uses.
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Talk about how different types of travel affect the environment and how journeys could be made more sustainably.
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Encourage your child to be curious, imaginative, courageous and resilient in their learning.
We are looking forward to a term full of exploration, creativity, curiosity and learning together!
Further Information
Reading Books
Reading books are to be returned daily in blue school reading bags . Please write in your child’s record book if they have read to you at home. Reading should be carried out regularly at home
PE
PE will take place every Wednesday. Pupils are asked to arrive to school wearing their PE clothes.
Healthy School
Learners are encouraged to bring water bottles (containing only water) to drink throughout the day, this can be refilled during playtimes and dinner times.
Outdoor Learning
Outdoor learning will also be an important part of our term, providing learners with opportunities to explore, investigate and learn from the environment around us.
Please ensure that all learners bring wellies and suitable waterproof coats to school every day, so they are prepared for outdoor learning in all weather conditions.
Thank you once again for all your continued support.
Diolch yn fawr.
Mrs S Phillips
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