Welcome to the Reception and year 1 class page.

The class teacher is Mrs Seal.

Here is a brief guide to our class to help your child settle in, but feel free to talk to Miss Hill, Mrs Mason or me anytime.

Snacks and drinks:

milk for under-5's and free fruit is offered at mid-morning break. Milk for over-5's available for a small charge.  Please also provide your child with a named water bottle.  Water bottles should not be carried in the book bags as they often leak when not upright!

Reading: Your child will be issued with a reading book in the fifth week of term, when the children start full-time. For optimum progress, please hear your child read as often as possible and write your comments in the comments book. Your child should bring their book bag with their reading book into school every day.  Books will be changed at least twice a week, after they have been read twice. 

Mrs Seal, the teaching assistants or parent helpers will listen to your child at least twice a week to assist their progress and check their reading levels.

Phonics: Soon we will be teaching the Reception children letter sounds with accompanying actions.  Our 'Jolly Phonics' method is not taught alphabetically and begins with 's-a-t-p-i-n'.  We will be sending the Reception children home with a 'Sounds Book' with all the letter sounds and actions your child is learning.  Please practise these regularly to support your child's reading progress.

Show and tell: This speaking and listening activity is held every Friday and your child will be encouraged to bring in an object of interest or toy to show to the class.  It is best if toys are not brought in the rest of the week, as they are easily lost and damaged.

Keywords: After Christmas, we will be giving the Reception children the Reception keywords to learn. If possible, do practise reading these words with your child.  When they know a word well, please dot it and we will check them and give them the next set.

Topics: This term, in addition to Literacy and Numeracy, we will be studying the following topics:

Art                          -   Self Portraits

Geography                -   My School and the surrounding area

Regligious Education  -   Harvest and Belonging

Science                    -   Health and Growth

Phsycial development: This is timetabled for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and during other times as part of our curriculum.  Do please make sure that your child's PE kit bag is always in school with all the items named. Their kit should include: a T-shirt, shorts & pair of daps.

Cookery: This will take place fortnightly on a Wednesday.  Please pay £6 cash to the School Secretary.

Stickers: One of the many incentives in class is the award of stickers for good work, helpfulness, kindness, etc.  When your child has collected 10 class stickers, please stick them onto a sheet of A4 paper and bring them into class where they can be traded for a treat from the 'Treasure Chest'.  The spent stickers are ticked and returned home.

Parental help: If you are able to come into school and help with readers, art, cookery, etc. do please let us know.  All help is much appreciated.

Finally, if you have anything you wish to discuss with me about your child, please feel welcome to come and see me anytime.  The next Parents Conferences will be held on 14 and 15 October 2009.

Thank you.

Mrs Anna Seal

Early Years Leader