Spring 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
I would like to welcome your back to the new term and wish you a very Happy New Year. I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas holiday. I would like to pass on thanks on behalf of the team for the many lovely cards and gifts we received at the end of last term, it was very kind of you. We are looking forward to the new term and we have lots of exciting learning experiences planned.
In the first half term our topic will be Polar Regions and Looking After the Environment. Our Talk for Writing text will be Peter and the Wolf. A detailed Curriculum Map, Knowledge Organiser and the text we are using will be attached with this letter. They are also available on the Reception area of the School Website.
House Day:
On Friday 24th January we will be joining the older children for the term’s House day focused on awareness of disability. On the 24th January we will be spending some time in class and joining the rest of the school for one of the sessions. We would encourage your child to wear their House colours for this event. Drop off and pick up will be the same as usual.
Parent Consultations:
Parent Consultations with your child’s class teacher will occur on Tuesday 11th February 3.30pm – 7pm and Thursday 13th February 3.30pm – 6pm. A letter will come out so you can select an appointment nearer the time. Parent Consultations are excellent opportunities to catch up with your child’s teacher, however if you’ve got questions about how your child’s getting on, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Preparing for the winter weather:
Please could I ask that you ensure that your child comes to school properly equipped for the winter weather. We go outside even when it is cold and wet, as it is an important part of our curriculum. We expect all children to have a warm coat and suitable shoes. I would also suggest that hats and gloves are a good idea. From experience, we would also recommend that you provide your child with a change of socks, particularly if their shoes are not waterproof. We are also happy for you to send your child in with wellies and a change of shoes for indoors on very wet days, if you feel that this is a more practical option for them.
Illness:
At this time of the year, there is lots of illness about. In such a large school we also seek to limit the disruption caused by infectious conditions. In the case of sickness and diarrhoea, children need to be kept at home for 48 hours after the final episode. Children sent to school within these 48 hours will be sent home again. If your child is ill at school, we will need to contact you; it is therefore vital that your contact details are kept up to date. We would ask that if your contact details change, you inform the Office as soon as possible.
Here Everyday Ready and On time – is your child a HERO?
I am really pleased to say that, despite illnesses, attendance for the year group has been good in the last term. I would however, like to remind everyone that registration starts at 8:50, with the majority of our Phonics lessons beginning shortly after this. Children who have not arrived at 8:50 are marked as late and this is classed as an Unauthorised Absence. Please could you ensure that your children are here in good time so that they don’t miss their daily Phonics input, or disrupt the rest of the class by coming in late.
Many thanks for all your help and support, and I hope everyone has an enjoyable, exciting and happy Spring Term 2020.
Best wishes,
Mrs Lucy James
EYFS Team Leader