Autumn Term – Stickleback Parent Newsletter
‘Growing and learning together with God’
Dear Parents,
It has been lovely to welcome a new class of Sticklebacks back to school this term. We all hope you had a lovely, relaxing summer and that the children are well rested and ready for another hard working and exciting year of growing and learning together. We have certainly been impressed with their behaviour and attitude to learning so far.
Communications
We all hope that everything continues to run smoothly this year but would stress that if you do have any problems or concerns that you share these with one of us as soon as possible. Mornings are always busy but if it is urgent we will of course find time to deal with the issues. Otherwise, please contact the office, via e mail, who will forward on your messages or use the home learning email, so that we can either respond by e mail, telephone or arrange a meeting to discuss tour concern in more detail. Keep an eye on the weekly school newsletters to find out what we have been learning about each week. We will also be updating the Sticklebacks Class page on the website a couple of times each term with news and photos of our learning journey.
Homework
Termly projects
Project homework will continue to be set whereby children can choose from a variety of themes which projects they would like to complete; these will be shared with the class and children will receive feedback. Details about our ‘Fire and Ice‘ project options will be sent out on Friday 22nd September and we look forward to sharing all the fantastic activities they complete at home. The presentation of this work to the rest of the class is an invaluable part of their learning experience and all the children develop their self-confidence and speaking skills as part of the process.
Spellings, Times Tables and Maths Key Skills
All children have Spelling/Maths Shed log-ins which they should be using regularly to keep practising key skills. Year 2s also have a Times Table Rockstars Log-in.
- On Mondays we will be checking that children have accessed Spelling Shed for a minimum of two times a week. Spelling practice sheets will also be available in school if children do not have internet access at home.
- On Fridays we will check that the children have read at least three times per week.
- We will be checking regularly that the Years 2 have accessed Times Table Rockstars.
Family group points will be given to those children who complete their homework, as well as additional recognition for those who read consistently over the term.
Reading – Children should be encouraged to read nightly and where possible to an adult, even if they are a fluent reader. This could include your child just talking to you about what they’ve read, what they are enjoying etc. Children are asked to show in their reading record that they have read at least 3 x each week. They will be rewarded in school when they have shown this in their diary. The children should bring their books and reading records to school daily, as they are given regular opportunities to read independently and where appropriate, to an adult.
Water bottles and snacks
Please remember to send your child in with a named water bottle (not squash) which they can keep in the classroom. This can be re-filled during the day. If children are bringing in snack for break time, please remember this should be healthy food like a piece of fruit or fresh vegetables.
Curriculum
Our main topic ‘Fire and Ice’ is a History based topic that will send the children on a journey through our past and explore events beyond our living memory. Most of our English work will be based on books with an ‘Ice theme’ and these will be the inspiration for our writing. The children will also be developing their Computing skills using Purple Mash, starting with a project on keeping themselves safe on the internet, moving on to develop their coding skills and finally look at how they can search the internet. In Science the children will be exploring the world around them through everyday materials and seasons. Children will have a chance to learn about Maria Beasley (an inventor), what she invented (a lift raft) and investigate what materials she used for invention.
In RE we will be using the story of Jonah and the Whale and the parable of the Lost Son to help us think about what Christians think God is like. Our SCARF PHSE will focus on Me and My Relationships and Rights and Responsibilities which are part of our ‘Relationships and Sex Education’. The RSE policy can be found on the website and a copy of the correct terminology that we encourage children to use can be found on our class page. We will also have regular Circle Time sessions to support the children in developing their understanding of their emotions, how to manage them and recognising them in others. In French this term we will be learning some key phonics related to the language: Les Formes (shapes).
PE Kit
PE days this term will usually be on Tuesday and Fridays. Your child’s kit needs to be brought into school every Monday and taken home every Friday to be washed. Please make sure that they have navy blue shorts, t-shirt, trainers and appropriate clothing for going outside (navy tracksuit bottoms, sweatshirt etc.). Please remember to label all PE kit, school tops, jumpers and trainers/shoes. This is also important for all uniform and coats.
Rewards and certificates
We have really high expectations for our pupils and their hard work and excellent behaviour is rewarded weekly. Children are given family group points for good work, effort and behaviour and a range of certificates depending on how many they’ve achieved in total.
Attendance
Good attendance is vital for success, so please bear in mind that if your child is well enough to potter about at home then they are probably well enough to be in school. As long as they always work hard and join in with enthusiasm then they will have personal success.
Year 1 transition
We appreciate it is a big jump up from Minnows into Sticklebacks for our Year 1 children and the transition can be tricky. It can take a little while for children to adapt to the more formal learning style, but please do talk to us if you have any worries. It is important to talk positively about school and remind children of all the fun things that they do in school. You can help your child by reading lots, practising their number and letter formation and recognition.
We are looking forward to the new term with its many opportunities to learn together.
Miss O’Brien – Class Teacher
Mrs Clayton – Sticklebacks’ TA