Welcome to Year 4

1. Diamond Class Welcome to Year 4

2. Teaching Team • Mr Beleczki (Monday – Friday) • Mrs Harrison (support across the week) • Ms Brooks (support on Thursday morning)

3. Communication • We encourage the children to be responsible for communicating messages to the teacher • Non-confidential messages can be written in the green homework diary for Year 4 children • If you would like to speak to a teacher, please do make an appointment through the school office • Email correspondence should be sent through the office at the admin@markyate.herts.sch.uk email address

4. Responsibilities Responsible for their: • Behaviour • Correct school uniform • PE kit • Equipment • Homework being completed and handed in on time

5. Behaviour • We have high expectations for behaviour – in lessons, on the playground and around the school • Everyone in school follows the school behaviour policy. There have been changes this year so please do familiarise yourself with our updated version (this can be found on the school website) • Working together in partnership is important for a positive school environment so we appreciate your support • If questions arise this term, please do come and discuss these

6. School Golden Rules

7. School uniform Girls • Grey skirt, pinafore dress or tailored trousers (pale blue striped or checked dress for the summer), pale blue polo shirt, school sweatshirt, navy blue cardigan or school fleece Boys • Grey tailored trousers (grey tailored shorts for the summer), pale blue polo shirt, school sweatshirt, navy v-necked jumper or school fleece Footwear • Black school shoes without a heel. All children require black plimsolls or trainers for PE. Children may bring outdoor shoes for playtimes

8. School uniform Jewellery and long hair • Jewellery is not permitted in school unless this is for religious or medical reasons as it causes a health and safety risk. Please see Mrs Johnson if your child needs to wear any jewellery • If earrings are worn, they must be small studs and not dangling or hoops. They must be removed or covered for PE • All long hair (reaching shoulders) must be tied back appropriately and hair must be kept off faces wherever possible as it can be a barrier to reading and learning in class

9. PE kit • All children must have a PE kit in school everyday (our designated PE sessions are Monday and Thursday) • Our PE kit comprises navy blue shorts and a plain white t-shirt in a named, drawstring PE bag. Children may bring in navy blue or black jogging bottoms for outdoor PE in the colder months • Please name all your child’s clothing and possessions clearly – they can be easily misplaced and all look the same

10. Equipment • Belongings should all fit in their tray • Small pencil case with basic equipment for daily use • We also encourage all children to have a blue reading book bag with the school logo on the front in which to keep their homework and reading books. These cost £4 and can be bought from the school office. School bags are not required in school until Year 5 and Year 6.

11. Homework • Maths and English tasks are sent home every week on Friday and these must be returned on Wednesday • The topic grid will run alongside these activities per half term • Children are responsible for seeking guidance in advance of the hand in date • Homework will be completed in their own time if it not handed in • High standards of presentation apply to all homework activities

12. Reading • Children should read daily – please listen to your child read at home and discuss the book they are reading to check understanding • Each book read should be recorded in the orange reading record and a comment should be written/signed by an adult • A wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts should be read • Reading records will be checked weekly to enable us to monitor reading regularity

13. Curriculum • We provide a broad and balanced curriculum offering a topic based approach to learning • Geography, history, design technology and art and design are predominantly taught through our topic • Autumn term – Walk on the wild side • Spring term – Dig deep and discover • Summer term – Happily ever after • Maths, English and science are taught discreetly • STEM activities are new to school this year

14. Daily routines • Children should arrive at school from 8.40 onwards • When the whistle is blown, children line up in their register order sensibly, ready for a prompt start • Children join in daily assemblies – there is a variety of whole school, key stage and class assemblies • We follow a weekly timetable (which is subject to change, e.g. special events etc.)

15. Our timetable 8.50 9.15 10.30 10.45 11.5012.10 1.00 3.10 3.20

16. Great learners • Reading a range of age appropriate genres that improve vocabulary and understanding about a range of topics – fiction and non-fiction • Writing needs to be grammatically correct, including specific vocabulary, organised into paragraphs, that suits the purpose • Spelling – for the children to be ‘age related’ they need to be able to self correct age appropriate words from the Year 3/4 spelling list and spelling patterns that have been taught • Handwriting should be joined and legible • Children should be learning and consolidating multiplication facts

17. Class pin values Independence (Year 4) • Show self-motivation • Take pride in all you do • Find ways to solve problems independently

18. Volunteering in Diamond Class • A range of opportunities to support children’s learning • Up to date DBS depending on regularity and commitment • Trips and enrichment days • We would welcome visitors who can share their expertise in any of our curriculum areas, especially our STEM focus

19. Additional information • We will continue to IGNITE the children’s learning at least once per term. This will include in-class activities, visitors and school trips. We will forward this information to you shortly • You will hear a lot of new terminology this year (Proud walking, Legendary line up, Board of brilliance etc.) Please do ask if you need clarification

20. Thank you for coming …We thank you in advance for your support and look forward to an enjoyable year working in partnership with you