Information Meeting Reception Class

1. Information Meeting Reception Class October 2015.

2. Aims of the meeting • To inform you about your child’s school day • To inform you about our routines and rules • To give you some information so that you can continue to support your child at home

3. Keeping you informed • On the school website – ‘Reception Class’ page • Texts • Letters • Quick notices in the window • Each half term we will inform you about what your child is learning in topic work and in groups – so that you can support this at home. Printed copy and on the web site.

4. Speaking to Reception Staff • Please do! • If you have a concern/query you can usually speak to a member of staff in the morning or after school. If we can’t resolve your concern there and then we will arrange a meeting at a convenient time. • Please pass messages through the staff member on the door in the morning, e.g. if someone else is picking you child up, etc.. • Please tell us about any changes at home which may affect your child in school!

5. If we ask to speak to you! • If we have concerns during the school day, e.g. about behaviour, not eating etc… we will usually ask you to pop in at pick up time or the next morning. • We will tell you if your child has hurt themselves during the day – if it’s a more ‘serious’ injury or illness we will contact you during the day. Please ensure we always have up to date contact numbers!

6. Sick children • Please do not send a sick child into school! • Vomiting and/or diarrhoea – childrenmust not be returned to school until 48 hours after the last bout! • Please notify us of any infections such as ‘chicken pox’, ‘slapped cheek disease’, ‘ring worm’, ‘impetigo’ etc.. • Also tell us if your child has ‘nits’ or ‘worms’- these can spread rapidly amongst young children. Wenever disclose personal information! • On your child’s return after illness please send a note to the school office (email or written).

7. Breakfast, snack, dinners and packed lunches! • Please make sure your child has had something to eat and drink before coming to school! • At snack time we offer a piece of fruit/seasonal vegetable and a drink of milk or water. • Water is available during the day (no need to send in a water bottle). • School meal menus are on the website (4 week cycle), until end of term. • We encourage the children to choose what they would like (hot option) and have bread and salad as well if they want. A drink of water is provided for school.

8. Your child’s school day Morning • Self registration, prayers and ‘carpet time’. • ‘Dough Disco’ – to help develop coordination, muscles etc… for writing and fine motor control. • ‘Self choice’ activities in our areas of continuous provision inside/outside • ‘Focus groups’ e.g. handwriting, craft, outdoor learning etc… • Group Literacy / phonics session • Snack time and play time • Group maths session • Story time/singing/morning review This is flexible and times/activities can change.

9. Afternoon • Free choice activities • Focus groups (topic work, guided writing, guided reading, art/craft, cookery, science investigation, outdoor learning, support etc..) • Weekly music session • Weekly PE session • Religion • Computing • Circle time • Group ‘story talk’ time Once again this is flexible and as the year progresses we do more focused activities.

10. Literacy Groups RML Literacy (Read Write Inc) • Children work in one of four levelled groups • Phonic progression is assessed each half term (more frequently if necessary) • Children may move between groups as appropriate (we will let you know)

11. Maths Groups • Children work in one of four levelled groups • Progression will be assessed half termly • Children may move between groups (we will let you know)

12. Class rules. Child ‘friendly’ and ‘can do’. • We are kind and helpful to everyone • We listen carefully • We always walk in the classroom • We sit sensibly • We look after our equipment • We always do what an adult asks us to • We are polite and respectful

13. If the rules are not followed • Lots of reminders are given! • Children are given the opportunity to try again (and again). • If the behaviour continues a ‘sanction’ is given e.g. sit on the carpet for 5 minutes, don’t get to do what they want at ‘choosing time’, (the sanction is always appropriate). • If the behaviour continues we will speak to you and seek your support. • ‘Behaviour Book’ – incidents of persistent low level disruption, misbehaviour are recorded – as stated in the school’s behaviour policy. • If all else fails a letter will be sent and you may be asked to meet more formally with the Foundation Stage Manager or a member of the Senior Management Team.

14. Rewards • Stickers! • Verbal praise • Peer praise • Praise Pad notes to you • ‘Star Of The Week’ • Half termly ‘Head Teacher’s Certificates’ • Termly ‘Mary Livesey Friendship Award’

15. Please send in (to stay in school) – • A pair of plain black school pumps (clearly labelled with name!!!!), a pair of shorts and a bag to keep them in for PE sessions • Wellington Boots (again labelled) Please make sure your child’s coat is warm and appropriate (waterproof) for the coming winter and outdoor activities! Gloves and hats too! • General reminder! Please label cardigans, jumpers, coats etc…

16. Helping at home • Reading with and to your child. • Practise RML Set 1 sounds (every body should have a set!!) It is very obvious who has practised at home! Ask if you are unsure about the correct sound pronunciation. • Please do the phonic practice sheets we will send home (keep them) • Set 2 and 3 sound cards will be sent out as appropriate when your child is ready for them. • Handwriting practise (encourage your child’s correct letter formation). Handwriting rhymes are on the Set 1 sound cards. Capital letters only for beginning of names etc… (not in the middle of words!) Bad habits form quickly and are very difficult to correct. • Maths – lots of practical counting activities (not just by rote), look out for numbers in the environment, identify shapes, say the days of the week, look at a calendar, talk about the passing of time, weigh and measure things, coins etc…

17. Learning Journeys Each child has their own ‘Learning Journey’ file (working document). Includes; • Observations • Photographic evidence • Pieces of work • Anecdotal information, etc…

18. Learning Journeys To create a fully rounded picture of your child’s development we ask you to contribute to this document. • Please let us know via a ‘Wow’ sheet any significant developments your child makes at home e.g. swimming award, riding a bike, writing name independently, commenting on significant experiences. • Please date these for us. • Extra sheets will be on our door, or ask for more. • You don’t have to fill in loads. One or two each term will be great!

19. Learning Logs. Learning Logs are used throughout the school – but are a new idea for Reception. They are a way for you to work alongside your child at home to do short activities and tasks. These will support what we are doing in school e.g. in ‘topic’ work, physical development, expressive art and design, child-led ideas etc… We will give the activity on a Thursday to be returned by the following Thursday, (may not be every week).

20. What’s next… • ‘Settling in’ meetings – will be held on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd October, 3.30pm – 5.30pm. Sign up sheets for appointments will be available from next Wednesday, 7th October. We will let you know which teacher to sign up with.

21. After the half-term break. After the half term break we will be sending home:- • ‘High Frequency’ words for you to practice with your child (just a few at a time). We will check these weekly (on a Tuesday). These are really important in your child’s reading progression. • A weekly reading book and record.

22. 5 W’s – A framework for RE Inspection They have been developed by the Diocese and help us to reflect on the Catholic life of our school. They are introduced to the children at an appropriate level. • ‘Welcome’ (come) – We come together in welcome. • ‘Word’ (talk) – We talk together as a ‘Word of God’ community – we begin to hear God’s Word. • ‘Witness’ (work) – through our School Mission Statement we work together to witness our faith. • ‘Welfare’ (walk) – we walk together as a caring welfare community. • ‘Worship’ (pray) – we pray together as a worship community.

23. ‘Dough Disco’

24. Please remember… • If you have any concerns, questions etc… please come and speak to any of us sooner rather than later. We are here to help you!

25. Pupil Premium • The Government is giving money to schools to help children from lower income families do their very best.  This funding is called ‘Pupil Premium’.For every child registered the school receives £900.  With this money we can help support your child’s education.  If you are registered for Free School Meals you could also get help with school trips.HOW DOES IT WORK?1.      First, check if you qualify – it is not just if you are unemployed, so please look at the list below.  It is very important that you apply even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and is eligible for Universal infant free school meals. • DO YOU QUALIFY?You must receive any of the following benefits:·         Income Support (IS) or Income based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)·         An income related employment and support allowance·         Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999·         Child tax credit (provided you aren’t entitled to working tax credit) and have an income that doesn’t exceed the current year’s level·         The guaranteed element of state pension credit·         Working tax credit during the 4-week period immediately after your employment finished.2.      Registering is really quick and easy – if you think you qualify, complete the  application form on the school website (Schools Meals page), or contact Rochdale Authority on Telephone number 0300 303 8870, or the authority you live in, or visit http://www.Rochdale.gov.uk/schools_and_education/free_school_meals.aspxNo one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.

26. Thank you. Thank you very much for you time and attendance this evening. We hope the information is useful to you. Please ask if there is anything else! (This information will be put onto our Foundation Stage page on the school website.)