Reception Class

Welcome back to the final half term! How is that even possible?!

We have an exciting, jam packed half term planned for the children and we cannot wait to get started! During this half term we will be doing lots of transition with Year 1 and spending time in the year 1 classroom, to ensure we have a smooth transition. The year 1 classroom may look quite different in September, but it is still important that the children spend time in the classroom and they will  be in provision whilst in there. We will also be following a year 1 timetable in Reception by incorporating daily Collective Worship time with the rest of the school, as well as joining in all morning breaktimes. The children are especially excited for this!

Our topic this half term is, "Once upon a time..." where the children will be reading lots of traditional tales and completing activities and learning centred around these stories. However, we always still endeavour to follow the children's interests as and when they appear. In Science we will be learning about the seasonal changes we find in summer, as well as exploring different materials. In Maths we will continue with our learning on numbers to 20 and finish off by securing our knowledge of 2D and 3D shapes. In RE, we will learning about different religious stories, as well as exploring our big question this half term - 'What does fair mean?'. This half term we will also be covering an exciting 'Healthy Living Week' where the children will be designing and making their own healthy fruit kebabs, completing their first Sports Day at ASJ, taking part in some mindfulness yoga, learning about the importance of healthy eating and completing a whole school skipping challenge! The children can wear sports kit all week. 

As the weather is warmer, please ensure your child has a NAMED sun hat with them each day. Sun cream is allowed in school but we encourage you to apply an all day one before school as we are unable to help the children. If you wish to send sun cream in with your child, please ensure it is clearly named and they know how to apply it. Thank you. A waterproof coat in school each day is also essential as we know how the great British weather changes from day to day!

Communication is really important to us therefore if you have any questions or concerns, please come and speak to one of the team. 

Here's to the final summer term in Reception- it's going to be an emotional one!

Thank you for your continued support. . 

The Reception Team. 

Important dates for your diary this half term- 

Wednesday 3rd June - Traditional Tale Dress Up Day 

Week commencing 15th June- Healthy Living Week- sports kit can be worn all week. 

Tuesday 16th June - Sports Day (morning for Key Stage 2 and afternoon for EYFS/Key Stage 1) Wear a t-shirt in the the colour of their house (red, blue, yellow or green)

Thursday 2nd July- Whole school transition morning

Friday 3rd July - Reports shared with parents

Saturday 4th July - Summer Fair

Wednesday 8th July - Reception Class Collective Worship/ Stay and Celebrate - Time TBC but in the afternoon

Friday 17th July - Break up for the Summer holidays

Reading at home
Your child brings home 2 books a week. One will be a book that you can read with your child at home, which is based on what we are currently learning in phonics and the other will be their phonics level reading book. Please read their phonics books with them at least 3 x a week. The first read can be read together, the second read read by your child and the third child read by your child with a focus on comprehension. 

We aim to listen to your child read at least once a week and books are changed on a Thursday. 

Communication

3.15pm Pick-up

At 3.15pm, the children have been leaving the classroom via the same door they enter school, one at a time. If someone new to us is picking up your child, or there is a change to the usual routine, please let us know at morning drop-off, via the office or by email.

At home-time and after school, please do not allow your children to play on the climbing frame or other equipment in the ‘Garden’ area or on the school field. This is for health and safety and insurance reasons. Thank you.

Outdoor Learning

In Reception we love to be outside in our garden, exploring on the field or visiting our Conservation Area. We try to go outside in all weathers (and particularly enjoy the rain!) so, if you haven’t already, please provide your child with an all-in-one waterproof suit or a waterproof coat and trousers, along with wellies to avoid lovely new uniforms from becoming not-so-lovely. These would be best left in school if possible please. Please provide a named coat hanger on which we can hang the wet waterproofs! Thank you. For indoors, we ask that each child keeps their pair of pumps in school, we will send these home at the end of a term for you to check their fit. Please name everything that comes in to school. 

PE

Reception’s PE days will be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please ensure your child comes to school dressed in their PE kits on this day with a suitable pairs of trainers. 

Milk and Water Bottles

The children have a snack (fruit or vegetable) each day and are always encouraged to try all new foods. They will also receive cow’s milk each day until they turn 5, unless specified by yourselves. This will begin at the start of the children’s first full week of school, Monday 15th September. If you would prefer your child not to have milk, please let the school know. Once children are 5, their milk will need to be paid for as outlined in previous information received. Please be aware that there is a delay between your payment happening and your child being added to our school milk order. Children have access to their water bottles throughout the day and are encouraged to drink regularly. Please ensure children have their names on their water bottle and bring fresh water to school each day. The children are able to re-fill their bottle throughout the school day as needed.

Book Bags

It is helpful if children can bring a book bag to school each day so they can bring home drawings and books etc. We would also appreciate a spare set of underwear and socks being kept in your child’s bag. This could be in a spare bag, left on your child’s peg, or inside their book bag.

Communication 

An 'open door' policy is really important to us here at Adel St John so if there is anything you wish to discuss or mention, please let one of the Reception team know. Mornings tend to be our busiest time so after school is preferable, where possible. We are all here to ensure your child has a smooth transition into school life so please speak to us if you have any concerns and we will work together to support them. 

You can also email us and our email addresses are given below. Please be aware that we may not be able to check these when we are teaching the children but we will aim to get back to you as soon as we can.

anna.griffin@adel-st-john.leeds.sch.uk

katie.pape@adel-st-john.leeds.sch.uk

As always, thank you for your continued support. 

Here's to a wonderful half term! 

Miss Griffin, Mrs Pape, Miss Kane, Mrs Appleton. Miss Mackenzie and Miss Battye