Reception Class

 Welcome to Reception and to ASJ!

We hope you all had a lovely summer and are excited for the fun, yet emotional new chapter in your child's life! Miss Kane and I have been busy in the classroom, preparing to welcome everyone and we are very much looking forward to the year ahead.

On our class page you will receive a weekly blog update that will highlight some of the exciting things we have been doing during the week and we also update the information section each half term.  

This half term is all about building relationships, making new friends, finding out about one another, learning new routines and exploring our classroom. Most of all, it's all about having fun and learning! We will begin by talking about families and friends as well as discussing our feelings about starting school. We will be spending lots of time outside, as well as inside and exploring the school grounds. There will be a lot to take in but everything will be introduced gradually! Expect lots of stories, an array of emotions and tired Fridays but we promise everything will fall into place by October half term!

Our long term plan for the year can be found above. 

Below is some useful information for the upcoming half term, but if you have ay questions in the meantime, please just ask one of us. We are here to help and to make this a smooth transition as we possibly can. 

Here's to a wonderful first half term! 

Mrs Pape, Miss Kane and Mrs Appleton

The Reception Team. 

Staffing 

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays- Mrs Pape

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays- Miss Kane

Mrs Appleton will be supporting us in class on Mondays and Fridays. 

Important dates for your diary this half term- 

Tuesday 1st September- Whole school Training Day- School closed to everyone

Thursday 17th September- Reception Phonics Information meeting- 3:15-4:15pm 

Friday 25th September- Reception Training Day (Reception ONLY closed for the day)

Saturday 3rd October- Governor's Welcome Disco

Friday 9th September- Whole school Training Day- School closed to everyone

Tuesday 13th October/Wednesday 14th October- Parent Consultation Evenings

Wednesday 14th October AM- Reception local walk and visit to Hickorys- More details to follow

Tuesday 20th October- Reception 'Welcome to ASJ' service at Adel Church- 9:30am- More details to follow 

Friday 23rd October- School closes for half term

Monday 2nd November- Whole school training day- school closed to everyone

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.

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

annie.kane@adel-st-john.leeds.sch.uk

Reading at home
Your child brings home 2 books a week. To begin with, wordless books will be sent home in order to encourage story telling, questioning and discussion. As we begin phonics lessons, we will then be sending two phonics books instead. 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 current phonics level reading book. Please read their current 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 Tuesday. 

Morning drop off
To begin with, we will be allowing parents into the cloakroom only, in order to settle your child into their new routine. After 2 full weeks, we will then ask you to say goodbye at the top classroom gate. The cloakroom can become a very busy place in the morning and quite over whelming for some, therefore we like to only keep this arrangement for the first few weeks. If you feel your child is ready to say goodbye at the classroom gate, then go for it!! The earlier the better we say!

3.15pm Pick-up

At 3.15pm, the children will be 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. It will take us a bit of time to become familiar with all your faces so please bear with us!

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 ensure everything is named! 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 Mondays and Fridays. Please ensure your child comes to school dressed in their PE kits on this day with a suitable pairs of trainers. On Fridays we will be doing 'Forest/Outdoor School' learning so please ensure they have wellies, puddle suits and thick socks in school. In the colder months, hats and gloves will be needed. Thank you. 

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 14th 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.