Reception Class

Hello everyone and welcome to our Reception page. We hope you all had a wonderful summer break and managed to spend time as a family.

We have had a fantastic set of transitions days this week and it has been lovely getting to know all of your littles ones. We are looking forward to settling the children in further and the exciting year we have planned! 

Morning drop off

As you will have noticed, we had a wonderful outdoor makeover over the summer and we are looking forward to building on this fantastic provision over the course of the year. For parents who already have older siblings at the school, you will have noticed we have a new entrance to welcome the children into school. This will be down the steps near the cloakroom. We are going to trial this for a few weeks to see how it goes once all the children are in. We thank you in advance for your support and patience in dropping your children off at school. We understand that the children entering the cloakroom independently may be quite different to what they were used to at nursery, however all children are ready to be independent in their morning routine of hanging up their things, changing in to their pumps, putting their water bottle away and entering the classroom.

Staff

Monday – Miss Griffin, Miss Mackenzie and Miss Appleton

Tuesday- Miss Griffin, Miss Mackenzie, Miss Kane and Miss Appleton

Wednesday- Miss Griffin, Mrs Pape, Miss Mackenzie and Miss Kane.

Thursday- Mrs Pape, Miss Mackenzie and Miss Kane

Friday- Mrs Pape, Miss Mackenzie and Miss Kane (mornings only)

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. They are asked to sit patiently in the cloakroom until we call their name when we can see their adult. We will get quicker as we go! 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.

Reading Mornings

As of January 2024, Reading Mornings will be held on a Tuesday. Reading morning is an opportunity to come in to the classroom with your child and share a book together. Reading Morning will start 8.50am and finish at 9.10am.

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 a Tuesday & Wednesday. Please ensure your child has their PE kit in school by week 3 which is the week commencing the 16th September. The children will be learning how to undress and dress themselves as part of one our Early Learning Goals. 

 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. This will begin at the start of the children’s first full week of school, Monday 16th 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.

Menus

After receiving a menu in your child’s book bag, please select a food choice for each day with your child and return to school the following Monday in order for us to process their lunches. Please ensure your child’s menu is named before returning them to school.

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 

As of Wednesday 13^th September, you should have received your invitation to log on to ‘Tapestry’. This will be where you can see your child’s individual learning and progress recorded. Further information will be on our class page on the school website as well as weekly blog updates about our whole class learning and experiences.

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

Here's to a wonderful first half term!

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