Pandas
Welcome!
Some of you may be joining the Panda family for the very first time, while others are returning with a younger sibling. A very warm welcome to you all! We hope you had a wonderful summer, and we're so excited to begin this new adventure together. We can't wait to share lots of fun, exciting and memorable experiences with your children throughout the year.
Our Panda Team
Our lovely Panda team consists of:
Teachers:
Mrs Wagstaff (Monday to Thursday)
Mrs Salter (Fridays)
Student teacher:
Mrs Phillips (Monday to Wednesday)
Teaching assistants:
Miss Hodge (Thursday to Friday)
Our Learning This Term
Our topic this term is This Is Me!
We will be learning all about ourselves, our feelings, our families, our likes and dislikes, and where we live. During the first few weeks, there will be a strong focus on helping the children settle into school life, make new friendships and become confident learners. We will spend lots of time developing the children's Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Physical Development, helping them to build the skills they need for a happy and successful start to Reception.
You can find our topic web at the bottom of this newsletter.
P.E.
Our P.E. sessions this term will take place on Wednesday afternoons with Tatty Bumpkins - a fun indoor programme that develops children's coordination, balance and control through movement and storytelling.
Please ensure your child has a named P.E. kit in school throughout the week, as there may occasionally be additional opportunities for physical activities.
- Sessions will take place indoors and children will work in bare feet, so trainers are not needed just yet. We'll let you know when they are required to avoid any unnecessary purchases.
Homework
Homework will begin once the children have settled into school and we have completed our initial assessments.
It will link closely to our daily phonics sessions, beginning with sound recognition and letter formation.
We follow a whole-school phonics programme, and Reception children will begin bringing home reading books once they have learnt the first set of sounds:
s, a, t, p, i, n
General Information
- Please make sure all clothing is clearly named, as many items look very similar. Adding a small keyring or sticker to your child's book bag can also help them recognise it more easily.
- Please send a pair of named wellington boots to stay in school. These are invaluable for exploring our outdoor area on wet or muddy days.
- We provide every child with a piece of fruit each day for snack time. If your child does not eat the fruit provided, you are very welcome to send an alternative piece of fruit from home.
- Later in the year we will introduce Toasty Tuesday, where the children will learn to butter and prepare their own toast - a firm Panda favourite!
- Please send your child to school each day with a named water bottle (learning through play is thirsty work!) and preferably non-spill, as well as their book bag, which will be used to bring home letters, artwork and, later in the term, reading books.
Keeping in Touch
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office to arrange a meeting. For more pressing matters, we are usually available briefly before or after school.
We are really looking forward to getting to know your children and working together to make their first year at school a happy, exciting and successful one.
Best wishes,
The Panda Class Team
50 things to do before you're five:
50 Things To Do aims to provide inspiration for parents and carers to connect with children through a range of activities, all designed to have a positive impact on learning and health, please click on the link below:
What to expect in the Early Years:
What-to-expect-in-the-EYFS-complete-FINAL-16.09-compressed.pdf (foundationyears.org.uk)
Pandas Curriculum Web
Panda's Phonics Meetings
Pandas Class Gallery