Reception 2017/18 Welcome Meeting

The staff in Reception… An email will be sent to you with a copy of our welcome pack. In this pack you will find photographs of each of the teachers and teaching assistants working in Reception. (If you have not received this please see us at the end) Introductions Your child may enjoy looking at these photographs over the summer to familiarise themselves with the new faces.

Reception Unit Our Reception team work as one unit across the two classrooms. The Reception children will belong to ‘The Aquarium’. Some of the day will be spent with their registration class and some of the day as a unit across the two rooms. (In certain circumstances this room may change once we see how relationships develop across the unit) The children will enter through one door at the start of the day and will be collected from their designated room at the end of the day.

What do I need for school everyday? Torre Academy school uniform (Please see your information pack for details)…. Please label every single item! A book bag (These can be purchased from the school office) A water bottle (We will provide your child with a free Torre water bottle in September. Please change the water daily) P.E. kit- Navy or black shorts, white plain tshirt, plimsolls or trainers. Tracksuits may be worn in the winter.

Tapestry Online Learning Diary Your child’s learning diary will be a record of their time throughout the reception year. These dairies will help us to make judgements against the Early Learning Goals. Show examples

Tapestry- Parent posts Families will have a log in and not only view their child’s diary but contribute to it! These achievements from home can then be shared in class.

(Harbour children need to do mornings) Starting School We appreciate that full time education can be a huge jump for any child. During the first week in September your child will attend for 5 half days, this will either be mornings or afternoons depending on which registration room they belong to. Room 1- 8.50am- 11.30am Room 2- 12.30pm- 3.10pm (Harbour children need to do mornings) These half days will allow the adults to really get to know your children, spend time modelling expectations of behaviour and exploring the environment. From the second week we will be open full time. However, for the first half term we allow flexibility. Please let one of the class teachers know what you plan to do weekly… Half days Half days plus lunch Whole days

If we find that your child is finding full time education a real struggle in this first half term, a member of staff will talk to you about reducing your child’s hours at school. This has worked well in previous years to improve learning outcomes and behaviour for some children. A full day at school is a very different experience to a full day at nursery. Staff to child ratios are bigger. Learning becomes more adult led. Children can find themselves very tired by the end of the week. Expectations of behaviour will have increased.

Free School Meals Sandwiches Hot Meal Jacket Potato As you may be aware, all children in Reception will be receiving a free school meal daily. Please talk to your child about the food choices and check they are happy with what you have selected. A tick sheet will be placed on the door of their classroom daily for families to select their meal choice. It is best to do this for the week ahead. Sandwiches Hot Meal Jacket Potato FSM forms Pupil premium

Phonics Reading We follow the Read Write Inc. phonics programme. Reading at home is really important to ensure good progress.

Additional information Stay and Play (2nd half of Autumn term) Childcare before and after school Any further questions?