Wow, what a fantastic start! Your children have settled beautifully into school this week. We are so proud of how confidently they are coming into school and how quickly they are getting used to the rhythms and routines of school life. I expect they have come home quite tired this week!

Next week, if your child feels happy and confident to do so, they can come into school independently and walk down to the classroom, with either their older sibling or another friend, from 8.40 onwards. If anyone is still feeling wobbly or would prefer to walk with an adult, Mrs Warrener will come up to the front door as usual, to gather and accompany all those who still need it. If you and your child do choose to wait until the rest of the school have already entered, can I ask that you stand back from the gate so that the rest of the children arriving have plenty of space to do so, thank you.

This week we have had lots of child initiated play, both inside and out whilst we get to know the children and they make new friends. We have also played listening games and learnt how to use our classroom, whilst embedding the rules and routines that ensure the children feel safe and happy. We have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your children and are very much looking forward to the year ahead.

Some beautiful family photographs are already displayed on our classroom wall, thank you so much for sending them in. If you haven’t already done so, please do send a photograph of your family, the children love to see them on the wall and enjoy talking about those who are special to them. Our learning next week will include reading and talking about different families as well as drawing our own families.

Also next week, Mrs Blakely will be popping in to meet the children. Mrs Blakely is the cover teacher in reception class when I have release time from the classroom. This will be Friday afternoons every week from week commencing the 22nd. On Tuesday the 23rd I will also be away from the classroom, attending a conference, and Mrs Blakely will be the class teacher that day too.

Can I ask that the children do not bring in a large back pack (other than occasional extenuating circumstances, e.g. going elsewhere after school) They take up too much room in the cloakroom and make it difficult for the child using the pegs next to them to hang their coat. The less clutter there is in the cloakroom, the easier it is for the children to be independent. They should just have with them each day their coat, bookbag and water bottle (water not squash please). Each child has their own tray and the bookbag then fits neatly into their tray. The water bottles are stored in a crate that the children have free access to when in the classroom.

If, once your child is in school full time, they will be attending after school club, it would be geat if you could you please confirm to me, via email over the course of next week, which days they will going and which days they will be collected, thank you. On that note, please do remember that your child does not have to attend school full time until the first full term after their fifth birthday. Our phonics and maths learning takes place in the mornings, so there is the option to remain on half days for all or some days of the week.

I think that’s all from me, I will post a newsletter every Friday afternoon, sharing our learning and keeping you informed about the week ahead. Thank you all for your support and a wonderful first full week of school. Have a fantastic weekend!

Jo Bentley

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions or queries: jbentley@stjohnsprimary.org