Welcome, 

This is our class page, my name is Mrs Knott and welcome to Reception!

What a fabulous first half term we have had so far. I am very much looking forward to this term we have lots of exciting things planned for the children, take a look at our medium term plans to see what will be going on within the classroom. 

3 facts about me:

I have two children and spend most of my time at dancing competitions over the weekends.

I enjoy long walks and sitting by the sea.

I have a tortoise called Ernie who is very funny and likes to keep us entertained, he is a great character. I hope one day he comes in to meet you.

Our LSA this year is Miss Goodwin.

Miss Goodwin is a keen musician. She is a wonderful asset to Reception and she cannot wait to meet and work with you all. 

Our school life this year:

PE- PE kits need to be in school from the first week of term and will be sent home in the last week of the half term to be washed. Earrings must be removed prior to the children coming into school. We are not allowed to help them remove earrings or tape them and they will be unable to do PE.

At the beginning of the year, the children will change their shoes and socks and learn the basics of PE ie: listening and attention games. We do encourage you to show and help them how to take off and put on their shoes and socks independently. After Christmas, it is an expectation that all children can get changed independently, we will of course help them with their shirt buttons but do prefer children to be able to try/ attempt to do these themselves, your help with this is greatly appreciated. 

Water bottles- Children should bring in their named bottles every day to school and place them into their colour basket. Juice is not allowed. 

Snack- Children will receive snack of fruit or vegetable each day alongside milk if they're allowed, please speak to the office if you would like your child to have this as you will need to pay after they turn 5. An example of daily fruit and vegetables are: bananas, carrots, oranges, apples, pears and raisins. 

Reading books- Each week the children will bring home reading books to read at home. Their first few books will start off with no words. Please do not be alarmed, please encourage them to make up their own story, can you find different items in the pictures, could you model making up a story?

Reading books and diaries should be in school each day to read with an adult at school and we encourage them to read their book/ and a choice of their own from home or school, if they do they will receive a yellow golden ticket to go into the reading raffle, this is for every three reads they do at home. They will be in for a chance to win a prize! This term we have had many win the prizes so do keep up the good work. 

Uniform- At Templars we pride ourselves in our appearance. The expectations were set out to parents at the beginning of the meet and greet sessions and are available on our website. Please speak to us if you have any queries. 

We do ask that all children in Reception have a named carrier bag on their peg containing a spare change of school clothes, in case they need to change throughout the day. 

Phonics- Bug Club is a finely-levelled reading scheme that is used within our school to support our reading.  It ensures that children can be allocated a book that is the right level for them and develops their reading not only for fluency but also for comprehension skills.  Along your child’s Bug Club journey they can earn points in their own personalised account.

Above all, reading is the key to our learning and without this skill, children can’t develop or maintain what they have learnt and move on.  Reading supports every subject within school.  Teachers can track your child’s progress and ensure that they are understanding the books provided. 

Bug Club is available for the whole school. Your child’s teacher has allocated specific books for him/her to read at home. Make sure your teacher has given you your username and password. If you have any problems please see your child’s class teacher.  Please click on the link below to take you to the bug club website.

If you ever need to speak with me I am available to catch before or after school for brief discussions. If it is something lengthy and you need some privacy please feel free to arrange an appointment with me or a telephone call. Alternatively you can write me a note or put a note into their reading diaries. 

I am looking forward to a wonderful year.

Mrs Knott