Mrs Janet Ludolf and Mrs Sally
Wichmann
(St William)
The Reception Team
Mrs Sam
Sumsion
(St Salvatore)
TA’s (Teaching Assistants):
Miss Annalise Baldock
Mrs Sharen Brown
Mrs Melina Jones
Mrs Amanda Hollands
Mrs Heather Mitchinson

Aims and Mission
Statement and Golden
Rules
Aims and Mission Statement: Our school shield posters in each classroom help relay our school aims and our mission statement. We encourage children to be confident and successful learners, be responsible role models, make a positive contribution and stay safe and healthy.
Golden Rules: Each child will receive a Golden Rules card and each class display a
Golden Rules poster. The rules have been suggested and agreed upon by the children and help to remind them of the expectations at school and also reinforce important messages such as showing respect for property, themselves and each other.

Super Driver Display and
Learning Charter
Our Super Driver is combined with our Learning Journey display. The
Learning Journey will document our learning throughout a given topic. We begin by exploring what we already know about a topic, what we would like to find out (our questions) and what we have learnt. Our Super driver
(the driver of the train) will incorporate all the skills we need to be successful learners- a growth mind-set, perseverance, risk taking and a positive attitude among other attributes.
Our Learning charter details the steps to being a successful learner. Children are read these steps and sign their name on the charter. The charter includes statements such as
‘believe in yourself’ and ‘listen carefully to everyone.’

Growth mind-set
A common term we use at St Thomas’ is ‘growth mind-set’. The children are encouraged to adopt this approach to learning so they can engage in tasks with a positive, can do attitude. It encourages children to persevere, try new ways of doing things, and attempt challenges they otherwise would not.

What is the Early Years
Foundation Stage?
It is for children aged 0-5 and covers the years from birth to the end of the Early
Years Foundation Stage.

The Curriculum
• offers a range of experiences, allowing the children to make their own discoveries
• encourages independence
• ensures that children are active in their learning through play and first hand experiences

Early Learning Goals
• Set out what most children are expected to achieve by the end of the Early Years
Foundation Stage
• There are 7 areas of learning made up of 3 prime areas and 4 specific areas of learning
• Children will receive Emerging, Expected or
Exceeding against each ELG

The three prime areas are:
• Personal, Social & Emotional development (PSED)
• Communication & Language (C&L)
• Physical Development (PD)

Specific areas of learning
• Mathematics (M)
• Expressive Arts & Design (EA&D)
• Literacy – Reading, Writing (R, W)
• Understanding the World (UW)
• RE (Come and See)

Assessment
Baseline Assessment
In preparation for the statutory Baseline Assessment starting in
September 2016, we are trialling the Early Excellence Baseline
Assessment as we feel that this is the most child-centred option.
End of Year Assessment
At the end of the school year each child’s level of development must be assessed against the early learning goals. These reflect what a child is expected to have achieved by the end of their
Reception year.

RE
At St Thomas’ we follow the Come and See program.
Our Autumn Term RE topics are Myself, Welcome and Birthdays
We say a morning prayer, lunch time prayer and home time prayer.
In each classroom there is a prayer table which can be used in RE lessons or at the children’s discretion. Throughout the year children will participate in a prayer service, Nativity play, whole school masses and religious celebrations.
We also would like to encourage a home-school link in RE such as bringing in a welcome photo (baptism etc) to share and and display at school.

Literacy
Reading:
• Reading books, library books and Bug Club.
Writing:
• Handwriting, cursive style

Reading Promise
As reading is a vital life skill, here at St
Thomas’ we encourage a strong partnership between parents, students and staff to build your child's confidence and ability when reading. It takes time and commitment from all parties and it is important that all involved know their role. Please sign the reading promise with your child when their record goes home next week.

Finalisation of Class lists
During the induction program we will be observing the children in order to finalise the classes. Once this decision has been made a Parentmail will be sent out on the Friday before children are due to start in the two classes on the Monday.
Until the classes have been finalised the children will come in and exit the classroom via either of the doors.

Daily Routine
8.50am: Whistle blows and the children come into class.
10.10 – 10:30am: Morning break and healthy snack
(provided by parents)
12.00-1pm: Lunch
2.15 -2:30pm: Afternoon break and fruit (provided by school)
3.20pm: Home time- please collect from the infant playground.

Snacks, Water bottles and Toys
Please ensure that your child’s healthy snack and water bottle are clearly named.
We would prefer it if the children did not bring their own toys to school as these can get lost or broken.

Homework
Reading record books will be sent home with your child daily. Please comment in their records so we know that your child has read to you and record the page number if the book remains unfinished.
Learning Platform - this is a fantastic interactive resource to help support and enhance your child’s learning at home.
Bug Club – this is an initiative we started toward the end of last term and was a huge success with both parents and teachers alike. The on-line books are allocated to the children by the class teachers to suit their current reading level. There is a huge array of books to choose from and the comprehension

How to support your child at home
• Daily reading/assigned homework
• Board games
• Counting games and songs
• Music- to hear and repeat rhythm
• Word play- ‘I spy’
• Conversation – development and extension of vocabulary
• Cooking (maths and reading)
• Writing shopping lists
• Sounding out words. ‘Put on your r- e -d coat’
• Physical development – climbing, riding bikes, upper body activities to assist with pencil control
• Fine motor activities such as loom bands, weaving.
• Enthusiasm

Important dates and events:
Children in full time: Monday 21 st September
PTA Coffee morning: Tuesday 29 th September
Surrey Photographer: Thursday 24 th October
Trip To Ladyland Farm : Tuesday 6 th October
Individual photos: Thursday 15 th October
Half Term: October 26 th -30 th
Prayer Service: November 11 th
Phonics Workshops: TBC
Nativity play: December 16 th
End of Autumn Term: December 18 th

A few reminders:
• Please help your child by naming all items of clothing and water bottles etc.
• Hooks on items of clothing enables children to be independent.
• Wellies.
• Art aprons.
• Unique child booklet.

Thank you for coming!
Please make sure you have signed our attendance sheet at the back of the hall.