A big welcome back to our Gems pupils and families. We trust you are well rested, but I am sure the Christmas break feels like a long time ago. There is so much to look back on and be proud of and we hope the following terms bring as much joy and excitement to our learners.

It has been a really exciting start to our new year and pupils have been immersing themselves in the story of Whatever Next. This lovely book has got all our creative juices flowing and pupils have been helping to create spaceships, rockets, picnics and teddy bears owls. We have been creating some wonderful English work, sequencing the story, and creating our own drama role play which pupils have really enjoyed.

YR 1 pupils continue to work with us and their mainstream classes to prepare for phonics screening. There is no pressure with any of this and pupils work at the level that is appropriate for them. 

We are all continuing to work hard with our set one and set two phonics. We are also increasing the amount of practical maths skills that pupils can work with and focusing on pupils' understanding of “one more” and “one less”. These maths sessions will hopefully have an impact on our learning when we access the local shops on Wednesdays.

We are very pleased to welcome new SALT and OT this term and will provide details of both these providers as soon as we can.

Please email srp@vineyard.richmond.sch.uk with any queries and the Gems team will be happy to help.

Enjoy the weekend

All the Gems team.

 

                            

 

Attention bucket makes up a large part of our timetable. Pupils have progressed and responded positively to the many stages of this process. It is a fairly easy process and something you could do at home should you be interested. 

https://www.kidztz.com/attention-bucket/

Please continue Phonics work at home if you can. There is no expectation to know all phonics. All pupils are on a journey, and we want them to work at the pace that suits them. 

We also recommend “reading for pleasure” as much as possible. If stories are too difficult, even just looking at the pictures and seeing what their attention is drawn to, is great for developing concentration and awareness.

We will continue to send home differentiated reading packs. Again, this is just for confidence building.

We find that LittleBig Foxes, Number Blocks and RWI songs on their websites are a great source of fun and education. 

 

Key messages

• We would welcome any families on the afternoon of January 31st to help in Gems with International Day. Please see my email for more information or ask at pick up.

• On the 6th and 7th February Y1 Gems will be visiting the Richmond museum. More info to follow.

• If you are late in the morning and we have gone to OT, please bring your child to the main office and someone will help you from there.

• Reading Records will be sent home weekly. Please read with your child even if the text is too difficult. Looking at the pictures and exposing them to language will always be beneficial.

• Would families please be so kind as to donate some general cooking supplies to help with our Thursday sessions. e.g., flour, oil, eggs, butter, lifelong milk, cupcake cases. This is not compulsory. Donations welcome.

• Drop off time is 8.40. Pick up time for Gems pupils is 3.05. Please try to be prompt so we can maximise the time we have to set up for the next day’s learning.

• Please ensure that you have notified the school if you are going to be late. Gems registers MUST be completed by 8.50.