We were so pleased to see our Y1 Gems join in the field day activities last week. It was such a fun morning and being part of a whole school activity is always special. We walked to Terrace gardens and then around the local street recognising landmarks such as the bakery, the viewpoint, Sainsburys and lots of post boxes. In the afternoon we all joined in the hall to make a map of our local area with lots of recycled goods. Gems pupils were focused and engaged and did some fantastic work.

YR pupils are now very happily settled in mainstream learning and are regular visitors to maths, phonics, story time and occasionally Italian! Both pupils have demonstrated active listening, followed instructions and are keen to engage with their reception peers. Thanks to all the reception staff team for making them so welcome and working with them on specific topic related tasks.

Reading records have now been set up and we hope you find this useful. Reading for pleasure with your children is a great habit and we thank you for all the good work that is taking place at home as we can see the children’s focus improving in Gems.

The Family Book by Todd Parr has been another useful book via which children can explore feelings and anxiety. We have read it daily with staff and understand more words and storylines. 

Y1 pupils are now exploring set one and set two sounds and we are proud of their efforts.

Unfortunately, the weather held us back last Friday, but we look forward to getting all Gems pupils out on Friday afternoon as we look to increase their community knowledge, road safety awareness, personal safety and social expectations. This is a vital part of our curriculum, and we know how much pupils benefit from this.

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

        

             

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

• If you 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.

• Please practise writing and saying the Set 1 sounds at home, using the phonics website by Ruth Miskin to help you. 

• Y1 pupils will move on to set 2 and 3 sounds but at a pace that works for them.

• 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.