St. Anthony’s Reception Thursday 15th September 2016 Information Evening for Parents

Reception Classes The Reception Team Flora Liz, Emma Jo, Rosa Other Teachers Music: Jonathan & Paul French: Rachel Learning Support: Kate Reading: Mimi & Katalin Head of Junior House: Dana

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) There are 7 areas of learning altogether; 3 Prime areas – Communication and language development Physical development Personal, social and emotional development 4 Specific areas – Literacy Mathematics Understanding of the world Expressive arts and design

Early Learning Goals (ELGs) Establish expectations for most children to reach by the end of Reception. Provide a basis for planning with a balance of focus-activities and free-flow activities which children can go to independently.

Characteristics of Effective Learning Creating and thinking critically – thinking: Having their own ideas; Making links; Finding out and exploring. Playing and Exploring – engagement: Playing with what they know; Being willing to ‘have a go’; Working at length and in depth. Active Learning – motivation: Being involved and concentrating; Keep trying; Enjoying achieving what they set out to do; Independent learners. The focus is on how children learn, rather than what they are learning. In the early years, children form attitudes about learning that will last a lifetime. Children who receive the right sort of support and encouragement during these years will be creative, and adventurous learners throughout their lives.

Timetable LITERACY: 20 minutes of phonics everyday (2 sounds and some high frequency / tricky words introduced per week). Please practise them gently throughout the week. Creative writing is introduced when the boys are ready. MATHS: 20 minutes every day (a number up to 20 is introduced each week). Please focus on the formation, and talk about this number with your child throughout the week. MUSIC: 1 session a week. FRENCH: 1 session a week. P.E: 2 sessions a week – focusing on fine and gross motor skills. R.E: 1 session a week. ICT: weekly use of iPads, IWB, Digital Cameras and programmable toys. FREE-FLOW: carefully selected activities that are chosen to encourage learning through play.

Observations We observe the boys through out the week. Taking photos, writing notes and collecting work samples. We use these observations to assess their understanding and plan activities to extend their learning. We put key observations into your son’s online profile. If you would like to look through it, please do make an appointment. It is best to do this towards the end of a half term as this is when it will have more work in it.

Key person Your son will be allocated a ‘key person’. It will be a member of the Reception team. They will show a special interest in your son through close personal interaction day to day. They will help him to become familiar and confident with the classroom and school. We will let you know who your son’s key person is. Your son’s ‘key person’ will take observations of your son’s learning and characteristics of learning and compile it in his online profile. However, it is responsibility of the class teacher and head of Reception to ensure your son is making progress.

Parent Observations Every term, we will send home a form for you to complete about your son and his current interests at home. We will use this information to inform our planning. For example, if he is interested in trains, then we may set up a Maths activity that involves counting or adding train carriages together. No one knows your son better than you! Please help us to get the full picture by taking your own observations of your son at home or out and about. We will be sending home ‘Wow Parent Slips’ for you to fill in when you see your son doing something new or just fantastic! These observations will be added to his online profile.

Wow Parent Slips

Communication and Language (CL) PRIME AREA Listening and attention Understanding Speaking

Physical Development (PD) PRIME AREA Moving and Handling Health and self-care

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) PRIME AREA Making relationships Self-confidence and self-awareness Managing feelings and behaviour

Literacy SPECIFIC AREA Reading Writing

Mathematics SPECIFIC AREA Numbers Shape, space and measure

Understanding of the World (UoW) SPECIFIC AREA People and communities The world Technology

Expressive Arts and Design (EAD) SPECIFIC AREA Exploring and using media and materials Being imaginative

Settling In A few tears and some tiredness are expected (parents and teachers as much as children!). Settling in takes time so please don’t worry: the boys have all been fantastic. From next Monday, please try leave the boys at the door and we will make sure they are settled. We will always call you if your son is particularly upset. Reception boys should arrive between 08:30 and 8.55. They should be picked up at 15:15. Boys with older brothers can be picked up at 15:30 from Big Brother.

Our Vision for Reception Happy, engaged little boys who are excited to come to school. A varied curriculum, delivered in a way that is personalised to your son. A close relationship and understanding between ourselves and you: we need and want to work together to ensure your child receives the best possible start at St. Anthony’s.