Welcome to the Kestrels!

1. Welcome to the Kestrels! Teachers: Mrs Blunden and Miss Walton Teaching Assistants: Mrs Stevens and Mrs Lovegrove

2. Staff Mrs Blunden and Miss Walton will team teach the morning sessions. Mrs Blunden will teach Year 2 children in the afternoons in the Kestrels classroom. Miss Walton will teach Year 1 children in the afternoons in the Eagles classroom.

3. Daily Structure • All children will enter and exit through the Kestrel’s door. • The morning sessions will focus on Literacy and Numeracy skills. • The afternoon sessions will include P.E and topic work.

4. Registration • Please ensure your child is in the classroom at 8:45. • Encourage your child to be as independent as possible in entering the classroom. • If you arrive at school later than 9:00, please use the front door as the classroom door will be closed. • If your child is unwell, leave a message on the school answerphone.

5. This terms topic Our topic this term is Family Album. This project has a history focus and teaches children about the chronology of their own lives including their families. We are aiming for the children to produce their own family albums to present their understanding of their personal history.

6. Trip We are currently looking at a possible trip to Banbury Museum linked to our topic. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.

7. Reading • Please try to read with your child as often as possible and fill in their record book. • Your child’s folder will have 3 books in it: a library book they can change as often as they like, a banded book suitable for their ability and a group reading book which will be sent home on a Friday.

8. Homework Talk Homework • Homework will be set when teacher assessment is complete. • All homework will then be set on a Friday and will be due back the following Thursday. • Homework exercises will include: handwriting activities, maths – set via MyMaths or Education City and Talk Homework. The topic will be sent home on a Friday to talk about with family/friends over the weekend ready to write about on Monday morning.

9. Project The children will be asked to make their own toy or game. It is expected that you will support your child with this. The children will be given the opportunity to present their projects during an open afternoon in term 2. Details of this event will follow.

10. P.E Your child will need the following items for P.E lessons: • Indoor kit - dark shorts and school logo t-shirt. • Outdoor kit – joggers, sweatshirt and trainers. P.E sessions may vary according to the weather. Please ensure kit is brought in to school on a Monday morning and taken home on a Friday afternoon.

11. What your child needs… • Your child will need a water bottle everyday. Please ensure it has a sports cap to avoid spillages! • Please provide your child with either a paint apron or an oversized shirt for Art activities. • Your child’s belongings need to be clearly labelled.

12. Snacks The children are currently provided with a piece of fruit daily but we would like to extend the range we can offer them. We are asking all parents for a £1 weekly contribution to enable us to do this.

13. Issues Your child’s welfare is of the upmost importance to us. If you would like to talk to us about your child please see a class teacher to arrange an appointment.

14. Information • Letters will be posted on the website. • Reminder texts will be sent out from the office. • Please ensure your contact details are up to date. • Any letters to the class teachers to be in sealed and named envelopes.