Starting school at HCPS

Good afternoon everyone, 

 

What a great week we’ve had in reception! We’ve been really busy getting to know all of our new friends in our class and following our full day routines, like eating lunch in the big lunch hall, having lunchtime play and afternoon play with all of the older children. It's a lot of new routines, but the children are doing really well. 

 

This week, we have continued with our phonics lessons where we've learnt the new phonemes (sounds) i, m, n and d. We have listened to words that have these as their initial sound, listened to words which use these sounds within them and tried to segment and blend them (m-a-t  mat). Everyday as part of our lessons, we practise writing the letters using our formation pictures and rhymes to help. Each week, you will find phonics home learning in your child's reading folder: this will help you to practise the sounds with your children and help them with their letter formation.  Please take some time to go through this at home to help to consolidate their learning. 

The children are getting used to the structure of our phonics lessons and are working really hard to join in and practise. Well done everyone! 

 

This week, we had our first PE lesson on Thursday. As it was our first week, we spent quite a bit of time getting changed, but the children were very sensible and we are working on independence with changing and asking for help when needed. We did manage to have some time in the hall where we played some playground games together like Duck Duck Goose. Next week, we hope to have slightly longer in the hall with speedier changing and this half term we will be focusing on negotiating space and travelling in different ways. 

 

On Friday afternoon, we joined in our first assembly with Key Stage 1. Mrs Gresty, our headteacher,  we practised singing one of our assembly songs Big Red Combine Harvester. The children were very sensible sitting with everyone in the hall. 

 

 

This week, Miss MacWilliam, Mrs Noble and Mrs Winter has been completing the National compulsory baseline with the children. This gives us an idea of some core communication and language skill the children have as well as literacy and maths. More information can be found in your child's reading folder.