My name is Mr Slee and I will be teaching the Leonardo da Vinci Year 1 class with support from my teaching assistant Mrs Kocan. I love the outdoors and run the Forest Schools program here at Longmoor, so I am looking forward to developing our outside area and using it to bring lessons to life.

On Wednesday afternoons and all day Friday, the class will be taught by Mr Bunhejee.

This half term in science we are asking the question "Why are tigers different to humans?" where we will be looking at a range of animals and what they need to survive and in history we will be asking

"Why did the Great Fire of London start and how did it affect London?" where we will find out all about the Great Fire of London.

Homework

This term children will have a choice of homework tasks, linked to our topics, to be handed in on set dates. The children will have an opportunity to share their work with the class, and will receive 5 dojos for handing work in on time.

As well as this, there will be a weekly maths focus, which will be assessed during lesson starters the following week, and children will bring home spellings based on their book in Read, Write, Inc.

You will receive a sheet with details of the homework tasks, or a copy is available in the 'Important Documents' section.

Finally, we would like children to read their reading book to an adult and share stories regularly. We have a reward scheme where children can earn certificates and prizes for reading at home. Children can change their reading books as often as they need to- we have a box in the classroom for reading books to be changed.

Important dates for this term

9th January - School re-opens - Children back to school!

W/C 6th February - Literacy Week & Children's Mental Health Week

7th February - Safer Internet Day

14th February-Year 1 trip to Twycross Zoo

17th February - End of  Spring term 1

27th February - School re-opens - Children back to school!

2nd March - World Book Day

17th March - Comic Relief

W/C 27th March - STEM week

28th March & 30th March - Parents' Evening

30th March - End of Spring term 2

31st March - INSET

17th April - School re-opens - Children back to school!

Class Dojo

Class Dojo is the reward system that we are using at Longmoor. The teachers are able to give out points for a variety of good behaviours around school. You can also use it to contact your child's teacher.

You should have received a code to allow you to see how many points your child has got and what they were for. If you have not got it yet, please let me know and I will arrange for another one to be sent to you.

You can access the website at www.classdojo.com or download the app on Android or Apple phones and tablets.

P.E.

Our PE days will be Wednesday and Thursday. Please ensure that children have their indoor and outdoor PE kits in school on these days, and that they have hair tied back and any earrings removed. Thank you.

Phonics Screening Check

The children will be completing the phonics screening check in June 2023.

To give your children the best possible chance, please do play games with them - there are some useful websites below.

Follow the links below for games that allow children to sound out and read some real and alien (made up) words. Remember to click the back button to return to the Longmoor website.

https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/Phase5Menu.htm

https://www.phonicsbloom.com/

https://www.ictgames.com/mobilePage/literacy.html

https://learn.readwithphonics.com/school/phonics-games

WHISPER - Anonymous Reporting Tool

Sometimes it is really hard to tell an adult if you feel like you are being bullied. That is why we have subscribed to WHISPER. It is an anonymous reporting tool which allows you or your child to report any incidents of bullying and cyber bullying in confidence.

Click on the web link below to fill in a report. It will then be emailed to Miss Hughes (Online Safety Coordinator). Messages are checked as often as possible. In order to resolve issues effectively and promptly, please include your name. This will be kept in the strictest of confidence.

If you have any concerns or worries about your child regarding online safety and would like further advice, please contact Miss Hughes or Mr Lyons, the school's online safety co-ordinators or speak to Mrs Dainty, Headteacher.