Parents Induction Meeting2nd June 2015

Aims of the Session

Share the ethos of St. Augustine’s Catholic Primary School.

Find out arrangements for your child starting school.

Learn more about the curriculum your child will follow.

Learn more about life at St Augustine’s.

Our Mission Statement

Anyone who welcomes this child in my name welcomes me.Luke 9 v.47

All in our school are special and unique. We welcome everyone into our community. We value and respect one another's gifts for the contribution they make to our daily lives. In all we do, we give thanks to God for his blessings and ask that with His grace, we can work together to fulfill every child's spiritual, social and academic potential.

'By this love you have for one another, everyone will know you are my followers.' John 13 v.3

‘In all things love.’

Links to Our Local ParishThe Virgin Mother of Good Counsel

Timeline for Starting SchoolHome visits and visits to nursery settings will take place in late June early July. The dates for appointments will be:

29th June between 09:00am and 3:00pm.30th June between 09:00pm and 3:00pm.

1st June between 9:00am and 4:00pm.2nd July between 9:00am and 12:00pm.

Please sign up for one of these dates before you leave tonight. Each child will be receiving a small goodie bag from us. Please

keep the bag and send it back into school with a sensible pair of names rubber soled slippers, an apron and a set of waterproofs.

These will be kept on a unit for wearing in the classroom.

Transition activitiesTo help introduce your child to our school setting, we would like to invite you and your child to join us for various sessions over the next few weeks.

Friday morning sing-along, followed by a ‘stay and play’ session.

Children in group 1 (see info pack) on Friday 19th June 9:15am – 10:00am.

Children in group 2 (see info pack) on Friday 26th 9:15am – 10:00am.

Transition activitiesStory-time with your new teacher and year 6

buddies.All reception children will be allocated a buddy for

when they start in September and these story sessions are a chance to meet and get to know them

Come and listen to a story, or two. Tuesday 7th July 2:30pm – 3:00pm Thursday 9th July 2:30pm – 3:00pmTuesday 14th July 2:30pm – 3:00pm

Transition activities Join us for a reunion and welcome picnic.

All parents and children are invited to bring a picnic to join some fun and games with past,

present and future pupils and parents.

Friday 19th June from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

And finally!

School taster morning. Spend the day in the classroom with your new teachers.

Friday 17th July 9am – 12am.

It has developed around 4 themes that underpin the EYFS

1. A unique Child- Observe what a child is learning2. Positive Relationships- What adults can do3. Enabling Environments- What adults could provide4. Learning and Developing- Children’s achievements through the above

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage ( E.Y.F.S)?

•The E.Y.F.S. is the stage of education for children from birth to the end of the Reception year. Your children will have been working within this stage during their time in previous early years settings. •It is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and active learning.

Areas of learning…PRIME AREAS

1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development

2. Communication and Language

3. Physical Development

These are crucial for developing children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.

Then there are 4 SPECIFIC AREAS4. Literacy; 5. Mathematics; 6. Understanding the world; 7. Expressive arts and design

What can you do to help your child’s learning when they begin school?

Sharing books, talking about the pictures

Reading Book, make comments in their reading diary

Read/share books at least 4 times a week

Encourage mark making, shopping lists, writing in cards, drawing, stories through pictures etc.

Encourage children to talk in full sentences and ask questions that do not require just a yes or no answer.

Practise counting and recognising numbers for example when climbing the stairs, shopping, counting out objects, number puzzles etc.

Play simple board games (this is good for learning about counting on, number recognition and turn taking).

Sing number rhymes and other songs together.

Support any homework that comes home, sounds and number work.

Lunch time arrangements

In St. Augustine’s your children will eat in the dining hall with the other children from Key Stage 1.

However, they will have their own separate play area as they continue to develop their social skills and will be slowly integrated into the larger playground later on in the academic year.

Uniform Compulsory- Sweater/cardigan with school logo.

Please ensure that names are in EVERYTHING!!! (it is impossible to relocate lost jumpers when they all look the same!) Send coats in EVERYDAY regardless of weather. It is very

changeable up here!

Sensible shoes and no jewellery.

P.E. kits – White T-Shirt with school logo on, navy blue shorts, navy blue tracksuit bottoms and plimsolls. These should all be in a drawstring bag, preferably with the name on the outside of the bag. The kit will be left in school and will be sent home for washing at the end of term.

A pair of wellies and waterproofs to allow for all weather play and a pair of sensible rubber soled slippers for indoor use.

(Waterproofs could be an all in one or separate jacket and trousers).

Things to remember!

A book bag should come into school everyday, containing their reading book and their reading record book.

Free fruit will be provided for snack time.

Don’t forget to sign up for free milk, if your child is under the age of five.

Please bring in an old, named, shirt or an apron for painting.

The equipment in the playground is for school time use only. Children should not be playing on it after, or before school (this is an insurance issue).

Other matters…… Please let us know if someone different is collecting

your child!

Dinner Money must be paid in advance.

Medical Any sickness, diarrhoea, must be followed by at

least 24 hours absence.

Head lice are common! Please check regularly and treat as recommended.

Any absence requires a telephone call to the school office by 9:00am

Any prescribed medication can only be administered by prior arrangement with the school office

We welcome your involvement and would like to invite you to become part of our school community.

Throughout the year there will be various opportunities for you to become involved with the school community. FoSA is run by a group of parents, whose aim is to support the school by organising fundraising events such as the summer fair, bingo evenings and dressing up days. Anyone is welcome to join FoSA please contact Mrs Balcomb via the school secretary. There is also a FoSA facebook page where news and details of events are posted.

Though out the year there will also be various opportunities for you to attend Mass, celebration assemblies, as well as meetings, workshops and events out of school hours.

For details of upcoming events please look on our school website.Fundraising – Friends of St Augustine’s page.Events – newsletter page and events.Homework – your class’ homework page.

And of course check out our class pages and galleries for updates on the fun activities that your child has been engaged in.

Finally there is also a suggestion box located on the wall opposite the reception desk, by the main door in the foyer.

School involvement

Thank you

Any questions?

Useful website: www.foundationyears.org.uk