Year 1 Meet the Teacher Mrs Keeley Mrs Hawkes Mrs Webb Miss Hoggett
Our Mission statement Joy Excellence Service With joy in our hearts, we aspire to excellence and offer ourselves in service to God and neighbour.
Roles & Responsibilities O
Mrs McCarthy – Interim Headteacher
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Mrs Morris – Interim Deputy head teacher
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Mrs Keeley– Class Teacher – please speak to me first about any concerns.
Keeping you updated O
Every Friday a message will be sent via Google classroom updating you on what the children have been working on that week.
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We will also use Google classroom to send reminders so please remember to check this.
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The curriculum newsletters can be found on the website with more detail about what we will be doing in each subject throughout the
term.
Initially, the Year One curriculum is blended with elements of EYFS learning that need to be consolidated and enhanced. English, Phonics and Maths are taught daily and delivered through a holistic and creative approach. The children enjoy a balance of adult led learning and opportunities for self exploration of the subjects we study. Each week our PE lessons are led by a specialist teacher. Each day the children participate in a class or school worship.
Year One is where we start to follow the National Curriculum. Children will be taught according to the Programme of Study for subject areas. English (including phonics and SPAG), Maths, Science, History, Geography, RHSE, Art, DT, PE, computing and RE. As much as possible, we aim to engage children through first hand experiences and cross-curricular learning. Children will begin to use pre-cursive handwriting – it will become neater and more appropriately sized.
R.E.
Branch 1: Creation and Covenant Explore the Creation story, recognising God as Creator and learning that each person is unique and loved by God. Consider how Christians care for God’s world. Branch 2: Prophecy and Promise Learn about Mary’s response to God and the events leading to the birth of Jesus. Explore Advent as a time of waiting and preparation and celebrate the Nativity. Branch 3: Galilee to Jerusalem Discover how Jesus welcomed, taught and cared for people. Explore key events in his life and consider what these reveal about who Jesus is. Branch 4: Desert to Garden Explore the events of Holy Week and Easter, from Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to his death and Resurrection. Learn about Lent as a time to grow closer to God. Branch 5: To the Ends of the Earth Learn about Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Explore how the Holy Spirit helped the disciples share the Good News. Branch 6: Dialogue and Encounter Explore how Christians live out their faith and learn about other religious traditions and beliefs, developing respect and understanding of others.
The RE newsletter will be uploaded termly on Google Classroom and can be found on the school website: https://www.olrs.co.uk/RENewsletters/
Phonics •
Phonics teaching is an integral part of learning to read, spell and write English. Phonic sessions continue on a daily basis.
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When the children are taught new graphemes, I will upload information to Google Classroom.
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In June, all Year One children complete a Phonics Screening Check. We will share further information about this nearer the time. Some websites that may be useful: phonicsplay.co.uk phonicsbloom.com teachyourmonstertoread.com
Reading We want all children to love reading! •
Share the books your child brings home from school and help their comprehension by asking “who” “what” and “why” questions. Sometimes ask them to summarise what has happened in the book or make predictions as to what may happen.
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Encourage them to read widely at home – magazines, library books, poetry, fiction and non-fiction texts.
Maths
Number and Place Value • Count, read, write and represent numbers to 100. • Compare numbers and find one more or one less. • Count in 2s, 5s and 10s. Addition and Subtraction • Add and subtract numbers within 20. • Recall and use number bonds and related subtraction facts. • Solve simple addition and subtraction problems. Multiplication and Division • Solve simple multiplication and division problems using practical resources, pictures and arrays. Fractions • Recognise, find and name halves and quarters of shapes, objects and quantities. Measurement • Compare and measure length, height, weight, capacity and time. • Use and understand everyday language linked to measurement. • Recognise and use coins and notes. • Sequence events and use days, weeks, months and years. • Tell and show the time to the hour and half hour. Geometry • Recognise and name common 2-D and 3-D shapes. • Describe position, direction and movement. • Recognise and describe whole, half, quarter and three-quarter turns.
History, Geography & Science Curriculum
Homework
Homework is set weekly on Google Classroom on Thursdays and is due in on the following Tuesday.
Each week, I will set RE homework and phonic practice. I will alternate English and maths home challenges too. Please continue to read with your child – story and information texts as well as school reading books. Your child will be able to access maths activities and challenges through “Doodle Learning” online platform. Log in details will be added to the back of reading records shortly.
Opal Play As children will be using our outdoor spaces for both play and learning, please ensure your child has… • Appropriate clothing for the weather (gloves, sun hats, coats) • A pair of wellies to be kept in our welly storage unit. PLEASE NAME EVERYTHING CLEARLY!
PE O PE will be taught on a Wednesday
(indoor) and a Thursday (outdoor). Earrings to be removed for all PE lessons O If your child is in school, they are
expected to take part in PE and swimming unless they have a doctor’s note.
What can you do at home to support your child? O
Read as much as possible and ask questions about reading.
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Practise times tables.
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Chat to children about the topics covered in RE & special times of year in the Church.
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Discuss the topics we cover in school, find books about those topics.
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Regularly check they have the right stationery.
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Communicate with the school if there is anything we need to know.
Uniform Children should take pride in their uniform and are expected to be dressed smartly at all times, including on PE days. O Please label all uniform O There have been changes to the uniform policy this year. Children must have the school bag, jumper or cardigan and tie. All other uniform can be either the school branded uniform or an unbranded version in the same style and colour. O Wellies & coat needed for all weather play. O
https://www.olrs.co.uk/uniform-information/
Screen Time, Attention and Learning We are increasingly noticing that some children find it difficult to sustain their attention, listen for extended periods and persevere with activities that require concentration. O O O O
Research is also highlighting links between high levels of recreational screen use and difficulties with: sustained attention and concentration; working memory; impulse control and self-regulation; sleep, which in turn affects readiness to learn; engagement with activities requiring slower, sustained effort.
How can you help? Encourage a healthy balance at home, particularly protecting time for sleep, reading, conversation, physical activity, imaginative play and activities that require sustained concentration.
O E-Safety/Online Safety is taught
across the school explicitly each half term. O Please carefully monitor what your
child is accessing online and be aware of how they are using technology at home. O Mobile phone consultation O For any concerns regarding online
safety please see Mrs McCarthy
For more information regarding E-Safety… O Links on the E-Safety
section of the school website O Childnet O NSPCC O saferinternet.org.uk
School calendar O Important dates will be
added to the school calendar on our website. O This includes Masses and liturgies for the coming term. It can be found at
https://www.olrs.co.uk/Calendar/
Attendance o
The expectation is that children attend school every day that they are well enough to do so and arrive on time.
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Being on time means children are ready to begin the day alongside their classmates.
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Even occasional days of absence add up and mean missed learning and important experiences in school.
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Appointments should be arranged outside school hours wherever possible.
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Holidays should not be taken during term time and will not be authorised.
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There is now a national threshold for unauthorised absence. Schools must consider a penalty notice when a child reaches 10 sessions (a session is either morning or afternoon, not a full day) of unauthorised absence within a rolling 10-school-week period. This can include a combination of unauthorised absence and lateness after the register has closed.
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Where there are difficulties affecting attendance, please speak to school as early as possible so that appropriate support can be considered.
Absence should be reported on the Studybugs App.
Governors’ Fund The Governors School Development Fund is in place because the school Governors are responsible for a proportion of the maintenance cost of the school buildings, for example governors over the last years have contributed to the cost of the new fencing, windows, and drainage issues. Without your contributions, we would not have been able to undertake such projects. This is an annual donation for the school year 2026/27.
We have uploaded the amount £100 per family on to your individual MCAS accounts and it will be attached to your youngest/only child. We will continue to claim Gift Aid on the amounts that you donate.
If you have any queries relating to this change, please speak to
Mrs Gray, our school business manager.
Thank you for your time. We are looking forward to working closely with you this year.