Orientation Brochure - Early Years

Triq San Dwardu Birgu, Citta Vittoriosa BRG 9039 www.stedwards.edu.mt

ST EDWARD'S COLLEGE ORIENTATION PACK EARLY YEARS - YEAR 1 AND 2

04 05 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 23

Orientation Morning School times and Extra Hours Becoming Independent Academic Program Snacks Birthdays and School Bags Keeping in contact and News Sickness and accidents Assesments and Parents' mornings Uniforms Change of Clothes Sporting Houses Lists of items needed and forms for filling Important numbers

Table of

CONTENTS

Welcome Message Dear Parents, Guardians and Students, We will be fast approaching the

start

of

the

new

scholastic year and the Early Years staff is eager to meet you

together

with

your

children at Orientation Day. I am taking this opportunity to

send

you

some

information which I hope will be useful and answer some questions about the

Stephanie Grech

coming scholastic year in

Head of the Early Years

the Early Years Year 1 and 2 classes.

We are looking forward to a successful

and

rewarding

year which will enhance the learning experience of our students throughout their journey at College.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s first years in the ‘big school’ and look forward to welcoming you and your little one in September. In the meantime, I wish you a pleasant, relaxing summer!

Orientation Morning Orientation Morning/First day of school for students and their parent/s for all the College will be held on Wednesday 28th September. The Year 1 and 2 Orientation

will

start

at

08:30am sharp in the back playground behind the Junior School. You are to enter via the Kalkara gate and make your way

(turning

right

once

through the gate) around the Junior block. We will start with an introductory meeting and then each teacher will call out their students. You are then asked to join the teacher in her classroom

where

she

will

address you all and inform you of

everything

important

regarding the year. You will be

.

digital portal) and how you will have access to it also. Following this, students will be asked to remain at school for their first day. Pick up will be at 14.00.

Students are to attend in their full summer uniform.

given the daily routine, school diary/

communication

book

and so on at this point. As well, you will be shown how the College uses ‘myschool’ (our

This is a transition opportunity to meet your child’s new teacher and to look around the classroom and building. We encourage you to speak to your

class teacher and inform her

programme

of anything you feel is of

08:30am – 14:00pm

importance child.

This

regarding

your

includes

any

allergies/intolerances,

food

runs

from

School day: Kindly be advised that the

choices, etc. Such information

drop-off

will be noted and placed in

who do not use transport is no

your child’s school file. If you

later than 08:30. Gates will

would prefer you can ask for a

then re-open for collection at

meeting

class

14:00. Year 1 and 2 students

teacher to discuss anything

are to enter using the Kalkara

with

your

02 on another day. you wish

gate

time

for

for

students

drop-off

and

collection.

Please have your child wear a name badge for Orientation

In the morning, students are

Morning. This is to be worn

to be dropped off and enter

throughout the first term.

via the Kalkara gate and make

School 03 Times and Extra Hours Services

their way to their playground (infant playground). There will be

supervisors

waiting

to

greet them at the gate and Our Year 1 and 2 level

show them the way for the first term. At the end of the day (14.00) the teaching teams

will escort the students back

Afternoon

to Kalkara gate for collection.

Service:

Parents are to wait outside the gate.

Students

making

use

of

their playground area in the morning and then taken to awaiting

van

shortly

before 14.00. Please advise your son’s teacher if he will be making use of transport. It is important

that

this

information is shared during Orientation.

Of course, on heavy rainy days the boys will be taken directly to their classrooms in the morning.

For all Early Years students (finishing at 14:00) we offer an

transport will be walked to

their

Supervision

afternoon supervision service from Monday to Friday. These sessions will run from 14:00 – 15:00 where the children will be engaged in free play and outdoor

activities.

children

will

be

from

their

The

collected respective

classrooms at 14:00 by our team

and

taken

for

the

afternoon session which is held in the Early Years block.

We will be having Early Years staff members covering these sessions.

Parents

are

welcomed to register their children and make use of

these services whenever they

will be reported to the Head of

need to. You may opt for a 2-day

Section and not be tolerated.

week, 3-day week or 5-day week

The College gates will be closed

on the registration form. You will

shortly after 08:30. During these

be invoiced the corresponding

times the children will be with

cost at the start of each term.

their

Parents may opt in at a later

teams. The day will start with a

stage or termly, however, we will

school assembly and/or circle

not

time which is very important to

accept

students.

Please

unregistered find

the

application form attached.

designated

teaching

us at College as it unites the students and encourages social and personal skills. We also ask

An extracurricular programme

that you are on time for the

will be sent out at a later stage.

afternoon pick up. Repeated late commers will again be

We believe that children learn

reported to the Head of Section.

from example, thus we ask you to drop off your child on time to

If you need to collect your child

avoid disruption to the morning

earlier for any reason, please let

routine. Frequent late comers

us know by the evening prior at

the latest. You can do this ideally by informing your class teacher or the Head of Early Years. In case

Becoming Independent

of emergencies please message the Head of Section on 77771704.

This

will

disruption.

help Only

minimise authorised

adults may collect your child as indicated

through

our

Child

Collection form attached.

Please note that we will not hand over our students to other older

students

(brothers,

cousins, neighbours, etc).

All students are continuously encouraged to become independent and self-sufficient at SEC. You can help your son become so by encouraging him to do the following himself; Pull up and down the zip on his shorts and rain jacket.

Change shoes himself Clean himself after using the bathroom Look after his school things/ all belongings Pack and unpack his school bag Carry his own school bag

Academic Program During their

day

the

boys

will

be

engaging in a

number

of learning opportuniti es.

These

are presented through projects, subjects and/or cross-curricular activities. SEC has adopted a blended approach to the Emergent Curriculum and modifications to the timetable will allow time for project developments and student-led learning. The Emergent Curriculum allows learning to take place within a context – an area of interest for our students. The teaching teams continuously observe to keep track of the student’s accomplishments and challenges, as well as their interests. Our extensive grounds are frequently used for outdoor learning, scavenger hunts, observational walks as well as gardening sessions.

We strongly believe that outdoor learning plays an important part in our student’s holistic development.

Snacks The Year 1 and 2 classes will have two breaks during their normal daily routine. Kindly send healthy snacks, and a bottle of water (or 2).

No

sweets,

chocolates,

crisps,

burgers, pizza, nuggets, chocolate muffins, cookies, packet juices or fizzy drinks are permitted. Nuts are not allowed within our Early Years classrooms

due

to

possible

known/emergent allergies, while popcorn is also banned as it is viewed as a choking hazard for young

children.

We

strongly

believe in setting an example for our

children

and

encouraging

them to become healthy eaters, so we ask you to comply with our ‘Healthy label

Eating’

your

Policy.

child’s

Please

lunch

box

(including lids) and bottles clearly.

Lunch is encouraged to be split into two lunch boxes to make it easier for your children to spread their snacks between the two breaks.

Students’

independent

eating will be encouraged and practised throughout the year.

While students will not be allowed to share their lunches.

Birthdays Children enjoy celebrating their birthdays with their class friends and we do make an emphasis on the child on his/her special day. Birthday cakes are welcome but not too sticky and creamy, please.

Often parents want a list of class names for party invitations, and you are welcome to ask your child’s teacher in advance but please note that due to the General Data Protection Regulation we can only give names if you give us the consent to do so.

(Consent Form attached). Also, the teacher will give out all the names of children in class once names are asked for and consent is given. We would be happy to hand out invitations to all the class.

Please keep in mind the no nuts policy when preparing/ordering cakes to bring in.

They can be of any brand/colours you wish. Keep in mind that children are encouraged to carry their bags to increase their independence, so please avoid wheeled bags as these tend to trip over young children walking in together as well as drawstring bags (as these can be very tricky for your young ones).

During outings, we encourage you to send a small backpack containing only the child’s lunch and water to make transport processes easier and safer.

It is very important that School Bags are always labelled, checked daily, and kept clean.

Bonus Tip

School Bags Please provide your child with a rucksack which is able to hold an A4 size folder (which can be folded over) and his/her lunch.

Keeping in contact and News

collective information such as policies, reminders, etc. Please inform us if you change your email address and/or your home

All parents will receive their address at any point. child’s

teacher

SEC

email

address on orientation morning.

The Early Years email address

We encourage you to reach out

is ;

should you wish to. 'The class

earlyyears@stedwards.edu.mt

teacher will be sending you

The Head of Early Year’s

correspondence

number is: 77771704

via

email

throughout the scholastic year.'

This will help you keep updated The

calendar

for

the

whole

with what is going on. We college is available on the website encourage you to send any and is regularly updated. feedback you might have and ask you to regularly check your Ensure you read the fortnightly emails (including spam) to keep newsletter

Dwardu's

Scoops

updated. In addition, we send which will be sent to you and is out

notes

via

your

child’s also available on the website for

communication folder (button write-ups

and

photos

of

the

folder). Please check your child’s activities going on throughout folder on a daily basis as we will the entire college. The Early Years send flyers, invitations, notes, feature regularly in the newsletter crafts and circulars using your as well as constant news uploads, child’s folder.

videos and photos on the College Facebook

page.

Social

media

The Head of Early Years will also consent is to be given (form be keeping in touch with you, attached) before a child’s photos mostly by email, with individual are included in our newsletter or communication as well as

social media accounts.

Sickness Keep your child at home if they are feeling unwell! There is no need

to

telephone/email

the

during College hours. We ask that you are prompt when being called in to collect your child.

college if your child is unwell, unless

he

contagious

or

she

infection.

has

a

Please

note that whether you have informed us or not, the College will automatically send an SMS once the teacher has completed the daily online registration. If your child is away from College for 1 day, we will then need a medical certificate stating that your child is fit to return to school. For the sake of other children and staff, please do not send sick children to school, this includes

a

constant

running

nose or a cough. If your child is suffering from seasonal allergies, you will be requested to send in a doctor’s certificate indicating so prior. You will be asked to collect your child immediately should the class teacher suspect illness or he/she becomes unwell

Address

Accidents

All minor accidents requiring treatment are entered in our ‘Accident/Incident Book’, you will be informed, and an incident slip will be sent home. We ask that you sign the incident slip and pass it back to your class teacher the morning after. If in our opinion

your

child

medical

treatment,

requires we

contact you immediately.

shall

Assessment and Parents’ Mornings The children work towards several developmentally appropriate goals throughout their year. They are continually informally assessed by their teachers as they participate in activities which work towards these goals. Assessments within the Early Years are based on teacher observations and note-taking throughout the day. The student’s written work then solidifies the observation outcomes. Children are all individuals and will work at a different pace, achieving these goals in their own time, with the necessary support and encouragement from the team according to their individual needs. You will be invited to two Parents’ Mornings during the year when you will have the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress with his teacher in an informal atmosphere.

In addition, we will be documenting the student’s progress through : 1.

November reports will provide an overview of how the

student has settled in the routine and adapting to the daily tasks.

It will shed light on the student’s observed abilities and areas to be tackled as well as mention the boy’s characteristic attributes.

This well then be followed by the yearly parent’s consultation meeting mentioned above.

2. Second-term progress reports will be sectioned by learning outcomes. This time the teachers will target each area of learning and remark upon their observations. This too is followed by the yearly parent’s consultation meeting.

3. The June progress reports will identify the student’s development throughout the year. These will also be sectioned by learning areas.

4. The Student Portfolio will hold photos and samples of the work of the student throughout his year at College. This will highlight tasks and abilities he acquired as well as special moments to be cherished.

There will be no marks given out at any point for assessment reasons. We do not believe that, at their age, this notes a child’s development and progress.

If at any time, if you feel the need to speak to your child’s teacher or the Head of Early Years, please do not hesitate to arrange an appointment. We will contact you for an appointment any time the need arises.

Uniforms The Uniform lists (Summer and Winter) can be found on the College Website.

You will be informed accordingly of seasonal changes in uniform. We will start the year with the Summer Uniform.

Please ensure that the school rain jacket is kept in your child’s school bag throughout the Winter months.

Please ensure every piece of uniform is clearly labeled and shoes have a ‘velcro’ fastening.

Please note that the full school uniform is to be worn neatly and cleanly at all times

running shoes once they arrive to be more comfortable during their day. Students will change back to their uniform shoes before collection. You will be informed more about this during Orientation Morning.

Hair: The student’s hair is to always be neatly done and kept short.

Change of Clothes Junior school students are asked to keep their white running shoes at school and attend in their uniform school shoes. They will then change into their white

Please keep a change of underwear and a pair of socks in a labelled clear sealed plastic bag in your child’s school bag daily. Attached please find the ‘changing permission slip’ to be filled in and handed over to your son’s teacher on Orientation Morning.

All clothing items must be clearly labelled.

Sporting Houses Each boy is assigned to one of our three College houses; Campbell, Congreve or Ducane, which they will remain in throughout their school years. These will be used for sporting events and is to encourage friendly sportsmanship and loyalty.

New and Year 1 boys will be assigned a house by the sports department shortly after the start of the scholastic year. The colour allocated appropriate t-shirt is then to be worn for sports and sporting events. Should you have old Edwardian family members and wish your son to join their Sports House, please inform your class teacher at the start of the year.

Finally, Please, ...

Book Lists: These

can

be

found

on

the

College

Website

(http://www.stedwards.edu.mt/) NB: The Year 2 English learning books are not listed on the current booklist. This is because the Year 2 groups continue to use the Read, Write, Inc. approach to literacy learning developed by Ruth Miskin. This is already being practised within all our Early Years levels and the boys will be able to carry on with the program throughout. The Year 2 boys will start off the year as a class and then, following reading and literacy assessments/observations, they will be divided into reading clubs. We will be informing parents which level to purchase once the assessment is done and then again when a new level is reached. We ask that you do not delay purchasing the books your son will need once we inform you via announcement in October/November.

We encourage you to look online for some insight on the RWI scheme. Results abroad have been extremely positive and our students thrived using this approach.

Year 1 & Year 2 Items Required: Each child will require: Year 1 & Year 2 (everything is to be labelled).

A school bag large enough to hold the folder, pencil case (not tins and instead display pencil cases are recommended) and a lunch bag

Lunch bag containing 2 lunch boxes (one for small break, one for big break) and a bottle of water Clipped name badge holding the child’s name, class, contact number and van colour (if using transport) An A4 ‘box-file’ (*see example below) 2 Whiteboard markers (black/blue & green/red) Writing tools: 3 Hb2 pencils (only HB2), a sharpener with container, ruler and an eraser 1 Large Box of Tissues and 2 large packets of wipes (ideally eco friendly wipes) 1 Large and 1 small Glue Stick An extra pair of socks and underpants (labelled and to be kept in the school bag at all times) Painting aprons (labelled) Safety metal scissors (rounded at the top) A set/packet of interlocking cubes. (* see photo below) A4 Display folder - 20 folders (*see example below) 1 small hand sanitizer bottle – to be used by your son and kept in class Year 1 only: A full packet of thick colouring pencils and their sharpener,

a

set

of

bright

coloured

glitter

glue

(ex.

Gold/silver/blue/red/green/purple etc.) and 1 Chubby triangular pencil (*see picture below) Year 2 only: 3 plastic A4 button envelope folders to store completed worksheets and reading books – English and Maltese (*see an example below).

Art – Years 1 & 2 (everything is to be labelled).

1 set of paper plates 1 bag of cotton wool balls 1 small container of cotton buds 1 pack of lolly sticks 1 Small P.V.A glue 1 big UHO glue stick Washable watercolour paint set for children (including small paintbrush) 1 large paintbrush (*see below) 1 small packet of wipes 1 small packet of tissues 1 paint cup (*see photo below) 1 A4 envelope folder (as above) 1 packet of crayon oil pastel colours (*see photo below) Plastic art box (approx. 31cm length x 16cm width x 13cm height) (*see photo below)

All the above are to be labeled. The boys should bring these to school on the first day.

Forms to be filled Attached please find; -The Child Collection Form -Photo Printing Permission Slip -Media sending slip -Changing Permission Form -After School Supervision Service Slip -Consent Form for Invitations

Please fill these in and hand to your class teacher during Orientation morning.

Student Services Student

Services

–

College Security Ms

College

Security

–

Mr

Mario

Amanda Grech has a partial

Busuttil, former member of the The

teaching

teaching

Malta Police Force, is our security

Psychology IB, and will act as

officer. His main duties are to man

our Student support. Students

the gates, log in visitors that enter

and staff can visit her office

the

during lunch breaks.

College and help with the day to

load,

College,

regulate

traffic

in

day running of the College.

Important Numbers Head of Early Years – Ms. Stephanie Grech; 77771404 – earlyyears@stedwards.edu.mt Headmaster – Mr Nollaig Mac an Bhaird – hm@stedwards.edu.mt School Secretary – Ms Annalise Domenici – schoolsec@stedwards.edu.mt Bursar & Finance Department – Mrs Analise Cioffi & Mrs Trisha Caruana – bursar@stedwards.edu.mt / accounts@stedwards.edu.mt Admissions Office – Ms Vivian Borg– admissions@stedwards.edu.mt IT Support – Mr Darren Bonnici – ictdept@stedwards.edu.mt