• PHONICS

Dear Parents/Carers                                                                        September 2022

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new parents and children to St. Mary’s School. We hope you all managed to make the most of the summer and are ready for an exciting first year of school. The children have already settled well into their new classroom. We are looking forward to a fantastic year of fun!

Government guidance states children should only bring essential equipment to school such as: coat, water bottle, bag with a change of clothing in case of accidents (which can be kept on your child’s peg). St. Mary’s book bags can be purchased and are £3.50. In view of this, large bags are NOT required nor permitted. Thank you for your support in this matter.

You will be aware that government guidance states that a full class will now not have to isolate if ONE pupil tests positive for Covid-19.

However, should multiple cases within a given period arise, Public Health will advise on any subsequent actions. These actions will be forwarded to you.

Therefore, please be reassured that all measures in place are to ensure the least possible disruption to your child’s education.

As ever, we thank you for your understanding and support with this.

The School Day

Your child’s start time is from 8.45am to 8.55am and departure time 3:25pm. Your child will be dropped off at the Reception door, where we will show them to our carpet area. Please collect your children from the Reception playground at the end of the day.

The children will receive fruit and milk each day. Please also remember that we are a nut free school, therefore any food that the children bring into school should not contain nuts of any kind. Can I remind you that water bottles should only be filled with water.

Uniform

Thank you for all the effort which has gone into preparing your child for the start of the new term. Please ensure that you label all clothing with your child’s name, including shoes. Please can I remind you that jewellery (including earrings) is not allowed in school for health and safety reasons. Your child needs to have a coat in school every day, as the weather changes and we are outside for the majority of the day.

P.E

Your child will participate in P.E on a Thursday. Please can your child have a P.E bag in school where it can be kept in their locker and go home at half term.

Reading

Reading to your child or discussing picture books with them is a great way to promote positive engagement with books. Your child will bring a reading diary home with a reading book next week. Please read with your child every night. Re-reading a story will help promote confidence and enjoyment of stories. Your child will read once a week in school, which will gradually increase to twice a week. Please can you record in the reading diary when you have read with your child, with any comments about your child. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions or for support with this.

Medication:

If your child requires an inhaler, please can you ensure that it is in school, labelled and in date. Please ensure school staff are aware of any medical conditions regarding your child, or any known allergies.

EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) Fund
Can I thank the Parents who have kindly donated towards the Reception fund. The generosity of your voluntary donations is much appreciated and helps to enrich the Nursery curriculum. This can be paid in cash, £40 for the  year. If you wish to pay in smaller instalments, this can be given to the office in an envelope.

Home Time Safe Guarding Procedures

If you are unable to collect your child at the end of the day, it is essential that you have introduced us to the other friends and family that will be coming to school, or alternately provide us with a password that can be used by anyone collecting your child.

Thank you for your support to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our school community. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to ask.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs E. Bates                    Mrs A. Hamp                             Miss M. Travis

Reception Teacher          Teaching Assistant                    Teaching Assistant