Dear Parents, Carers and Children,

Happy New Year 2024!

We hope that you have enjoyed a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas break!

The children have looked very smart on their return to school and have settled into work very well.  They have been happy to see their friends and The Willows staff and particularly enjoyed visits in the first week back to Lache Library and Plas Madoc Lesiure Centre. The children enjoyed having the swimming pool to themsleves and experiencing the waves and the high slide! The children's behaviour on both visits was excellent!

This term we have many things to look forward to visiting Lache Library on a regular basis in order to enthuse the children and to continue to develop their reading skills. Please do read at home with your child on a regular basis. Reading really is key to the children accessing the majority of the curriculum.

The children will again have the opportunity to attend the school choir and cross country clubs at lunchtime. Where possible the children will be encouraged to take part in after school clubs, including football, cross country, dance and netball. Please do encourage your child to take part in the life of our school. Willows staff will send home information letters and will often contact you about the details of these events.

A copy of The Willows weekly news will come home with your child each Monday, giving you more information about teaching and learning that week, and any special events for the week.

The Willows website will be regularly updated with photographs following events and activities in the classroom. The school's  Facebook page will feature photographs each Friday. Do have a look at the children in action!

Children will be encouraged to take a reading book home each Monday. It would be very beneficial  if you could read with your child on a regular basis. A reading record book will also come home, please do put any comments in this and sign and return both the  reading book and the reading record book each Tuesday morning.

The children should bring their PE kit into school each Wednesday. PE kit is black shorts, blue t-shirt and trainers. As the weather gets colder it would be helpful if children brought also tracksuit type clothing. Whenever appropriate the children will be encouraged to take part in PE and Spanish lessons alongside their mainstream peers.

Please do ensure that  PE kits and school uniforms are labelled with your child's name.

Children will continue to take part in Celebration assembly at 2.30pm each Friday. You are very welcome to attend the assembly and whenever possible Willows staff will let you know about the assembly in good time. Our children are very pleased and proud to see family members at the assembly. 

The Willows staff will regularly phone you to celebrate your child's achievements.

Included below is some information about the topics the children will be learning about this term. 

Should you have any questions or concerns at all, please do phone, email or call  into school and arrange  to speak with Mr Mohan,  Mr Scott orThe Willows staff.

Thankyou for your continued support and for the very positive feedback that was received at the end of the last school year. The Willows staff are looking forward to another memorable, successful and happy year for the children.

Very Best Wishes

Shaun Mohan and The Willows Team

IMPORTANT INFORMATION..

School Uniform

Blue school jumper or cardigan

White shirt/polo shirt

Black/grey school trousers/shorts

All black shoes

Children should wear full school uniform each day, unless there is a change to the routine in school e.g non uniform day. If for any reason your child cannot wear part of their school uniform please do speak to a member of The Willows staff.

Snack

The Willows staff will prepare toast or bagels and a drink of water for the children at breaktime each day.  A range of fruit will also be provided. If your child prefers to bring snack from home this should be a healthy option such as fruit, flapjack or a breakfast bar. Please do send your child to school with water/flavoured water. Please avoid sending your child to school with fizzy drinks, sweets, crips and chocolate. 

AUTUMN 1 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW...

Physical Education

Physical Education will take place each Wednesday afternoon. 

PE kit is a blue t-shirt, black shorts or black joggers, black pumps or trainers. Children may also bring a warm tracksuit to change into if the weather is cold. Please ensure that your child has a suitable bag to carry belongings and that belongings include name labels.

English

On arrival at in school each day the children will complete a phonics/spelling task. Each child will read with an adult each day and will complete a weekly handwriting task.

English lessons will be based around the story;

Gorilla by Anthony Browne

In daily class storytime the children will read together the story:

Why The Whales Came by Michael Morpurgo

The children will find out about the authors Anthony Browne.

Maths

Each day upon arrival at school, the children will complete a maths challenge task that reinforces and develops skills using the four number operations. Maths lessons will use Power Maths as a starting point for lessons. The websites below are helpful in developing mathematical skills:

Early Years Foundation Stage 

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/gingerbread-man-game

Key Stage One 

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/mental-maths-train

Key Stage Two                                           

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

Science

The children will focus upon the topic 'Rocks'

Personal Health and Social Education

At the heart of our teaching and learning will be our school rules:

• Be Respectful
• Be Ready
• Be Safe

The children in the Willows collect dojo points for outstanding work and a positive attitude towards learning, good behaviour choices and for demonstrating good manners towards peers and adults.

Staff will make regular telephone calls to family members, often throughout the school day, in order to share the positive achievements of each child. 

Should you also wish to share the positive achievements, events of your child or to discuss any concerns, please do contact school.

As a 'No Outsiders' school this half term we will use the following books to develop an understanding of how we reasonably express opinions  within society. We also celebrate divrsity within society. 

Big Bob Little Bob by James Howe

The First Slodge by Jeanne Willis

Jigsaw lessons will focus upon the themes of 'Being me and My World; and 'Celebrating Difference'.

Raising Aspirations

Will focus upon how were food comes from and how it arrives at shops, homes and schools. The children will take part in a monthly gardening club, growing their own fruit and vegetables

Geography

The children will find out about London.

History

The children will consider how Lache Primary School/Lache has developed over time.

Art

Children will develop sketching skills and focus upon the artists William Morris and Vincent Van Gogh.

Spanish

Children will learn Spanish numbers and how to say their age in Spanish. 

Information Technology

The children will learn about E-safety, using technology in a safe way.

Religious Studies

Will focus upon 'Why Jesus Taught People Through Stories?'