Dear Parents, Carers and Children,

Welcome back to The Willows!

We hope that you have enjoyed a relaxing and enjoyable break. We would like to welcome to The Willows a new Year 5 boy and his family. We also welcome back Miss Archbold who has returned to work with the children.

The children have looked very smart on their return to school and have settled into work very keenly.  They have been happy to see their friends and The Willows staff.

This term we have many things to look forward too including visits to Raby Farm, Wirral, Chester Zoo and Xplore, Wrexham. Several children will attend school choir sessions, football and cross country clubs. We will regularly update this site and the school Twitter and Facebook accounts with photographs of the children in action. Please do enjoy the pictures and memories throughout our school year!

Children will continue to read at home each Monday and it would be very helpful if you could sign and return their reading book along with the reading record book each Tuesday morning.

The children should bring their PE kit into school each Wednesday. 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. Our children are very pleased and proud to see family members at the assembly. 

Should you have any questions or concerns at all, please do phone/email Mr Mohan or Mr Scott. The Willows staff will continue to phone you on a regular basis to celebrate the children's achievements and to make you aware of upcoming events withing school.

Included below is some information about what the children will be learning about in each subject this term. The Willows staff are looking forward to another memorable, successsful and happy year.

Thankyou for your continued support.

Mr Mohan and The Willows Team

IMPORTANT INFO....

School Uniform

Just a reminder that children should wear the following school uniform each day unless otherwise informed:

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 scchool uniform, please do speak to a member of The Willows staff.

Snack

The Willows staff will prepare toast and a drink of water or milk for the children.  If your child prefers to bring snack from home this has to be a healthy option such as fruit. Please do send your child to school with water/flavoured water. Please avoid sending your child to school with fizzy drinks. 

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW...

Physical Education

Physical Education will take place each Wednesday afternoon. 

PE kit is a blue t-shirt, black shorts/black joggers, black pumps or trainers. They 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.

The children will be developing throwing and catching skills. We will also continue to develop our yoga skills.

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 books:

Big Blue Whale by Nicola Davies

Gorilla by Anthony Browne

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

Meerkat Mail by Emily Gravett

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

The children will find out about the authors Leigh Hodgkinson and Jon Klassen

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 'Electricty' and 'Forces and Magnets'.

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.

Geography

The children will compare and contrast a seaside town. We will also compare and contrast The British Empire now and in the past

History

The children will consider how Lache/Chester has developed over time

Art

Children will develop sketching skills and focus upon the artist William Morris

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 what Jewish people believe about God and How Jews show their faith through practise and celebrations.