Hi all,

We have created 2 parent guides to helping your child read. These can be found on Google Classroom. Please watch as you might pick up some useful tips!

Thanks,

Year 1 Team

Welcome to Year One!

Your child is now in Key Stage 1 (which consists of year 1 and year 2). Here is some information that you may find useful.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to see your child’s class teacher.

Staff

Class 1CA is taught by Mrs Alba. Mrs Arya and Mrs Khosla are 1CA teaching assistants. 

Class 1MG is taught by Mrs Gadhok. Mrs Worrad and Miss Toon are the teaching assistants. 

The Key Stage 1 Phase Leader is Mrs Alba.

Uniform:

PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL CLOTHING IS CLEARLY NAMED.

All children should be dressed in school uniform. The school uniform is as follows:

• Bright blue sweatshirt, cardigan or fleece 

• Black or grey trousers, skirts or pinafore dresses (no jeans, including black denim)

• A white or blue polo shirt, blouse or shirt (with or without school logos)

• Black sensible shoes or black ankle boots (no high-tops, sandals or heels)

• Black or grey plain socks, tights or leggings

• In summer, girls may wear blue school dresses 

• No jewellery apart from small, discrete stud earrings and for religious reasons

• Hair will be dye free and make up is not allowed including nail varnish

• Please don’t give your child lace up shoes if they cannot do laces by themselves. 

P.E.

Both Year 1 classes will have P.E. on Monday and Thursday. Please send your child to school wearing their P.E. kit on these days. 

P.E. kit is as follows:

• Black/blue shorts or jogging bottoms

• White T-shirt (or blue with the school badge)

• Socks (white, black or grey)

• Trainers

PLEASE NOTE, YOUR CHILD WILL SPEND THE WHOLE DAY IN THEIR P.E. KIT AND WILL BE OUTSIDE, SO WHEN IT IS COLD/WET PLEASE SEND THEM IN JOGGERS RATHER THAN SHORTS.

Long hair must be tied back for PE and earrings removed. If your child’s ears are newly pierced, please ensure that they are taped over on PE days.

Dinner times: Teaching staff do not go into dinner with the children. However, if you have a concern about dinner times we can ask dinner staff to look into it. Please look at the menu with your child (it is available online or from the office) and help them choose their meal (red, green, or packed lunch). They will be asked for their choice at register time.

Supporting your child’s learning at home: It will really benefit your child if you can help them with learning at home; having the one to one support you can provide will really boost understanding and confidence! The most important thing is to be positive and patient. Don’t worry if your child doesn’t learn something straight away! Keep sessions short and snappy. Little and often is best.There will be information on the website about how you can help.

Reading: Children will be able to change their reading books on Tuesdays and Fridays. Please find a short time daily to support your child with reading. Please keep the books safe, away from younger children. There will be a charge for damaged books. There is a reading diary in the book bag which you can use to record the books that your child has read. There is also a reading bookmark that you can sign. Children will also be able to access online reading books on Reading Planet. Children will be given a login. 

Children will be given words to learn every week. We call these ‘sight words’. These words need to be recognized as whole words rather than ‘sounded out’. Please spend a few minutes practising these words each day. It is usually better to work on a few words at a time rather than trying to learn them altogether.

Other home learning: There will be homework to complete most weeks. This will usually be given via Google classroom. Work will be set on Fridays and will need to be completed by the following Thursday. 

How else can you help?

• Please let staff know of anything that happens at home that may impact on your child’s behaviour/ ability to learn at school. 

• Please ensure that your child gets enough sleep and eats healthily. If you have any concerns, please see the school nurse. (Number available from the office).

• Limit screen time, especially before bedtime.

• Talk to your child in your first language!

• Invite friends round for play dates (subject to Covid restrictions)

• Please visit an optician to have your child’s vision tested. This is not done in school. 

Problems/Concerns

If you have any problems or concerns, please discuss them with your child’s teacher in the first instance. Sometimes issues can be dealt with at the classroom door, however if necessary you can email the Year 1 teachers at Y1@st-marysfields.leicester.sch.uk. However, if you have an urgent question please contact the school office. 

We look forward to having a great year with your child!!

Year 1 staff