WATCHLYTES SCHOOL
Watchlytes, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 2AZ
Telephone: 01707 886222
Fax: 01707 886333
[email protected]
21.04.17
Curriculum Letter, Summer 2017
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome back! I hope you all had a relaxing holiday and a good rest. This is the final term for the children in
E.Y.F.S therefore we are beginning to think about transitioning to year 1. The children have settled back into
the routine well and are full of enthusiasm for this term. As you are aware Reception is still part of the Early
Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and will follow this curriculum. We will be continuing with phonics this term.
Our focus for this term is animals. We will be looking at growing up and baby animals including work on big
cats and sharks for the first half term. During the second half term we will be learning all about mini-beasts.
The children have behaved very maturely and sensibly to the new routine regarding book bags. The routine
will continue after half term with children having to place their book bags in a box. There will be a slight
change as children will be given a group colour and this will correspond with the colour box they have to put
their book bag in. I will send this information and if children can be reminded when coming in the morning it
will really speed up our mornings so we can get on with “Disco Writing!”
I have been particularly impressed with how the children have been coming into the classrooms in the
morning. They walk in sensibly and are aware of the routine. As we are nearing the end of this academic year,
we need to begin to prepare the children for their transition to year 1. In order to support your child with
this, please encourage the children to enter the classroom without an adult. The children will continue to
come in for school around the usual entrance which is at the back of the mobile and should be in school for
8:50am.
P.E. will now be every Thursday and Friday. Pupils will be taking part in different athletic activities and games
during our P.E. sessions. All children need a labelled P.E kit in school. The P.E kit should consist of a pair of
navy blue shorts, a light blue Watchlytes P.E shirt and blue jogging bottoms. It is very important children
have their P.E kits for each lesson. During P.E lessons long hair needs to be tied up and earrings will be
covered with medical tape. If possible it would be recommended for children with earrings to not wear them
on P.E days.
Lunchtimes have been working well and the children have been enjoying their dinners. Please talk with your
children about menu choices. If you need another menu then please see me. The children continue to show
good table manners and I encourage you to continue to practise this at home.
Just to remind you children need to bring in a water bottle each morning. It needs to be clearly labelled and
taken home each night ready to be filled for the next day. With Summer approaching and expecting weather
to change, children will need a sun hat coat in school. This is due to the fact that EYFS is an indoor and
outdoor curriculum. It is recommended that sun screen is applied at home before the school. Children can
bring sunscreen into school but they need to apply this to themselves so please ensure they are able to do
this before sending it into school.
Children will continue to change their reading books every Monday, Wednesday and Friday when a comment
from a parent or carer has been given. It is important that children bring in their book bags every day. If you
do need a new reading diary, then let me know. In addition to their colour coded reading book, they may
choose to bring an additional book home from our class or new school library. Some children will also be
bringing home word packs or phonic games. These are to be practised at home. Homework will be set on
Fridays and is expected back on Thursday. Please encourage your child to complete this work with a regular
pencil unless stated otherwise.
It is brilliant to see how many are using Tapestry. Please continue to add your photos or comments to this
with anything the children manage to complete outside of school. If children do complete any additional work
or have a go at some writing, drawing or maths work we would love to see this. We can photocopy any
examples and give them back! Thank you again for your continued support.
Finally we would like to invite parents in to school to spend time with your children in their classroom/outside
environment as well as fundraise for new equipment. We will be holding a fundraising event in the near future
and a letter will go out regarding this in due course. We will also be organising a grandparent/older person
morning as part of our topic on growing up. A letter regarding this will go out shortly. The provisional dates
for these events are as followed:
 Grandparent/older relative day-Thursday 18th May 1:30 onwards.
 Fundraising event- Friday 19th May morning session. Time to be confirmed.
In the meantime, if you have any concerns about your child, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Miss Burford
(E.J Burford)