We have had a brilliant start to our new Y1 book, Iggy Peck the Architect. What a brilliant story, that invites pupils to create their own unique architecture, with Lego, cardboard and other resources. Pupils have been so responsive to the imagery and language in this book, and we love seeing how captivated they are by it. 

At the time of writing, we are in the middle of a heat wave, but we are hopeful that we will get to enjoy Vineyard’s Got Talent on Tuesday and support two of our Gems classmates who will be performing in the YR choir! It should be very exciting. YR pupils also had lots of fun watching the Coke bottle/ Mentos experiment outside with Miss Taylor. What an explosion!

YR pupils have also continued with some transitions to our new classes for September. This concentrated time is proving invaluable as we prepare for a change in a few months. We will also prepare our Y1 pupils to meet their new teachers and adjust to their space in the next few weeks. 

Forest school, SALT and OT have provided lots of relevant input this week and we are focusing on turn taking games. We recommend this at home as well.

We say goodbye to one of our Gems pupils this week and we wish him and his family a wonderful new start in Ireland.  We will miss you all.

All the Gems team.

Please email jrigby@vineyard.richmond.sch.uk with any queries and the Gems team will be happy to help.

             

             

Please continue Phonics work at home if you can. There is no expectation to know all phonics. All pupils are on a journey, and we want them to work at the pace that suits them. 

We also recommend “reading for pleasure” as much as possible. If stories are too difficult, even just looking at the pictures and seeing what their attention is drawn to, is great for developing concentration and awareness.

We will continue to send home differentiated reading packs. Again, this is just for confidence building.

We find that LittleBig Foxes, Number Blocks and RWI songs on their websites are a great source of fun and education. 

 

Key messages

• If are late in the morning and we have gone to OT, please bring your child to the main office and someone will help you from there.

• Reading Records will be sent home weekly. Please read with your child even if the text is too difficult. Looking at the pictures and exposing them to language will always be beneficial.

• Please practise writing and saying the sounds at home, using the phonics website by Ruth Miskin to help you. 

• Drop off time is 8.40. Pick up time for Gems pupils is 3.05. Please try to be prompt so we can maximise the time we have to set up for the next day’s learning.

• Please ensure that you have notified the school if you are going to be late. Gems registers MUST be completed by 8.50.