Spring Term Attendance

A big congratulations to the 27 children who made it to school every day last term. We always talk to the children about the importance of good attendance, and the impact missing school can have on their learning, so we are so pleased that our pupils want to get to school as much as they can.

Thank you for your support with attendance. We do understand that sometimes a child is just too poorly, and are grateful for the communication you have with school when this is the case. Remember, if you think your child may be well enough, try a dose of Calpol and send them in- if they are too poorly or get worse, we will always get in touch with you to come and collect them.

Let’s aim high for summer term- many children only missed one day or even half a day, which is still excellent attendance, so perhaps we can have even more children on 100% for this last term of the school year.

Welcome Back

Welcome back to the Summer term!

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter break, celebrating signs of summer and new life, and rejoicing that Christ is risen.

There are lots of exciting learning opportunities planned for this term, and the staff are working hard (as usual) to make sure that the children have fun whilst learning. We are looking forward to sharing all of your child’s successes with you at the upcoming parents meetings- make sure you sign up via the office communications.

Spelling Letter

Dear Parents and Carers,

Re: Changes to Spelling Practice at Home

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you of a change in our approach to spelling practice in Upper Key Stage 2. As part of our continued efforts to enhance students’ spelling skills, we have made the decision to no longer send the ‘Look, Cover, Write, Check’ sheets home.

Our aim is to provide a more focused and systematic approach to spelling practice. Instead, your child will be given a weekly spelling list, along with the relevant spelling rule or pattern to learn and apply in different ways. This approach aligns with the requirements of the 2014 National Curriculum in England, ensuring that our students receive a robust and comprehensive education in spelling.

By providing a spelling list accompanied by a spelling rule, we believe that children will gain a deeper understanding of spelling patterns and develop broader strategies for learning new words. This approach encourages them to apply their knowledge in a broader context, strengthening their spelling proficiency and overall literacy skills.

To support your child’s spelling practice, we recommend the following approaches:

Regular Study: Encourage your child to devote regular time each day to practicing the week’s spelling list. Consistent practice will promote retention and help build a strong foundation in spelling.

Word Games: Engage your child in fun and interactive word games that incorporate the spelling rule. This could include creating wordsearches, playing Scrabble, or engaging in online spelling activities.

Contextual Use: Encourage your child to use the words from the spelling list in their written work. This will help reinforce their understanding of the spelling rule and develop their ability to apply it within a wider context.

Spelling Strategies: Teach your child various spelling strategies, such as encoding, mnemonics, or visual associations, to enhance their spelling skills. These techniques can be especially beneficial for children who may find spelling more challenging.

By adopting these strategies, we believe your child will not only improve their spelling but also develop valuable study skills and a love for language. As always, we encourage you to actively support your child’s spelling practice and provide opportunities for them to apply their learning in everyday situations.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this new approach to spelling practice, please do not hesitate to contact the school office. We are more than happy to provide additional guidance and support.

Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration in your child’s education. Together, we can foster a strong foundation in spelling and empower our students in their linguistic journey.