Welcome to Reception 2

Mrs Eden and Miss Rutherford

 Our Class Topics 2024-2025

Dear parents/carers,

Welcome back! We hope you all had a fun and relaxing summer holiday. This is an exciting time now for your family as your child begins their school life at Bishop Lonsdale. We hope your child will be very happy and enjoy many achievements at our school.

The children have had a fabulous first few days and are settling in well and we are now looking forward to getting to know your children better. Over the next few weeks, we will be enjoying spending time and observing your children by talking, playing and listening to them. This will help us gain knowledge of where they are and begin to guide us to plan for their individual next steps.

Who will be the staff in Reception:

There are four class teachers in Reception. In Reception 1, Mr Davies will be teaching Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Mrs Hudson teaching on a Thursday and Friday.

In Reception 2, Mrs Eden will be teaching on Monday and Tuesday and Miss Rutherford teaching on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

We will also be supported by Ms Nickless and Mrs Bowyer, they will be focusing on Phonics support and reading practise sessions but will be around the classrooms and outside.

Get to know your teachers:

Mrs Eden – This is going to be my 13^th year of teaching, I have taught in other year groups but love to be in Early Years. On my days not in school, I have 2 children and 3 cats to keep me very busy. We love to spend time outside getting muddy and then come in for a story on the sofa.

Miss Rutherford – This Year will be my 8^th Year at Bishop Lonsdale, most of my experience being in Year 1 but I particularly loved Reception last year. On the days I am not in work, I am at home being a Mummy to my 3-year-old daughter Una and my dog Ralph. I enjoy spending time out on walks and really enjoy being outside at school and having fun.

Mrs Hudson – This year will be my 16^th Year of teaching, across all Primary Key Stages, I’m also SENCo here at Bishop Lonsdale. On my days I’m not in school, I’m at home looking after my own children, I have two little boys who love exploring outdoors, swimming and biking. We love doing messy craft activities, baking and exploring new places together.

Mr Davies – Over the last 3 years, I have worked at Bishop Lonsdale covering a number of different roles and year groups. This will be my second year in Reception and I particularly enjoy crafting with the children. Away from work, I enjoy cooking, music and spending time with my wife, who is also a teacher.

Coming into school

The children are all doing fantastically well coming into school. We know that for some children (and parents) this is a daunting and emotional time and leaving them at the school gate isn’t easy. Please be assured that any children who are initially finding this part of the day difficult, settle quickly once inside and they are soon happily playing.

Family Photos!

Each child has a learning space on the wall in our Early Years classrooms with their name on. Please send into school a printed picture or upload onto Class Dojo a family photo so we can display this on your child’s learning space in the classroom for them to see. Please could these be sent by Friday 13^th September.

Our Topics this Year

Water Bottles

Your child will need a water bottle in school every day. This water bottle needs to be clearly labelled with your child’s name.

Wellies

In early years children will be able to access the outdoor area most days. When the weather is wet children need the appropriate footwear. Please send your child into school with a pair of clearly labelled wellies for them to keep in school. 

Spare clothes

If your child has a specific need and may require spare clothing regularly then please send into school a plastic bag with clearly labelled spare clothes for your child to keep in school.

PE Kits

Over the next few weeks children will start PE lessons. Children need to come into school dressed in their PE kits and wear them all day. Reception classes PE day will be a Wednesday and they will begin on the 11^th September. PE kits will be a white t-shirt, green shorts and black pumps. Children are welcome to wear jogging bottoms and jumpers, however we will begin with indoor PE.

Fruit and Milk

Children will receive a healthy piece of fruit each morning and until they turn 5 years old they will receive a drink of milk. They are very welcome to just have their water bottles throughout the day if they do not like milk.   

Reading Books

Once we have completed a baseline assessment and the children are settled we will begin to send reading books home. A further letter will be sent to you to explain how our home reading will work in Reception. The children will also receive a school library book weekly, changed on a Friday as a reading for pleasure book. This is for you to share as a family and promote a love for reading.

Care Plan

If your child requires a care plan for any medical needs, please collect from the school office and return to school ASAP.

Homework

Each half term children will be set a project via Class Dojo to complete at home, depending on the project it can either be brought in or photos can then be shared on Class Dojo giving the children the chance to talk about their project.

Class Dojo

We use Class Dojo (our online learning journey) to share observations of your child for you to see at home and to reassure you that they are settled and enjoying school life. Often these will be group or class activities of something the children have done each week which you may like to discuss with your child at home. Please feel free to add any achievements from home that your child would like to share with us. You will receive the Class Dojo link from your child’s class teacher in the coming weeks.

Home time

As you are aware, home time is a very busy time! We appreciate your support whilst we are getting to know people who are collecting the children and this will become much quicker over the next few weeks. We may be asking for passwords several times just while we familiarise ourselves with lots of new faces. If your normal home time arrangements change e.g. children are being collected by another adult, please let your child’s class teacher know by contacting the school office.

Many thanks

Mrs Eden and Miss Rutherford (Reception 2)

Help at home

Useful links

Interactive Support For Learning