Year R
Here you will find key information and helpful tips to support your child as they start their school journey.
What have we been learning this week?
Week Commencing Monday 9th February 2026
The children started their week with an introduction to Chinese New Year with a colourful, interactive and engaging workshop and tasting some ingredients using in Chinese cooking. Ask your child which they enjoyed and which were their least favourite! Well done everyone for participating and especially those children trying things they've not tasted before - the spring onion and ginger were described as being "very spicy!"
The workshop provided new knowledge about the special celebration in the Chinese year and has given the children knowledge to use in their play and when writing about dragons. They have also made lanterns and dragon puppets using given techniques and instructions.
Throughout the week we have used maps, globes and atlases to locate China and have used images such as The Great Wall of China and Beijing to compare to where we live. We have found out about pandas and enjoyed painting with ready-made paint and watercolours.
What an exciting week!
How you can help:
As previously mentioned, the children will have been given their updated key word assessment for reading - please take a look and see where you need to support your child.
The first week back after half term will be a busy one so please check book bags and make a note on calendars for;
- 'In the Spotlight' letter (in case your child has been chosen that week)
- your child's Forest School day (details in the main newsletter)
- Mental Maths toolkit (information will be shared at the end of the first week back via Google Classroom)
Thank you for your support - have a good half-term everyone!
Number Formation Guide
Practise numerals at home with this printable number formation guide. All numbers are formed by starting at the top.
Curriculum Presentations
Thank you very much to the parents who attended the Year R curriculum meeting and the Phonics and Reading evening.
Please find the three presentations below as well as some ideas for supporting your child with phonics and reading games, wordless books and some examples of questions to ask your child when reading with them.
Thank you for your support.
If you have any questions, please pop and see the class teacher.
Letter formation and handwriting
Please find images of how to support your child in achieving the correct letter formation.
- lower-case letters start at the top
- dots and horizontal cross lines are added after the main part of the letter has been formed
- capital letters start at the top and go down first, the pencil is then taken off the paper to add the horizontal lines
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It is extremely important that your child uses a comfortable and efficient pencil grip, even though this may not be the same as your own. This should be the pincer grip.
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Climbing the tree to a better me
Our special tree focuses on the Social, Moral, Spiritual and Social aspect of our learning. In Year R we are practising using our manners, being a good friend and being respectful and responsible.
We can earn three stars for each rung of the ladder and at the end of the year we can earn a special sticker at the top of the tree for our effort in trying to show these things.
When we have collected three stars of the same colour we can show our certificate in assembly and our name is moved up the ladder in class to show our progress.
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