Welcome to Year 1

In Year 1 we have lots of fun in our learning both inside and outside.  The teacher in Year 1 is Mrs Schofield  and the Teaching Assistants are Mrs Eggleton and Mrs Foster.

Mrs Schofield 

I have been a teacher at Catchgate Primary for 8 years and I absolutely love teaching Year 1.  Outside of school I enjoy running and spending time with my family.  When I get a spare minute I am usually found engrossed in a book!

I have many favourite children's books by different authors.  At the moment my favourite story to read in school is, Some Dogs Do by Jez Alborough.  I love dogs and this book makes me smile :) 

Mrs Eggleton

I have worked at Catchgate since 2014 and have worked in Early Years and Key Stage 1.  

Mrs Foster 

Our Curriculum

The whole school topic during the autumn term is Our Fragile World.  This will be introduced through a Wow on the first day back in September (5.9.23).  I

n History we will be learning about Remembrance Day, Bonfire Night and Guy Fawkes.  In Geography we will be finding out about our local area, locating where we live on Google maps and drawing simple maps after investigating the local area.  In Art our mini topic is named Make your Mark and will focus on exploring work of artists and building our skills in drawing, painting and exploring different media.   In science we will be finding out the four seasons and exploring animals including humans. In RE we will be thinking about Christianity and focusing on the story of creation and the story of Christmas. We will be exploring levers and sliders in Design and Technology and creating our own based on the class text.  In PE we will be developing basic skills when throwing and catching - watch this space for videos!  Our swimming lessons will build on reception as we become more confident in travelling from one side of the pool to the other.  Forest school this term will explore basic first aid, safe use of tools and safely lighting forest school fire.  In PSHE we will be exploring feelings using SCARF resources.   In Maths we will be focussing on place value with numbers within 20. Our focus text in English is Elmer.  We will learn to retell the story using the map below and eventually have a go at writing our own versions. 

Homework

Spellings - All children in Year 1 will be given weekly spellings based on the spelling rules taught in class that particular week. These will be shared in a spelling book that children must return to school every Friday in order for new spellings to be given out the following Monday.  Children will take part in a spelling quiz each Friday.  Correct spellings will be marked with a green dot in their spelling book so parents know which spellings to continue practising at home.  

Reading - At Catchgate Primary we follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds phonics programme.  As part of this all children will read in school every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with reading books being sent home on a Wednesday to continue to read the same book at home.  We hope that children continue to read each day at home to build confidence and fluency and return books on a Monday to be changed.  We have a whole new scheme of books to match our new phonics programme and ask that children look after these books and make sure they are returned on time to enable the next group of children to access them.  Children will also bring home a reading for pleasure book to share with adult.  This shared book can be changed daily.

Sumdog

Please use the username and password sent home with your children to explore maths, spelling and grammar activities using Sumdog.  Challenges will be laced on here and points awarded for use. 

Class Expectations

In Year 1 we will:

• Always try our best 
• Look after our own belongings
• Return reading books every Monday
• Read as often as possible at home
• Bring spelling books in each Friday
• Have a PE kit in school
• Bring swimming kit each week
• Arrive ready for forest school every Monday morning

Independence

We are encouraging the children to become more independent and to look after their own belongings,  You can help your child to do this by putting their name in all of their clothing.  As the weather begins to get cooler please send your child to school wearing clothing for the weather including hats and gloves as we will be outside a lot this year. 

Year 1 PE, swimming and Forest School

We would like to remind you to put names in all of your children's clothing. They are allowed a water bottle in class, this should also have a name on. Below you will find PE and Forest School information such as what your child needs for these sessions. It is important that they are prepared for these lessons as PE is statutory requirement for all children.

P.E is on a Friday morning.

Please ensure you child has kit in school which include- Red t-shirt, black shorts and plimsoles. We do not have spare kit in school for the children to wear so if they do not have kit they will not be able to take part.

PE kits will be returned home at the end of each half term and should come back into school in time for the first PE session of the half term.

Forest School is on a Monday morning.

Please send your child to school with suitable clothing that you don't mind getting wet and muddy.  This should include sturdy shoes, boots or wellies, a warm coat, warm trousers and jumper.  

Children will need to bring school shoes whenever they wear wellies or other footwear to school.

Swimming happens on a Tuesday morning.

Children should bring their swimming kit to school.  This consists of swim wear, a towel and a swimming hat that can be purchased from the pool for £1.20 If your child is not swimming they will still be expected to come to the pool as this is part of our PE curriculum.

Phonics Screening test for Year 1.

Each year Year 1 children take part in a phonics screening test.  This will happen in May 2024.  Information was shared about this at the Transition Week meeting in July 2023. 

Class Celebration

This is where photographs of what we have been doing will be shared. 

Here are a few photos of what we have been up to so far in Year 1.

Rights Respecting Schools in the Spring term!

Our school has a continued commitment to helping children learn about and understand their rights. Here are the individual rights we will be exploring across the school linking to our weekly themes. Please ask your children about these articles and speak with them about how they impact them at home too.

Useful websites to continue learning at home