Welcome to Year 1

In Year 1 we have lots of fun in our learning both inside and outside.  The teachers in Year 1 are Mrs Schofield and Mr Simpson and the Teaching Assistant is Mrs Eggleton.

Mrs Schofield - I have been a teacher at Catchgate Primary for 7 years and 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!  

Mr Simpson - I have been a teacher at Catchgate Primary for 5 years. Outside of school I enjoy playing and watching football and golf. I love to read and love getting lost in a new book.

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

Our Curriculum

The whole school topic during autumn 2 is Light up the World.  This will be introduced through Diwali and in our Art we will explore and create Rangoli patterns.  In History we will be thinking about how technology has changed over time. We will be making links with older people via the Wisdom Project. In science we will think about light, sources of light and how some light can be dangerous if we look directly at it.

In RE we will be thinking about Christianity with the focus question from Discovery RE being, What gifts might Christians in my town have given Jesus if he had been born here rather than in Bethlehem? We will be exploring wheels and axels in DT and designing our own vehicle.  This half term in PE we will be dancing - watch this space for videos!  In PSHE we will be exploring feelings using scarf resources.  We will think about our own feelings and the feelings of others and how our actions can impact on others.  In Maths we will be focussing on addition and subtraction with numbers within 20.  In English we will be focussing on the Beat the Baddie text Cops and Robbers.  We will learn to retell the story using the map below and eventually have a go at writing our own versions. 

Homework

Homework - In Year 1 homework for all subjects is based on a points system.  Each term children will have a period of ten weeks to complete tasks on the homework sheet.  They will earn points for each task with an aim to score 100 points by the end of the ten week period.  Homework will be shared here, on the website, on OneNote and a paper copy can be sent home if required.  Homework can be returned for marking via OneNote or in paper form. 

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.  

During Autumn 1 in taught spelling sessions children will explore Phase 2 words from 100 High Frequency words (a, dad, I, mum, big, it, at, on, up, back, if, but, of, into, and, his, to, him, had, in, no, got, go, an, as, can, off, not, get, is, the), Days of the week, numbers to 10 and recognise and name letters of the alphabet. 

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.

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.

Please meet Mr Simpson and Mrs Eggleton at the pool entrance at 8.30.  If your child is not swimming they will still be expected to come to the pool at 8.30 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 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 Award

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 in the Autumn term. 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