Team 2

Welcome back to the start of the 2012 school year! The children are settling well into their new classes. We would like to let you know a little more about our programmes and some planned events for this term.

We work closely with the Team 1 teachers. We aim to provide a happy, caring, secure environment where individuals are catered for - academically and socially. We see school as a happy productive place where we implement the school values daily and help our students achieve their personal best. Our classrooms are busy and the children are encouraged to think for themselves and try out new ideas. We are fostering independence.

We will be spending the first few weeks assessing reading, writing and mathematics to ensure individual needs are catered for. This is an important start to our year and guided reading sessions will commence once our individual assessments are completed. During the first few weeks you may notice that your child is bringing home reading books that have been read before or at a lower level.  We appreciate that the children need a confident start and encourage practice with familiar material.

We feel it is of utmost importance that the children read regularly at home with an adult. A reading book is sent home each day except for Friday, when the children have a poem to read.

Our main theme for this term is "Me", with a major focus on Science, Social Studies and Health. We will be talking about how we get on, co-operate and learn together. We have already started looking at the importance of rules and responsibility to make our classroom a safe and happy place for learning.

The Life Education Trust Van is visiting the school in weeks 7 and 8.

In science we will be learning about insects. We have organised a trip to New Lynn Butterfly Gardens in week 6 to support this work and will hold an "Ugly Bug Ball" and shared lunch in week 9 as a fun ending to this topic.

We value parent help and welcome your support, whether it is listening to readers, supporting group work, helping on school trips or making resources for the children to use. Please see your class teacher if you are able to offer your time or if you would like to come in and see what we do. We look forward to working with you this year.

We value the parent and teacher relationship. We are here to listen to your concerns and to help.

Team 2 Teachers        

Ann Hadgkiss, Adele Ellis, Tyler Blackman and Penelope Tinsley