This afternoon, we had a really fun time meeting our new class as part of our transition session!
After talking about all the amazing things we can look forward to in Year 4, and learning all about our new teachers and T.A, we settled down to some great activities. We wrote our own class song, made tray and peg labels, and showered each other with compliments to make a fantastic set of class decorations.

The first day back in the Autumn term is Thursday 5th September. Registration time for all classes is 8.45-8.55am. On the first day back, teaching staff will be in Unit 2 ready to greet children as they arrive and to support where necessary. After this, we encourage children to come in on their own so please drop them off in the playground and allow them to enter by themselves. Staff will be at hand to help.

Teaching staff arrangements for September will be as follows:

• Reception: Mrs Puddick, Mrs Kench and Mrs Walkinshaw
• Year 1: Mrs Clark (+teacher tbc) and Mrs Harris
• Year 2: Emily England and Emily Jones
• Year 3: Andrea Warner-Lee and Matt Ryan
• Year 4: Dan Bell, Matt Ryan and Sue Aitken
• Year 5: Tom Prior and Mrs Murray
• Year 6: Hayley Savage, Mrs Wallis and Kelly Harris

What will it be like in Year 4?

Year 4 is a very special year! Throughout this crucial stage, we will see increasing independence and confidence in learning. Along the way, Our Year 4 teachers and TA will be there to support all of the children in this, ensuring that we are meeting their individual needs whilst keeping the class integrated and open for all. We will continue to encourage the children to be responsible with their choices, ensuring fantastic relationships with their classmates and teaching staff. As they work through the year, as well as continuing their important journeys in reading, writing and maths, Year 4 pupils will be exposed to a brilliant range of topics across the curriculum, with lots of opportunity to get creative in all subjects, including plenty of music. In PE we will be doing a huge range of activities including tag rugby, hockey, basketball, rounders and swimming,
There are great trips each term, but the most exciting one is our 3 day residential visit to London. It’s so much fun; we get to watch a West End show, go to The Globe, the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. We’ll all stay in a hostel and have the best time together.
It’s going to be a brilliant year and we’re all so excited to get started!

Reading and Maths

Our class reading sessions begin every day from 8.45am and straight after the register, so it’s important that your child is here on time and has their reading book and Reading Record with them every day.

Please try to read as much and as often as you can with your child over the summer holiday, it really does make a huge difference to their success at school. The Summer Reading Challenge is running again via local libraries and is a really great way to help keep your child interested in reading over the holiday.

One requirement for year 4 is that each pupil takes a multiplication tables test in June. TTRockstars will be vital in helping pupils build up their confidence, recall and speed. You can log-on to TTrockstars on any computer, tablet or smartphone, so please encourage your children to have regular sessions on this at home. Just 15 minutes per day will make a huge difference!

How do I pass on important information?

If you have any questions or concerns at any time we do hope that you will get in touch, just as we will contact you if necessary. There are regular opportunities to meet and discuss your child’s progress throughout the year, in addition to this you can email us at:

• d.bell@southill.dorset.sch.uk
• m.ryan@southill.dorset.sch.uk

Thank you for your continued support, we look forward to a really great year together in Year 4!

Dan Bell, Matt Ryan and Sue Aitken.