Castlewood Primary School Welcome meeting Summer 2020 Welcome

Castlewood Primary School Welcome meeting Summer 2020

Welcome to Castlewood • I am Rachel Nunns and I have been the Head teacher of Castlewood since January 2017. • I am so very pleased that you have chosen to send your child to Castlewood and look forward to meeting you in the next few weeks. • I have two teenage daughters yet still remember their first few days at primary school and how they can be both exciting yet nerve wracking too.

What makes Castlewood special? • C • A • S • T • L • E Celebrating achievement Aiming high Sharing with our community Taking care to keep each other safe Learning for life Encouraging respect

Key staff at Castlewood • The Reception team • Mrs Dedman, Mrs Lucas & Mrs Mc. Millan

The Front office Mrs Barnard Mr Watts

Our Special Needs Coordinator: • Kirstie Beange • Special Needs Coordinator • If you are concerned that your child may have additional needs or need some extra support, then Mrs Beange is the person to talk to. You can contact her through the school office@castlewoodprimary. co. uk

Uniform • The school colours are royal blue and grey and we would encourage all parents and pupils to support the school by wearing uniform. • An order form is included in your welcome pack and also on the website. • Please name all your children’s uniform including the socks!

Supporters of Castlewood School SOCS • We have a very supportive and successful PTA association who raise a substantial amount of money for our school. • Over the last year they have provided the school with a new set of i. Pads, Scooterpods, PE t-shirts, new books, reading diaries and Clever Touch Whiteboards for two classrooms. # • The SOCS team organise a whole range of activities over the year including our Blackberry Fair, Joint Fireworks display and Discos and Quiz nights. • SOCS are always looking for volunteers to join their team and will look forward to meeting you in the Autumn term.

Our Governing Body Maria Roberts Chair of Governors David Storer Parent Governor Roger Wells Governor

Starting school the first steps…. . • Pre school contacts have already happened • Mrs Dedman and Mrs Lucas will be ringing you over the next fortnight ( 22 nd June – 3 rd July) • Stay and play sessions in the afternoons of the week beginning the 6 th July. • Phone calls on 3 rd/4 th Sept as we think it is unlikely that there will be home visits this year.

The first couple of weeks…. We do not know at present what September is going to look like, however, at the very least we will be aiming that the children will be attending in small groups. We will be in touch as soon as we know more.

Communication • It is a deeply uncertain time for us all but we will endeavour to be in contact with you as soon as we know what we will be able to do and when. • We will use a variety of communication methods: • • • Tapestry Fortnightly Friday newsletters Parentmail Website Twitter @Castlewood. Prim Regular conversation – we promise not to believe everything your children tell us about you as long as you don’t believe everything they tell you about us.

Expectations of us • We will keep you up to date as soon as we know and have definite plans. • We will aim to organise a welcome social meeting as early as we can in September. • We will organise parental information workshops to help you support your child in Tapestry, Phonics, Reading & Maths • There will be parents evenings in the Autumn and Spring term. • We operate an Open door policy and ask that you let us know if there is a problem so that we can sort it out before it becomes too big.

Expectations of you…. • How can you prepare your children for school ? • • • Be positive about school Encourage independence Help them dress themselves - zip up their coat, do up their buttons Use a knife and fork If they are boys, please can you introduce them to urinals Learn how to wash their hands properly Play games with them and encourage them to take turns Insist on manners – we really like please and thank you in this school Enjoy this time with them…. Further things if you want to do Help them to hold a pencil, recognise their name, write their names, count/ recognise numbers, listen to books, moments of stillness, follow instructions , play games