Welcome to Hedgehogs Class!

My name is Mrs Antrobus, and I am very excited to be your teacher this year. We are going to have so much fun learning and playing together, and I am really looking forward to watching you all grow, develop and flourish throughout the year.

A little bit about me:

• I am a mummy to three children of my own.
• I really enjoy singing and learning new songs that make me smile. I can౮t wait to teach you some!
• One of my favourite things to do is go walking and explore the beautiful outdoors.

Our Golden Expectations

In our class, we have five Golden Expectations:

1. Be kind
2. Be safe
3. Be respectful
4. Be responsible
5. Be ready to learn

We are very lucky to have lots of friendly adults in our class: Miss Ellery, Mrs Kind, Mrs Silvey, Miss Walker and Mrs Boys.

We pride ourselves on making Reception a happy, nurturing and successful year for every child. If your grown-ups have any questions, worries or would like to speak to us, please get in touch by emailing:

admin@mountnessing.essex.sch.uk

Phonics

Phonics helps children learn to read and write by recognising the sounds that letters make and blending these sounds together to read words. We use Little Wandle phonics to teach these important early reading skills in a fun, structured and engaging way.

Please visit their website for lots of helpful resources on how to support your child with reading at home.

 Little Wandle Phonics Parent Resources

Maths

In Reception we following Mastering Number which focuses on giving children a deep, practical understanding of number. Through carefully structured activities, children learn to:

• Subitise (recognise small quantities without counting)

• Compare quantities

• Understand the composition of numbers

• Build early patterns and relationships

• Develop strong foundations for counting and early calculation

Sessions are highly interactive, using real objects, visual patterns and playful tasks to help children see and feel the structure of number. These early experiences ensure children enter Year 1 with the confidence to reason about numbers, not just recite them.

Our aim is for children to become confident, curious mathematicians who enjoy exploring numbers, spotting patterns and explaining their mathematical thinking.

Homework Expectations

We send home weekly handwriting sheets for your child to complete at home. Please support them with the correct letter formation and ensure they are starting at the right point. Homework will be collected in and re-issued on a Friday. Your child will also receive a reading book once they have established their early phonics skills. Please ensure you read this with your child at least three times a week. This can be noted down in their reading record. 

Suggested homework activities will also be posted on our Google Classroom page along with photos of our learning and important messages, so please make sure you log in regularly.

PE Days

Our PE days will be on Mondays. Please ensure your child comes into school in their PE kit; hair must be up and earrings should have been removed before school. 

Forest School

Forest School is a wonderful opportunity for children to explore, investigate and learn in the great outdoors throughout the seasons. Please dress your child for the weather in comfortable clothes that can get muddy, with suitable outdoor footwear. Our Forest School dates are currently:

• Friday 27th November – Morning
• Friday 18th December – Afternoon
• Friday 29th January – Morning
• Friday 26th February – Afternoon
• Friday 16th April – Morning 
• Friday 7th May – Afternoon
• Friday 11th June – Morning
• Friday 2nd July – Morning

Helpful Apps and Websites

1-Minute Maths - Apple

1-Minute Maths - Android

Oxford Owl – Free eBooks, activities and learning support

Teach Your Monster – Free phonics, reading and early maths games

CBeebies Numberblocks – Fun early number and maths activities

Little and often is best. Just 5–10 minutes of playful practice alongside sharing books, talking, counting and playing together can be really valuable.

Attendance

Good attendance is key to helping children achieve their full potential. Every day in school provides valuable learning opportunities, helps children build friendships, and develops confidence and routines. We ask parents and carers to support us by ensuring children attend school every day and arrive on time wherever possible. By working together, we can give every child the best chance to thrive and succeed.

Uniform

We are proud of our school uniform and ask all children to wear it correctly each day. A smart uniform helps children feel part of our school community, promotes a sense of belonging, and ensures everyone is ready to learn. Thank you for your support in helping children come to school dressed appropriately and prepared for the day ahead.

Curriculum Guides