Autumn 1 2025

Our topic this half term is 'Family'

🌟 Welcome to Reception!
We hope you’re all having a lovely summer break ☀️ and are feeling refreshed and ready for an exciting new school year 📚.

A very warm welcome to all our Reception children and their families 👋. We’re so looking forward to getting to know each of you and beginning this special learning journey together 🛤️✨.

As we settle into the Autumn term 🍂, we’ll spend time helping the children feel confident in their new classroom 🏫, building routines 🔁, and introducing them to the wonderful learning opportunities that lie ahead 🎨🔍.

Our first topic is all about celebrating how we are all unique and amazing 🌈💫. We’ll be exploring personal identity 😊, recognising different emotions ❤️😢😡, and learning how they feel. We’ll also talk about different types of families 👨‍👩‍👦, family members, and what makes families special 💞. The children will build their speaking and listening skills 🗣️👂 by sharing things they enjoy doing with their own families 🏠🎉.

Through stories 📖, sensory play 👃👋, role play 🎭, and creative art projects 🎨, we’ll learn about feelings, families, and friendships 🤝. It’s a brilliant way to help children discover more about themselves and the world around them 🌍.

Alongside our topic work, we’ll be starting our English ✏️ and Maths 🔢 lessons, enjoying lots of new stories 📚, and getting stuck into independent learning through our exciting Mountain Challenges ⛰️.

🏃‍♀️

PE will take place every Monday. Please make sure that your child’s PE kit is clearly labelled 🏷️ and kept in school 🧺.

To support learning at home 🏡, we encourage you to explore our Knowledge Organiser 📘, which outlines the key ideas and vocabulary we’ll be covering this half term. It’s a great resource for reinforcing what your child is learning in class 🧠✨.

Thank you for visiting our Class Dojo page 💻. We love sharing photos and updates 📸 to give you a glimpse into daily life in Reception. You’re very welcome to send us photos and messages too—we’d love to see how your child is practising their skills at home 🧩🎒.

If you ever have any questions or concerns ❓, please don’t hesitate to get in touch 📬. You can message us on Class Dojo or speak to us at the end of the day—we’re always happy to chat 😊.

We’re looking forward to a brilliant year ahead! 🎉🌟

Mrs Weilding and Mrs Brown
Reception Team 👩‍🏫👩‍🏫

Phonics

Phonics is the foundation for children beginning their reading journey. In Reception we follow the scheme created by Read Write Inc. Through Read Write Inc children can build on letter formation while learning to read.

I will post links below for each of the letter sounds for the new school year. These links do expire after a few weeks, so if you need further access, please message me on Class Dojo!

Phonics- Special Friends

Set 2 Special Friends

Links to support your child in learning at home.

Arundale's H.E.A.R.T

Arundale is a unique school and we are proud of ourselves and each other. Within all we do we champion our H.E.A.R.T values:

HARDWORKING - to work with energy & commitment to be diligent.

EQUITY - to recognise everyone's individual needs and support these effectively in an inclusive environment.

ASPIRATIONAL - to develop lifeskills to achieve ones hopes and dreams.

RESILIENT - to show strength and determination even when things are difficult.

TEAMWORK - To work together with others to achieve shared goal