NEW INTAKE SEPTEMBER 2024
Welcome
We are delighted that you will become part of our St. Clement’s family from September 2024. We look forward to a long, happy, and productive partnership between children, parents and staff and we can't wait to meet you all!
Here you will need to ease the new start, however, if there is something missing that you need help with, please come in and speak to us – everyone is here to help.
Important Dates
Home Visits
Mrs Totterdale (Class Teacher) and Miss McNicholas (Deputy Head) will visit your child whilst at home. This visit is really all about getting to know your child a little, telling you a bit more about the school – and giving you an opportunity to speak confidentially about your child's needs and development – it is nothing to worry about. These visits will take place on the following dates:
• Tuesday 11th June
• Tuesday 18th June
We will ask that you sign up to a time that suits you and your family.
Stay-and-Play Sessions
A stay-and-play session has been organised for you and your child as a structure for a gradual transition. Parents/Carers are invited to join their child at the session as this will help begin to build up their independence and comfortability in the classroom.
These visits will take place on the following day:
• Friday 28th June – 9.30am to 10.30am – Morning Session
• Friday 28th June – 1.30pm to 2.30pm – Afternoon Session
We will ask that you sign up to a time that suits you and your family. (Please note: there will only 15 places in each group.)
Transition Session
On Tuesday, July 2nd your child is invited into school to join us for our first ‘Whole School Transition Day’. On this day, your child will be able to come to school on their own and meet their new classmates during the morning, from 9.15am until 11.15am. They will spend time with their teacher, Mrs Totterdale, in their new classroom.
Working Together
At St. Clement’s, Christ is at the centre and children are at the heart of everything we do. We teach the children to, ‘love one another’. At home, your child is loved and feels safe. As a Catholic school, we will work in partnership with you to ensure that your child is nurtured and continues to feel safe and loved in our care. It is our aim that your child feels this so that they can be confident and happy so that they can thrive.
Getting ready for school might be a new challenge for parents but please do not worry about completing what you might think of as ‘school work’ at home. BBC Bitesize Starting Primary School has lots of resources to help you and your child have fun together at the same time as supporting their learning and sense of independence.
It is important to remember that developing independent key skills like: dressing and undressing, using the toilet and speaking and listening are all important. There are lots of good tips on the BBC site as well as advice like getting in to good sleeping habits.
One of the biggest barriers to learning is speaking & listening. Never underestimate the power of talking to your child. Talk, talk, talk and read, read, read! Opportunities for pupils to develop their reading skills and foster a genuine love of reading is given the highest priority at St. Clement’s.
‘The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn the more places you’ll go.” Dr Seuss
Read a bedtime story every night, watch stories online or make CBeebies Bedtime Stories part of your routine.
Talking, especially during these uncertain times is important for all of us. Your child may have lots of questions too. There is no need for you or them to worry about starting school. Children are very resilient and your child will be ready to start to school. This is an exciting time and we can’t wait to meet them.
We also know how useful it is to communicate with staff and any questions you have about your child and/or our school. Staff would be more than happy to speak to you so please feel free to contact either Miss McNicholas (DHT & KS1 Leader), Mrs Totterdale (Reception Teacher) or Miss Daley (SENCO) either by phoning the school office on 01928 572129 or emailing the school office at sec.stclements@halton.gov.uk.