Welcome to 'Class 2' the home of Year 1 and Year 2... and Miss Latham.
Let's start with a little about me: I've been at Bridgemere now for 2 years, however this is my 8th year of teaching! My role here in Bridgemere is to teach Class 2, alongside this I mentor Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) in neighbouring schools and have recently taken on a Reading Lead Role within our phonics (Rad, Write, Inc scheme) which means sometimes I may be visiting our other schools for meetings and observations (or currently via video calls).
Outside of school I spend whatever spare time I have playing hockey and netball (which I'm hoping I can get back to soon). Sometimes I find myself helping out at the family farm where I grew up and most weekends I'll be catching up and spending time with my parents, two sisters and nephew; George.
Our Learning is class
I'm very excited to being back in school and teaching (even if it's a new 'normal'). This term (Spring 2) We have had a huge focus on Maths and English as we try to bridge gaps and bring ourselves up to date with the curriculum expectations.
As we move into Summer Term 1 we will be teaching again with 'Topic'! We will be looking at World War Two in this term focusing on the evacuee children and the lives they led during this time. We will look forward to an Evacuee day where we will be able to dress up and gain better insight into the way these children had to live (date to be arranged). I have been fortunate enough to be able to source some lovely literature to support our learning from well known authors. 'The lion and the Unicorn' by Shirley Hughes and 'Wave me Goodbye' by Jacqueline Wilson. I'm really looking forward to expanding the children's minds and delving into foundation subjects again and building on the children's skills and knowledge.
Below are resources to show how we will use the current curriculum to best catch children up with skills they will have missed in the past year. As you can appreciate we will en devour to expand your children's skills and knowledge as best we can in the time frame given.
Communication
As you will all be aware there are measures in place around school to follow social distancing rules, therefore it will not be possible for us to meet in person as much as usual. Therefore, there are a number of ways we can communicate; call the office and Mrs Rowley will be happy to answer questions or concerns or can arrange for me to ring you back; use your child's communication diaries which will be checked daily; use bridge2@actonceprimary.net email.
Helping at home
There are a number of online resources you can use at home alongside school work which include Maths, English, Mental well being and many more. Here are some useful sites you may choose to use at home:
The websites we will use the most are:
Childline – https://www.childline.org.uk/kids/
Mind – mental health – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/parenting-with-a-mental-health-problem/helping-your-children/#KeepTrackOfTheirMentalWellbeing
Young minds -
https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/looking-after-yourself/coronavirus-and-mental-health/
A range of all curriculum areas – https://www.purplemash.com/sch/bridgemerecofepr
Times tables – https://play.ttrockstars.com/auth/school/student
Child line has a great feelings tracker which may be helpful to your child as we return to school, they may be feeling a large selection of emotions and may not know how to deal with or overcome these or could be unsure how to share these feelings with you, their friends or their teacher.
I'm always here to help and will do my upmost to ensure your child is happy and healthy during their time in school. Please don't hesitate to contact me :)
