Hello, my name is Miss Seaman and I am delighted to be in my tenth year of teaching here at St John’s. Most of my experience has been as a Reception Teacher, and this year I will be teaching Sparrows for three and a half days each week.

Previously, I was the subject leader for Art and Design and Design Technology, which reflects my love of all things creative. I enjoy weaving creativity into everyday learning—whether that’s painting tigers coming to tea or helping pirates hunt for treasure! In Early Years, children are encouraged to try new things, discover hidden talents, and use art as a wonderful way to explore their ideas.

I also have a real passion for literature and believe that a good story not only fires up the imagination but also plays a key role in learning. This year, I am excited to take on the role of Phonics Lead for Early Years and Key Stage 1, continuing to support children on their journey with reading and writing.

Outside the classroom, I love sport and adventure—whether that’s cycling, sailing, or watching (and now only sometimes playing!) rugby.

 

Hi, I’m Mrs Nottage and I teach in Sparrow class on a Thursday afternoon and all day on a Friday. 

I love teaching at St John’s and helping children settle into school life. I enjoy helping children with arts and crafts; having lots of fun together, painting, stickiness and glitter! 

I’m married and have 3 wonderful children. I love baking, tennis, Pilates and walking in the countryside or by the sea. 

 

Additional adults working in Sparrow class: Ms Royden

Additional adults working across both classrooms: Miss Harding, Miss Stiles

Save the date:

17/6/26  - Sports Day 9:00 - 10:00am on the school field

19/6/26 - School Nurses – vision and hearing checks.

2/7/26 - Whole school transition

17/7/26 End of Year Reports

17/7/26 - Last day of term 6 with a 2pm finish

PE – Every Tuesday (Come to school in your PE kit and trainers!)

Forest School – Every Friday (Come to school in clothes that are appropriate for the weather – as it gets warmer a sun hat will be needed) On very warm days, please send your child to school with sun cream on. Please also continue to send a coat as we go outside, whatever the weather. Please send a pair of long trousers that your child can put on to protect their legs from nettles, brambles and possible insect bites / stings. 

Term 6 timetable 

Term 6:

Our learning this term: 

Our topic this term will be 'Ticket to Ride'. Our learning will be based around the main texts seen below. We will be focusing our learning around significant topics and role-play experiences, including firefighters, trains, pirates, space and exploring all the signs of summer. 

Literacy

 In Year R we will be reading these books: 

In Literacy, we will learn to:

• use and understand new vocabulary during discussions about stories, non-fiction, rhymes, poems and in role-play. 

• retelling stories and narratives in my own words and using new vocabulary I have learnt  

• say a sound for each letter in the alphabet and at least 10 digraphs (special friends).

• read simple sentences recognising 'red words' and using my phonic knowledge. 

• accurately form recognisable letters and use spaces between words.

• write simple phrases and sentences that can be read by others.

• use capital letters and full stops in my writing.

Phonics

We are learning to read and write sounds in this order: 

Following on from our phonics assessment at the end of Term 5, your children may now be in a new phonics group working on sounds that they need more practise with or moving on to the next set of sounds. 

You can help support your child with their phonics by practising the sounds located in the front of your child's reading record. 

As we near the end of the year, we would encourage you and your child to practise reading and writing the following red 'tricky' words, which link to the ditty sheets and books your child has been taking home to read; I, of, my, the, to, no, your, said, you, he, are, she, was, be, go, a, all, like, here, there, so, some, come, her, we, they, do, put. 

We would suggest selecting 5 words a night for your child to practise reading, then covering and practising to spell.

We are also focusing largely on oral segmenting and blending and, therefore, it is so important for your children to begin to read and write green 'Fred' words themselves including; cat, dad, dog, and, in, is, it, at, on, as, an, if, big, him, his, not, got, up, mum, but, can, get, had, back, get, see, for, off, went. 

Again, we would suggest choosing 5 words to practise reading and spelling each night so that your child becomes fluent in reading these words by sight and using them within their independent writing.

This video demonstrates how to say each sound. How to say the sounds - RWI

The phonics play website has a number of free games that support blending to read words. Phonics Play

 

Maths

This term we are going to be recalling number facts, solving mathematical problems and sharing equally. 

We will learn to:

• automatically recall number bonds up to 5, including subtraction facts.

• automatically recall some number bonds to 10, including double facts. 

• compare quantities up to 10, saying if one is greater than, less than or the same as the other.

• explore and represent patterns within numbers up to 10, including evens and odds, double facts, and how quantities can be distributed equally.

• use numbers up to 10 to solve everyday mathematical problems. 

• use positional language when using maps and obstacle courses.

Learning at home for Sparrow Class:

Reading

Please continue to read with your children at home. Reading books are changed on Tuesday and Thursday, so please ensure books are in your child's bag every day. Remember to sign or tick in your child's reading record when you have read with your child at home. 

Thank you for sending your child to school with their belongings' clearly named. This also includes water bottles as the weather gets warmer. 

To be ready for learning, in Sparrow Class, your child will need to have these items in school: 

Everything you send to school MUST be labelled clearly with your child’s name. Lost property will be available for parents to access daily on the school premises should anything go missing. 

• Book bag (provided by school) 

• Water bottle (no squash or juice) 

• Lunch box (if not having a school meal) 

• Wellington boots (to leave in school) 

• Coat (weather appropriate) 

• Bag of spare clothes to leave on your child's peg

Please don’t bring other items or toys into school, as we do not have space to store these, and it can cause upset if things are lost or damaged. 

Outdoor learning:

Outdoor learning plays a pivotal part in our children's development. Therefore, much of our learning in EYFS, takes place outside, and we aim to enjoy our outdoor learning area in any weather! So please, provide a pair of named Wellington boots which you are happy to leave in school for outdoor play. 

Highlights from term 5: