January at richmond
We have had a great first term of 2026. Thank you for all of the support this half term. As ever, please remember that your child should be reading at home, ideally every night, but at least four times a week to support them in becoming fluent readers.
Year 1 DT AFTERNOON
This month we invited the Year 1 parents in to work alongside their children on a DT project.
Year 1 had a fantastic DT afternoon designing and building their own playground equipment. Using cardboard, Blu Tack, straws, string and tape, the children explored how to join materials, test ideas and work creatively together, showing great imagination and problem-solving skills.
Bright Sparks Science Morning – Skegness Grammar School
On Tuesday, some Year 4 children took the trip to Skegness Grammar School to take part in a science morning. We learnt about electricity and circuits and the children had fun testing circuits with light bulbs and buzzers. We also made a human circuit whilst holding hands to turn on a buzzer. The children had a great time and lots of fun!
SPOTLIGHT ON SEND
Termly Support Plans
If your child's class teacher has not already done so, over the next few weeks, they will be updating Termly Support Plans for children who have them. They will be in contact with you to gather your feedback and to share the progress your child has made, as well as the next steps and targets planned for the remainder of the term. These plans are a valuable tool in helping children make meaningful learning steps on their journey, ensuring that school and home work together to support their needs.
Zones of Regulation
Children’s behaviour is a form of communication. When a child shows big emotions, withdraws, or acts in ways that seem challenging, it’s often because they are trying to tell us something they cannot yet express with words. The Zones of Regulation is a great resource we use in school to help children understand their emotions and recognise how their feelings can influence their actions. By becoming more aware of these emotions, children are better able to regulate themselves and develop strategies to use when they experience strong feelings.
You can use the Zones at home when talking about strong feelings and how they make you feel. Using the same language as school helps children recognise and name their emotions, and it supports them to develop the strategies they need to manage those big feelings.
If you are feeling worried about your child or you have noticed changes in their behaviour mood then: 1. Start the Conversation
- Talk to your child’s class teacher and share your worries
- Start keeping a log of your concerns and observations
- Establish Routines: Use visual schedules and calming techniques to help with organisation and big emotions
- Prepare for Changes: Use simple tools, like picture stories or short chats, to prepare for transitions or new situations.
- Be Adaptive: Understand that a child's needs can change daily; be flexible and adjust strategies.
Finally if you have any questions or worries then please either drop me a message or come and say hello I’m usually on the Yr 3/4 doors in the mornings and by the main entrance after school - Mr Flint.
Spotlight on safeguarding - online safety
The below is advice from the NSPCC, linked here: Talking to your child about online safety | NSPCC
Top tips for talking to children about staying safe online
1. Start with the positives Being online can be a great way for children to learn, be creative, and stay connected with friends and family. Recognising these benefits helps keep conversations balanced and encourages confident, safe use of technology. 2. Find the right time and place Choose a calm moment to talk, such as during a walk, car journey, or shared activity. Avoid starting the conversation when emotions are high or during a disagreement. 3. Use child-facing resources and advice Support your conversation with age-appropriate tools, videos, or guides. These can help children understand key messages and make the discussion more engaging and relevant to their stage of development. 4. Ask about their experiences Use open questions like:
- ‘Have you seen anything online that made you uncomfortable?’
- ‘Who do you chat with online?’
- ‘Are they people you know offline?’
- ‘How do you feel when using certain apps or games?’
5. Make it part of everyday life These chats don’t need to be formal or one-off. Regular, relaxed conversations help children feel supported and more likely to speak up if something worries them.
Credits:
Created with images by Piotr Krzeslak