The Winchester School

Welcome to the FS Parent Orientation

9th September 2015

To engage with parents and share key information and timelines to enhance student’s over all d l t d

Objective

Student , Parent and Teacher Collaboration

• An exciting, dynamic new online learning ecosystem and parent portal, known as ‘My Learning’

• One size does not fit all, hence the need for a digital learning ecosystem that provides a truly personalised experience for every student, parent and teacher.

• Meeting the teaching, learning and parenting needs.

Online Safety

• There is a secure login for all GEMS users, including parents. • Teachers and parents can, by default, see everything their children do through My Learning. • Also, the school administrator is able to track all activity, including through the use of a customizable profanity filter.

To login to MyLearning go to the school website http://www.thewinchesterschool.comand click on the My Learning link available.

Alternatively you can go to www.gems.ae and click on My Learning Link

Enter your username and password provided (same as OASIS)

Click on Resource Centre on the Home page and then on School to access the Circulars, Newsletters etc. 

Click on Learning Spaces to access the Learning resources shared by the Teachers

Click on the available learning space. You will see Home Learning and Resources Folders. Resources folder will take you to the resources for the year group your child belongs to. Home Learning is uploaded every week.

Teachers

Share curriculum content and learningmaterials

Distribute assignments and activities online,circulars ,Newsletter ,Blog

Manage schedules and monitor studentprogress (Reports online)

Communicate with colleagues, students andparents

Access learning resources online

Benefit from digital learning environment

Anytime anywhere access to assignments and resources

Communicate with teachers anytime and participate

STUDENT

Family learning newsletters, circulars

View school events/announcements published by the school

Participate in surveys for greater collaboration with the school community

PARENTS

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The Early Years Foundation Stage (E.Y.F.S.) is the stage of education for children from

birth to 5 years

FS-1 3 to 4 years

FS-2 4 to 5 years

It is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and active

learning.

Within the theme of Learning and Development there are 7 areas. All areas are connected to one

another and are equally important.

Prime1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development2. Communication and Language Development3. Physical Development

Specific4. Literacy5. Mathematic6. Understanding the World7. Expressive Arts and Design

Assessment

End of year report for FS 2

Parental Engagement

According to a 2007 study, parental engagement can add the equivalent of two to three years of formal education. (Harris & Goodall, 2007)

Consistent parental engagement:• Impacts on student achievement• Adds an equivalent of 2-3 years of formal education• Results in higher grades and test scores• Improves effort, confidence, attitude, attendance, life choices,

social skills and behaviour

so we want it to happen…

We know parent support has a positive impact on student

progress,

talk about learning Talk - Have regular two-way conversations about what your child is thinking/learning

2-way means listening to and ask clever, open-ended questions without TV, phones or distractions

Teachers may assign “talk about” as a home-learning task

Share learning experiences

Let the child share their learning.

• Read together • Experience new things• Do activities together• Learn together

Teacher may assign “share this at home” as a home-learning task

Encourage learning

• Praise both effort and progress:• Give specific feedback • Role model a positive attitude

towards learning• Role model perseverance and

discipline• Guide routines• Set standards and expectations

Teachers share learning objectives with parents to

encourage continuity in learning at home

The Parent Representatives Role

The Parent Representatives play a key role in strengthening the communication between the school, the parents and the children.

They are the parent’s face and voice in school activities and events, in support of the children, the institution and the parent body.

Parent Representative Achievements

The Parent Representatives have made numerous contributions to support the smooth running of the school.

Our major activities and achievements in the year 2014 - 15 have been * The Fun Fair* Parents Teaching Parents - The English class for parents We had as many as 20 parents from different nationalities and the learning was mutual.* The support towards the school's reading programme.* A programme for vocabulary enhancement in English• Spoken Arabic classes for non - Arab parents.• French classes for parents

Parents Teaching Parents English

The joys of being a Parent Rep

Each of us in the Parent Representative Group felt that through our work , wtoo enriched ourselves in many ways.

The two major areas were:

In understanding the expectations of the school from both the parent’s anStudents‘ point of view, which is very necessary for planning the numerouactivities by the school for the children.

In understanding the curriculum and it’s demands better.

When the children see their parents working in collaboration with the school it impacts their outlook and attitude positively.

How can you help?

Healthy living- (refer to page 10 in the planner) Eating healthy, drink plenty of water Diet rich in fibre, vitamins and proteins Healthy routine – sleep, exercise, playtime, reading Quality family time My health and well being log ( Student planner pages 13

to 18)Engage in your child’s learning- Do suggested activities in the FLN, Use Resources on My Learning, Encourage your child to read daily, Play educational games

A typical morning in FS …

7:50- 8:00 Come in and find name and peg. Choose activities before Registration

8:00-8:20 Registration and good morning circle time8:20- 9:00 Activities and teacher focused tasks9:00-9:30 Indoor/Outdoor Activities9:30-10:00 Wash hands/Snack Time & story10:00-11:00 Indoor/Outdoor Activities11:00-11:30 Child initiated activities/Tidy up time

Targeted teaching time – singing, reading, circle time, music etc

11.30-12:00 Story time and home time

Student Planners

Please read carefully:

Food Allergies in school

Birthday celebrations

Suggestions for a healthy snack

My health and well being log

School guidelines for FS

Attendance

Attendance is directly related to performance and progress.

KHDA- Absence of 20 consecutive days or 25 days over the year can lead to detention in the same class or withdrawal from school as per the KHDA instructions.

Punctuality – Be on time

Parents are not expected to be around the classes/corridors during contact time after 7:50 a.m. and before12:00 p.m.

Important dates and Upcoming Events

Parent Rep Meeting  Primary14th

September  Monday 8:00am to 9:00am

Reading and Math Workshops FS 1 and 2

16thSeptember  Wednesday 12:45 to 1:45

Reading Workshop FS 1 and 2 8th October Thursday  8:00am to 9:30am

Settling PTM FS 1 and 2 10th October  Saturday 8:30am to 1:30pm

Thank you for coming.Any questions?