Welcome to Cherry Class
2015 - 2016
Welcome to Year 2, Cherry Class! My name is Mrs. Powell and I am the class teacher. I will be in class everyday other than Thursdays when I am covered by the lovely Miss. Ra. Our wonderful teaching assistants are Ms. Nazia and Miss. Gemma; we are very lucky to have such a great team!
Having grown up in Lenton and Wollaton, I know the local area pretty well. It is a real privilege to teach here as it brings back so many fond memories. It is also a joy to hear the children talk so highly of their community.
I completed my studies at Nottingham Trent University and have been at Dunkirk since 2013 across both campuses. Prior to becoming a teacher I was a SEN teaching assistant and worked in nursery, primary and secondary schools around the city.
I am married with two children; my son is 8 and my daughter is 1. I love animals, in particular cats. I have a three at home which I adopted from rescue centres (Basil, Treacle and Rosemary). Photography is a passion of mine and whenever I get the chance, I like to travel and visit new places around the world.
My name is Ms. Nazia and I am a teaching assistant in Cherry Class, working Monday to Thursday. I have been at Dunkirk Primary School for 7 years and worked throughout school including foundation, year 1 and year 2. I have been at Abbey Campus since we were established 4 years ago. It has been a pleasure to watch Abbey Campus grow and thrive into a fantastic school.
I have 3 children, my youngest attends Dunkirk at the Highfields Campus. I enjoy spending time with my family and reading when I get the chance! I am looking forward to getting to know the children and families in Cherry Class and working with a fantastic team.
My name is Miss. Gemma and I am also a teaching assistant in Cherry Class, working Thursdays and Fridays. Mondays to Wednesdays I work at Highfields campus in key stage 2. I am Level 2 qualified, and will complete Level 3 in the summer.
Originally from Lincoln, but I have lived in Nottingham since I was a teenager. I have two children and they both attend Dunkirk at the Highfields campus. Prior to becoming a teaching assistant I worked as the senior midday supervisor at Abbey Campus for 2 and a half years, so I know the children very well.
In my spare time I enjoy getting creative, reading, playing board games with my family and walking my two dogs Billy and Fred.
P.E
During the spring term P.E. happens every Thursday afternoon, but please ensure your child has a full P.E kit in school at all times as on occasion there may be changes to the timetable.
Their P.E kit should consist of:
* a t-shirt
* shorts or joggers
* plimsolls or trainers
PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING! It is hard to find missing clothing without names. P.E kits can be taken home at the end of each half term to be washed. If you would like them taken home more regularly, then please do this over the weekend to allow extra time. A dojo is awarded each P.E lesson for the children who have their full kits.
Swimming takes place on Tuesday afternoons at Lenton Leisure Centre. Swimming is part of the National Curriculum and therefore children can only be exempt from participating if they have a doctors note. Please send your child with a towel and a full piece costume/trunks in a bag separate to their books and normal P.E kit. We have spare kits in school for those who forget. Swimming sessions will end after the Easter holidays and we will return to having two P.E sessions a week.
**For health and safety reasons, jewellery can not be worn during physical education. Please ensure your child's earrings are removed prior to sessions - staff cannot do this for them**
Their P.E kit should consist of:
* a t-shirt
* shorts or joggers
* plimsolls or trainers
PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING! It is hard to find missing clothing without names. P.E kits can be taken home at the end of each half term to be washed. If you would like them taken home more regularly, then please do this over the weekend to allow extra time. A dojo is awarded each P.E lesson for the children who have their full kits.
Swimming takes place on Tuesday afternoons at Lenton Leisure Centre. Swimming is part of the National Curriculum and therefore children can only be exempt from participating if they have a doctors note. Please send your child with a towel and a full piece costume/trunks in a bag separate to their books and normal P.E kit. We have spare kits in school for those who forget. Swimming sessions will end after the Easter holidays and we will return to having two P.E sessions a week.
**For health and safety reasons, jewellery can not be worn during physical education. Please ensure your child's earrings are removed prior to sessions - staff cannot do this for them**
Reading
Each child will have a reading diary and the appropriate colour-banded book for their reading ability. Please make sure your child has their reading diary and reading book in school every day. One of us will read with your child and change their books at the start of the week. We will also try to change their books on a Thursday/Friday. Children have a weekly guided reading session on a Wednesday in class where they read in small groups. They are supported by a teacher or teaching assistant who will work with them on decoding words and comprehension skills.
Please ask your child to read as much as possible at home, every school night would be ideal! And be sure to record this into their reading diaries. They are not limited to only reading the colour-banded book they bring home. As long as it's suitable, anything goes. Why not ask them to grab their favourite storybook or a comic? Even children's websites or cookery books still make a good read! Children are also welcome to take additional books home from our library area (in the corridor, just outside of the classroom).
Please ask your child to read as much as possible at home, every school night would be ideal! And be sure to record this into their reading diaries. They are not limited to only reading the colour-banded book they bring home. As long as it's suitable, anything goes. Why not ask them to grab their favourite storybook or a comic? Even children's websites or cookery books still make a good read! Children are also welcome to take additional books home from our library area (in the corridor, just outside of the classroom).
Homework and Spelling
Homework is usually a maths or literacy focus and underpins the learning in class. It will be sent home every Friday and is due in to be marked on the following Wednesday. 2 dojos are awarded for homework being completed in full and handed in on time. Every Friday a new set of spellings are sent home and children are tested on these in class the following Friday. Please ensure your child practices as much as possible. 10/10 = another dojo!
Milk and Snack
Children in Year 2 still have milk and a healthy snack in class everyday. The snack is free for all children but the milk does need to be paid for unless you are in receipt of certain benefits. Please speak to the office staff if you are unsure.
Parent help
If you are able to spare any time during the week to volunteer we would absolutely love to have you. We are always looking for people to listen to our children read and on occasion we also need parent helpers for school trips/walks. Please let one of the team know if you are able to assist.