What an incredible year we have had together! It is hard to believe we have reached the end of Reception. It has been such a pleasure to watch the children grow in confidence, make new friendships and develop into happy, independent learners. We are so proud of everything they have achieved this year and know they are ready for their exciting adventure in Year 1.

As we say goodbye, we would like to thank all of our families for your support throughout the year. Working together has helped the children flourish, and we are so grateful for your kindness and encouragement.

Over the summer holidays, there are lots of fun ways to keep learning without it feeling like school!

• Encourage your child to write and draw whenever they can. They could write birthday cards, shopping lists, postcards, labels for their pictures, menus for a pretend café or little notes to family members. Every mark they make helps build their confidence.
• Keep your child's phonics card somewhere easy to find and practise the sounds for a few minutes every now and then. Little and often really makes a difference.
• If you need a quiet moment, watching Alphablocks and Numberblocks is a fantastic way to keep phonics and maths fresh in their minds while having fun.
• Most importantly... read, read, read! Six weeks is a long time for little learners, so sharing stories every day is one of the best things you can do. Talk about the characters, make predictions, spot sounds and enjoy books together.

Learning also happens through everyday experiences, so make the most of family adventures. Visit parks, beaches, forests or gardens and explore the amazing world around you. If you are travelling abroad, encourage your child to learn about the country they are visiting, its culture, language and traditions. Every new experience helps children grow and learn.

Most of all, have fun! Laugh together, make memories, enjoy time with family and friends and celebrate all the wonderful things your children can do.

It has been an absolute privilege to teach your children this year. They have made me smile every single day, and I will miss them all so much. I wish every one of them the very best as they move on to Year 1—I know they will continue to shine.

Have a safe, happy and relaxing summer holiday. Thank you for a fantastic year!

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