Dear Year 1 Families,Â
We are incredibly excited to welcome you to Year 1 (Y1) for a year filled with awe, wonder and the magic of childhood! As your child embarks on the next phase of their learning journey in Y1, we will begin our unit of Discovery ‘Our Class is a Family’. This unit will explore our sense of belonging within our school community.
Meet the Y1 Team
The Y1 team consists of four classroom teachers and four educational assistants, and we can’t wait to meet our new Y1 families. We are a dedicated team of educators who wish to ensure your child continues flourishing on their learning journey at DBIS Primary.
Snow Leopards Class:
Teacher – Miss Isabella Grella, Head of Year 1
Educational Assistant – Mrs Joanne Kynaston
Cheetah Class:
Teacher – Miss Bronwen Baynes
Educational Assistant – Mr Torak Pavri
Sea Otter Class:
Teacher – Mrs Chloe Gerrard
Educational Assistant – Mrs Janet Escueta
Tiger Class:
Teacher – Ms Francesca Lane
Educational Assistant – Ms Melissa Fuchs
Class Parents
Class parents are important in Discovery Bay International School’s community and culture. This role greatly benefits everyone within a class, assisting the teacher in various ways throughout the year. Class parents are parent volunteers who take on the role at the beginning of each new school year. This role is not limited to one person; ideally, each class should have two class parents. Â
Some of the suggested activities that class parents may wish to be involved in are:
- Â Â Â Â Communicating with the other parents in the class;
- Â Â Â Â Welcoming new families and wishing farewell to those leaving;
- Â Â Â Â Organising social gatherings for their class.
Please speak to your class teacher if you are interested in this role. The class teachers genuinely appreciate the support from class parents throughout the year.
Pick-Up Procedures – Photo ID Cards
During dismissal, our prime concern is to ensure every child gets collected by the right adult and returns home safely and happily. Therefore, we have a system that must be adhered to.Â
Please inform your child’s class teacher during your initial Parent–Teacher Conference (PTC) of the adults who might collect your child. Please ensure all of these adults have a DBIS photo ID card. If you have not registered for these, please contact [email protected] to register. Â
Please collect your child from their classroom door. When you collect your child, you must show your DBIS photo ID. We will check your ID against the list of named adults that you have provided us with. This process might take longer than normal in the initial weeks as class teachers get used to faces; thank you for your patience.Â
If your child is going on a playdate after school, please inform class teachers before midday of the name of the adult collecting them; this is best communicated through the Main Campus office, using [email protected]. Upon arrival, your child’s class teacher will check the named adult’s photo ID before releasing your child.
The dismissal process is taken extremely seriously at DBIS, and teachers will ask for the photo ID every time your child is dismissed. These protocols are in the interest of your child’s safety, and we appreciate your support.Â
All About Me Postcard
We look forward to learning more about each child through their All About Me Postcard; this will enhance your child’s learning and sense of belonging to their class. Please bring in the postcard on Monday 19th August. Information regarding the postcard was shared in the June Stay & Play.Â
Parent–Teacher Conferences
PTCs will occur on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th August from 12.30pm. On these days, the children will be dismissed at 12pm and return home for lunch. If you have not had the opportunity to book your initial PTC, please do so through the hub post HERE.
Swimming
Please know that Y1 students will begin the swimming program during Term 1. The PE department will share further information regarding the dates and times.
Essential items:
Students will need the following items once swimming commences. Please ensure that these are clearly labelled with your child’s name and that your child can dress independently.
- DBIS rash vest with DBIS swim shorts/bikini bottoms/swimsuit (the DBIS swimming costume is also available; however, for ease of changing and use of the toilet, we advise that all students wear the DBIS rash vest and swim shorts/bikini bottoms)
- DBIS swimming cap (house colours)
- Adjustable goggles
- Flip flops/crocs
- A towel
- Waterproof/plastic bag for wet things
- Underwear (if wearing a swimming kit under a uniform to school) – this applies to lessons before snack time only
Teaching & Learning
Please make yourself familiar with the following documents. This will enable you to understand the curriculum and expectations of Y1 at DBIS, such as the progression of phonics from FS-2, uniform, home learning, day in the life and more!
Y1 Class Welcome Letters & Key Dates
Attached, you will find Y1 Class Welcome Letters with important information for each class:
Snow Leopard Class Welcome Letter
Sea Otter Class Welcome Letter
Kind regards,
The Year 1 Team