Reception and Year 1

Updated September 2026

CROESO / WELCOME

Welcome to our Reception and Year 1 page for Dosbarth Cybi and Clwyd.

Here you will find some details regarding our class routines, class topics and other useful information.

From September 2026

Dosbarth Cybi – Teacher, Mrs Eleri Williams, Department Lead (also for Meithrin)

Dosbarth Clwyd – Teacher, Miss Jane Williams

Teaching Assistants – Mrs Marian Owen, Mrs Cathy Whitfield, Ms Eleri Jones.

Topics

All our learning is based on a topic or theme. We plan learning experiences and opportunities carefully so that they knit together within all the areas of learning.

Pupil Voice – In line with the Curriculum for Wales, pupil’s ideas, thoughts and opinions influence many aspects of our day-to-day teaching. We collect their ideas on such aspects as what they want to learn, activities for areas within classrooms, who they want to work with. This makes their learning more relevant and more purposeful and therefore more enjoyable. 

Pupil possessions – Please ensure that all your child’s possessions (coats, bags, bottles etc) are all clearly marked with their name.

Home Reading

For the first time this year, we are using an online platform as home reading. This supports our teaching of Phonics in school using the Read Write Inc scheme. With an individual login, each pupil can access reading ebooks which are assigned to them on a weekly basis. They can also access a wide range of storybooks from the Oxford owl ebook library.

PE

All Derbyn and Year 1 pupils should come to school on their PE days in their full PE kits, ready for PE sessions. PE sessions can be either indoor or outdoor; pupils need sweatshirts/hoodies along with their t-shirts please.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS/CONTACT NUMBERS OR MEDICAL NEEDS

Please notify us IMMEDIATELY in writing if there is a change of address, telephone contact numbers or medical needs. We also need to know who is collecting your child from school and if there is ever a change in these arrangements. Emails can be sent to the main school office at .

FRUIT CLUB        

We kindly ask parents/carers to pay at the beginning of each half term for the number of weeks in that half term – slips and envelopes are sent home at the beginning of the half term.  The covers the cost of £1 a week per child for fresh fruit every day. Please see the class teacher if you would like to discuss payment for fruit club.

Water bottles

We are keen to promote a healthy eating and drinking policy at Ysgol Craig y Don.  Please send a drinks bottle to school every day with your child, whatever the weather, with their name clearly marked on the bottle. Please ensure it is only filled with WATER (not juice, squash nor fizzy drinks).

School Uniform

All pupils have a designated box to keep their coats, jumpers, bags etc. Please help us to keep all possessions safe by labelling all items of clothing clearly with your child’s name. This includes hats, scarves, gloves in Winter time and sun hats in the Summer.

Outdoor Learning

We have been busy over the last year working to develop our outdoor learning areas and we incorporate outdoor learning as much as possible into our weekly timetables, all throughout the year. This sometimes means learning takes place in the new allotments, outdoor mud kitchen or big building area. Your child will need a suitable outdoor coat every day for school!

SCHOOL DINNERS

The school meals, cooked and served in the School Canteen, follow our healthy eating food project guidelines.  School meals are currently free for all Reception to Year 6 pupils.

Trips

We like to enrich our pupil’s learning experience by organising trips and visits. Details are shared with you with plenty of notice and payments are made via ParentPay. If you would be available to help out with attending trips, please see the class teacher. We would be very grateful for your help!

Seesaw

We use the online platform Seesaw to share weekly photo updates, important announcements and some examples of the fun activities that are taking place in our classes. Seesaw can also be a form of contact between teachers and parents/carers. We would like for you to be interactive with our Seesaw platform so please use the “like” (heart symbol) and the “comment” (speech bubble) features. Pupils love that you have seen what they have been learning at school!

Parents/carers that were connected last academic year, should be automatically connected for this academic year. If there are any issues then please speak to the class teacher.

Online learning – Throughout the year, pupils will be developing their digital skills and using technology to support their learning. Login cards will be shared with parents and carers with details of how to access the various apps and websites. Further information will be shared as these features are introduced one by one to pupils.

Thank you for taking the time to read our page.  Our Reception and Year 1 staff are out on the school yard at the beginning and end of each school day. Please direct any questions you may have to a member of our team.  Diolch yn fawr.