Reception

Welcome to Reception Class

We are delighted to welcome you and your child to our Reception Class. Starting school is such a significant milestone and we feel privileged to share this exciting new chapter with you. Reception is the beginning of your child’s learning journey in school — a time to grow in confidence, develop new skills and form lasting friendships.

Our Mission

With Jesus we learn, we care, we listen, we share, and above all we love — so that He might be seen in the people that we are and the things that we do.

Our school life is rooted in Gospel values, and in Reception we aim to create a joyful, nurturing environment where children know they are loved, valued, and supported.

Each day, we remind ourselves of our special motto:

JOY – Jesus, Others, Yourself.

This helps us to live out our faith in a practical way, putting Jesus first, caring for others, and developing respect and responsibility for ourselves.

Welcome to Autumn 2!

We are so proud of how wonderfully the children have settled into school life during their first half term in Reception. They have amazed us with their enthusiasm for learning, their kindness towards one another, and the way they have become such an important part of our school community.

This half term, our topic is “Celebrations” — a very special time of year filled with joy, reflection, and togetherness. We will be learning about Bonfire Night, Remembrance Day, and Christmas, exploring the different ways people come together to celebrate, remember, and give thanks. Through our Catholic ethos, we will also take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas — celebrating the birth of Jesus and thinking about how we can share love, hope, and kindness with others.

We have lots of exciting events coming up this half term! The children will enjoy a trip to the pantomime, which is always a wonderful festive experience. Class R will also be visiting Leonord Lodge, a local care home for the elderly, where the children will take part in activities with the residents. This visit is a special opportunity for the children to show care, respect, and compassion — helping to build connections between generations and bringing joy to others in our wider community.

We are also looking forward to taking part in the Infant Nativity in December! The children will be busy learning songs and preparing for this joyful performance, which is always a highlight of the year.

Throughout this half term, the children will continue their reading journey. New reading books and tricky words will be sent home each week to support their progress. Please continue to update your child’s reading on ‘Learning with Parents’, and keep an eye out for the weekly letter informing you of the new sounds and tricky words to practise at home.

We’re looking forward to another wonderful half term of learning, celebration, and growing together in faith, friendship, and kindness.

Our Daily Routine

A clear routine helps children feel safe, confident and ready to learn.

Here is what a typical day in Reception looks like:

Morning Drop-off – Children are welcomed into the classroom and begin the day with calm activities to help them settle. We offer a soft start, please drop of your children from 08:45 - 08:55
Morning Prayer and Register – We begin each day by coming together in prayer, remembering that Jesus is at the heart of all we do.
Phonics and Literacy – Focused teaching and activities to develop early reading and writing skills.
Play and Exploration – Time to explore indoor and outdoor areas, choosing activities that support learning through play.
Snack Time – A healthy snack is shared and children develop independence by helping themselves.
Mathematics – Practical, hands-on activities to build confidence with numbers, shapes and problem-solving.
Outdoor Learning – Daily outdoor play encourages physical development, teamwork and curiosity about the natural world.
Collective Worship / RE – Short, meaningful times of prayer or reflection, celebrating our faith.
Lunch – A social time for eating together and practising good table manners.
Afternoon Learning – Topic-based activities, creative arts and opportunities for Understanding the World.
Story and Reflection – Each day ends with a story and reflection, helping children to wind down, share experience and give thanks.

This balance of structured learning and play ensures children develop key skills while enjoying their time at school.

Working in Partnership with Parents

We know that parents are children’s first and most important educators. We value strong partnerships and work closely with families to support every child’s learning and development.

You can support your child at home by: