Reception Weekly Blog 9.10.26 - "Our mother Mary is full of beauty because she is full of grace." - Pope Francis

In RE this week we focused our thoughts about God’s creation with a quote from Genesis, “God said it was good.” 1:13. We shared all of the things that God made and the children spoke about why they love each thing. We then reflected on us and how we can help God and our world by making good choices and helping the world, starting with our actions in school. In our focused task we drew all the things that God made… and they are good!

GOING DEEPER IN CONVERSATION

In Kidsafe this week we re-discussed who our trusted adults are and that we talk to these people when we have Yukky feelings. We then spoke about private places and developed our loud, “NO” voice. The children know that whenever they get Yukky feelings, they say no, walk away and tell a trusted adult.

Please read the parent letter to go with this session and have a chat.

MAGICAL MOMENTS OF LEARNING

This week we have enjoyed the story, “The Colour monster” and learning more about the different emotions he felt. Our focused task was to create our very own colour monster and in our groups we discussed the different emotions again. On carpet kingdom we have been developing our oracy skills, developing our partner talk. The children know they need to have their whole body facing their partner and have practised parrot talk (repeating their partners ideas) this is very helpful in building our listening skills. We ended our week with our Year 6 partners and together we prayed a decade of the Rosary with their help.

LET’S CELEBRATE

This week our Loving and Compassionate star is EDDIE H. Well done Eddie, you are a wonderful member of our class, a kind friend and you are always ready to learn with a smile on your face!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

HARVEST - this year we are collecting cereal boxes - all types welcome. Please bring all donations in, we will create a little display in class before they are all collected together as a school.

Parents day appointment - Friday 23rd October. Most of you have now booked a time. If you haven’t yet please email with a time range and I will share with you the remaining slots nearest to this time. I am available for face to face meetings and online using Teams. I’ll email a confirmation- c.bassett@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

As a school and trust, we are proud to be working closely with the wonderful charity Mary’s Meals, which provides nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest communities. On Friday 16th October, we would like to invite all children to come to school in their own clothes in return for a donation to this fantastic cause. Together, we hope to raise enough money to feed a school for an entire year! Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference. There is no fixed amount and every contribution is greatly appreciated.

Have a lovely weekend!

Miss Bassett, Mrs Summersall, Mrs Krol, Miss Canham and Miss Woodend.

Reception Weekly Blog 2.10.26 - "Let the message of Christ live in you" - St Paul

In RE this week we really enjoyed sharing photographs of our own Baptism’s and spotting the font and Baptism candles too! We have also been focusing on the sign of the cross and now know that when we were Baptised the priest and our God parents made this sign on our foreheads too! We know that when we make the sign of the cross we are showing everybody that we love God! On Wednesday we listened to this week Gospel and have reflected on how we can be God’s messengers through our words, actions and prayers.

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GOING DEEPER IN CONVERSATION

In Kidsafe this week we explored “Bullying” and what this word means. The children reflected on our previous lessons about Yucky Feelings and our Trusted adults too. The children know that bullying is someone doing something on purpose repeatedly to the same person, Several Times On Purpose! We practised saying STOP using our strong voices, walking away and telling a trusted adult.

Please read the parent letter to go with this session and have a chat.

MAGICAL MOMENTS OF LEARNING

This week we have celebrated how special God has made us. We had a lovely discussion about our special people and why they are special to us. The children had to take it in turns to talk with their partners and to listen to each other as they spoke about their special people. After this discussion Miss Canham completed the focus task and continued this discussion.. their were lots of smiles as the children spoke about their special people!

LET’S CELEBRATE

This week our Loving and Compassionate star is ZARA. Well done Zara, you are always so kind, caring and have such an understanding nature.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Parents day appointment - Friday 23rd October. I’m really looking forward to meeting with you and sharing your child’s progress at this early stage in the year. I am available for face to face meetings and online using Teams. On the appointments form you will see that the online sessions are blocked out in yellow- they need to be together. Please email me with the slot you would like and I’ll email a confirmation- c.bassett@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

Have a lovely weekend!

Miss Bassett, Mrs Summersall, Mrs Krol, Miss Canham and Miss Woodend.

Reception Weekly Blog 25.9.26 - "We can all improve and change for the better." Pope Francis

This week we have been thinking about CHANGE, we now know that God is always ready to help us change and change for the better. The children have reflected on how they have already changed in so many ways. In RE we having been learning more about the special sacrament of BAPTISM. Please send any photos for any baptism photographs you have - we will make a display of these in our classroom!

CONVERSATION STARTER

We have began our learning of Kidsafe and in this weeks lesson we have been learning all about our FEELINGS. We have introduced the phrase YUCKY FEELINGS and that when we have these feelings we must share them with a trusted adult. Please talk about what Yucky feelings are, when we might get Yucky feelings, and what to do if we do have Yucky feelings.

MAGIC MOMENTS OF LEARNING

Honestly, in reception I only have to look around to see SO many wonderful moments. I have spent time with each individual child this week as we have finished our baseline assessments. This information will inform our next steps in our learning and any areas/skills for our class to really master. I honestly feel so privileged to be each one of these precious children’s reception teacher.. each one of them brings their wonderful and unique qualities, personalities and gifts that God has given them. Bring on year 2026-2027!

LET’S CELEBRATE

Our STAR this week has gone to Verity. You have shone so brightly, your kindness, calm nature and beautiful behaviour is absolutely wonderful. A huge well done. you are our Star this week and a joy to be around!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Sunday 27th September 9:30 - Family mass THIS SUNDAY! Family mass is always such a special moment for our school community to come together! It would be wonderful to see as many of you as possible as we gather together to celebrate mass and our new school year!

Monday 28th September - Flu Vaccinations

Have a wonderful weekend - God bless

Miss Bassett, Miss Woodend, Mrs Summersall, Mrs Krol and Miss Canham

Reception Weekly Blog 18.9.26 - "God is generous, He shows us all His love and encourages us to be generous." - Pope Francis

This week we have been thinking about FOREGIVENESS and understanding what this word means. During prayer and liturgy we listened to the time when Peter asked Jesus how many times should we forgive a person, Jesus replied, “Not seven I tell you, but twenty-seven.” We discussed how Jesus will always forgive someone and wants us to do the same. In RE we have been learning all about CREATION and in particular how God made us to be like Him. We thought carefully about how we can be like God and decided that God wants us to look after His world and everything that He has made. The children are really trying to do this by taking care of their classroom, collecting their natural snack waste for the compost, and looking after each other!

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CONVERSATION STARTER

We have began our learning of Kidsafe and in this weeks lesson we have been learning all about TRUST and who our trusted adults are. We played a game of trust. We helped a friend move safely around the classroom, demonstrating how having trust means knowing that person will look after you and be safe. Over the weekend discuss who you trust and why… also begin to share what makes you feel happy and what does not.

MAGIC MOMENTS OF LEARNING

This week our topic has been, “All about me”. The children have been practising their partner talk: turning our whole body to face our partner, and to give our partners our looking eyes. We have had many conversations with our partners but one of my favourites was discussing our three favourite things. The children loved sharing what they love and what is important to them and they all created beautiful images of their favourite things with Mrs Summersall!

LET’S CELEBRATE

Our STAR this week has gone to a little boy who loves to be helpful and is always ready to offer his help. During carpet kingdom he is always listening so intently and sharing his wonderful smile. A huge well done LOUIS CR. you are our Star this week!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Wednesday 23rd September - School photographs

Sunday 27th September - Family mass 9:30am

Monday 28th September - Flu Vaccinations

Have a wonderful weekend - God bless

Miss Bassett, Miss Woodend, Mrs Summersall, Mrs Krol and Miss Canham.

Reception Weekly blog 11.9.26 - "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." – Romans 15:7

Our first week! It has been truly special seeing all our Reception friends come together. Old friendships rekindled after the summer holidays and many new friendships made too. The children have all been so brave and wonderful. New beginnings can be a nervy time but together, you have shown that new beginnings are incredibly exciting too! To all our new children, you have been welcomed in and we are so happy to see you settled and ALL of the new friendships you have made! A huge well done to each and every one of our children, they have shown kindness, care and absolutely wonderful sharing skills!

In prayer and liturgy this week we have been learning to be still, to close our eyes and to wait to hear Jesus. We have held our hearts and closed our eyes, waiting for God to put a picture of someone special to us, being still we have said little prayers for these people. We have also spent time together, with the candle alight, as we welcomed Jesus to hear our prayers. On Wednesday we thought about to word, “forgiveness” and we know that God wants us to forgive people, and also for us to say sorry when we might have struggled to make the right decision.

Magic moments

I may say this often but their truly has been so many magic moments. This week we have had so many firsts, and with this SO much to remember. However, this week has also been about building such positive relationships and spending time with each and every child. It has been a joy for myself, Mrs Summersall, Miss Krol, Miss Canham and Miss Woodend to get see each child happy and for us to learn more about them. Alongside this on Wednesday evening we were able to speak to so many of you and again this was just fab! A huge thank you for your trust, openness and for sharing all of the wonderful things your child has shared with you this week about their new school!

I am so excited for the year ahead!

Star Award

Each week we will award a child our special STAR award.

This week ISLA has been awarded our STAR for being very kind towards others. Isla you have gone above and beyond to help other people around you. A huge well done!

Student Council and Eco Council

Today we had our very exciting leadership assembly and during this we learnt who will be Receptions Student Councillors and Eco Councillors. These children will attend special meetings throughout the year and will help Mrs Gregan!

A huge congratulations to Elsie and Zac who have been chosen to be our Student Councillors. and another huge well done to Arlo and Isla who have been chosen to be our Eco Councillors.

We know that you will all thoroughly enjoy these roles of responsibility!

Reminders

1. PE days: Tuesday pm - Outside. Friday am - Inside. Shorts needed for Fridays (come either wearing or in your child’s bag). Children to come to school wearing their PE kit on both days. Depending on weather shorts or jogging bottoms may be worn for the day.

2. Homework: Please return homework books on Monday, these will then stay in school overnight and be handed back to the children on Tuesday.

3. Inhalers: Please make sure that it your child uses an inhaler that we have these in school. Please drop off via the office and an asthma form will need to be completed. Thank you!

Induction evening

For those of you who were unable to attend and for those that did but would like to look again at key information. Below you can click on the link to view the PWP we went through.

Coming up

Wednesday 23rd September - School photographs

Sunday 27th September - Family mass 9:30am

Monday 28th September - Flu Vaccinations

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Have a wonderful weekend, it is very well deserved!

Miss Bassett, Miss Woodend, Mrs Summersall, Mrs Krol and Miss Canham

c.bassett@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

Reception Weekly Blog 4.9.26 - "And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” — Meister Eckhart

Our first two days in school and what can we say, they are all such shining stars. They are caring and compassionate towards each other. Their turn taking and sharing skills are incredible too! This has shone both days and our classroom has been such a calm, happy place. Every child has fully explored each area of their new classroom, and have done so with care! Tidy up time is so speedy, our children may only be young but they already show a great understanding of how to look after God’s world.

Today we have also been outside of our Reception provision. We began by introducing ourselves to our schools wonderful chefs, Jackie and Sharon! They made us smile and laugh and are very friendly! We are very excited to eat our lunches together next week… especially after hearing all of the yummy meals they prepare! We then headed out in small groups onto the big playground so that we are nice and familiar with all the wonderful spaces we can explore next week! We have had lots of fun!

LET’S CELEBRATE

As agreed, through our school council, our learning awards will no longer be handed out in assembly on Friday. We now have mini certficates for learning which can be given when we spot amazing learning in class. Keep an eye out for these - many will be coming your way!

The Virtue Star remains and will be awarded next week. We are trying to be Loving and Compassionate.

Things to remember:

• School opens at 8:45 with registers be completed at 8:55. The school gate will open just before home time. Please wait outside our classroom until we open up the doors at 3:30.

• PE days: We have our outdoor PE every Tuesday afternoon, Please come to school wearing full PE kit. We have indoor PE on Friday’s, this is the day to make sure your child has shorts either with then in their bag, or under their joggers.

• Snack: We will have snack each morning at 10:00. We have a fruit bowl in class and the option of ordering hot snacks via Mrs Gregan’s weekly blog (posted every Friday). You are also able to bring a healthy snack for your child if this is preferred. Hot snacks must be ordered before 8:00am Monday morning. Please remember that we are a plastic free school and so any snacks from home must be brought in reusable containers.

• Water bottles: Thank you for bringing these each day, please continue to do so.

• Parent Induction evening: This Wednesday you are welcome to join us for one of our induction meetings, 3:45 and 4:45pm. I will quickly go through things to remember, what to expect this year and be there to answer any of your questions.

• Please don’t forget to fill in the Medical and Parental forms! Thank you!

Finally, we hope you have a wonderful weekend and we really look forward to welcoming you all as we become our whole Reception family on Monday!

Miss Bassett, Mrs Summersall, Mrs Krol, Miss Canham and Miss Woodend.

Welcome to Reception!

The warmest welcome to Reception! We are extremely excited to begin our new adventure together next week, we hope you are too! We also hope that you have all had a wonderful summer together and have made lots of fab memories. We have been busy organising the classroom to make sure it is ready for the children’s very special, first day in school. These moments in your little ones lives are so precious and a huge honour for us to be a part of. We cannot wait to really get to know each and every wonderful member of our new Reception class and watch the many magic moments and memories that they will make.

Below you will find important information to help to feel ready for the first half term, along with two forms that must be completed.

School virtues

Our virtues for our first half term will be Loving and Compassionate. These will be at the core of everything we do in school and we are always looking out for children who display these characteristics.

What to bring each day

Snack time: In Reception we will always have plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for the children to access at snack time, however if your child would prefer a hot snack these are also available to order by 8am Monday morning. You will always find the link for this on Mrs Gregan’s weekly blog each Friday. You are also welcome to send your child with a snack from home, however to support our eco footprint, it is a school rule that these must be sent in reusable tupper wear (no wrappers please!)

School bag: In your child’s school bag we ask that your child comes to school with a water bottle and their reading book bag inside their bag. If your child has achieved something outside of school, we would love to celebrate this as a class together so feel free to bring in certificates, medals or special photographs. We ask that children do not bring their own personal toys to school is case they were to get lost or damaged. Thank you!

Continuous provision: The children will have access to both indoor and outdoor play during many parts of the school day. Therefore, we ask that you please bring in some extra layers, such as a waterproof coat and wellies, to help them feel more comfortable when outside. These can be left in school. Thank you!

Medicine: If your child needs to be given any medicine in the school day, this must come into school via the main entrance and signed in via the office, our lovely Mrs Nel will then inform myself. Medicine must not be brought in via a child’s school bag.

PE Days

Outdoor PE is on a Tuesday afternoon. This will begin when we start our full days together. Our first session will be on Tuesday 8th September. Children are encouraged to come into school wearing the school PE kit (either navy shorts or joggers depending on the temperature, the school navy PE top and a school hoody or tracksuit top).

Indoor PE days will be on a Friday morning. On these days you need to make sure you wear tracksuits but also have a pair of shorts either under your trousers or in your bag to get changed in to. We don’t wear trainers during indoor PE, but if there are any issues with this then I must be informed by an adult. Our first lesson will be on Friday 11th September.

Homework

This will go out on Tuesday afternoons and will be due in the following Monday. Please support us in this process to ensure children complete their homework and hand it in on time.

Induction Night

This will be held on Wednesday 9th September 3:45pm & 4:45pm. This is another opportunity for you to see the classroom for yourself, discover more about the exciting opportunities and topics that they will be learning during their time in Reception and we can answer any questions you may have!

Forms

Please complete the following consent form for the year ahead. This gives your permission for various things, such as school trips, usage of technology and photographs to be put on the website:

If your child has a medical condition such as asthma or an allergy that we need to know then please complete the following medical form:

Uniform

Please make sure all coats and school uniform is labelled. We will do our very best to build the children’s independence in taking care of their personal belongings and it is a huge help when everything is labelled for the children.

Please remember that there is now a No Jewellery policy except for an anologue watch (no smart watches)

We can’t wait to see you all on Thursday 3rd September and hear about your holidays!

We hope you enjoy your last few days of the holidays and we look forward to seeing you in Reception for your two half days, as we settle in to your new school on Thursday and Friday.

Miss Bassett, Miss Woodend, Mrs Summersall, Mrs Krol and Miss Canham