“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised.”
Acts 1:4
This week in Reception, we’ve been learning about a very special promise Jesus made – He promised a ‘special friend’ to help and support us, called the Holy Spirit. We talked about how the Holy Spirit is always with us, like a warm hug in our hearts when we feel sad or worried, and how it helps us know the right thing to do, such as being kind, sharing and saying sorry.
We loved exploring what makes a good friend and created a class friendship jar, carefully choosing the ‘ingredients’ that show friendship and care – just like the Holy Spirit. This has helped the children spot these lovely qualities in each other every day.
Our prayer leaders also led a beautiful liturgy linked to the Parable of the Faithful Servant, where we thought about how we can help others and do good things, even when no one is watching. We are so proud of the kindness and thoughtfulness the children are showing within our school family.
Conversation starter:
Each week we will give you a question that we would like you to think about and discuss together at home. This could be over dinner time as a family, at bedtime, on a walk or even in the car. However you choose to discuss this question is up to you, but the idea is that it will help to give an insight in to what we talk about in school, help children to understand more about themselves or others.
What’s your favourite minibeast and why?
What adventures have we been on this week?
Another superb week of learning here in Reception! We’ve become poetry performers in our English sessions, learning and performing our favourite poems from our focus story ‘Mad about Minibeasts’. We’ve also been learning lots of new facts about our favourite minibeasts too.
Maths has been all about the number 6 and developing our subitising skills. We’ve been looking at how we can arrange 6 objects in different ways and which way helps us to spot 6 the quickest. We then recapped our knowledge of doubles, which too helps to support with our subitising.
Last week, we explored the work of artist Henri Matisse and learned how he used collage in his artwork. This week, we’ve been busy collaging the backgrounds for our very own Matisse‑inspired pieces, which we’ll be finishing next week. We can’t wait to share what we’ve created!
Our new garden centre role play area was officially opened this week. The class have had great fun buying bouquets of flowers and ‘planting’ their own seeds.
Let’s Celebrate:
Well done to our certificate awardee: What a brave learner you are becoming. Your confidence within our classroom is growing and it’s great to see you ‘having a go’ and sharing your ideas so openly with your friends. Mrs Summersall is also super proud of your focus and concentration in your phonics lessons.
Whole School Virtues - Attentive and Discerning: You’re a real attentive friend, always speaking with kindness and respect and checking that your friends feel happy and safe. You will speak out if you feel something isn’t quite right or someone isn’t being treated fairly.
Henry the Dog: It’s been wonderful to welcome you to our class team. This week you’ve shared some wonderful ideas on the carpet, particularly when we were discussing the Holy Spirit in RE.
Important Information and Upcoming Events:
Unfortunately, Miss Drummond is currently not in school due to illness. In the meantime, could you please email any questions, concerns or celebrations to Miss Woodend:
l.woodend@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk.
Sun Cream - Now that the weather’s getting warmer, please can you ensure that sun cream is applied before your child comes to school in the morning. It would be great if you could also provide a sun cream that can be kept in school so we can then reapply throughout the day. Please ensure that any sun creams provided have your child’s name on to avoid any mix ups.
Junk modelling resources - We’re extremely low on small cardboard boxes, toilet roll tubes, bottle tops etc for our junk modelling area and creation station. If you have any of these in your recycling bins, they would be greatly appreciated in school. Thank you in advance.
Reading books and homework - We have noticed that some children are not bringing their reading packets with them to school everyday. It is essential that they have these each day so that your child can read to an adult throughout the week.
All reading books and homework books will be kept in school on Tuesday evenings, ready to be handed out on Wednesdays. If your child does not have their reading packet with them on a Tuesday, their book may not be changed. Thank you.
Please can you ensure that long hair is tied back and please keep hair accessories simple, this is part of our school uniform policy.
Polite reminder that we are a Nut free school. Please can you bring in healthy snacks please refer to the poster for suitable snacks, we always have fruit avalible too.
PE
Our PE days are Wednesday (outside) and Friday (inside). On these days, children can come to school in their PE uniform and will remain in this for the day. We kindly ask that velcro trainers (white, black or navy) are worn as this allows the children to be indepoendent when taking their shoes off and putting them back on. Polite reminder that for health and safety reasons, no jewellery is to be worn on PE days. We kindly ask that this is removed at home before coming into school.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Miss Drummond, Miss Woodend, Mrs Summersall, Mrs Krol and Mrs Ely