“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15
It’s hard to believe that we’re in May already … time is just flying by!
This week in RE, we have been learning about Pentecost and a very special moment for Jesus’ friends. We heard how the Holy Spirit came to the disciples, filling the room like a rushing wind and appearing like bright flames above their heads. We talked about how surprising and amazing this must have felt, a bit like when we experience something completely new for the first time. We wondered how the room might have felt; full of movement and light, and how the disciples may have felt braver and ready to share God’s love. We also thought about how the Holy Spirit is still with us today, helping our parish family to love, care and work together.
This week’s prayer leaders then led a wonderful liturgy linked to Pentecost. They worked as a real team to create their worship space and it was lovely to hear the children’s responses when the prayer leaders asked “Who else helps you to feel calm and safe, like the Holy Spirit?”.
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.
When have you felt brave or helped by God’s love, and how do you think the Holy Spirit might help your family in everyday life?
What adventures have we been on this week?
The children were delighted to hear that our focus story in English is ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ for the next couple of weeks - it’s certainly a firm favourite amongst our Reception friends. We thought about what we would eat if we were the hungry caterpillar and used these ideas to write some wonderful sentences about our favourite food. We’ve also been re-telling the story using our story props.
In maths, we’ve continued to subitise those ‘5 and a bit’ structures. The children are getting so quick at being able to spot the amount without having to count - well done Reception.
We’ve continued to learn about minibeasts in our knowledge and understanding of the world sessions, discussing how we can care for them in our environment. We’ve also played some fun ‘what am I?’ games, with the children speaking super confidently using their knowledge of different minibeast features.
Let’s Celebrate:
Well done to our certificate awardee: Wow, what a focused learner you have been this week. All of the adults in the Reception team have noticed you being a Cooper Crab in our classroom; from super writing in English, speedy sounding out in phonics and meaningful play in our Learning Landscape. Keep this up, your brain is growing and growing!
Whole School Virtues - Attentive and Discerning: You’re always lending a helping hand in our classroom and can always be relied on to carry out a job well! You are great at recognising when your friends need help too - Thank you!
Henry the Dog: Your such a kind friend in our Reception team and play co-operatively and kindly every day. Your enthusiasm shines out during group work and you’re always ready for the next challenge.
Important Information and Upcoming Events:
We would like to say a heartfelt thank you for all of your kind messages and well-wishes for Miss Drummond whilst she is off school. Many of you have been asking after her and your thoughts are greatly appreciated. She will be off for a little bit longer, at least another couple of weeks. I’m sure you will understand that we are respecting her privacy at this time, and allowing her the time that she needs to get better. In the meantime, the class is being incredibly well supported by Miss Woodend and Miss Goldstone who are doing a fabulous job in ensuring that the children’s routines and learning continue as normal.
Please don’t forget that if you have any questions, concerns or celebrations, please email Miss Woodend:
l.woodend@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk.
Just a gentle reminder that unfortunately the children cannot play in the Reception outdoor area at the end of the day due to health and safety reasons. Thank you for your understanding.
Reception sports day is Wednesday 10th June - starting at 9:15am. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for some sunshine!
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