Reception

Welcome to Reception

My name is Mr Horan and I am the Reception class teacher.
In Reception I am supported by Mrs Cirelli.

A very warm welcome to the Reception class webpage. Mrs Cirelli and I are looking forward to a fun and successful year with our lovely children. Please remember if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Reception team, we are always happy to help.

Reading Books

Reading and library books are changed every Thursday. Please complete your child’s reading record to indicate if you have read the book with your child at home.

Topics:

In Reception we cover a variety of topics. 
Our topics this year are:

  * Autumn 1 - All about me

  * Autumn 2 - People who help us/ Christmas

  * Spring 1 - Winter/Space

  * Spring 2 - Fairy Stories

  * Summer 1 - Minibeasts and Growth

  * Summer 2 - Zoo and Farmyard animals

Our Aims:

Active Learning

At St Mary’s we aim to develop children’s enthusiasm for learning. We encourage children to concentrate, keep on trying and celebrate their achievements.

Playing and Exploring

We provide opportunities that enable children to co-operate and work harmoniously alongside each other.

Creating and Thinking Critically

In Reception we develop children’s capacity to concentrate on their own play or on a group task. We also encourage children to develop their own ideas.

Personal, Social and Emotional development

In Reception we provide opportunities for each child to become a valued member of the school and the community and promote a strong self-image and self-esteem.

Communication and Language

At St Mary’s we provide opportunities for all children to talk and communicate in a widening range of situations to respond to adults and each other.

Literacy

We provide opportunities for all children to explore and learn about and use words and text in a broad range of contexts.

Mathematics

In Reception we provide opportunities for all children to develop their understanding of numbers, patterns, shape and space.

Understanding the World

At St Mary’s we provide opportunities for all children to solve problems, make decisions, experiment, predict, plan and question in a variety of contexts.

Physical Development

We provide opportunities for all children to develop their fine and gross motor skills, to increase and develop their understanding of how their bodies work and what they need to do to be healthy and safe.

Expressive Arts and Design

In Reception we provide opportunities for all children to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through art, music, dance and role play activities.

A few notes about Autumn 2 by Mr Horan

Thank you for your wonderful support during this half term. Mrs Cirelli and I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

When we return we will be studying the topics Winter and Space. We will also be starting Phase 3 phonics with the majority of children.

Have a lovely break,

Mr Horan

The Sleepy Shepherd

On Thursday 12th and Friday 13th December the children performed the Christmas Nativity 'The Sleepy Shepherd.'

Outdoor Area

Last year I applied for a Tesco bags for school grant. Through the public's support we achieved the most blue tokens and subsequently recieved £4000 to develop our outdoor area. 

A few notes about Autumn 1 by Mr Horan

Mrs Cirelli and I would like to say a massive thank you for your amazing support, everyone has settled in extremely well into Reception and have simply been a joy to teach. 

This half term we have introduced the children to Phase 2 phonics and covered the topic 'All About Me.' It has been lovely to see the children develop new friendships and solidify existing ones.

On a funny note...Mrs Cirelli and I normally pride ourselves on developing children's enthusiasm for learning. However, this can not be said for one child who at the start of the school day asked me to 'hurry up with school' as she had her bedroom to tidy. 

Have a restful week,

Mr Horan

Little Bikers

In Reception the children have been learning how to ride a balance bike. The photographs below show the children's ability to persevere even when things are challenging.