'Who you are tomorrow begins with what you do today'.

It’s hard to believe that we have already reached the end of this half term and are already half way through the school year! The children have truly amazed us with their continued enthusiasm and genuine love of learning. They really are excited to be ‘growing their brains’ in Reception; and what a successful half a year we have had so far.

Word has spread across school about the vocabulary that we have been learning and Reception are very proud of themselves. They explore how they can apply this vocabulary to their play, to other stories and even share with us if they have used it at home.

Take a look at this weeks…


What have we been learning this week…

Online Safety Week: This week, online safety has been a big focus across school with all classes discussing the importance of being safe whilst using devices. In Reception, we began by spoking about ways we keep ourselves safe on a daily basis, such as wearing seatbelts in cars, holding a grow ups hand to cross the road. Then we talked about why we also need to be safe when using computers, tablets and other online devices. We spoke about checking with an adult if we see or hear things that worry or scare us online and that we should only play games and be on apps that are appropriate for our age.

RE: This week we have been hearing about some of the ways Jesus shows us that he cares for us and how he wants us to care for each other. We listened to the scripture John 6:1-14 the Feeding of the 5000. We acted out this story and reflected on how the young boy trusted Jesus and shared the small amount of food that he had, and how this act of kindness helped so many others.

Literacy: This week in drawing club we have explored the story ‘Goldilocks and the three bears’. We enjoy describing the characters, setting and are becoming more confident writing labels to tell others something about them. This week we have had lots of fun using our imaginations to adapt the story, in particular, changing the porridge for other interesting food choices!

Maths: This week we have been focusing on becoming speedy subitisiers and have enjoyed playing different dice games to build on these skills.


Lenten Boxes

In the lead up to Lent, we have been thinking about how we can support others in our local community. It has become an Our Lady’s tradition to make and swap Lenten boxes. This year, each Reception child will make a Lenten box that they will give to their buddy in Year 6. Year 6 will also be making a Lenten box for Reception.

We kindly ask that these boxes are made during the half term break and brought back to school by Wednesday 21st February. Reception have brought home a note today to give them some ideas for decorating the Lenten box for their buddy.

Once swapped, these Lenten boxes can be used to collect donations for acts of kindness.


Reception Stay and Play

Please see the list below regarding our stay and play sessions next half term.
If your child’s name is missing please email me:
s.hartley@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

We are really looking forward to sharing this experience with you!

Let’s Celebrate…

This week, the children have voted for who they think has demonstrated our school characters and virtues during this half term:

All of the characters: Amara-Louise!
Amara-Louise, your friends in Reception have described you as being kind, a good friend and a role model; we couldn’t agree more. You are a ray of sunshine in our class bringing so much joy and laughter to others. Your curiosity towards learning and the world around you is inspiring and it’s lovely that you share this with others. Thank you for being a wonderful friend and role model!
Well done Amara-Louise!



All of the characters: Elijah!
Elijah, your friends in Reception spoke beautifully about times when you have shown them care and compassion. They notice how kind you are to others and how you always try your best in all of our challenges and activities. Thank you for being a compassionate friend to others and for inspiring them to try their best too!
Well done Elijah!



Whole School Virtue - Eloquent and Truthful: Jemima!
Jemima, you are always so considerate of others and speak with compassion and kindness. This makes our classroom such a caring and inviting place to be; thank you!
Well done Jemima!

Lunch time awards:

We also have lunch time certificates which are awarded by the lunch time team to those children who they see being wonderful role models and using marvelous manors:

This weeks role model: Eliza!
Thank you for being such a wonderful role model for others Eliza. It’s lovely to hear that you do this both in the classroom and around school too!

This weeks marvelous manors: Jack!
Jack, you have such a happy and cheerful smile and you know how important it is to treat others with kindness. Thank you for always remembering to use your manors and for making other people smile too!


Important notices and reminders:

  • World Book Day - 7th March.
    Children are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character. As part of our book day celebration, all children in school are asked to bring a magical object that we can use in class to create stories. This could be a special stone, shell, feather etc. We look forward to making some creative stories with these!

  • If your child has an achievement or something they wish to share they are welcome to bring it on their house teams day:

    Mondays: Bamber (Yellow team)
    Tuesday: Harcourt (Blue team)
    Thursday: Marsden (Green team)
    Friday: Plessington (Red team)

    (Please note this is not compulsory and doesn’t have to be each week, it is only if they have something they wish to share).


    If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Hartley
    s.hartley@ourladystarofthesea.lancs.sch.uk

Have a lovely half term
God Bless,
The Reception team