St Paul's Catholic Primary School

Welcome to Reception's Class Page

Class Teacher: Miss Mochan

LSA: Mrs O'Neill

Mount Nod Primary School - Reception and Nursery

Key Information

We kindly ask that all children bring their reading bags to school every day. This means that we can enjoy regular reading together.

Wednesday - Children come to school in P.E. Kit.

Please ensure that your child brings in a water bottle that is clearly named. This must be filled with water.

Don't forget to check that all uniform is clearly named.

Our Class Saint is Saint Paul.

Saint Paul is special because he loved Jesus very much and wanted everyone to know about God’s love.

He travelled to lots of places to tell people how to be kind, how to work together, and how to love others.

Even when things were hard, Saint Paul kept going and didn’t give up. He showed us that we can always try our best and help others every day.

Our values for this half term are Loving and Compassionate.

Compassionate: We are compassionate when we feel sympathy and concern for
other people who are in difficulty, whether they are near to us or far away.
Loving: We are loving when we show our sympathy and concern for other people by
our actions and by our words

In Branch 1, Creation and Covenant, Reception children will learn that God made them, loves them, and cares for everyone. They will explore the beauty of God’s world and begin to understand that Creation is a special gift from God. Through stories, discussion, prayer, songs and creative activities, the children will learn that they are unique and loved by God, discover ways to care for others and the world around them, and practise talking to God through prayer. They will also learn the words and actions of the Sign of the Cross and begin to give thanks to God for the many wonderful things He has created.

Phonics

Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS), is our school’s chosen phonics scheme. ELS provides a clear, systematic approach to teaching early reading and helps ensure all children learn to read confidently and quickly.

In Autumn 1, Reception children will begin their phonics journey following the Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS) programme. They will learn to recognise and say a range of letter sounds (phonemes), form the letters correctly, and begin to blend sounds together to read simple words. Children will also practise hearing and identifying sounds in words, develop their listening skills, and learn a number of tricky words that cannot be sounded out. Through daily, engaging phonics sessions, songs, games and reading activities, the children will build confidence in their early reading and writing skills, laying the foundations for becoming fluent and enthusiastic readers.

Reading

As the Reception year progresses and children become more confident in their phonics, they will begin to read books that are carefully matched to their phonic ability. This ensures they can apply the sounds they have learned and experience real success as early readers.

Children will read with an adult in school every week, giving them regular opportunities to practise their skills and develop fluency. Their reading books will be changed weekly, allowing them to enjoy a new text at home while continuing to revisit familiar books to build confidence.

We encourage families to read together as often as possible—little and often makes a big difference!

Literacy

In Literacy this half term, Reception children will enjoy sharing and exploring the stories Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Little Bear by Jo Empson. Through these engaging texts, they will develop their speaking and listening skills, learn to retell stories, describe characters and settings, and talk about their own experiences and feelings. The children will explore themes of family, friendship, belonging and change, while building their understanding of story structure and vocabulary. Through a range of creative, practical and writing activities, they will begin to mark make with purpose, give meaning to their drawings and writing, and develop confidence in expressing their ideas as emerging readers and writers.

Maths

In Maths this half term, Reception children will follow the Power Maths programme through ActiveLearn, developing a deep understanding of early mathematical concepts through practical, hands-on experiences. Children will explore numbers to 5, learning to count accurately, recognise numerals, compare quantities, and understand the relationship between numbers. They will investigate concepts such as sorting, matching, patterns, and comparing size, mass and capacity, while developing mathematical vocabulary. Through games, practical activities, stories and problem-solving opportunities, the children will be encouraged to explain their thinking, build confidence with number, and develop a positive attitude towards mathematics.

Understanding of the World

In Understanding the World this half term, Reception children will explore the theme of All About Me. They will learn about their bodies and how they grow and change, discuss their families and the people who care for them, and develop an understanding of the past and present. Children will explore their local environment, learning about their school, community and people who help us, including emergency services. They will also investigate the natural world by observing seasonal changes, recognising the features of autumn, and learning about the world around them through first-hand experiences, stories and practical activities

Expressive Arts and Design

In Expressive Arts and Design this half term, Reception children will use a variety of materials, tools and techniques to create self-portraits, family pictures, autumn artwork and models linked to their learning. They will explore colour, texture, shape and pattern through painting, drawing, collage, printing and junk modelling. Through imaginative play, role-play and creative construction, children will express their ideas, feelings and experiences while developing their confidence, creativity and fine motor skills. Inspired by stories and the world around them, they will learn to create, evaluate and talk about their own artistic work.

Music

In Music this half term, Reception children will develop their listening, singing and performance skills through songs, rhymes and musical games. They will learn to sing familiar nursery rhymes and action songs, explore different ways of using their voices, and begin to keep a steady beat. Children will experiment with percussion instruments, identify different sounds, and explore how music can express feelings and tell stories. Through regular singing and musical activities, they will build confidence, concentration and enjoyment in making music together.

In PE this half term, Reception children will develop their fundamental movement skills through running, jumping, balancing and travelling in different ways. They will learn to move safely and with increasing control, improve their coordination, and build confidence through a range of fun games and activities that support their overall physical development.

Computing

In Computing this half term, Reception children will learn how technology is used in their everyday lives and begin to use a range of simple digital devices safely and purposefully. They will explore classroom technology such as tablets, interactive whiteboards and programmable toys, learning how to operate equipment with increasing independence. Children will use technology to support their learning, including taking photographs, listening to stories and engaging with educational programs. They will also begin to understand the importance of using technology safely, respectfully and responsibly.

St Paul's Catholic Primary School

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