WELCOME TO RECEPTION CLASS   

PARENT'S GUIDE TO THE EYFS

EYFS AT ST MICHAEL'S

SCHOOL READINESS

YEAR 1 READINESS

BRITISH VALUES

 

EYFS POLICY - UNDER CONSULTATION

CURRICULUM NEWSLETTER SPRING 2

 

CURRICULUM NEWSLETTER SPRING 1

QUIZ ME QUESTIONS SPRING 1

CURRICULUM NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2

QUIZ ME QUESTIONS AUTUMN 2

CURRICULUM NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 1

QUIZ ME QUESTIONS AUTUMN 1

 

FOREST SCHOOL - Stones

Today at forest school it was all about stones.

We walked to a different part of the forest today, where we could access a very shallow part of the river Caldew. We all enjoyed throwing stones (carefully!), making rock pools, building, fishing and taking in how lucky we are to have such a beautiful place right next to our school.

  

 

FOREST SCHOOL- Dandelions

In Forest School today it was all about dandelions.

We read the beautiful poem about dandelions from the book ‘The Lost Words’ then we went on a hunt for the pretty yellow flower; we collected lots!

Once we got to the forest some of us enjoyed making dandelion crowns whilst others made potions and soups with the flower.

We learned about the importance of plants, insects and wildlife and how to care for nature and appreciate the natural world around us.

    

     

 

 

 

FIRE SAFETY

On Friday 1st May we had a very exciting visit from ‘Carlisle West Green Watch’ Fire Station.

The firefighters came to teach us about their important job and how they help to keep people safe.

First, we went outside to see the big red fire engine. We noticed its flashing lights, loud siren and all of the special equipment inside. The firefighters showed us the hoses, helmets and protective clothing they wear when they go to emergencies.

The best part of the visit was getting to sit inside the fire engine and spray water from the hose. Everyone was very excited and had lots of questions to ask.

We would like to say a big thank you to the fire fighters for visiting our school. We had lots of fun and learned many important things about staying safe.

Back in our outdoor area some of the children enjoyed building their very own fire engine with the crates and loose parts.

  

 

 

VET VISIT

On 29th April reception class walked up to Paragon Vets in Dalston. This is the fifth year that we have been involved in the sustainability project at the vets, developing their well-being garden. The projects aims to create a calm and welcoming outdoor space that can benefit staff, visitors and the wider community. The garden is an important part of the practice because it encourages wildlife, improves the appearance of the environment and provides a peaceful area that supports well-being. Over the past years we have built a bug hotel, planted sunflowers, made bird feeders, helped to build a pond and planted trees. This year we decorated bunting which we hung in the garden, we also helped plant more fruit trees and small plants around the pond.

  

 

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

On 20th April, each class in school was treated to a session of wheel chair basketball/ rugby. Wheel chair basketball provides many benefits for reception children by helping them develop physical, social and emotional skills in a fun and inclusive way. Taking part encourages children to work together, communicate and support one another. One of the main benefits is the development of teamwork and co-operation. Children learn how to pass, share space, and encourage their peers whilst playing games together – we had great fun.

 

 

EASTER CELEBRATIONS

As part of our Easter celebrations, in reception class, we made beautiful Easter cards.

We based our design on the story ‘Rechenka’s Eggs’ by Patricia Polacco. The story features intricate Ukranian Easter egg designs (pysanky) which provided us with inspiration for our handmade Easter cards. We used doilies and paint to create our designs, to recreate the story’s vibrant and ornate egg designs.

        

        

 

DONKEY VISIT

On Wednesday 25th March, we were delighted to welcome, Parsley and Pepper into school; donkeys from Wyeknot donkeys, Brampton. Their owners are long time friends of Mrs McArdle and Ronnie, in year 4 and they were a welcome Easter surprise for our reception class. The donkeys were led into our school hall where they behaved impeccably. The children learned that all donkeys have crosses on their backs and the children were able to explain why this was relevant to the Easter story.

Thank you to the donkeys for the Easter chocolates for the children,

    

    

    

 

SCIENCE - ‘How do birds build their nests?’

On Friday 20th March, as part of Science Week, reception class took part in a scientific investigation, as part of their Forest School.

The title of our investigation was ‘How do birds build their nests?’

As part of a group, we built a base for our nests, using clay. We then gathered different nest-building materials to make our nests strong and sturdy, and also nice and comfy.

To complete our nests, we had to work together and help each other. We decided that the clay really helped us to keep the nests stuck together.

After our investigation we realised how clever birds are to build nests; we have two hands and fingers and they only have a beak. We used twigs, leaves and moss to build our nests, which we collected from the woodland. At the end f the investigation we were not sure if our nests would keep birds protected.

As well as building nests we also enjoyed exploring the mud! We think the photos tell you why!

  

  

  

  

 

FOREST SCHOOL – session 1

This week reception class took part in their first forest school session. We enjoyed playing games, exploring the forest, taking part in a scavenger hunt, climbing trees and drawing in the mud. All of the children thoroughly enjoyed their time in the woods and are looking forward to the next session.

Forest school sessions boost children’s confidence, emotional well being and social skills through hands on experiences in nature. The sessions foster resilience, physical co-ordination and risk taking in a safe environment, while simultaneously enhancing cognitive abilities, curiosity and environmental awareness.

    

    

    

 

NATIONAL YEAR OF READING

Reception and Year 4 meet on a weekly basis to read together. This week was rather special as they got to share the new books in school, with each other. The children enjoyed reading aloud, discussing the stories and sharing their thoughts.

Book buddy programs allow older children to pair up with the younger children to foster a love of reading, build confidence and improve literacy skill through regular on-on-one sessions.

    

     

 

SUSAN'S FARM

Susan’s farm is a working organic farm on the outskirts of Carlisle and our reception children enjoyed spending a morning, in February, there. 

They spent the morning feeding the lambs, the tups (the daddy sheep) and the pregnant ewes, before walking across the field to see the herd of longhorn cattle.  The children enjoyed splashing in the muddy puddles and running across the fields; they showed great resilience in the cold wet weather and returned to school with rosy red cheeks. 

Farm trips in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are highly beneficial, offering hands on learning experiences that boost sensory development, physical activity and an understanding of nature.  They foster curiosity, compassion for animals and provide context for food origins while developing communication skills and confidence in a safe, open-air environment.  

    

      

              

    

 

TEDDY BEAR - Sleepover'

On Thursday 29th January Reception Class had a ‘teddy bear sleepover’. This was part of a nationwide early year’s initiative to launch the ‘Year of Reading’.  

The children (and staff) came to school in their pajamas, dressing gowns and slippers and brought a teddy bear/ soft toy.  We began the day by making the toys a bed to sleep in.  The children demonstrated a range of skills, designing, cutting, sticking, peeling, joining and collaborating.  It was lovely to observe each child having their own ideas and talking through them, accessing the resources that they needed independently and persisting with their plan even when it didn’t go quite as they wanted.  The children demonstrated high levels of concentration and engagement and they showed great satisfaction and pride when they had completed their beds. 

After lunch we took the bears and their beds to the school library where we enjoyed sharing books.  The toys were introduced to the enchanting world of storytelling by the children and the bears were perfect listeners. 

Before home time (for the children) the toys joined in with some yoga, singing and delicious hot chocolate before they were tucked in for the night, by their owners.    

Apparently, it was far too early for the toys to be in bed and so they were involved in a few adventures; exploring the mud kitchen, having fun on the field and eventually ending the night with their very own midnight feast before tucking themselves into bed for the night.  

The next morning the reception class were greeted by their friends at the classroom window, before being reunited and spending the rest of the school day together. 

This was a very exciting opportunity to be involved in and all the children teddy bears and staff thoroughly enjoyed the day/ night.  

  

  

  

  

 

ROAD SAFETY WEEK

Monday 17 November - Friday 21 November was Road Safety Week, and Reception class were able to spend some time with our lovely crossing guard Steve Caruthers to show us how to cross the road safely.

Thank you Steve!