"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."
Matthew 16:18
Miss Aimee Read
EYFS Class Teacher
I am delighted to be teaching in EYFS this year and to be part of such an exciting stage of children's learning and development. Early Years has always been a passion of mine; I specialised in Early Years during both my undergraduate degree and PGCE, and I am excited to bring this knowledge and enthusiasm into the classroom.
What I love most about EYFS is that every child is valued as an individual. The curriculum provides children with opportunities to explore, discover and develop their own interests, helping them grow in confidence and become lifelong learners.
Having spent the last two years teaching Year 1 at St Joseph's, I have developed a valuable understanding of the skills and independence children begin to develop as they move into Key Stage 1. I look forward to supporting every child to flourish in a happy, nurturing and inspiring environment where they can reach their full potential.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time outdoors, particularly going on long walks and exploring up mountains. I also love reading and painting, as I find both activities a great way to relax and be creative.
Mrs Rachel Barron
HLTA
My name is Mrs. Barron, and I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the St Peter’s family every Wednesday afternoon. I can’t wait to get to know all the wonderful children and be part of their learning journey!
I’ve been a proud member of the St Joseph’s school community for over 20 years—it truly feels like one big family. I started my career as a Teaching Assistant in Reception, where I spent 13 joyful years.
In addition to teaching, I’m also the Chaplaincy Lead and First Aider, and I run Lego Club. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing so many children grow and thrive at St Joseph’s, and now I’m really looking forward to supporting your child at St Peter’s too.
When I’m not in school, I enjoy walking, getting stuck into a good book, pottering in the garden, a bit of shopping—and occasionally relaxing with a nice glass of red wine!
What last year's Reception children say about being in St. Peter's Class
Ivy – I love doing Maths with Mrs Daly
Teddy – I love playing with the train tracks.
Novie – I like sharing my ideas with Mr Zoomie and Mrs Daly
Oren – I love doing Phonics – it helps me to read and write.
Layla – I like playing in the role play and outside on the stage.
Noah – I love going on the bikes with my friends.
Gracie – I love going on the bikes with Teddy.
Jonah – I like making a train track set.
Niamh – I like painting the birds for our bird spotting activity.
Fearne – I love Mrs Daly and Mrs Barron and how they help me with all my learning with love.
Celeste – I love the dough discos!
Charlie – I love Mrs Daly doing Maths – I love all our maths.
Pippa – I love making our shoeboxes into ocean dioramas.
Maddie – I love playing with my friends and making my toucan!
Elara – I love playing in the role play and making the shoeboxes and playing in the bikes.
Routines in Reception
- Saint Peter's homework is a termly booklet linked to our ULS Letters and Sounds scheme, and matches our weekly sounds.
- Each week, a child will bring home our class Prayer Bag. Within the bag, you will find a cloth (linked to our Liturgical Season), prayers and religious objects linked to the time of the year. Please use this to pray together as a family, and share a photo, craft, prayer that the child did during their turn with the prayer bag.
- PE and Outdoor Learning will take place on a Wednesday and a Friday - please ensure your child comes to school dressed in their PE kit. This includes trainers, a house colour top and navy shorts. In the wet and colder months, please send your child to school in appropriate clothing - waterproofs, school hoody, hat, gloves, etc as we may still be outside for PE.
- Reading - Reading is such an important skill to develop and it is really important that children read at home as well as in school. We would love all of the children in Reception to read 5 times per week to an adult outside of school. Please document each read in your child's reading diaries. This will then be looked at on your child's book change day and if your child has read 5 times within that week they will be rewarded with 1 reading point.
- Outdoor Learning - We will be learning outside in all weathers. Please ensure your child brings in wellies and waterproofs which can be kept in school all year.
- Mystery Reader will begin to take place on Thursdays. Early reading is so important within the Early Years. It ignites creativity, sparks curiosity and stimulates the imagination in young children. Mystery reader is an informal opportunity for you to read, share or tell a story to the class. The children adore Mystery Reader! We have had a brilliant response to this, if you have not signed up yet we have availability from Spring Term 1.
- Parents readers - We really value any parental support that you are able to offer. If you are able to volunteer some time to help listen to the children read (20/30 minutes any morning at school drop off) or to help within the classroom, this would be greatly appreciated.
- WOW Vouchers - Please use WOW vouchers to share your child's achievements from home with us at school! Please find the template below - their achievements will be celebrated together as a class!
A summer activity for the children to bring in and share their summer adventures with the class.
R - RESILIENCE - NEVER GIVE UP
E - EMPATHY - LOVE ONE ANOTHER
A - ASPIRATIONS - WE ARE THE FUTURE
C - CONFIDENCE - GIVE IT A GO
H - HIGH EXPECTATIONS - BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE
Through our school virtues of Faith, Hope and Love, Reception children will begin to explore the faith that underpins everything that we do at St Joseph’s. We will support our children in developing an understanding of, and live according to these word:
‘As it is, these remain: faith, hope and love, the three of them; and the greatest of them is love.’
1 Corinthians Chapter 13
Throughout their first year at school children in Reception will develop confidence in their abilities. They will be learning new sounds and words through daily story sessions, phonics lessons, group reading. They will explore number and patterns during daily maths lessons. They will become historians, geographers, scientists, artists and musicians as they begin to learn about the world around them. The children will have daily opportunities to also become leaders of their own faith through Liturgical Prayer sessions and Religious Education lessons, as well as developing their knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching throughout their normal routines in their daily lives.
Most importantly, every child in Reception will be encouraged to show, develop and celebrate their gifts and talents throughout the year, learning through exploration and play and experiencing how fun school can be! Through all of this, the children will develop key skills of resilience and empathy and will continue to grow into the wonderful human beings they all are!