St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Nympsfield)

St Peter

Welcome to Saint Peter's Class Page!

"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

Who is Saint Peter?

Saint Peter was one of Jesus' special friends, called a disciple. He was a fisherman before Jesus asked him to follow Him. Peter loved Jesus very much and helped tell lots of people about God's love. Jesus chose Peter to be the leader of His Church, and that's why we call him Saint Peter. He is very important and helps us learn how to be kind and brave. Saint Peter exemplifies our virtues of Faith, Hope and Love and REACH values.

Mrs Catherine Daly

Reception Class Teacher

My name is Mrs Daly, I graduated in Primary Teaching in 2009 from the University of Worcester. I have taught across the primary years, but my passion is within the Early Years and KS1, where my focus was during training. Having been a part of St. Joseph’s since 2020 in the capacity as staff, I have loved seeing the children REACH in all they do collectively and as individuals. I currently teach our joyful, inquisitive and aspirational children in St. Peter's Class (Reception).

When I am not busy in the classroom, you will find me in my garden, or with a craft project in hand. I love walking on the common and making homemade pizzas with my family and friends. We have a big ginger rescue cat called Drake (aka Mr Purrington).

If you are currently considering your child’s primary setting for Reception, please do come along to visit us and see our learning.

Mrs Kat Piper

Reception Teaching Assistant

My name is Mrs Piper. I am an ex Early Years teacher who much prefers being a Teaching Assistant! I have been working with children for 15 years and 6 of those have been at St Joseph's. My first love is outdoor education so my role includes supporting staff with Outdoor Learning and I am also the Eco-Coordinator, helping the children to work together on the school's Eco-Committee. I am also a Forest School Leader and a Certified Outdoor Mental Health Practitioner - children's well-being and emotional literacy is a passion of mine.

When I am not working I love walking with my dog, working in the woods, dancing, good food, festivals and spending time with friends.

Mrs Rachel Barron

HLTA

My name is Mrs. Barron, and I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the St Peter’s family every Wednesday. 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 my lovely dog Angus, 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

Pippa – I have loved being with my buddy.

Finley – I have loved the painting activities.

Barnaby – I loved getting to play tennis with my buddy.

Fred = I love Mr Zoomie!

Arthur – Mr Zoomie too!

Lottie – I love my buddy playing with me and the role play.

Connie-Blue – Ladybug hunting.

Natalia – I love being with my buddy and drawing.

Harry – I love counting with Mr Zoomie.

Jasmine – I like Mrs Daly and doing Maths with her.

Heidi – I like Mrs Daly too, I love phonics with her.

Clemmie – I love being with Mrs Daly and I am going to miss you, I love playing with Pippa.

Nellie – I like playing on the stage. I like playing with my best friends.

Isabelle – I love the role play – the farmers market has been my favourite.

Thomas – I like the junk modelling, I loved it when I made a 3D fort with my friends.

Phoebe – I like reading in the book corner, so I can learn how to read.

Ronnie – I like playing Mr Zoomie with blocks and counting.

Ruby – I loved painting my pebble for the prayer garden.

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 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 2.
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!

Teddy Bear Passport
A summer activity for the children to bring in and share their summer adventures with the class.

St Peter's Class Autumn Term 1 Letter to Parents - Reception.pdf

What is it like to be a child in Reception at St Joseph's?

Reception is the first year of your child's primary education and we want to make the children’s transition from their previous educational setting as smooth and as positive as possible. We will be encouraging the children to be the best they can be through their first year at school and will ensure that everyone feels happy, safe, secure and supported. The children will be introduced to our school values and encouraged to REACH in all that they do, whilst having fun! Our aim is to ensure that all children will understand that even at such a young age they are valued, special and loved.

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!