And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,'”
– Luke 1:46-47
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 loved returning to the teaching profession in more recent years, when I joined the team at St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. 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 2018 as a parent of a child at the school, and since 2020 in the capacity as staff, during which time 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. Mary’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 Tyley Frankcom
1 to 1 Pupil Support
My name is Mrs Frankcom and I am a Learning Support Worker at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. I have worked as a Teaching Assistant in primary schools for many years now, with the majority of my experience being within Early Years and KS1.
Outside of school, I enjoy days out with my family and friends, playing netball and going for long dog walks through the countryside.
Miss Maddie Nicholls
My name is Miss Nicholls, I am currently here as a student from Cirencester College (studying childcare in education T Level) in my second year. I was a pupil at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and am now enjoying see ‘wow’ moments in children’s learning as a adult support in the classroom. I am between Reception and Year 1, 2 days a week.
I have like to spend time with my family and walking our dogs, Malone and Kiki.
Lottie – I love playing with my friends.
Clemmie - I love singing on the stage and doing shows for Mrs Daly.
Nellie – I love getting to do playdough.
Thomas – I have fun playing with the books and toys.
Ruby – my favourite is playing playdough.
Harry – Look at bugs. Being outside.
Jasmine – I love sitting on the carpet for stories and letters (phonics).
Natalia – My favourite thing is being outside with the sand, water and big build.
Ronnie – Love playdough.
Fred - My favourite is the animals.
Felicity - My favourite is the mud kitchen.
Barnaby - I like den building.
Isabelle - I love drawing and writing letters.
Routines in Reception
- Saint Mary'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 Tuesday 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.
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!