Reception
Academic Year 2025-2026
Cygnets, Ducklings and Goslings are hatching new ideas and exploring and beginning to learn about the world around them.
We dive into new learning experiences, always making a splash, do our best to get along swimmingly and are discovering how to spread our learning wings and fly.
Please feel free to contact us on the following email addresses:
Reception lead and Goslings class teacher - lholloway@whiterockprimaryschool.co.uk
Cygnets class teacher - clintern@whiterockprimaryschool.co.uk
Ducklings class teacher - zmartens@whiterockprimaryschool.co.uk
UPCOMING EVENTS
October:
Wednesday 8th October - Phonic workshop for parents,
Friday 24th October – Last day of Autumn 1
Monday 27th - Friday 31st October – Half Term
November:
Monday 3rd November – Non-Pupil Day
Tuesday 4th November – First Day of Autumn 2
Monday 10th November – Friday 14th November – Anti-Bullying Week
Monday 10th November - Friday 14th Number - Reception 'read with me' sessions for parents
Monday 10th November – Odd Socks Day
Tuesday 11th November – Remembrance Day
Tuesday 11th November – Virtual Parents Evening
Thursday 13th November – Virtual Parents Evening
Friday 14th November – Children in Need
December:
Friday 12th December - Cygnets trip to Kents Cavern
Tuesday 16th December - Nativity to parents
- Goslings 9.30am
- Ducklings 10.30am
- Cygnets 1.30pm
Wednesday 17th December - Ducklings and Goslings trips to Kents Cavern
Thursday 18th December – Christmas Dinner Day
Friday 19th December 2025 – Last day of Autumn 2
THIS TERMS THEME
'One World, One Heart'
Please scroll down to see our curriculum map to find out all about this terms learning.
Week commencing 9th February 2026
This week we went on a welly walk around the local area. We brought clipboards with pictures of different things such as post boxes, bus stops, shops and the park to look out for during the walk. We also celebrated Valentines with a fantastic Valentines disco, we had lots of fun dancing and playing in the hall. In Maths we have been looking at partitioning numbers up to 8, we have also started looking at height and time. In Phonics we will be reviewing previously learnt sounds based on gaps found in recent Little Wandle assessments.
Week commencing 2nd February 2026
This week we have been taking on the role of pirates in the outdoor area. They worked together to find various treasure hidden outside. In Maths we have been looking at doubling numbers up to 5. In Phonics we learnt new graphemes and their corresponding phonemes: air , er. We have also been learning to read words with double letters such as ‘mm’ in hammer.
Week commencing 26th January 2026
This week we had a Chinese New Years celebration with nursery explorers. We went to the hall and learnt about how people celebrate Chinese New Years, we also got involved in lots of different activities such as decorating a large dragon, dancing with ribbons to Chinese music, drawing fireworks with chalk, writing Chinese numbers in glitter. The children also tried some delicious noodles with prawn crackers. In Maths we have been representing and recognising the numbers 6, 7, and 8. In Phonics we learnt new graphemes and their corresponding phonemes: or, ur, ow, oi , ear.
Week commencing 19th January 2026
This week we have been reading the book ‘The Ugly Five’. Whilst reading this book we have explored the similarities and differences between hot and cold climates we saw in the book ‘Lost and Found’. In Maths we measured and compared different weights using scales and we also explored capacity using different sized jugs and containers. In Phonics we learnt new graphemes and their corresponding phonemes: igh, oa, oo / oo and ar.
Week commencing 12th January 2026
This week we have had a very exciting visitor in reception. The penguin has come to see how well the children have been looking after its egg. We have been looking at an artist called Chris Gilmour who makes sculptures using cardboard, and at the end of the week we became artists like Chris Gilmour and made our own modes of transport using junk to help the penguin get back to Antarctica. In Maths, we have been looking at recognising and representing numbers 0-5 using different resources. In Phonics at the start of the week we were reviewing sounds previously learnt and at the end of the we learnt two new digraphs and their corresponding phonemes: ai , ee.
Week commencing 5th January 2026
This week we have settled back into our Reception routines after our Christmas break! At the start of the week, we found a mysterious large, white egg outside our outdoor area. We have had lots of fun being detectives solving the mystery of who the egg belongs to and looked at various animals who are born from eggs. After looking at lots of clues inside and outside, we have decided it must be a penguin’s egg and we are now trying to keep the egg warm and safe. In our provision we have introduced a vets in the role play area and we have been making sure all the animals are well looked after. In Maths, we have been looking at recognising and representing numbers 0-5 using different resources. In Phonics we will be reviewing previously learnt sounds based on gaps found in recent Little Wandle assessments.
THIS TERMS THEME
'Free to be me'
Please scroll down to see our curriculum map to find out all about this terms learning.
Week commencing 15th December 2025
This week we have had fun learning Christmas songs and playing games. We have all been on class trips to visit Santa at Kent's Cavern and helped Santa’s elves in the caves. In Maths we have been distinguishing differences between events that happen at day and night. In Phonics we have been revisiting sounds we have previously learnt.
Week commencing 8th December 2025
This week the Cygnets class went on a school trip to visit Santa in Kents Cavern and helped his elf inside the caves. In Maths we have been identifying shapes with 4 sides and finding these shapes within our environment. In Phonics, we have been revisiting sounds we have previously learnt.
Week commencing 1st December 2025
This week a small group of children got to choose books for our school and got to read books on the library bus. Additionally, we have been practising our throwing skills using bean bags and hoops to aim in. In Maths we have been finding and representing the numbers 4 and 5. In Phonics, we have been learning to read words with ‘s’ at the end.
Week commencing 24th November 2025
This week we have been reading the story ‘Pumpkin Soup’, and at the end of the week we chopped and peeled vegetables independently to make our own soup. In Maths we have been identifying how many in a group of up to 5 items. In Phonics, we have learnt new phonemes and their corresponding graphemes: sh, th, ng, nk.
Week commencing 17th November 2025
This week we started toothbrushing in school. In Maths we have been looking at identifying circles and triangles within the environment. In Phonics, we have learnt new phonemes and their corresponding graphemes: z, qu, ch and words with ‘s’ at the end, additionally we have been practising to write CVC words.
Week commencing 10th November 2025
This week we wore odd socks on Monday in support of Anti-Bullying week, additionally we had a non-uniform day on Friday wearing yellow and Pudsey ears to support Children in Need. This week we have started learning their Nativity songs and the actions to go alongside these. In Phonics, we have learnt 4 new phonemes and their corresponding graphemes: v/w/x/y.
Week commencing 3rd November 2025
This week we have introduced our hairdresser role play area. The children have been playing collaboratively as many different roles. In Maths we have been looking at 1, 2 and 3 and how we can add and take away one from each number through using songs such as 3 little speckled frogs and objects. In Phonics, we have learnt 4 new phonemes and their corresponding graphemes: ff/ss/ll/j. Additionally this week we have been challenging ourselves by attempting to write CVC words, as well as identifying words that rhyme.
Week commencing 20th October 2025
This week the children have been learning about the Hindu festival of lights – Diwali. The children have looked at lots of traditions relating to Diwali such as Rangoli patterns, sharing meals with family and lighting Diya lamps. The children have also made their own Diya lamps. Additionally, this week the children came in non-uniform and brought money in to support guide dogs who they were lucky to meet in our whole school assembly. In Maths the children have been counting and ordering numbers to 3 using numerals and objects such as counters. In phonics this week the children have been reviewing graphemes based on gaps discovered within the recent Little Wandle Phonic assessments.
Week commencing 13th October 2025
This week we have been reading the book ‘Supertato’ and have been searching for Evil Pea! The children have been creative when making their own Supertato's using various resources to stop the Evil Pea entering our classrooms. In Literacy, we have been focussing on segmenting CVC words using our 'segmenting fingers'. We found the Evil Pea on a tin, mat, cap and on top of our reading den so the children had a go at writing these words. In Maths, the children have been learning about 1, 2 and 3. They have been recognising, ordering and using 1:1 correspondence when counting. In Phonics this week, we have been revisiting phonemes we have previously learnt.
Week commencing 6th October 2025
This week we have been looking at seasonal changes within our Woodlands as well as talking about ‘People Who Help Us.’ We have also been practising our throwing skills by using balls to throw them into hoops in our outdoor learning area. In Maths this week the children have been learning about repeating patterns. We have used resources such as blocks, natural objects, counters, paint and movement to create these patterns. In Phonics, we have learnt 4 new phonemes and their corresponding graphemes: h/b/f/l. This week, the children have been practising the skill of ‘segmenting’ three letter words such as ‘dog’ and ‘cat’. They have been using their segmenting fingers to count the sounds that they can hear in words, before writing them down.
Week commencing 29th September 2025
This week we have been busy identifying different forms of measurement by looking at bigger and smaller, longer and shorter, full and empty. The children have used lots of different resources such as cubes, measuring cups, scales and natural objects to compare. In Phonics, we have learnt 4 new phonemes and their corresponding graphemes: ck/e/u/r. To support the children when continuing to build new relationships, we have focussed on cooperation and listening to each other’s ideas.
Week commencing 22nd September 2025
This week we discovered a spaceship crash in our woodland area! The children have been busy finding clues and exploring the woodland area to find our SATPIN superheroes. The children have immersed themselves in imaginative play surrounding our Superhero theme. We have talked about what makes us Superheroes. In maths we have been sorting and matching objects and pictures by colours, size and type. In Phonics we have learnt 4 new phonemes and their corresponding graphemes: g/o/c/k.
Week commencing 15th September 2025
This week we have been celebrating our similarities and differences. We have used mirrors to look at our faces and used different materials and resources to create portraits of ourselves. We have also drawn our faces for in our Learning Journeys. In Phonics, we have learnt the sounds i/n/m/d. The children have been busy exploring our Woodland area with this week’s focus of ‘teamwork’.
Week commencing 8th September 2025
This week we have been incredibly proud of how well the children have settled into their first week of school. They have had lots of fun exploring their new surroundings such their classrooms, outdoor learning space and woodland area! During our ‘Choosing Time’ they have made lots of new friends and played with lots of new and familiar resources. We have also started our phonics learning and have learnt our first 4 phonemes and their corresponding graphemes: s/a/t/p.
