Focus on Littleborough: Littleborough’s new starters

Photo: Matt Barker - Expressive Exposure

Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School

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As part of Rochdale Online’s Focus on Littleborough month this September we have been visiting Primary Schools in Littleborough and meeting the new reception class children.

Most of the children are now in their third week at school and have lots to look forward to over the coming months.

Class one teacher Mrs Parsons from Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School said: “All the children have settled in really well and they are all making good friendship groups and everyone has been joining in.”

The children are currently learning about the ‘self’ this includes the senses, staying healthy and looking after their bodies.

In terms of literacy and numeracy the children have started learning different letter sounds and taking part in counting exercises.

Children at St James Church of England Primary School in Wardle have also settled in very well, according to Head teacher Catherine Aden.

Over the coming weeks they have plenty to keep them busy including book week, theme week and harvest.

Ms Aden said: “This week they are particularly enjoying the weather so they have been able to use their outdoor area without having to wear their wellies.

“The children have also stayed for school dinner this week which they are enjoying and they have all been paired up with a buddy in year six. In the next couple of weeks they will sit with their buddy at lunch time and they also have playground pals.”

Ms Aden concluded: “Everything is going really well.”

Children at St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School are not the only new starters this term, they are also joining new head teacher Judith Rainford. Mrs Rainford said: “I would like to thank everyone in the school and church community for making me feel so welcome in my first few weeks, it is a great privilege to be head teacher at such a well recognised school and I am genuinely excited about what the future holds for our children.”

Mrs Rainford added: “The children are all settling in really well they are enjoying themselves and we have had lots of smiling faces.”

Children at Smithy Bridge Primary School are also learning about the five senses. So far they have made glittery glasses as part of “looking week.” Over the next few weeks they will focus on all the senses, “touching week” will include a visit to Hollingworth Lake and during “tasting week” the children will make fruit kebabs.

Reception class teacher Mrs Clarke said: “We have had a two week staggered intake where 15 children have come in the morning and 15 in the afternoon and swapped over and this week they are all here full time.

“We have two classes each with 30 children in. It is still early days but generally they have all settled in reasonably well.”

At St Mary's RC Primary School, the majority of the children knew each other from St Mary’s nursery.

Reception class teacher Mrs Goulding explained: “We have thirty children here, most have come from our nursery but four children, four little girls, have come from elsewhere but they are settling in well and they have made lots of nice friends.

“We have our harvest festival coming up which is something to look forward to and we are working on number displays for the school hall.”

Mrs Goulding added: “We have moved class rooms this year and are right next to the nursery with an adjoining door which allows for integration.”

There are just nine children in the reception class at Stansfield Primary School, but their teacher Mrs Angus is confident they are making friends and enjoying school life.

“They are settling in really nicely, they are getting on fine, we have a mixed class this year of reception, year one and year two and there’s still only 21 children.

“We have been focusing on phonics and numeracy and also lots of topic work.”