EYFS (F2) Reception: Gallery
Date: 12th Feb 2025 @ 1:55pm
In RE this half term, the children in EYFS have been leanring all about The Magi. We have listened to the story in the Bible and made star headbands to help us remember.
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem. Soon afterwards, some men who studied the stars came from the East to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him.”
When they saw the star, how happy they were, what joy was theirs! It went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshipped him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him.
Date: 12th Feb 2025 @ 1:50pm
The children in EYFS have had lots of fun exploring numbers up to 20 this half term! We have some great mathematicians here at St Basil's!
EYFS - Communication and Language Stay and Play
Date: 12th Feb 2025 @ 1:42pm
Communication and Language - Stay and Play!
The children in Reception really enjoyed having our grown ups come to stay and play! The children were able to complete activities with a grown up based around speaking, listening and attention skills.
Thank you to all of the adults who came!
Date: 12th Feb 2025 @ 1:35pm
Our new English text this half term is, A Walk in the Woods. The children have really enjoyed finding out about all of the different seasons. We were able to go outside and explore to see if we could find any signs of Winter.
The children have talked about their favourite season and have created some beautiful art work to go on their Proud Peg!
Date: 12th Feb 2025 @ 1:30pm
The children in EYFS have really enjoyed learning about Chinese New Year this half term. We have opened our very own 'Chinese Resturaunt' roleplay area within the classroom.
The children were able to make paper chains and snake masks to celebrate! They have joined in with some Chinese New Year traditional dancing and have watched lots of videos of street parties and festivals! The children have mostly enjoyed experiencing the taste of China! We have tried some traditional chinese food including, noodles, prawn crackers and rice.
"So yummy!" - Ivy
"I like to make noodles with my Dad at home." - Tommy
"I like the sweet and sour sauce!" - Rylee
"It's the year of the snake!" - Bayen
Jubilee Year launch - Pilgrims of Hope - January 24th 2025
Date: 26th Jan 2025 @ 11:42am
Our school community came together for an amazing launch for the very special Jubilee Year.
A Jubilee is celebrated within the Catholic church every 25 years. This year the theme will be 'Pilgrims of Hope'.
We are called together to experience joy and strength as we embarkon a journey to be 'agents of change,' working together for justice, love and peace, locally and globally.
After learning about the importance and theme of the Jubilee, the children across school have Celebrated the Word and written their own pledges.
We gathered together to reflect and share pledges before displaying them all around the hall.
We are excited for more events to come during the Jubilee Year and are filled with hope for the difference we can make in fulfilling our pledges!
Whole School - Justice Days - 15th and 16th January 2025
Date: 16th Jan 2025 @ 3:03pm
The children have really enjoyed the past two 'Justice days'. They have focused on this particular house value and have taken part in a wide range of activities centred around the the theme of justice. Below is list of activities they have taken part in;
What is Justice?- First the children watched videos and learned about what Justice means. They then identified as a group what justice looks like in school, at home, in our communities and in the wider world.
St Oscar Romero- The children increased their knowledge about St Oscar Romero through different resources and created a fact file on his life focussing on his fight for justice. In KS1 the children found out about the significance of the Romero cross and the local people who make them in El Salvador.
St Mother Teresa- The children loved learning about St Mother Teresa and her selfless life and fight for justice. They took part in various debates and activities focussing on the timeline of her life.
DJ the Dolphin- The children had a little refresher on what the CAFOD character DJ the Dolphin represents within Catholic social teaching.
Justice circle- The children enjoyed circle time focussed on the theme of Justice.
Fairtrade Banana game- KS2 children learned all about fairtrade when selling bananas and took part in some intense discussions regarding pay for each group or person in the chain.
One for you, three for me - KS1 children took part in a craft activity to create their own ideal meal on a plate. They were then given a 'meal ticket' and many were shocked to discover that only a third of the class received would receive their own meal plate, the remaining children were entitled to a plate of rice. We talked about how this did not seem fair or 'just' but was something that is real for many people in our world.
P4C- The children absolutely loved taking part in the "Is it fair?" game. They also discussed and debated about Blind Justice.
Wordle- The children created their own wordles based around the word 'Justice'.
Music- The children listened to songs relating to justice and identified the meanings behind them. They also added in some of their own verses as well as actions.
Prayer spaces - The children participated enthusiastically in a range of reflective activities linked to our Justice theme which included: Scripture art based on Micah 6: 6-8 to 'Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly'. Creating a justice cross using relevant words, images and symbols that they had found out about. 'International injustice' station at which the children located places on a world map where the people living there may need our prayers for justice. We placed candles over these places and prayed together.
Prayer writing - discussing ideas together and writing our own prayers for justice.
Art - children across the school worked with Miss Crowley on a special Justice themed art project which will soon be displayed in school.
Date: 19th Dec 2024 @ 12:28pm
Date: 19th Dec 2024 @ 12:18pm
We have loved going on the Christmas bouncy castle and soft play as a special end of term treat. The children have had the best time whizzing down the slide. We also had a very special visit from Father Christmas and one of his elves! We have loved signing Christmas songs and making Christmas crafts.
Date: 19th Dec 2024 @ 12:14pm
Thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us for our craft morning. The children loved making salt dough Christmas ornaments, Father Christmas spiral hanging decorations, decorating baubles, making Christmas cards and much more! The children loved sharing time with their parents and carers in school.
Date: 19th Dec 2024 @ 12:11pm
What an exciting time we have had in EYFS this month! We have been learning all about waiting and Advent in RE. We have used the knitted nativity set to retell the story of Jesus’ birth. We put up our Christmas tree and made our own Advent promise hearts.
The children have been busy decorating wooden Christmas tree ornaments, making reindeer food and designing our own Christmas cards. This year EYFS had a special visitor, Jimmy the Shepherd, who has been helping the children understand the true meaning of Christmas with daily tasks.
Date: 19th Dec 2024 @ 12:06pm
This week we have had a special visit from the Halton Dental Service. They told us all about how to clean our teeth properly and what foods to avoid. The children loved practicing cleaning their teeth and sorting foods. We then got to take home a brand new tooth brush and tooth paste, the children couldn’t wait to brush their teeth at home!
Date: 19th Dec 2024 @ 12:03pm
Wow! What a lovely surprise we had over night. The children were amazed by the snow and ice in the EYFS area. In small groups we went outside to discover. The children loved going down the hill and making snow balls.
“Brrrr! It was cold out there” – Ivy
“I’m making a snowman” – Aoife
“Ahhhh it’s chilly” – Pixie
Date: 19th Dec 2024 @ 12:00pm
This term we have loved exploring in our very own Party Shop, inspired by our English book, 'Festivals'
The children have been selling cards, wrapping paper, plates and part accessories.
They have been learning about religious and special festivals around the world too.
"You can buy Christmas cards here" - Troy
"I am selling birthday candles" - Junior
"Don't forget your wrapping paper" - Ruby
Whole School - Baptism Friday 22nd November 2024
Date: 1st Dec 2024 @ 12:46pm
The families of Tommy, Billy, Teddy, Ezra and Zach joined the whole school as we came together for an amazing celebration in the school hall.
Father Mark Moran welcomed brothers Tommy, Billy and Teddy with a special Catholic blessing.
Ezra and Zach were then baptised as we all watched on, what an amazing experience to be part of!
Congratulations to all of the boys and their families - we hope you enjoyed your special celebration, including the cake afterwards!
Thank you for sharing such a proud and important day with your St Basil's family.
Date: 15th Nov 2024 @ 8:16am
This week we have been reflecting and learning about remembrance day.
The children have done some potato printing to make their own poppies as a sign of respect.
They have learnt more about Festivals around the world.
EYFS - Bonfire Night and Diawli
Date: 11th Nov 2024 @ 4:18pm
What a busy week we have had!
Our new text is called 'Festivals'. It has some beautiful illustrations and we have loved learning about festivals from around the world. We now have a role play party shop, thank you for all your donations!
One of the festivals we have been learning about is Diwali, the festival of light. We have enjoyed learning about the story and making our own diya lamps. We listened to some Diwali dance music too!
We have also been looking at Bonfire Night and fire safety. The children have made chalk firework pictures and talked about their experiences with Bonfire Night.
In RE we have learnt about the Annunication story and how Mary was chosen by God. The children have loved retelling the story with the knitted nativity set.
Whole School - Road Safety Awareness
Date: 23rd Oct 2024 @ 8:21am
This week we met as a school to talk about Road Safety Week. This year it will take place from the 17th to the 23rd of November.
We thought about who our road safety heroes were. We decided they were people who would:
- Work really hard to overcome difficulty
- Do something really well
- Be really brave
We learnt that everyone who helps make journeys safer and healthier or helps care for someone after a crash is a road safety hero.
We talked about the different road safety heroes:
- School crossing patrols
- Roads policing officers
- Road designers and highway engineers
- Fire and rescue services
- Ambulance services
- Medical staff in hospitals
The Y5 road safety officers will be holding a poster competition in November to make people aware of road safety dangers and how to cross safely.
EYFS and Y6 - Meeting our Prayer Partners
Date: 22nd Oct 2024 @ 4:07pm
Reception were very excited to meet their Year 6 Prayer Partners! The children in Year 6 spent some time down in EYFS getting to know their prayer partners and exploring the EYFS area.
Our Prayer Partners help us to recognise and apreciate the religious and spiritual dimentions of life.
Together, we will love, learn and succeed following Jesus.
''Lukie is my Prayer Partner and also my cousin!'' - Tommy
''My Prayer Partner will help me in Reception.'' - Isla
EYFS &Y6 - Parent Collective Worship - Prayer Partners
Date: 22nd Oct 2024 @ 3:56pm
Welcome Collective Worship - St Basil’s Foundation Stage with Year 6 prayer partners.
The children in Year 6 and Reception gathered together to celebrate the children in Reception now being apart of the St Basil's family. Each child in Reception received a prayer book to take home.
''Mrs Sheppard gave me a very special prayer book!'' - Ivy
''Our Prayer Partners are so special to us, they will help us at St Basil's.'' - Troy
Whole School: Blessing of Mary in memory of Christine Wilson
Date: 22nd Oct 2024 @ 12:28pm
On Wednesday 16th October we gathered as a school family to remember Christine Wilson with Father Peter Ross.
Christine was a much loved and valued member of St Basil's and a former Chair of Governors.
We also welcomed Jim Wilson and members of their family, as well as some close friends.
Father Peter led us in prayer and dedicated our new statue of Mary to the memory of Christine, significant particularly during this special month of October.
The children shared in the our liturgy with readings and prayers, as well as with their absolutely beautiful singing.
The occasion was a heartfelt tribute which warmed all of our hearts and provided a lasting memory to treasure.
Whole school - Harvest Cereal Challenge for Widnes Foodbank
Date: 19th Oct 2024 @ 2:44pm
On Friday the 18th of October, we had a great morning completing our Cereal rally challenge.
After collecting boxes of cereal over the last month, each child came with their class to place a box in line ready for 'the big push!'
We were joined by Vicky from the Foodbank and Pip Turner from Asda who organised a donation on their behalf.
We also received a donation from Tesco in Widnes too, which helped boost our boxes to around 230 in total.
The children joined in with a countdown and watching the boxes being knocked over, followed by big cheers at the end!
Thank you to everybody who donated and to all of our children for particpating and showing their solidarity with others.
Comments from the children across school included:
"It was great fun and we got to help people too!"
"I hope people in Widnes won't be hungry now."
"The Foodbank is a brilliant thing."
"I can't wait to do more to help other people."
"I hope the people who get our cereal love eating it."
Date: 11th Oct 2024 @ 8:07am
Every week, the children in Pre School get to take home one of our school ‘Reading for Pleasure’ books. The children love swapping their books on a Wednesday and talk about why they enjoyed reading their chosen book.
Florence – My book was about bunnies; it had flaps to open!
Junior – My book was about feelings, happy and sad. I want to take the monsters book next.
Aoife – This one was about we’re going on a bear hunt shapes.
Jennifer – Mine was about crazy cows!
Caben – I had the gingerbread man but next I would like to take the town book
Sophia – I want to take the one Florence had about bunnies.
Date: 11th Oct 2024 @ 8:01am
This week we have continued to enjoy our 'Farm Shop' role play. The children have had new produce to sell including leeks, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions and carrots. They have loved being the shop keeper and dressing up!
The children have loved reading ‘A Squash and a Squeeze’ and can now retell the story themselves. In English we have read ‘Homes’ by Ellis Carson, whilst still thinking about poor Mr Bear in ‘Peace at Last’, who cannot get any sleep!
The children have continued to be in awe of autumn and we have talked about how God made everything in our world. They have made autumn salt paintings and explored autumnal colours. The children have listened to a range of songs about our beautiful world. They have met Sophia the Sloth to learn about Catholic Social Teaching and stewardship.
Outside the children have enjoyed refining their gross motor skills on the bikes and by making trampoline parks out of the crates!
Date: 30th Sep 2024 @ 4:49pm
Our shared reading text is now 'A Squash and a Squeeze' and we have been learning all about the farm.
The children are loving our new role play, the farm shop.
They have had real produce to sell and have certainly filled their baskets!
We have all enjoyed singing ‘Old Mac Donald had a fam’ with the puppets.
The children have also been experimenting printing with different animals.
