Hackney New Primary School

Reception: Starting the Journey

At this age, everything is new — it’s the perfect time to build habits of empathy, wonder, and pride.

💛 Kindness

• Praise small acts of kindness: “That was thoughtful of you to let your friend go first.”
• Role play sharing, helping, and comforting

🌍 Inclusivity

• Read books with diverse characters and cultures
• Talk about how everyone is different and special

🔍 Curiosity

• Encourage questions, even if you don’t know the answer: “Let’s find out together!”
• Take walks and notice the world together

🏆 Excellence

• Celebrate effort, not just outcomes: “You worked so hard on that picture!”

🗣 Ask:
“What kind thing did you do today?”
“Did you learn something new today?”
“How did you help a friend?”

Year 1: Growing Character

This is a big year for learning routines — and values can become part of those everyday habits.

• 💛 Kindness

• Use a kindness jar: each time your child does something kind, add a note or a pebble
• Model apologising and making things right

• 🌍 Inclusivity

• Play with a variety of friends at the park
• Talk about people’s rights and treating others fairly

• 🔍 Curiosity

• Keep a “wonder wall” or notebook for their questions
• Explore museums, nature trails, or simple science experiments at home

• 🏆 Excellence

• Encourage them to “have a go” even when something’s tricky
• Celebrate persistence: “You didn’t give up!”

🗣 Ask:
“How do you show someone you care?”
“What made you go ‘wow!’ today?”
“What are you most proud of today?”

Year 2: Becoming Aware of Others

Children begin to notice the world beyond themselves — a great time to explore empathy and fairness.

• 💛 Kindness

• Keep a weekly “kindness spotlight” at home
• Share stories where characters solve problems with kindness

• 🌍 Inclusivity

• Explore maps and flags — talk about how people live in different ways
• Use play or stories to explore fairness and justice

• 🔍 Curiosity

• Let your child teach you something they’ve learned
• Ask “What if?” questions to stretch their thinking

• 🏆 Excellence

• Set small goals and help your child reflect on their progress
• Talk about taking pride in doing your best, not being perfect

🗣 Ask:
“How do you include others when you play?”
“What are you really curious about right now?”
“What does doing your best look like today?”

Year 3: Deepening Empathy & Independence

As they gain independence, children also need guidance in using their growing voice and power positively.

• 💛 Kindness

• Discuss real-life situations where someone showed or needed kindness
• Encourage writing thank-you notes or compliments

• 🌍 Inclusivity

• Watch age-appropriate documentaries or read books about other communities
• Challenge stereotypes gently and with curiosity

• 🔍 Curiosity

• Follow your child’s interests — let them lead learning through passion projects
• Encourage “I wonder…” conversations at dinner

• 🏆 Excellence

• Talk about personal bests: “You were more focused than last time!”
• Praise resilience: getting up after setbacks

🗣 Ask:
“What’s something new you learned that surprised you?”
“Did you see anyone being left out today? What did you do?”
“What are you working hard to get better at?”

Year 4: Developing Voice and Values

This is a key age for finding their own voice — and learning how to use it with integrity.

• 💛 Kindness

• Encourage random acts of kindness — let them choose one each week
• Talk about emotional intelligence and noticing how others feel

• 🌍 Inclusivity

• Reflect on current events and talk about justice in age-appropriate ways
• Use family moments to model respecting different opinions

• 🔍 Curiosity

• Keep asking open-ended questions and challenging assumptions
• Explore ethical dilemmas: “What would you do if…?”

• 🏆 Excellence

• Reinforce self-assessment: “What would you do differently next time?”
• Encourage independent responsibility: packing bags, managing homework

🗣 Ask:
“What makes a good friend?”
“How can we make everyone feel welcome?”
“What did you put real effort into this week?”

Year 5: Exploring Responsibility

Children are starting to look outward — it’s a great time to link values with global citizenship.

• 💛 Kindness

• Get involved in a community or charity project as a family
• Reflect on what it means to be kind online

• 🌍 Inclusivity

• Watch diverse films or read about activists and leaders
• Discuss the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (in child-friendly terms)

• 🔍 Curiosity

• Support a home research project or interest-based challenge
• Ask your child to “teach the teacher” at home

• 🏆 Excellence

• Help them set their own goals and review them
• Talk about integrity: doing your best even when no one is watching

🗣 Ask:
“What change would you like to see in the world?”
“What’s something you’ve taken real responsibility for lately?”
“What makes you feel really proud inside?”

Year 6: Preparing for the Wider World

As children prepare to leave primary school, we want them to carry our values proudly into the next stage.

• 💛 Kindness

• Talk about kindness as a strength, not a softness
• Reflect together on how they’ve grown as a person

• 🌍 Inclusivity

• Discuss current events or social issues with empathy and respect
• Challenge injustice and prejudice with confidence

• 🔍 Curiosity

• Encourage big questions and critical thinking
• Explore ideas of leadership, ethics, and impact

• 🏆 Excellence

• Support revision routines and time management
• Celebrate small milestones and quiet wins

🗣 Ask:
“What values will you carry with you to secondary school?”
“How can you be a role model to others?”
“What does excellence mean to you now?”

🌟 Final Thoughts from the Headteacher

Thank you for helping us grow children who care deeply, think bravely and strive to be their best selves.

When we nurture kindness, inclusivity, curiosity and excellence together — at school and at home — we raise children who will not just thrive in the world, but shape it for the better.

You are your child’s first teacher — and their most powerful role model.

Let’s keep making magic, together.

– Ms. Marya Afreedi, Headteacher