RSM Chronicle Autumn Winter 2019 - 2020

THE

ALL THE NEWS AND EVENTS AT REIGATE ST MARY’S

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

GREENSHOOTS SINGALONG UPPER SCHOOL CONCERT WINDMILL HILL VISIT TRIPS TO WISLEY & LEGOLAND FOSMA DISCO & FIREWORKS GRANDPARENTS’ DAY STEM & LEGO LEAGUE TRIP TO SNOWDON CHORISTERS AT ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

REIGATE ST MARY’S SCHOOL

HEADMASTER’S WELCOME Welcome to our latest edition of the Chronicle. In the following pages you will once again see the vast array of activities, events, challenges and exciting learning that our children and families have enjoyed during the first half of the academic year. Now that we know all of our leavers’ destinations and the excellent schools they will be moving on to, we congratulate them all.

From climbing Snowdon with our new Year 6 young leaders in September, to the Inter-House Music competition which concluded the first half of the Spring term, there is so much we can feel rightly proud of. Highlights include the success of our Lego League team, who reached the national finals in Bristol at the end of February and the numerous outreach events that have benefitted so many people in the community - we certainly are a school that never sits still! I recall a comment from a previous deputy head when she started working at Reigate St Mary’s. “Marcus”, she said, “this is certainly a busy school, but it is good busy.”

Marcus Culverwell, HEADMASTER

Enjoy looking at all of the pictures of our good busyness!

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Our Reception classes have continued their weekly visits to Eversfield, a residential home local to the school.

The initiative began two years ago, and successive groups of children have benefitted hugely from their interaction with the older generation. Residents and children enjoy sharing stories, making crafts and singing songs together. It is lovely to see friendships develop and relationships blossom. The children look forward to their regular visits immensely.

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

What a wonderful feeling it is to be able to support a local cause.

MRS NICHOLSON

Helping others, in the local community and beyond, is an important part of life at Reigate St Mary’s.

LOVEWORKS In January the choristers once again partnered with local charity, Loveworks, to sing and help at their annual tea party for elderly members of the community.They performed beautifully and took time afterwards to chat with guests over tea and cake.

HARVEST FESTIVAL In October, as part of the Harvest Festival celebrations, the children raised money for the Easter Project which provides a warm welcome and a hot meal to anyone who needs it.

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT In February the school took part in the annual Fairtrade Fortnight campaign with each year group learning about a different area of global trade and exploitation.

Activities ranged from a debate about the different wages people are paid for the work they do, to discovering where Fairtrade footballs are made. Many families braved appalling weather to take part in the Fairtrade Trail around Reigate.

CHOIRS PERFORMANCES In March the Year 5&6 choirs performed at Redhill Baptist Church for members of Link Up, an organisation that supports elderly and vulnerable people. Some members were visibly moved by the passionate performance of You Raise Me Up.

REIGATE ST MARY’S SCHOOL

EARLY YEARS As a ‘Fantastic Finish’ to their ‘Around the World’ topic, Kindergarten had a dress up day and learnt dances from across the globe. At break time, the kitchen prepared a lovely picnic with snacks to represent different countries.

The children feasted on delicious exotic fruit from Africa, cooling cucumber sandwiches from England and crunchy tortillas from Mexico. It was great fun!

Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning.

DIANE ACKERMAN

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

EARLY YEARS

Our brand-new Early Years Play Area was opened by Winnie the Pooh in September. Green Shoots and Kindergarten now have a much larger and more exciting outdoor space with plenty of room for riding tricycles, a brand-new trim trail and climbing frame, and a variety of zoned areas to explore. It has been a hugely popular addition to the already extensive outdoor facilities at RSM and the children just love it!

Being outdoors is an important part of the day for Early Years children. They love to explore and investigate, and they relish the sense of space. So often they will learn things outside more readily than they would inside.

MRS SELKIRK, HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

REIGATE ST MARY’S SCHOOL

LOWER SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERTS Parents, grandparents and other members of our extended school community had a fun filled Christmas treat when they came to watch our Lower School Christmas Concerts which were both performed consecutively on the same morning in December – with a small break in between for a mince pie, of course! First, Kindergarten and Reception presented their version of ‘The Christmas Tree Nativity’. The children performed fabulously, speaking clearly and singing beautifully to an appreciative audience.

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

LOWER SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERTS Next it was the turn of Years 1 and 2 to deliver some festive cheer with a marvellous performance of ‘Star of Wonder’. Everyone was amazed at how well the children had learnt each of their lines and all the words of all the songs!

They dazzled the audience with their level of professionalism and the teachers were very proud of them.

I felt so scared before I went on the stage but now feel so happy and proud because I know that I can do it!

RAFI, YEAR 2

REIGATE ST MARY’S SCHOOL

UPPER SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Christmas Concert was a wonderfully festive musical celebration hot on the heels of the Lower School productions the previous week. Every child from Years 3 to 6 took part in a varied programme of singing, dancing and instrumental performances which were all of an exceptionally high standard.

Following a seasonal musical introduction from our four ensembles (String Ensemble, Concert Band, Guitar Ensemble and Percussion Group) the children took the audience on a musical journey to the fictional land of Mambica where two warring tribes were united by the gift of a new born child, the ‘Peace Child’.

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

UPPER SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The music and energetic dancers helped bring the compelling story of the ‘Peace Child’ alive by showing how every battle can be overcome and that compassion and forgiveness brings hope.

REIGATE ST MARY’S SCHOOL

RESIDENTIAL TRIP - WINDMILL HILL Wonderful Windmill Hill! Year 5 set off in the sunshine to Windmill Hill for their much-anticipated three-day residential trip.

Activities ranged from climbing, bouncing, running and problem solving. There was lots of laughter and even the teachers had a go at everything!

The children formed new friendships and old friendships deepened as everyone became more confident in their ability to tackle the challenges set.

It was outdoor learning at its very best.

MRS BEGLAN

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

TRIPS - HOLMBURY ST MARY

On a glorious day in September, Year 4 had a stunning start to their topic, ‘Into the Woods’, when they travelled to Holmbury St Mary. When they arrived, the children were enthralled by the tale of Jack who wanted to reach the end of the world. The storyteller kept their imaginations whirring as they climbed Holmbury Hill and learnt more about Jack’s encounters. An excellent day was had by all and the writing the children produced following the trip was extremely creative.

Jane (the storyteller) is so cool. I laughed so much at her clever jokes.

SCOTT A, YEAR 4

This is such a good trip. I can’t wait to write my story.

SOPHIE D, YEAR 4

REIGATE ST MARY’S SCHOOL

RESIDENTIAL TRIP - SNOWDON The Snowdonia residential is all about personal, team and environmental wellbeing. It is a highlight of the final year at Reigate St Mary’s and builds memories that last a life time.

‘At Lake Bala an elderly gentleman tapped me on the shoulder and said - ‘those who have the children have the future’. He is absolutely right. The children are the future and it is hugely important that we teach them properly so that they can manage the future better than we have managed the past. Listening to the Year 6 pupil’s concerns and the brilliant ideas they have for solving issues, gives me hope for the future. I have hope for a generation who will protect the planet, put people before profits, equality before excess and who will care for both their local and global neighbours’.

MR CULVERWELL, HEADMASTER

I definitely recommend this trip to the Year 5s, it is stupendous fun!

NAOMI, YEAR 6

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

RESIDENTIAL TRIP - SNOWDON

I thought this trip was astonishing! It had all my favourite hobbies in it and we even got to climb the HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN WALES. What more could you ask for?

MAX W, YEAR 6

The value of learning about relationships, connectivity and teamwork, outside the classroom in the open air, should never be underestimated.

MRS WRIGHT, DEPUTY HEAD

REIGATE ST MARY’S SCHOOL

TRIPS - WISLEY & LEGOLAND

Year 1 had a fabulous time when they visited Wisley gardens. They smelled a beautiful candyfloss tree, made crowns from nature and planted marigold seeds that looked like caterpillars!

Year 2 enjoyed a trip to Legoland where they explored mini London and saw sights such as the Gherkin, Buckingham Palace and the River Thames. They even saw the changing of the guards! Next they enjoyed a science workshop, and everyone helped to create a moving pulley system out of Lego. It was a fantastic day out and the children had a brilliant time.

It was lovely to see how much the children enjoyed learning outside .

MRS BESSANT

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

ESR DAY Our Education for Social Responsibility Day in November focussed on how to protect the world for future generations.

Each year group studied a different area and learning ranged from the importance of planting trees and the role of pollinators, to buying food locally and sustainable fishing. The children used the wonderful school grounds for discovery too and Year 3 particularly enjoyed finding out how worms help to maintain healthy soil. Each child wrote a wish for the future and every class completed an element of a whole school piece of artwork. It was an exciting and insightful day thoughtfully planned by the Green Leaders and Eco Committee.

REIGATE ST MARY’S SCHOOL

MUSIC The children achieved another set of excellent results in the Autumn ABRSM and Trinity exams with 21 children passing graded exams and 4 children taking preparatory tests. Of these, 6 children were awarded distinctions and 6 children passed with merit. In January, our choristers were privileged to sing to a congregation of over 700 people from all over the world at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

A hundred and seventy children entered our annual inter-house music competition this year which was adjudicated by Ms Joanna Korzineck.

The standard of performances was extremely high and Osmond House were the ultimate winners.

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

MUSIC

REIGATE ST MARY’S SCHOOL

SPORT The first two terms of the year saw a large number of competitive fixtures in all of the major sports including football, netball, rugby, hockey, cross country and swimming. Every child from Years 3 to 6 represented the school brilliantly and worked hard to improve their skills and support their teammates. This was reflected in excellent results across the board. The House competitions were some of the most highly competitive and tightly contested matches of the season and were as popular as ever amongst staff and children alike. Well done to everyone!

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

SPORT

RSM values teamwork, resilience and camaraderie and it has been wonderful to see all of these on display in training and on the sports field.

MR FORSYTH, HEAD OF SPORT

REIGATE ST MARY’S SCHOOL

STEM & LEGO LEAGUE First Lego League challenges children to develop STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills and encourages them to think like scientists and engineers. RSM has a record of success within the national tournament and this year, Razor Sharp Minds, continued their winning streak by qualifying for the national finals in Bristol again. The theme for the tournament was ‘city shapers’ and the RSM team built, tested and programmed an autonomous robot, named Frankie.

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

STEM & LEGO LEAGUE

Computing and technology are embedded in all areas of learning at RSM. The children love the Green Screen which supports topic work and allows them to be ‘virtually’ anywhere in the world.

SIMON WILLIAMS, HEAD OF DIGITAL STRATEGY

REIGATE ST MARY’S SCHOOL

HOLIDAY CLUBS Our RSM Holiday Club (RSMHC) continues to be hugely popular with the children enjoying a mix of trips, crafts, games and lots of outside play. This year, the Early Years Holiday Club (EYHC) was launched to provide home from home care for our littlest children too. Like the RSMHC, EYHC is run by current Early Years staff and the children have loved the creative activities which take place in the familiar surroundings of the Green Shoots and Kindergarten classrooms and outdoor space.

The holiday clubs continue to be a huge success. They are like giant playdates for the children!

MRS SELKIRK, HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

AUTUMN / WINTER 2019-20

HOLIDAY CLUBS

FAMILY EVENTS FOSMA The whole school community enjoyed a spectacular fireworks display, discos and other fun events organised by the brilliant team who run our parents’ association, FOSMA. FOSMA also recently launched SMaSH as a hub for additional parent and pupil social events.

GRANDPARENTS’ DAY A large group of excited grandparents, some having travelled quite a distance, visited their grandchildren’s classrooms to see their work and listen to stories.

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH US As the Chronicle illustrates, we are a very active school with a wealth of news and activities happening throughout the year. To keep up to date, visit our website or join us online:

@RSMPrepSchool @RSMLowerSchool @RSMSchoolSport @RGSChoristers

Reigate St Mary’s is an independent coeducational preparatory school for children aged 2 to 11.

For more information, visit our website at www.reigatestmarys.org or e-mail us at office@reigatestmarys.org Tel: 01737 244880 Fax: 01737 221540 Email: office@reigatestmarys.org www.reigatestmarys.org

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