WELCOME TO YEAR 2 (2024–25)
THE TEAM
2M Teacher:
Mr James Marsh
Teaching Assistant:
Mrs Sophie Benham
2P Teacher:
Miss Sarah Page Teaching Assistant:
Mrs Louise Metcalfe
DROP OFF & COLLECTION
The team will be there to guide you on the first morning. Timings for drop off and collection remain the same as they were in Year 1:
Drop Off
7.30–8.00am Breakfast Club (payable) – drop to dining hall
8.00–8.25am
8.25 am
Children may be dropped off at the playground, signed in by the member of staff on duty at the Beech House Foyer door and left by parents, if they wish. Pupils may wait in the playground, where they will be supervised. Alternatively, children may be dropped off at the Pen in the morning and will be greeted by a member of staff.
Children line up with their teacher at the entrance to Beech House. If it is raining, children can go straight to their classrooms when they arrive at school from 8.00am.
Collection – At 3.30pm children are dismissed from the entrance of Beech House or go directly to clubs. Children with siblings in Upper School can stay until 4.00pm in sibling late care (located in Kindergarten). Extended day (separately bookable) is available until 6.00pm daily and is located in the Kindergarten classrooms. Please do not enter the school buildings unaccompanied at any time. Instead, report to the Receptionist at the school’s main entrance who will guide you.
UNIFORM, BELONGINGS & SNACKS
UNIFORM CHANGES
There are no changes to uniform in Year 2.
STATIONERY
As in Year 1, a named small single-layered pencil case containing named writing pencils, colouring pencils, felt tips, glue stick, rubber, pencil sharpener, scissors and ruler is needed. It must be able to easily fit into a tray.
CLOTHING
Art apron, wellies, waterproof trousers and waterproof coat to remain at school in a named bag.
SNACKS
Each day your child will need to bring:
• A named water bottle filled with still water.
• A morning snack – fresh or dried fruit or vegetables (please cut grapes in half).
• An afternoon snack – as above but may also include rice cakes, bread sticks or bread and butter. Snacks should be in a named small container (not a lunchbox) that can fit in your child’s tray. No chocolate or sweets and, as we are a nut-free school, no nuts or sesame (including houmous).
Please remember to name everything!
PE, GAMES & SWIMMING
The children will have one PE lesson and one games lesson per week. During the Spring term, the children will also have one swimming lesson (at the Reigate Grammar School pool) per week. On games, PE and swimming days, children come to school in their navy shorts or tracksuit bottoms, Kukri House T-shirt, navy RSM hoodie and trainers.
2M 2P Monday PE Tuesday Wednesday Games Games Thursday PE Friday Swimming (Spring term) Swimming (Spring term)
HOMEWORK & REPORTING
READING – 15 minutes of reading aloud and discussion of the text daily.
PHONICS – Fortnightly challenge that focuses on the sounds of the week and supportive handwriting.
MATHS – Fortnightly from October half term.
PARENTS’ EVENINGS – October and February and a full written report in the Summer term.
HOME/SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
READING RECORD BOOK
The yellow Reading Record Book is the main form of home to school communication. It is checked daily so do use it to let us know of any arrangements or information about your child for that day. A copy of the timetable will also be contained within it.
BY EMAIL
If you would like to email us, please do so via the school office: office@reigatestmarys.org. There is also a confidential email address for sensitive matters: confidential@reigatestmarys.org.
IN PERSON
We are always very happy to talk to you if you have any concerns. We can have a brief chat at drop off but a meeting is often best. You can make an appointment via the school office. Meetings tend to be before school (8.00–8.20am) or at the end of the school day (3.40pm onwards). Mrs Selkirk is also available to talk to you by phone or in person.
TOPICS & TRIPS
Each term there is an exciting cross-curricular topic:
AUTUMN TERM – Ancient Civilisations
SPRING TERM – Our Island
SUMMER TERM – Oceans and Seas
TRIPS & VISITS – There will be a trip or workshop in each term to support our topics.
Characteristics of effective learning continue to be important in Year 2:
• Have-a-go Hippo – Showing a ‘can-do’ attitude even if the activity is tricky. Persevering and not being put off by the fear of failure.
• Busy Bee – Focusing on an activity without being distracted. Choosing activities independently depending on interests and fascinations.
• Choosing Chimp – Making choices and deciding independently how to approach a new activity. Thinking of different ways of doing things when faced with a challenge.
• Reflective Rhino – Reflecting and reviewing work, what could you do differently next time?
INFORMATION & EVENTS
WEEKLY OVERVIEWS – Contain information about the children’s learning for the following week. They are available on the Parent Portal every Friday.
VIRTUAL YEAR GROUP UPDATES – Once a term there will be a collective update from Mrs Selkirk and the Year 2 teachers. This will take place via Microsoft Teams and provides an opportunity for teachers to talk about the children’s learning and activities, and for parents to ask general questions.
CURRICULUM EVENING – In September.
SOCIAL MEDIA – Follow the school’s Instagram and Facebook accounts to see lots of the fun activities that take place on a day-to-day basis.
SCHOOLSBUDDY APP
Has details and takes bookings for:
• Breakfast club and after-school care
• Clubs
• Trips
• Events
• Holiday clubs run by Reigate St Mary’s
New parents receive a log-in before the beginning of term.
FAMILY EVENTS
ReigateStMarys rsmprepschool
THE WEEKLY BULLETIN – Includes a message from the Headmaster, a round-up of school news from the previous week and school notices. It is issued each week during term time.
THE PARENT PORTAL – curriculum jigsaw maps, Lower School weekly sheets, menus and school reports are uploaded here. It can be accessed via the school website and new parents receive a log-in before the beginning of term.
We hope to see you at our family events throughout the year. These include:
• Harvest Festival
• Christmas Concert
• Christmas & Easter Services
• Sports Day
• Annual Open Classroom
• Summer Celebration and Picnic
FOSMA EVENTS
Please keep an eye on the Bulletin
