WELCOME TO YEAR /2016

Year 2 Staff Teachers 2B Mrs Brand (Year Leader) 2Y Mrs Youle Higher Level Teaching Assistant Mrs Toole Teaching Assistants Mrs Springett Miss Morris All LSAs support the children at lunchtime First Aid Mrs Springett and Mrs Toole Governor Dr G. Murton

Year 2 Snapshot Autumn Term This is a term of performances, with our Harvest Festival taking place before half term, and our Christmas production at the end of the Autumn term. We will also be visiting the War Memorial in November for Remembrance. Spring Term We will be looking forward to our ‘Great Fire of London’ history day, where we all dress up for the day and learn about life in Summer Term We will be wishing for warm, dry weather in order to facilitate learning outdoors, and will also be getting our PE kits on and practising for Sports Day. We will be taking the children on a trip to support our science work.

Daily Routines Beginning of the day The gates open at 8.35am and the children line up at 8:45am. Year 2 children walk straight onto the playground where they have time to meet friends for a chat or a play before the start of the school day. The gates close at 8.50am. If your child arrives after this time you will need to sign them in at the school office.

Morning work During the morning we usually complete our English and Maths activities. At the start of the day children have the opportunity to change their reading books. Children complete English activities in their class groups. These activities include reading comprehension activities, writing, speaking and listening, drama and a variety of other activities. At the start of the year the children will be taught maths in their class groups. They will then be grouped across the year group to ensure that they can be taught with the appropriate degree of challenge and support. We will cater for all abilities through these groups.

Lunchtimes All children in Key Stage 1 have lunch between 11:40am and 12:30pm. After they have eaten the children have a chance to play on the playground with their friends, using our fantastic range of playground games and equipment. The children are supervised over the lunchtime by the Key Stage 1 support staff, which means that there is always a familiar face close by. Last year’s Government initiative allows us to offer free hot school meals to all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. We have seen a very good response in the number of children enjoying the opportunity to have a hot school lunch but there is still plenty of capacity for those who have not yet chosen to do so.

Afternoons There is a daily phonics session taught in ability groups across KS1. Most groups contain a mixture of Year 1 and Year 2 children. Groups are reviewed regularly and children move between groups if it is felt appropriate. All remaining subjects are taught through our block curriculum sessions, where the children engage in a variety of exciting activities. Our PE and Games sessions will be happening on Wednesday and Friday, but please ensure your child has their PE kit in school all week. A timetable can be found in your child’s homework diary.

Children in Key Stage 1 have a 15 minute afternoon break at 2pm, which is supervised by a Key Stage 1 teacher and a member of our support staff. There is an opportunity for our children to use the adventure playground on a daily rota basis. Afternoon Break

Homework (details can be found on the school website) Reading All pupils are expected to read three reading books a week until they reach a level when the books become longer. We encourage children to ask about the meanings of unfamiliar words and discuss the text that they have read. Maths and English Workabooks Each pupil has been presented with a ‘Workabook’ in both English and Maths. Each Thursday, an English and Maths homework activity from these books will be given to the children. The activities will support class teaching and should be within your child’s capabilities. If your child is experiencing difficulties completing the activities, please let the teacher know so extra guidance can be given. Workabooks should be handed in on the Tuesday after they are issued, to allow the teacher time to mark the books before the new activities are given out on the Thursday. Each Friday, a list of spellings will be given and tested the following Friday. Half termly spellings can be found on the website.

End of the day The gates are opened just before the end of the day to allow parents onto the playground. Staff will walk the children onto the playground to meet with whoever is picking them up at 3.20pm. If you need to talk to a member of staff at the end of the day, please wait until most of the children have been dismissed. Thank you. Please write a note or ring to inform the teacher if someone different will be picking up your child.

SATs At the end of Key Stage 1, all children are assessed in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Maths and Science, using a combination of tests and teacher assessment. Their National Curriculum level will be reported to you in the end of year report. Further information will be given in a meeting later this year.

PPA During the week our teaching staff have planning, preparation and assessment time. During this time our children participate in three activities: Gymnastics, German and PE. These sessions will be taught by Miss Goodhall, Mrs Reynard and Mr Williams. All activities are matched to the age and ability of the children and are enjoyed by all. Sport coaches also offer a range of after school sports clubs throughout the year, which the children can choose to attend for a fee. Library We will visit the school library each Monday or Thursday and the children will have the opportunity to borrow a book to bring home.

Jewellery Reminder With the exception of wristwatches, pupils are not allowed to wear ANY jewellery. Any earring that needs to remain in because of recent piercing needs to be taped by parents prior to arrival at school. Given the length of the summer break, it is expected that the very latest this may be necessary is October half term. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation. Your child's safety and that of others is most important.

GirlsBoys Grey or black skirt or tunic Grey or black school trousers White blouse School tie* (elasticated option* until end of Year 3) Bottle green jumper or cardigan with school logo* Grey or white socks – not trainer socks Green, white or grey tights Grey or black school shoes (low heeled) Green and white check cotton dress for summer Long hair must always be tied back but only with a suitable green or white band Grey or black trousers Grey or black shorts White shirt School tie* (elasticated option* until end of Year 3) Bottle green jumper with school logo* Grey or black socks Grey or black school shoes P.E. and Games Kit – Girls and Boys Other Equipment / Optional Items Bottle green shorts* White polo shirt* Black plimsoles for indoor P.E. White or black trainers for outdoor P.E. Black tracksuit for Games/P.E. Bag for swimming/P.E. kit for hanging cloakroom Apron/old shirt for art/craft activities (provided in Foundation Stage) School bookbag* Water bottle* School Cap / sun hat* *Items marked with a star are available for purchase from the School Office at the end of the day. Please mark all your child’s clothing clearly with his/her name. A school book bag is required for all children and is on sale in the school office. Footwear - We ask that special attention be given to footwear at all times. Wearing plimsolls and trainers to and from school is not acceptable. Those items are only for games and outdoor play. Pupils change for the start of lessons. Girls are not allowed to wear high or thin heels of any kind. School Uniform Reminder

P.E. and Games Kit – Girls and Boys Other Equipment / Optional Items Bottle green shorts White polo shirt Black plimsolls for indoor P.E. White or black trainers for outdoor P.E. Black tracksuit for Games/P.E. Bag for P.E. kit for hanging on pegs. School book bag Water bottle P.E kit reminder

Useful Dates Friday 2 nd October, 2015Harvest Festival Wednesday 9th December, 2015 Afternoon Christmas Production Wednesday 9 th December, 2015 Evening Christmas Production Friday 29 th January Y Class Assembly Friday 5 th February B Class Assembly.. The dates of our history day and summer trip will be confirmed and circulated soon.

Can you help? Please let us know if you are able to offer your time to hear readers in school. We would also appreciate your help on our Harvest and Remembrance walks this term. Contacting Us If you have any questions or queries, or need to contact a member of the Year 2 team, please use the homework diary (which is checked weekly), write us a note, telephone the school office or speak to us at the end of the day. Key information about the school and Year 2 can be found on our website: Stokenchurchprimary.co.uk Stokenchurch Primary School:

Thank you for coming.