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Friday 31 January 2020 - Week 4

RSM Website RGS Website

Headmaster's Roundup

We were excited to send a team of 8 girls to play in their first football tournament on

Tuesday. They certainly enjoyed the experience and Mrs Eveleigh was very proud of them

all particularly as they were playing against much more experienced sides. Mrs Eveleigh

said that they certainly held their own.

On Wednesday Kindergarten had an exciting trip to Reigate Library and Year 4 headed off

to visit G Live where they were truly ‘wowed’ by the beautiful orchestral music.

This week the Upper School have been taking a variety of interim assessments, which we

do routinely to monitor children’s progress. Mrs Wright informs me that a number of the

children were genuinely quite excited about these tests and I love the fact that we can

assess the children in a way that minimises stress and maximises enjoyment. In this way

we know that the results are accurate because over emphasising the importance of testing

is not only a bad way to educate children, but it can create tensions and stresses which

often mean that children under perform. So as ever, I am grateful to the team of staff who

keep the stress low and the enjoyment high, even during an assessment week.

Also this week I had some suggestions from a parent as to how we might be able to

alleviate pressure on Chart Lane. They are all good ideas and some are suggestions that

we have raised in the past, but I think it is good to reiterate these today.

1. Where possible, at busy times, please exit to the right when leaving the school car

park. This prevents bottlenecks.

2. Where possible access the school from the south end (Blackborough Road) onto

Chart Lane as again, turning across a lane of traffic into the school entrance

sometimes causes a blockage which backs up to the north of the school on Chart

Lane.

3. Please try not to come so early at pick up that you have to circle round and around

the entrance for your child to come out to the ‘Pen’ as a number of cars going

around at one time can exacerbate the congestion.

4. Moving as far forward as you can in the drop-off zones at drop off, and pick up

times does reduce the chances of a jam on the road behind you.

We have also been asked by RGS to remind RSM parents that the staff car park off Chart

Lane is not available for parking, picking up or dropping off children who may be students

at either RSM or RGS. This is for safeguarding reasons as schools need to know who is on

site at all times. If you have a child at RGS please drop them on a nearby public road,

taking care not to block driveways or pavements or inconvenience any neighbours. Of

course, if you need to go into RGS, then you should park at the front of the school and sign

in at Reception.

Thank you to everyone who helps to keep things moving and for your understanding on

this matter.

I always love to see the hard work and creativity that comes from the hands and minds of

the children at RSM. This week Amelia in Year 5 shared with me her drawing, shown

below and I felt it was a philosophical enough thought to share with you all ….. let’s always

celebrate ‘uniqueness’.

Following the announcement that we are expanding our current Year 2 class in

September, adding an additional class, we have had a lot of interest. However, if you

know friends who may be interested in a place in Year 3 from September, do point them in

our direction.

Wishing you all an enjoyable weekend.

Marcus Culverwell

Key Dates

Monday 3 February - Year 6 Trip to Sutton Life Centre - SMaSH Running Club - 8.25 am

Meet outside the front of RSM

Wednesday 5 February - SMaSH Dog Walking Club - 8.40 am Meet in the Orchard

Wednesday 12 February - SMaSH Social Night - 7.45 pm, Vineking Tasting Rooms

Thursday 5 March - FOSMA Quiz Night - 7.45 pm, Church Centre

School Notices

Spring Term Electives

Year 3 & 4 Netball - Will not be running on Monday 3 February

KG & Reception Pro-Direct - Will not be running on Thursday 13 February

Year 1, 2, 3 & 4 Mini Crickets - Will not be running on Thursday 13 February

Touch Rugby - Will start on Monday 24 February

Cricket Nets - Will start on Tuesday 25 February

Parent Portal

Please use the hot button below where you will see the following items on there including

consent forms which are contained within the interactive tab at the top.

Whole School - Term Dates for 2020 and 2021 - SMaSH

Spring Term Lunch Menus - Week 2

Early Years - Weekly Update

Year 4 - G Live School Trip & Information on Windmill Hill Residential Trip, September

2020

Year 6 - Sutton Life Centre Trip

SchoolsBuddy

Kindergarten - Bocketts Farm Trip - 26 March

Year 6 - Sutton Life - 3 February

Current Year 5 - Snowdonia Residential Trip - September 2020 - Deposit due by 7

February

Current Year 4 - PGL Windmill Hill Residential Trip - September 2020 - Deposit now

overdue

Year 4 - Juniper Hall Residential Trip - 4-5 May 2020 - Balance due by 26 February

Year 3 & 4 - No Netball Monday 3 February

Vacancies

We are currently advertising for the following post at Reigate St Mary’s:

School Office Administrator – Required from February 2020

We are currently advertising for the following post at Chinthurst School:

Teaching Assistant – Required as soon as possible

If you know someone who may be interested in applying, please ask them to download the

information from the RSM website or contact me on 01737 229401 or

hr@reigategrammar.org.

Parent Portal

SchoolsBuddy

Lower School Assemblies

Lower School Assemblies this term have focused on the theme of Friendship - what

happens when we fall out with our friends and how we can resolve our differences through

focusing on the harm caused rather than assigning blame.

We have explored this theme through a number of stories:

Along Came A Different by Tom McLaughlin

The squirrels who squabbles by Rachel Bright and Jim Field

Horrible Bear by Ame Dyckman and Zachariah Ohora

This has raised awareness and understanding of restorative approaches. The children

contributed their ideas of how we should think about our actions and share, and that

friends are kind, caring, honest, are there for you when you need them and ask if you are

OK. Many incredibly insightful contributions from Reception through to Year 2.

FOSMA Questionnaire

Thank you so much to those who responded to the FOSMA survey before Christmas. We

really do appreciate the time taken to give us your thoughts.

We have had some useful feedback/ideas from parents and found out which events we all

enjoy the most.

If you are new to the school or you would still like to take part please click here. It only

takes a couple of minutes to complete. We would love to hear your comments by Sunday

23 February. Thank you.

Music

G Live

Year 4 enjoyed a varied programme of orchestral music featuring everything from cowboys

to whales on Wednesday at G Live from a live orchestra, Southern Pro Musica. It was

especially exciting to see our new brass and piano teacher, Sarah Maxwell, on the stage.

Inter-House Music Competition

The preliminary rounds will take place next week and from these heats a number of

children will be selected to go forward to the final on Friday 14 February at 2.00 pm The

response has been immense with over 170 entries!

The children have been told their time at school and will be reminded during the week.

Please ensure your child has their instrument and music on the day of their preliminary

round as with so many children involved, it may not be possible to hear them at an

alternative time. All children will sing or play unaccompanied for the preliminary rounds and

singers will be given a starting note from the piano if required. If selected for the final, they

will be accompanied by Mrs Wright and will have the opportunity to rehearse on Tuesday

11 February.

The final will take place in the Church Hall at 2.00 pm on Friday 14 February. Families will

be informed if their child has been selected to go through to the final on Friday 7 February.

Mrs Whitehead is so proud of all our pupils who are excited about representing their house

in the competition.

ABRSM Exams

If your child learns an instrument outside of school and would like to take an ABRSM exam

at school next session, please let Mrs Johnson know via email. If your child learns an

instrument at school, their teacher will liaise with us. We propose to hold the exams on

Saturday 21 March 2020.

Please also contact Mrs Johnson if your child would like to take individual Music Lesson at

RSM.

Safer Internet Day is on 11

February 2020!

In 2020, Safer Internet Day in the UK will

encourage young people to explore how

they manage their online identity, and how

the internet shapes how they think of

themselves and others. The Safer Internet

Day campaign will be using the hashtag

#freetobe – exploring all of the things that

young people should be free to be, when

they are online. You can also use the

hashtag #SaferInternetDay to talk about

the day more generally and to be part of

the global celebration.

Free to be me: exploring identity online

Safer Internet Day 2020 wants to

celebrate difference and help us work

towards creating a truly inclusive internet.

The campaign will focus on what makes

Happy Headline & Positive

News

Underwater speakers blasting out the

sounds of healthy and vibrant ecosystems

have been placed around reefs that have

been damaged by climate change. The

hope is that this will attract young fish to

them, therefore causing the coral reefs to

thrive once again.

Australian and British scientists have

teamed up to use these awesome

underwater speakers. “Healthy coral reefs

are a remarkably noisy place; there is the

crackle of the snapping shrimp and the

whoops and grunts of fish!” said Professor

Simpson from the University of Exeter.

However, as coral reefs die, they become

silent graveyards. Luring the fish to the

reefs is giving life back to the coral.

Bea M, Year 4

up our online identity – such as the facts

or characteristics about us, how others

perceive and interact with us, as well as

how online services identify us. It will also

look at how offline stereotypes and

discrimination are challenged or reinforced

online. In school we will look at whether

the internet allows young people to

express themselves, or if they feel limited

in who they can be online. By opening up

conversations around online identity, the

aim is to inspire young people to support

each other in being who they want to be.

Help us spread the word about Safer

Internet Day on social media and join

millions of other people in a campaign that

trends all day! For more information

please click here

Kindergarten

Outing to Reigate Library

On Wednesday Kindergarten went on a school trip to Reigate Library as part of their topic

‘Will You Read Me a Story?’. We had some stories, learnt how to issue a library book,

decorated bunting flags with drawings of our favourite characters and also went on a hunt

around the library to look for certain items! A big ‘thank you’ to our parent helpers for

volunteering their time to come along.

Reception

Little Miss Inventor

As part of our ‘Mr Men and Little Miss’ topic Reception have been reading the story of ‘Little

Miss Inventor’. This week the children have been engaged in a variety of activities based on

the book. They have been enjoying the role play area which has been turned into an

invention area. Working collaboratively the children have been using a variety of recycled

materials to create their own inventions.

They have also invented their own characters such as ‘Mr Tomato’. The children then

planned how they are going to make their character and what materials they might need.

Next week the children will be using a variety of recycled materials to create their characters,

they will then present them to the class and talk about their character and why they used

certain materials.

Sports

The girls have had a busy week of fixtures. On Tuesday morning our Year 6 girls football

team travelled to Walton Excel pitch to compete in the Premier League Primary Stars

tournament. Although it was a very cold day all the girls thoroughly enjoyed their morning.

They played well against some strong teams and finished with 3 draws and two defeats in

their group. Well done to all. In the afternoon our Under 8 teams travelled to Caterham for

their first ever netball matches. Although we had two narrow defeats for the A & B teams and

a draw for the C’s the girls played with enthusiasm, demonstrating some great netball skills

and increased their knowledge of competitive play. On Wednesday our U11B team travelled

to Hawthorns for a netball tournament. Again they had some really close matches. They

played seven matches in total winning 2 and losing 5, however 4 of these matches we only

lost by one goal. The girls worked hard all afternoon and finished in sixth place out of 8.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the U10 and U11 boys matches were

cancelled on Wednesday afternoon. As a result, the Year 5 and 6 boys all took part in a very

competitive and enjoyable afternoon of House Rugby matches. There was some fantastic

rugby played from each of the houses and some excellent tries scored. Well done to

everyone who took part.

On Thursday our Under 9 netball teams had a very successful afternoon. Some great netball

skills were on display and all three teams came away with a win against Caterham. Thank

you to all the parents who came and supported this week.

We have another busy week of fixtures next week including boys rugby, girls netball and girls

football matches. Please check the sports website for further details.

Sports

FOSMA

SMaSH (St Mary’s Social Hub) launched this week with the Running and Dog Walking clubs

meeting on Monday and Wednesday after drop off.

If you fancy joining either of these friendly groups or the SMaSH Book Club, please sign up

to the relevant club through classlist for the latest information. There’s no pressure to commit

every week but if you are free and want to pop along, at least you will know where they will

be!

Also, don’t forget the SMaSH social event on Wednesday 12 February from 7.45pm at the

Vineking Tasting Rooms. An excuse to get some RSM friends together over a glass of wine

now dry January is over!

Current Clubs

The SMaSH Running Club meets every Monday at 8.25 am outside the front of the

School. Contact Emily Grant/Abbie Rudman via Classlist or join the Classlist SMaSH

Running Club. Alternatively for more details visit the Parent Portal.

The SMaSH Dog Walking Club will meet fortnightly on Wednesdays in the Orchard car park

at 8.45 am. Sign up to the Classlist group for the latest information. We hope to include a

coffee stop somewhere along the way.

The SMaSH Book Club plans to meet on Friday 6 March at 8.45 am in Bills, Reigate, and

then every 6-8 weeks thereafter. The first book to be chosen is ‘A Man Called Ore’ by

Fredrick Backman – “a funny, moving, uplifting tale of love and community that will leave you

with a spring in your step”. Contact Louise Perkins via Classlist or join the Classlist SMaSH

Book Club. Alternatively for more details via Parent Portal.

If you have a hobby or interest that you’d like to open up to old and new friends please email

us at: smashclubs@outlook.com

You can make it anything you want....a ‘new mums (again) coffee & cake club’; a painting

group; or a tennis ladder, all ideas welcome. We will advertise for you and help you

communicate effectively with your group.

Events

Please come along to our first SMaSH social event - Wednesday 12 February from 7.45 pm,

everyone is welcome. So we have an idea of numbers please register your interest

at smashclubs@outlook.com

The FOSMA Team

RSM Holiday Clubs

Our RSM Holiday Clubs are available from 8am to 6pm for all RSM children from Green

Shoots (2 years) upwards. Clubs will be running on the following dates:

February Half Term – No Holiday Clubs

Easter Holidays 2020

RSM Holiday Club – Wednesday 1 April to Friday 3 April 2020

RSM Early Years Holiday Club (Age 2-4 years) – Wednesday 1 April to Friday 17 April 2020

Ultimate Activity – Monday 6 April to Friday 17 April 2020

Summer Holidays 2020

RSM Holiday Club – Friday 3 July to Friday 24 July 2020

RSM Early Years Holiday Club (Age 2-4 years) – Friday 3 July to Friday 28 August 2020

Ultimate Activity – Monday 27 July to Friday 28 August 2020

Giant Pledge Apres Ski Party

Join the Giant Pledge for the third evening of apres ski antics and shenanigans with plenty of

Euro pop to party to. Dress to impress in your finest slopestyle! Click here to book your tickets

(Over 18s only)

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Reigate St Mary’s, Chart Lane, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7RN

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