Welcome to Year 2! We are sure it will be a happy year of opportunities, new learning and exciting challenges!
This flyer is to inform you of key learning and opportunities that your Year 2 child will be involved in.
Curriculum Matters
Throughout the academic year we will be addressing a broad range of learning objectives through short topics that are linked to English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Computing and Art. Topics are as follows:
Autumn 1
· Why was Florence Nightingale Important? Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole and Victorian hospitals. Life cycles, healthy eating, exercise and medicine
Autumn 2
· How on Earth did we get to the Moon? Space and the solar system, The Space Race, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.
.Spring 1
· How did London change? The Great Fire of London 1666 and everyday use of materials
Spring 2
· Where in the World is South America? South American countries and culture including a Carnival! Habitats around the world.
Summer 1
· Why do we need Maps? Maps of the UK, the World, coordinates, drawing a plan, mapping the school and the Wilderness. Classification of plants and animals, habitats, observational skills
Summer 2
· What was Victorian life like? Victorian food, school, clothes and work. Family life and playing. A day in the life of a Victorain. The River Thames and the local area –a trip through the Victorian age.
School Trips
Trips are organised throughout the school year and will relate to at least one of the curriculum areas mentioned above. Staff always appreciate having volunteer
helpers for trips.
Assessment
The children in Year 2 will be assessed throughout the year, particularly in reading, writing, spelling and mathematics. Assessments are used as a tool to support the planning and delivery of lessons. In addition, children in Y2 will take government tests in the Summer term. Teacher assessment results will be indicated in your child’s end of year report in July 2017.
Maths and English
Maths and English will continue in Year 2 extending the skills taught in Year 1 and introducing new concepts and strategies.
Year 2 pupils will be in set groups for part of their Maths and English learning; usually 2 lessons in each subject per week. In addition to these lessons, pupils will be given weekly spellings. Please note that no spellings will be given out the week before a holiday.
Informing Parents/Carers
Should you wish to talk to your child’s class teacher, it is best to make an appointment to ensure that this time can be used most effectively. Please read the weekly school newsletter and Friends of HWINS information to find out about upcoming events at our school!
There are regular opportunities to meet and discuss your child’s progress throughout the year at parents/carers consultation evenings and after end of year reports.
New Experiences in Year 2
School Council
There are lots of exciting events that go on throughout Year 2. The School Council is made up of volunteers from Year 2 who are important contributors to the positive ethos and development of our school. Meetings are held weekly at Tuesday lunchtimes and are run by Mrs J-P. Children in the Y2SC may also choose to become Peace & Harmony Counsellors and help to ensure that playtimes are both peaceful and harmonious.
Music Clubs
Our peripatetic music teacher Mrs Griffiths visits the school and is available to teach violin lessons to Year 2 pupils on a weekly a basis. Our music teacher, Miss Wilson, runs a weekly Y2 choir meeting. Throughout the year the choir will have the opportunity to take part in events, including performing at a local theatre. In addition, Miss Wilson runs a weekly recorder club in which the children learn to play a variety of instruments. All music activities require practising out of school hours!
Other Clubs in Year 2
There are several other clubs on offer to your child in Y2. Some are before/after school hours (Early Bird Tennis, ballet, cooking, Zumba) while others take place at lunchtimes (Techno-Kids). Information about all clubs is available from the school office.
Friday Arts Afternoon
Every Friday the children take part in a rolling Arts programme combined with Year 1 children. This is an excellent way for Y2 to develop their leadership skills as they work collaboratively with Y1 children in lessons.
Transition to Year 3
During the Summer Term, Year 2 children will be part of an induction programme to prepare them for their move to St John the Baptist Junior School. They will meet their Year 5 buddy, new teacher and visit St John’s on several occasions prior to moving into Year 3.
To celebrate all the achievements during pupils’ time at Hampton Wick Infant and Nursery School there is a Leavers’ Graduation Assembly and a Year 2 Production at the end of the year to which parents/carers are cordially invited. In addition, all Year 2 children will
perform in a dance at the May Fair.
Homework
Your support is greatly appreciated in encouraging your child to complete their targets. Children’s red Target Books are sent home monthly and should be used for the children to record their work, in addition to daily reading.
Please encourage your child to work on their targets in their book and return it with your comments on the date specified.
Your Child’s Teacher
As part of continuing professional development it will sometimes be necessary for your child’s class teacher to attend important teacher training courses. On these occasions, a supply teacher who has been organised by the school and provided with full planning for lessons will teach your child’s class.
Your Child’s Teacher (continued)
All teachers are legally entitled to PPA time for planning, preparation and assessment. Full-time teachers are entitled to approximately ½ day cover each week.
Management and Domestic Issues
We are very enthusiastic about welcoming parents/carers into class to support a whole variety of activities. We know that so many of you have talents and skills to share, such as supporting reading, art activities and the other 101 small but very important jobs that need to be done. Please speak to class staff if you would like to volunteer to come in. All parent/carer volunteers MUST attend an induction meeting with Mrs Johnson-Paul prior to helping in class.
Your child will be responsible for their own book bag and other belongings whilst in school. Staff are on duty at the gate at 8:45am and children will be supervised there and in the classroom from this time until 9 a.m. when lessons begin.
Uniform
Each child must have a named pair of shorts, school T-shirt and a pair of plimsolls in a named bag to be kept in school to be readily available for PE sessions.
Children are expected to wear the correct school uniform. Please ensure your child’s clothes are clearly named. Appropriate footwear, with socks should be worn in school, as open-toes sandals can be dangerous. No trainers please.
School Meals
All children are entitled to a free school meal.
Absence
If your child is absent please call the School Office and leave a message by selecting Option 1 or email on on the first day of absence so that staff are aware. Legally, we will also require a written note explaining the reason for the absence. If your child’s attendance falls to below 90% per term you will be given a letter from the school. This will then be followed up the Education Welfare Officer.
Requests for Holiday during term time
Parent(s)/Carers should not arrange for their family holiday to be taken during term-time as all holiday absences will now be marked as unauthorised by the school due to an amendment in legislation by the Department of Education (Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013).
Lateness
The school monitors all lateness; if your child arrives late you will be issued with a red lateness letter. If late arrivals rise to more than 10% per term you will be given a letter from the school. This will then be followed up the Education Welfare Officer.
Medical
In the event of your child requiring medicine to be administered during school hours, please liaise with Mrs Sharon Paget or the school office as a medical consent form will need to be signed. This includes inhalers and epi-pens.
If your child suffers from a bout of vomiting or diarrhoea please ensure that they are kept at home for at least 48 hours after the last bout of sickness and/or diarrhoea. If an incident occurs at school you will be contacted immediately and asked to collect your child as soon as possible and will be reminded of the 48 hour absence policy. This is to prevent the spread of any infection. Please ensure that all contact phone numbers are up-to-date.
Behaviour
We have codes of conduct for school, playground and lunch times devised by the children of the School Council.
We expect all Year 2 children to set a high standard of good behaviour as a positive and kind example to the younger pupils in our school.
We look forward to a happy and productive year and hope that positive relationships between home and school will continue to grow
Starting Year 2
2017-2018
Mrs Sarah Duffy
Year 2 Team Leader
Ocean Class
Miss Babita Kumar
Treasure Class
Miss Lucy Miller
Dolphin Class