The Week Ahead (beg. 1st December …)

To all our wonderful Highflyer families,

We can hardly believe that December is upon us already but it has been just SO lovely to see how incredibly engaged and how brilliantly everyone is truly enjoying practising for our drama production; including singing all the songs! This week we shall be beginning to do a quick costume check – but, as before, please be reassured that we are more than happy to ‘help fill any gaps’ with the fine array of school-based traditional outfits etc if required. However, if you have been able to provide a few bits and pieces then we would be hugely grateful if these could be dropped into school (in a named bag) when convenient … as have a beautifully growing collection already – and have been outrageously impressed with some of the finishing touches to angle’s wings, halos, glittery shoes, shepherds crooks! THANK YOU …  Please do shout if your child isn’t complete sure which part they are playing or suggestions for costumes did not make it ‘home’ as we were hoping that trying to use fairly ordinary/casual clothing they may have been slightly easier to sort – however, from those costumes received the originality of some ‘home-grown’ ideas have been MUCH appreciated – amazing artistic and shall look spectacular!

Once again, footwear should be light enough to wear, comfy but also secure on the feet – so, please, no slippers if at all possible - thank you :) If you would like to include a clothes hanger as well then please do – as do know for some they light prove helpful …

We do know that Mrs Davey is planning to do a ‘preparatory dress rehearsal’ this week - beginning 1st December - … but please do not worry if costumes need to come ‘in’ throughout the week; but by Thursday (at the very latest) would be great!

Phonics and Spellings

This week the phonic focus is: Term 2 Week 5 - Suffix -less (and review words with / eer / ear / and / air / are / ear/); with planners welcome in school every day (but especially on Mondays for our Spelling ‘Have-A-Go’ quiz before playtime – and for new spellings to be securely attached for the following week ;)

Reading

Given our ever-increasing proximity to the Christmas Performance we shall be continuing with our Class/Group Reader of ‘Ants Are Everywhere’ (by Joel Pollen) for a further week – whilst also dipping into parts of ‘Victorian Adventure’ (by Roderick Hunt and Alex Brychta) for our writing and supported SPaG tasks this week. Our next Year 2 Group Reader set is Why Do Stars Twinkle? … and so shall, duly, be sending these home from Monday 8^th – fingers crossed …! However, Science Week was AMAZING – and our class floor board is looking wonderful … and am just so proud of ALL the children and ALL their fantastic ideas, experiments, input and knowledge … some real ‘WOW’ moments … and great fun!

Maths

This week’s activities continue with looking at how the numbers 11–19 can be composed of ‘10 and a bit’. The children will be consolidating and building on their understanding of the ordinal aspect of numbers within 20, building on from last week; with our other maths focus starting a unit on shape. 

Forest School will be as normal this week; therefore, please do remember to wear ‘in’ a full change of warm and waterproof clothes (with a quick double check that clothes are adequate for the weather conditions given that the children will be outside for 90+ minutes during these colder weeks – and until the Spring!).

On a final note, the whole school Christmas Tree is now ‘ready’ for any further Year 2 Stars - even if the Lower School winner was announced in assembly on Friday - (using reusable or recycled/found materials) as house points are still being allocated for ‘every star hung’; therefore, if you happen to find a spare moment during the weekend … then please do feel free to be creative/drop one in this coming week …!

With our Christmas Card entries safely with Mrs Greenwood, just a short reminder that this Friday (5^th) also celebrates our “Break The Rules” Day in return for Hamper items – therefore, all staff are already greatly anticipating what the children might arrive ‘with’, ‘in’, ‘on’ or ‘over’; given it was terrific fun last year and much enjoyment had by all!

Wishing you all a lovely fifth week of Term 2; and please do not hesitate to drop a line into the Highflyer email box if you require any clarification of dates/times/arrangements – particularly as we know how ‘busy’ things can begin to feel – or equally become once red and green decorations or even gold sparkly things start to appear!

With very best wishes – as always

Mrs Winters and ‘Team Highflyer’