Headmaster's Roundup

View this email in your browser

RSM Website RGS Website

Download

I write this week from the wind swept, rain soaked landscapes of North Wales. I am here with Year 6 on the annual residential.

On the journey up we stopped for lunch at Lake Bala where an elderly gentleman tapped me on the shoulder and said - ‘young man ... (I liked that bit) ... those who have the children have the future’. He is absolutely right. The children are the future and it is very important that we teach them properly so that they can manage the future far better than we have managed the past. I was quite moved to see millions of young people, all over the world, demonstrating and protesting last Friday because not enough is being done to tackle climate change. They are right to make their voice heard because the situation is dire.

Some years ago I read a book which stated that, “the general public is spectacularly ignorant about major scientific issues“. That statement lead me to undertake several years of research, culminating in me writing two books about sustainability issues - climate change being the most serious of them all. It also led to me working with colleagues to create an Education for Social Responsibility scheme of work, which is now available to schools across the UK. The reason for such efforts was because it struck me that if those, like myself, who lead and shape education were also ignorant of these major scientific issues, then what hope was there for the rising generations.

Listening to the Year 6 pupil’s concerns and the brilliant ideas they have for solving the issues, it does give me hope for the future. I have hope for a generation who will put people before profits, who will put equality before excess and who will care for both their neighbours in this country and for those around the world. I foresee people who will protect the natural ecosystems that provide us with everything we need to survive and who will protect the biodiversity that shares our beautiful planet with us because, quite frankly, at the moment our developed world systems and leaders really aren’t doing this at all. Greta Thunberg is right, even if it annoys us to hear it.

This coming Monday Dick Moore will be here at RSM to talk to parents about children's mental health, at 7.00 pm in the Sports Hall. If you haven't already signed up please look at the link here.

Marcus Culverwell

Click19 Photo Competition

Congratulations to everyone who entered this year’s photography competition. What an amazing array of vibrant and interesting photos. They are simply stunning! Judging was predictably extremely difficult. This year we have a new Art Leader’s Prize – these photos were chosen by our Art Leaders for their impact and ingenuity. Prizes will be given out next week. Saskia Wright

Mindfulness Chartwells Health &

Wellbeing Drop in Session Thursday

10 October

On Monday Lower school enjoyed partaking in mindfulness during our Now that we have settled back into normal assembly. school routines and Chartwells, RSM's

new caterers, have started to make their

mark we are delighted to invite parents to a Q & A session with one of their nutritionists. If you would like to attend Scholastic Book Fair please click here Is Here Next Week Children within school will then be taking

part in activities with the nutritionist for the rest of the morning. We are hoping to make this a regular occurrence going forward.

We will be selling a fantastic range of Green Shoots books for young readers in the foyer of Enjoying Spanish Beech House. The Book Fair will run

from: Monday 30 September – Thursday 3 October 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm

These book sales will help benefit the school library with free books, so please come and support us!

Despite all this rain Green Shoots had a wonderful afternoon which

included counting in Spanish. Year 6

Snowdonia Residential

Year 3

Creating Planet Earth

Year 6 have had a great time in

Snowdonia on their residential. We look forward to welcoming them back to RSM later today! Year 3 super scientists sprang into action

when they worked collaboratively to create a 3D model of planet Earth. Excitedly, the children used tin foil and coloured play- doh to represent the different layers found below the Earth’s crust. Year 3 had great fun creating these.

Year 5

Windmill Hill

A selection of photos from the residential trip can be viewed here. Here are some quotes from our Year 5 pupils who went on the trip....

The best place on earth, everything was fantastic, the zip wire was amazing. I also enjoyed sleeping with my friends in bunk beds which were very cosy. On the giant swing the wind whistled past as I soared through the cyan sky.

We jumped off the trapeze as the wind threw us off the bar as we drifted down slowly and touched the rough ground. Rohan

On the trapeze we felt like a fish as free as it could be. On the giant swing you feel like a bird as free as could be. On the Jacobs ladder you are as wobbly as a toddler. On the zip wire you feel like a flying monkey. Lucie & Anam

As I crept towards the peak of the peak of the ferocious giant swing, my feet were beginning to tingle like a swarm of treacherous hornets.

As we were hoisted up to the top of the giant swing, the wooden beams groaned noisily. Once we reached the highest point, we got ready to pull the rope and go flying through the air. It felt exhilarating.. Charlotte & Lizzy

The giant swing was really fun because everyone has to pull you up and when you get up you pull the magic rope… “Aaaaagh” (That was us screaming when we dropped) It was epic!!! Chloe, Olivia & Tallulah

I really liked the trip, it encouraged me to do things that I don’t normally do and face my fears. I love Windmill Hill. Amy

Music

Year 6 - Music Lesson Next Week Year 6 children who play orchestral instruments or guitar to bring them to their lesson next week.

If you would like to take up an instrument this term, please contact Mrs Johnson. If you are interested please click here for additional information and a form.

Sports

With the Year 6’s away combined with the bad weather causing the U9 hockey to be cancelled on Tuesday, we have had a quiet week of sport so far. Last Thursday, the U9 girls hockey team played their first matches of the term against Lingfield. There were some very impressive performances with an incredibly close 6-5 victory for the A team and a narrow 2- 0 loss for the B’s. The U8 boys all took part in the Aberdour football festival. There were some much improved performances and some excellent teamwork and the boys thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon. The boys U9B football team were also in action against Chinthurst A’s, with the match finishing 1-0 to RSM after an impressive goal direct from a freekick.

We have a number of fixtures and competitions taking place this week The U9 football teams played Homefield on Thursday, the U9 and U10 cross country teams are taking part in the Lingfield Cross Country competition today, the U10 football teams play Homefield on Saturday morning and the U9A football team is also taking part in the Caterham football tournament. We also have a number of children from RSM taking part in the Shukokai Karate competition up in Birmingham on Saturday. Good luck to all those taking part.

Just a reminder that whilst we fully support all of the extra-curricular activities that the children take part in that are so integral to their development on the sports fields, on the rare occasion that we have school sports fixtures on a Saturday, it is important that school sport should take priority over any club fixtures. We would very much appreciate your support with this.

Mr Austin has created a booklet on behalf of the Sports Department and we hope you will have opportunities to regularly take part in the suggested activities at home. Agility, balance and co-ordination are a fundamental part of all sports. These skills are incorporated into the childrens’ PE and Games lessons regularly and are developed as your child moves through the school. If, from an early age, your child can start to develop these at home, the benefits will be huge!

RSM Sport Website

Key Dates

Monday 30 September - Dick Moore Parent Session, 7.00 pm RSM Sports Hall Wednesday 2 October - Individual & Sibling Photographs Thursday 3 October - Grandparents' Day for Early Years, 8.30 - 9.00 am in Classrooms of GS, KG & Reception Saturday 5 October - Early Years Fun Morning, 10.00 am (please see below Flyer for details) Thursday 10 October - Chartwells Health & Wellbeing drop in session, 8.30am Dining Room

Term Dates up to Summer 2021

For RSM Term dates please click here

Open Events - Autumn Term 2019

We are hosting a range of exciting open events at RSM this term. Please join us if you can for refreshments and various fun activities on the following dates:

Early Years Fun Morning - Saturday 5 October – 10am – midday. To register, click here

Little Shoots Toddler Group Our Little Shoots toddler groups are open to anyone with children up to 2 years old. They take place on Monday mornings from 9:15am to 10:15am. Dates for the Autumn term are below: Monday 7 October 2019 - Outdoor Learning – book here Monday 11 November 2019 - Musical Signing – book here

Stepping Stones Play Group Our Stepping Stones playgroup is open to anyone with children aged 3 or 4. The Autumn term session will take place on Monday 14 October at 2.15pm to 3.15pm. To book – click here

Holiday Clubs

RSM Holiday Clubs Our RSM Holiday Clubs are available from 8 am to 6 pm for all RSM children from Green Shoots (2 years) upwards.

Exciting activities and trips make the RSM Holiday Club a popular choice for parents with guaranteed fun for the children. Over the summer children enjoyed swimming, bowling, a roller disco, a trip to the farm, Judo, gymnastics, sphero robots, art and craft and lots more. There are plenty of activities to look forward to!

For October Half Term the RSM Holiday Club will run from Monday 21 October to Friday 25 October 2019 and the RSM Early Years Holiday Club (Age 2-4 years) will run from Monday 21 October to Friday 1 November 2019.

Bookings for October Half term are now open via SchoolsBuddy.

Ultimate Activity Will be running their fantastic camps at Reigate St Mary's School this October Half Term from Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November.

 Days run from 8:30 am until 5:15 pm* (Extended Day Pass for an extra £5 covers 8 am-6 pm)  For children aged 4-14 years  Book by the day or week.  The Early Booking Rate of £41/day or £179/week will run until Tuesday 1st October so please Book Early!  Children get some fresh air fun, meet new friends and try new activities!

Please visit their website www.ultimateactivity.co.uk or call their friendly and helpful customer service team on 0330 111 7077.

Wrap Around Care and Holiday Clubs

School Notices

Parent Portal - Please Action Please use the hot button below where you will see the following items on the Parent Portal including consent forms which are contained within the interactive tab at the top. Whole School - Health and Wellbeing Session, Wrap Around Care Early Years - Weekly update Lower School - Curriculum Meeting Notes Upper School - Curriculum Meeting Notes, Current Year 5 Snowdonia Info Letter & Kit List /Year 6 Charity Initiative

Vacancy Reigate Grammar School currently has the following vacancies:

 Invigilator – Required from November 2019 If you know someone who may be interested in applying, please ask them to download the information from the RGS website or contact Dawn on 01737 229327 or [email protected].

Parent Portal

Our mailing address is: Reigate St Mary’s, Chart Lane, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7RN

If you no longer wish to receive these emails unsubscribe from this list