Elm Hall Primary School

Welcome to Farah Class, where we continually strive to achieve our best, just like our class mascot Mo Farah.

In Farah Class, we still have carpet time where we can discuss and talk about new learning but we spend more time working at our tables than we did last year. We like to use our surrounding environment to help us learn and use the great outdoors wherever possible and in all conditions. This is why it is important that you come dressed in appropriate clothing for the weather.  Your child will need a coat, hat and gloves etc in the winter and a sun hat and suncream in the summer.

Our door opens at 8.40am and children need to be in class by 8.45 am for the register. Learning begins immediately so please help your child to be punctual. In Year 2, we encourage more independence and responsibility in order to achieve our Elm Hall Attitudes. For example, pupils will need to tell an adult if they have a note/letter etc in their bag so it can be addressed.

Each night pupils go home with a reading book in their bag. It is important that this comes back into school every day. However, it is the child’s responsibility to change their book when they have finished, this can be done either before or after school using the bookshelves outside the classroom. It is important that your child reads every night to an adult for around 10 minutes to help improve their fluency and understanding of the text they read. Each stage of your child's reading journey is important. Hearing your child read at home, you are helping them achieve their Elmer Awards which are presented to pupils in Friday’s Celebration Assembly.  Throughout the year, when a child demonstrates sufficient reading and comprehension skills, they will be assessed to see if they are ready to join the Renaissance Reading Programme run throughout KS2.

We normally have PE lessons on Mondays or Wednesdays throughout the year, so please make sure your child has a full named indoor and outdoor PE kit in school.  Earrings must be removed for PE, and long hair must be tied back. Staff are not permitted to remove earrings for a child, or put them in. A spare hair band kept in school for PE would be useful.

Your child will need to bring a drink to school every day.  Please make sure that their drink bottle is named, as well as all their clothing and any snack pot or lunch box. Children are only allowed to have fruit for their snack, in KS1 all pupils will receive a piece of free fruit, however you may bring an alternative piece of fruit if you wish. Please make sure any grapes are sliced in half lengthways.

Like all classes, we have an Elm Hall Attitudes board to encourage our learners to develop the key skills they need, in order to be successful learners. We also have a Recognition Board where your name is written if you have shown the particular skill we are looking for that week.  We encourage a Growth Mindset throughout the school to foster an attitude of perseverance.

At home time, we will only allow you or an agreed adult to collect your child. If someone else is picking up your child, please inform an adult or the school office.

Children will be given various homework tasks to complete. Please remind your child to complete their homework, which they should be able to do independently. Homework will usually be set on a Tuesday, to be handed in the following Monday. It should take around 15 minutes alongside daily reading which also forms part of your child's homework.

Children in Year 2 will sit their KS1 SATS Tests during May, involving Maths, English and Reading. We try to ensure that the children are unaware that they are taking a formal test in order to ensure they do not become stressed. Please note that leave will not be authorised for this time.

Pupils in Year 2 are encouraged to work hard but also experiment in order to develop creativity, resilience and independence.