Dear Parents,

I hope that this weeks newsletter finds you all well.

It has been great to see so many of you attend this weeks parents evenings, we will be holding 3 parents evenings sessions in total this year which are a perfect opportunity to find out how your child is progressing and address any concerns you may have. We thank you very much for your support.

Class teachers have been busy over this half term making arrangements for educational visits for classes. Information has or will come out for each classes visit so that there is as much notice for parents as possible. We have tried to provide a range of different visits to vary our curriculum enhancement offer. I hope that you as parents, see the value in these visits and how these can really help children at school to develop a love of learning- as we aim for on our vision- 'Learn to Love, Love to Learn, Strive to Serve'.

I would like to remind you that children are back in school on Monday 4th November and we wish you all a happy, safe and restful half term break.

Mr Jones

This weeks best attendance award has gone to Year 4. Well done all!

Remember, when your child is not at school, they are missing out on key parts of the curriculum. Moments matter, attendance counts.

If your child is too unwell to attend school please call the school office on 01213572758.

Attendance Policy: St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School - Attendance

Please see the guidance issued by Sandwell in line with UKHSA regarding infections.

The 2 evenings will take place and the 23rd and 24th October and will be an opportunity to discuss your child's start to the year with their teacher.

We are aware that there are many different family dynamics and if parents need to have 2 separate appointments then we will do our best to accommodate this. Please contact the school office if this is the case and we will do our best to make the necessary arrangements.

If you have made a booking please ensure be aware that the purpose of this evening is an opportunity for your child's class teacher to share you you how your child has settled in to their class, and how they are getting on with work so far. There are 10 minute slots that we ask that you allow the staff to keep to as much as possible as a courteousy to other parents waiting. Thank you for your support with this.

PE days:

Nursery: Monday AM and Wednesday PM

Reception: Tuesday

Year 1: Wednesday and Friday

Year 2: Thursday and Friday

Year 3: Tuesday and Friday

Year 4: Monday and Thursday

Year 5: Tuesday and Friday

Year 6: Monday and Friday

Children need to arrive at school ready for PE. PE Kit is as follows. A plain white t- shirt, plain black jogging bottoms/leggings/shorts, trainers, school jumper or cardigan. No jewellery should be worn, long hair needs to be tied back, piercings that cannot be removed must be taped up- tape/plasters provided from home. Any religious/cultural jewellery that cannot be removed must be secured/covered- sweat bands are perfect for this.

The current after school sports club for children in Key Stage 2 (years 3-6). The focus is Basketball and you can sign children up for future weeks through the Aspire Sports Portal https://aaeg.magicbooking.co.uk/

The next half terms after school sports club for for children in years 1 and 2. the focus is Multi Sports. Children can be signed up here through the Aspire Sports Portal https://aaeg.magicbooking.co.uk/

As you may have seen in an email earlier this week, we are starting to sell Poppies and other merchandise from the Royal British Legion charity in school. These will be on sale until Monday11th November 2024- or until sold out!

We will be having an in school remembrance service on Thursday 7th November. Children are invited to wear poppies or wristbands for the service.

It is always a really nice time for children to find out about family members- past or present who have served in the armed forces, it would be great if children wanted to share any information they find out with us in school should they wish to do so. It can really help to bring the history curriculum to life.

As I am sure you are aware the PTA are holding a cake and samosa sale after school today (25/10/24) on the KS2 Playground, near the 'poppy shelter', I hope that many of you will be able to support the PTA and purchase yourselves a treat. Cash is preferred but card payments are also accepted.

The PTA are also hosting Christmas discos this year which will take place in the school hall on Friday 13th December. There will be one disco for EYFS and Key Stage one and a later disco for Key stage 2 children. Further information will follow.

The PTA has been instrumental in raising money for school which has been used for a range of things including recently developing playtime activities. We are really grateful to them for their time and dedication and hope you are able to support them as much as possible.

The next Children @ Church session is this Sunday (27th October) at 9.30 am.

Sadly, we are saying goodbye to one of our lunchtime supervisors, Mrs Deeming. Mrs Deeming has worked at St Margaret's as a lunchtime supervisor for more than 20 years. We are extremely grateful to her for her service to the school and the children, we will certainly miss having her as part of the team and wish her well.

A reminder to parents and carers to be careful and considerate with their parking when dropping off and collecting children. It is imperative that the front of school remains clear, and that we respect neighbouring properties and and ensure they are to access and egress their homes and businesses. More than anything we need to keep everyone safe.

We are pleased that we are able to have an arrangement with the Holiday Inn J7 to allow parents to use car parking facilities at appropriate times. If you are interested in this please contact the school office and they will help arrange a pass for you. 

Word of the Week- ecstatic

An adjective meaning feeling great enthusiasm or delight.

The children were ecstatic when their football team won the trophy.

Synonyms – elated, euphoric

Antonyms – sorrowful, depressed

Etymology – first used in the 1590s, from the Greek ekstatikos meaning "mystically absorbed."

All reading and library books will be given to children over these first couple of weeks. We aim to ensure that the books children are issued are in line with their need and ability. Children will have 2 books, one school 'levelled reading book' and one Reading for Pleasure book. The Reading for Pleasure book is aimed to foster a love of reading. We expect children to be heard read at least 3 times per week and comments written in their reading record. Children should have their reading book and reading record in school each day. We ask for your support with this.

Any lost or books damaged beyond repair will incur a £5 fee to allow us to replace them. This will be issued via ParentPay.

We have added lists of dates of events over the year onto the school website.

St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School - Term Dates

Letters will go out for events but we thought this may help parents and carers plan in advance.

Address:

St Margaret's CE Primary School

Birmingham Road

Birmingham

B43 7AP

Telephone:

0121 357 2758

Email: postbox@st-margarets.sandwell.sch.uk

OR

Use the contact us link on website: St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School - Home

Information on our Communications Protocol and Procedures and Parent Code of Conduct can be found on our website.

St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School - Policies