St Margaret's Newsletter

Hello all. Welcome to this weeks newsletter.

As we are about to enter the first week of December, there is a real sense of anticipation and joy in school. Advent is always a special time in our Church of England community—a season of hope, reflection, and preparation. In our collective worship this week, we have been thinking about the theme of Thankfulness, and the children have shown such thoughtful understanding as we explore what it means to bring light into the world.

Classrooms will soon be beginning to take on a festive sparkle as pupils start work on Christmas crafts, practise singing, and prepare for their nativity performances. We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and confidence they are showing, and we look forward to welcoming many of you to our upcoming events.

As the days grow colder, we encourage families to ensure children come to school wrapped up warm and ready for winter weather. 

I have spent a lot of time in classrooms this week and have been impressed with the work the children and staff have been doing. It has been great to see the excellent learning behaviours on display, with children so keen to show how well they are learning.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support, encouragement, and partnership. This is a wonderfully busy time of year, and we are grateful for the way our whole school community works together to make it so joyful for the children.

 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

Friday 5th December - Santa Dash day 

Tuesday 9th December -               Year 2 Christmas Play 9.20am

                                                          Year 1 Christmas Play 10.30am

 Wednesday 10th December -      Rocksteady Concerts (more details to follow)

 Thursday 11th December -           Christmas Jumper day. Year 5 & Year 6 Christmas Concert 5.00pm

  Friday 12th December -                 Nursery Christmas play 9.15am (for all Nursery children)                                

                                                          Reception Christmas play 10.30am

Tuesday 16th December -              KS2 Church Christmas Service 2.00pm at St Margaret’s Church

Wednesday 17th December- Christmas workshops with Georgina

Thursday 18th December- Animal Family visit (PTA funded)

 Friday 19th December -                  REPORTS OUT TO PARENTS    

Story: On Friday, the Princess of Wales will host her annual carol service, which will bring people together to celebrate kindness, connection, and community.
Question: How important is it to feel a sense of togetherness?
Virtual Picture News: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss

Mobile Flu and Covid Vaccinations

As winter approaches and viruses spread, flu mobile vaccination clinics are being set up to encourage people to stay well this winter.

The community mobile clinics are being hosted at a range of locations in Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall, and Sandwell, with no appointment necessary.

Those eligible to receive their flu vaccine at the mobile clinics include:

• All adults aged 65 years and over
• All children aged 2–3 years old on 31 August 2025
• Pregnant women
• Frontline health and social care staff, including those working in care homes for older adults

Those eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine can also receive it at the mobile clinics.

You can get the winter COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 31 January 2026)
• are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment (check https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/ for a list of Health Conditions/Treatments that mean you are eligible)
• live in a care home for older adults

To see locations of clinics, please click the following link: Mobile vaccination clinics :: Black Country ICB

Winter Clothing Donations/Collection opportunities across Sandwell:

Sandwell Library Donations

• All Sandwell libraries are now accepting donations of clean, good-quality winter coats plus scarves, hats, gloves (in pairs), and other warm clothing for adults and children. For more information - https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/wintercoatsappeal
• Find library locations, contact details, and opening hours here: https://prism.librarymanagementcloud.co.uk/sandwell/assets/-/libraries.html
• Follow updates on Sandwell Libraries Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandwellLibraries

Sandwell Library Free Coats & Warm Clothing Collections

• Need something warm? Every library has a rail of coats and clothing available — take what you need, no questions asked. Last winter, hundreds of families benefited.
• Please check opening times before visiting.

Ideal for All, based in Smethwick are hosting a winter coat donation and collection point

• Based at the Independent Living Centre, 100 Oldbury Road, B66 1JE
• Drop off donations – between every Monday – Thursday, 10am – 5pm until Thursday 4th December
• Collect a coat – Monday 8^th December 11am – 3pm
• To find out more, call 0121 558 5555 (option 2) or email contactifa@idealforall.co.uk

Kore Padel Taster Session

Saturday 6^th December, 9:30am – 1pm, Tipton Sports Academy
Following the success of bringing Padel to Sandwell, Kore Sandwell is hosting an open day of celebration to come and have a taste of Padel. With coaching taster sessions, fun challenges, general play, street food, DJ and memberships available. They would love you to join them on Saturday 6^th December from 9.30am to 1pm. Please spread the message, everyone welcome and they look forward to introducing more people to Padel.

Pre-booking also available on the Playtomic App, you can also click on the direct link below.

Visit Santa at Utilita Energy Hub

Saturday 6^th December, 11:30am – 3pm, West Bromwich Energy Hub, 3D Astle Park

Come and Visit Santa at Utilita! Recommended ages 3-10 years old but all welcome.

Whilst this is a free event, we would like to ask people to bring a food donation to support our local foodbank.

Our Thursday after school sports club this half term is Years 3 and 4 Multiskills. Children can be signed up through: Aspire Sports Portal https://aaeg.magicbooking.co.uk/ The last date is this week:  04/12/24. Club times: 15.30-16.30

PE days for the Autumn term:

Year 1:  Wednesday and Thursday

Year 2: Tuesday and Friday

Year 3: Thursday and Friday

Year 4: Monday and Wednesday

Year 5: Monday and Thursday

Year 6: Tuesday and Thursday

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.

As a school we like to promote health and well being and while we allow children to bring a snack to have at break time, we ask please that this is a healthy snack such as a piece or pot of fruit. We have noticed an increase in children wanting to have crisps to take out at break time. We do not consider crisps to be a healthy snack and while these may be fine as part of a packed lunch, we ask that children do not have them for break time snack. Thank you for your support.

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. 

Many children like to bring their own pencil cases and stationary items into school. This is fine, but please remember that all items needed for school work will be provided by school. We ask that no scissors or sharp items come into school. School will provide children with safety scissors to use in school when required.

Useful items may include: pencils, rulers, crayons, a protractor (Y4+), a blue handwriting pen (KS2), felt tips and a glue stick in a sensibly sized pencil case. Again there is no requirement or expectation that pupils have their own items from home.

Children can also have a water bottle with a sports cap, containing water unless agreed otherwise, their reading book and reading record. In most circumstances there should be no need for other items to be coming into school without prior agreement. We ask for parents support with this. Please ensure all items of uniform are named to ensure that we have the best possible chance to return lost items to the right people.

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 ensure they are to access and egress their homes and businesses. This seems to be a particular problem with parents parking in the Grove and on the resident car park at Sophie Gardens. We ask that parents and carers do not park across people drives or in residents spaces at Sophie Gardens, and remember our school value of Respect when talking to one another.  More than anything we need to keep everyone safe. I hope that you have seen the signs that we have purchased to help remind parents and carers about parking, one is outside the main gates and another on the 'island' in the layby towards the under passage on the Birmingham Road. If the yellow and red lines are not sufficient reminders about parking perhaps our new signs will help.

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.

Safeguarding is very important to us at St Margaret's, and we firmly believe that everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe. Should you have any safeguarding concerns please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Mr Jones, or in his absence Mrs Boud or Mrs Humphries via the school office. If you have a concern for the safety of a child outside of school time you are able to report this directly to Sandwell Children's Trust on 0121 569 3100 or https://www.sandwellchildrenstrust.org/report-child-risk/ . If a child is in immediate danger, you should contact the police (call 999).

Should you have any need to contact school to discuss anything, your first port of call will most likely be your child's class teacher. The way to do this is via the school office who are happy to pass on a message, or arrange a call back. We ask that you do not engage teachers in conversation on doors when dropping off or collecting children, as the primary focus has to be the safe arrival and dismissal of children. Further information on communicating with school can be found by following the link below.

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 contact us page on website: https://stmargaretscofeprimaryschool.co.uk/about-us/contact-details/

Website: https://stmargaretscofeprimaryschool.co.uk/

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

https://stmargaretscofeprimaryschool.co.uk/parents/policies/