St Margaret's Newsletter

Hello all. Welcome to this weeks newsletter.

This week has been very busy in school in the most wonderful ways. We have had the privilege of seeing performances from years Nursery, Reception, 1, 2, 5 and 6; along with two Rocksteady Music concerts. They have been joyous. I have been so impressed by the confidence with which the children have performed, as well as the talent and skill. I would like to thank all who have helped to make the events as successful as they were.

Yesterday we had a Christmas Jumper day in support of Save the Children and the PTA. The day coincided with our pupil Christmas Dinner for those who ordered one so it was a very festive day. Children are also invited to wear a Christmas jumper on the last day of term, so hopefully this year will have got plenty of wear from them.

Next week we have a couple of events on for classes. On Tuesday we have the Key Stage Two Christmas Service at St Margaret's Church. All parents and carers are welcome to join us at Church. The service will begin at 2pm. We are delighted that Choir will be performing there. On Wednesday Georgina will be working with children on a Christmas themed workshop and on Thursday there will be a visit from the Animal Family. This has been funded by the PTA and is something we are sure the children will enjoy.

One point to note for Reception parents is that from the start of the Spring term, children in Reception will be having physical activity sessions in the school hall on a Monday and it would be helpful if children were in school PE kit for that day of the week. 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.

After Christmas the after school sports club will be on Thursdays for Key Stage 1. Children in years 1 and 2 can be booked on through the link in the PE and School Sports section below. The first session will be on the 15th January. There is also a sewing club on Mondays for children in years 3 & 4 and a boardgame club on Wednesday for the same year groups. Booking for both is through ParentPay. There will be more clubs for other year groups coming up also. 

 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

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: This winter, a charity called Small Acts of Kindness has sourced, packed and distributed over 10,000 ‘Warm in Winter’ gift bags across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
Question: What does kindness look like?
Virtual Picture News: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss

Sunday 21st December 

11am Christmas Carol Service followed by drinks and mince pies

Christmas Eve

4pm Crib Service

Christmas day

Midnight Communion Service with Carols (Commencing 11.30pm on Christmas Eve)

11am Family Service

12 Noon Said Communion

Sunday 28th December

11am 1st Sunday of Christmas Communion

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

Our Thursday after school sports club next half term is Years 1 and 2 Multiskills. Children can be signed up through: Aspire Sports Portal https://aaeg.magicbooking.co.uk/  Club times: 15.30-16.30

PE days for the Spring term:

Reception: Monday

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, and more recently in Vicarage Rise. 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. 

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/