Hello all. Welcome to this weeks newsletter- the first of 2026. Happy New Year!

Obviously this week has seen some disruption to school with the closure today due to the snow and hazardous road conditions. I hope that the closure has not caused you too much disruption and that all have managed to stay safe and well.

This week saw the start of a new board games club for children in years 3 and 4. The children who attended seemed to have great fun playing games which this week included Ludo, Snakes and Ladders and Connect 4. There are still some spaces available if any other children would like to join. The club is on Wednesdays 3.30-4.30. All being well next week there will be sewing club on Monday (Years 3 and 4) and Multi skills sports (years 1 and 2) on Thursday.

Please take a look at the dates listed below for some advance notice of events taking place over this term that may affect your child, in most cases more information has already, or will be sent out to those involved.

Thank you for your support over the course of this week.

Mr S Jones

Tuesday 13th January: Year 5 visit to Think Tank

Monday 2nd February -Wednesday 4th February: Year 5&6 Residential visit to the Frank Chapman Centre

Week beginning 9th February: Bikeability sessions for Y5 pupils

Monday 23rd February: Singing workshops with Becky Drake (All year groups)

Tuesday 24th February: Y6 visit to St Margaret's Church

Tuesday 3rd March: Y5 visit to St Margaret's Church

Tuesday 10th March: Y4 visit to St Margaret's Church

Tuesday 10th March: Whole school individual photographs

Tuesday 17th March: Y4 visit to St Margaret's Church

Wednesday 18th March: Rocksteady Concerts (Times TBC)

Tuesday 24th March: KS2 Easter Service at St Margaret's Church. Starting at 2pm.

Wednesday 25th March: Y6 visit to RAF Cosford

Friday 27th March: Pupils break up for the Easter Holidays

Monday 13th April: Pupils return to school

This is a new section in the weekly newsletter. Here we will add updates or information relating to schools and education. This may include links to articles about how to support children, announcements from the department for Education or Ofsted. I hope that the information included is interesting and useful. As always we are happy to get feedback.

This week I have included a link to a You Tube video from Ofsted detailing the changes to school inspection and the reports to parents, much has been on the news about this which some of you may have seen. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbl0FvY976g

Story: Famous online creators have come together at the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai to talk about how their influence affects people around the world.  
Question: Can famous people help others make good choices?
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

Good Boost at West Bromwich Leisure Centre

• A low level, 8-week rehab programme for those with chronic pain or MSK conditions.
• Uses AI Tablets to create individual, tailored workouts
• Options to take part in water or on land
• Supportive group class environment
• Grab & Go tablets to use outside of group classes
• Accessed via a discounted membership
• For more info & QR code, please see attached ‘goodboost.pdf’.

Take Time to Cook with Take Time for You CIC

Every Thursday from 8^th January 2026 – 26^th March 2026, 2pm – 4pm, West Bromwich Community Centre, Gayton Road

A free course to teach adults with learning disabilities how to cook and prepare food safely and independently. To book: https://www.goodhub.com/GO/TAKETIMETOCOOK

Please see attached ‘With TAKE TIME FOR YOU CIC.pdf’ for more info.

The Clean Plate Project

Starting Friday 16^th January, 1pm-3pm, Brasshouse Community Centre

A free 6-week programme for adults in recovery from alcohol and/or drug use across Sandwell

• Hands on cooking sessions
• Simple healthy eating tips
• Practical nutrition advice for recovery & wellbeing
• Peer support and connection with others on a similar journey

Email or call to sign up – information on attached poster Brasshouse new.png

Home Energy Advice Support

See attached ‘Heat-A5 flyer.pdf’ flyer that outlines the Home Energy Advice support available for people who are struggling with fuel and energy costs. The service offers one-to-one support through home visits or remote advice, helping with energy bills, speaking to suppliers about billing issues or debt, improving energy efficiency, raising energy saving awareness and supporting income maximisations. Contact details are included in the flyer.

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 this 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/