Hello all,

Welcome to this weeks newsletter. 

Below you will find information about upcoming events: Harvest and Parents Evenings. Please take a look at the information carefully and should you have any problems with booking Parents Evening slots; please do not hesitate to contact school and we will do all we can to assist you.

As we get further into the school year and summer starts to turn to Autumn, please may I ask that parents consider sending children in with a coat, the weather is becoming increasingly variable and we like to get the children outside as much as possible to have a break and some fresh air. A number of children this week have not had coats with them. 

Could we also ask that water bottles sent into school have 'sports caps' or 'closeable straws' rather than just a screw top lid. Children, especially those in younger years are finding these difficult to open independently, this has on occasion led to spillages. A reminder also, that unless there is a medical or dietary requirement, these bottles should only contain water. Many thanks 

Thank you for your continued support of the children and school.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mr Jones

Monday 28th September- Nursery Parent Workshop

Tuesday 29th September- Y6 Parent Workshop

Thursday 1st October- Y1 Parent Workshop

Friday 2nd October- Harvest in school (pupils only)

Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th October- Parents Evenings

Monday 26th October -Friday 30th October: Half term holidays. School closed

Wednesday 11th November- Remembrance Service (pupils only)

Monday 14th December- Nursery and Reception Nativity plays (a.m)

Tuesday 15th December- Y2 Christmas Play (a.m)

Wednesday 16th December- Y1 Christmas Play (a.m), Y5&6 Christmas Singalong (6pm)

Friday 18th December- Autumn Term Reports distributed

Monday 21st December - Friday 1st January: Christmas holidays. School Closed

Monday 4th January 2027- Training day, school closed to pupils

Tuesday 5th January: School reopen to pupils for Spring term

At St Margaret’s one our favourite Bible stories is the ‘Good Samaritan’ who looked out for someone who was in need when others just walked away.    We always encourage our children to reflect on our core values and how we can demonstrate them in our daily lives. This Harvest we want to help people here at home in the UK through our local Foodbank (Great Barr Foodbank) https://greatbarr.foodbank.org.uk/ .

Great Barr food bank have indicated that they are in urgent need of the following:

• tinned fruit (400gms)

• tea bags (80's)
• dried pasta (500gms)
• UHT milk (1 litre)
• Sugar

However any donations of tinned or dried food stuffs will be greatly appreciated.

We know that every item will go to help someone who is need of a helping hand.  

 Our Harvest service for the children will be on Friday 2^nd October and we will be happy to receive any produce from Monday 28^th September, these can be taken to the children’ s classrooms, or handed in at the school office.

As always, we do so appreciate your support and look forward to a good harvest.

As you will have seen in the dates section, we had arranged 2 parents evenings: the 13th October and 15th October. Booking for these is through the Parents Evening section on the School Life App. Bookings will from Monday 28th September until Monday 12th October (for the 13th) and the 14th October (for the 15th).

These evenings will give you an opportunity to ask any questions about your child's start in their new year group and how they are progressing so far. There are 10 minutes for each slot and we ask that you allow our staff to adhere to these times as a courteousy to all parents and carers.

Should you have any problems booking please get in touch with the school office and we will do out upmost to assist.

Magical Maths club is now available for booking for children who will be in years 1 and 2 in September. This 6 week club started on Thursday 10th September. Please see the attached flyer for more details and book directly with Magical Maths.

PE days for 2026/27:

Year 1:  Thursday & Friday

Year 2: Tuesday & Friday

Year 3: Tuesday & Wednesday

Year 4: Monday & Thursday

Year 5: Tuesday & Wednesday

Year 6: Monday & 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.

Free 11+ preparation and KS2 learning

We're partnered with Atom Learning, the leading online Key Stage 2 learning and 11+ preparation platform, to provide free Atom Home accounts to children in Years 3-6 who are eligible for the pupil premium. Atom Home is normally £575.90 per year.

Atom Home provides Key Stage 2 learning resources, helping children build exam technique, subject mastery and academic confidence.

If your child is eligible for pupil premium (check with the school office if you're not sure), please fill in the form by clicking the button below.

Apply for free access https://app.atomlearning.com/public/pupil_premium/pupil_premium_intro

For other families, there is a five-day free trial of Atom available: https://www.atomlearning.com/register-course

This does not affect the Atom school access that is used by school for in school learning and homework for KS2 pupils. Please note for pupil access after 16.30 (to complete homework etc) parents must have verified their account. Further information is here:

https://knowledge.atomlearning.io/en/atomschool/how-can-a-parent-create-their-parent-account

Here are the term dates for this academic year. While we are still reviewing some dates for next year, please note the following also:

Friday 18th December Autumn term reports to parents

Monday 3rd May: May bank holiday, school closed

Monday 10th to Thursday 13th May Y6 SATs week

Monday 7th June 2 week window for Y4 multiplication check begins

Monday 14th June Phonics Screening Check week

Friday 28th May: training day (school closed to pupils)

Friday 9th July: training day (school closed to pupils)

Friday 16th July End of year reports to parents

Monday 19th July Year 6 leavers concert

Tuesday 20th July Parents book look evening

Wednesday 21st July: Last day of the school year

As you will have seen on the news recently, there has been a lot of discussion at government level around screen time for children, use of social media and mobile phones in schools.

Since it has been so high profile we thought it apt to review our mobile phones policy. It is on the website and I have added a summary of key points below.

• As a general rule, pupils are not permitted to bring mobile phones to school unless there is a specific reason agreed in advance with school leaders (e.g., travel safety) Travel to and from school will only apply to pupils in year 6.
• Where permitted, phones must be switched off as soon as it is on the school site and handed in at the office at the start of the day and collected at the end.
• Use of mobile phones during the school day, including break and lunch times, is prohibited.
• Mobile phones must not be used to take photographs or videos on school premises without explicit permission.
• Pupils found using mobile phones inappropriately will face sanctions in line with the school’s behaviour policy, and will lose the right to bring a phone to school.
• Pupils who need a mobile device to link with a medical device will have this written in to a care plan and this will be supported by the school.
• Pupils are not permitted to wear Smart Watches or glasses in school

• Parents and Carers

  • Support the school’s mobile phone policy and reinforce expectations at home.
  • Ensure pupils understand when and how mobile phones can be used appropriately.
  • Communicate with the school regarding any concerns or exceptional circumstances.
  • Model good mobile phone use by not using phones on the school site except in emergency situations

  • Mobile Phone and Smart Watch Use by Staff

    • Staff should use mobile phones responsibly, ensuring use does not disrupt teaching or compromise professional standards.
    • Personal mobile phones should not be used in front of pupils except in emergencies or with senior leader approval.
    • Staff must not use personal devices to photograph or record pupils unless authorised for school purposes and with appropriate consent.
    • Smart watches must be in ‘flight mode’ while on the school premises so as not to cause a distraction

Thank you for your support

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.

Allowed snacks

In line with statutory guidance, snacks should primarily be:

· Fresh fruit (e.g. apples, bananas, berries, oranges, pears, grapes etc.)

· Vegetables (e.g. carrot sticks, cucumber, peppers, celery)

· Plain dairy products (e.g. plain yoghurt, cheese portions)

· Savoury items pack size less maximum 30g (e.g. plain breadsticks)

Government guidance states that snacks should be limited to fruit, vegetables, or similar healthy options without added salt, sugar or fat.

Where there are children who, for reasons linked to SEND, have restricted diets, we are happy to work with parents to ensure that reasonable adjustments can be made.

 We also remind parents that a number of children in school have allergies, including nut allergies, and that for no reason should any items containing nuts be sent in to school. We would also like to request that birthday sweets, cakes and party bags are shared directly between parents, rather than being brought into school for distribution. Staff cannot safely check items for allergens and we will not distribute these. 

Thank you for your support.

New 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. 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 only still water unless agreed otherwise with a senior leader, 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.

Free Boxing Sessions

Please see attachment ‘Free Boxing’ for details of Boxing in the Community sessions at Contenders Boxing Club, West Bromwich. All sessions are FREE of charge for any 9 - 16-year-old every term-time Tuesday from 4-5pm and there is no prior sign-up necessary.

Ideal for All Harvest Event

Saturday 19^th September, 11am – 3pm, Salop Drive Market Garden, Oldbury, B68 9AG

A free community fun day for the whole family. See flyer ‘IFA Salop Autumn Harvest Event’ for more info.

Play and Stay Sessions- Great Bridge

See attachment ‘Relaxed Play & Stay- New Road Methodist Church, Great Bridge’ for details of a calm and inclusive play session for children with Special Educational Needs and their parents/carers. Sessions have reduced numbers and provider a quieter environment, with activities tailored to each child’s needs. Every 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of the month from 1:45-2:45pm at New Road Methodist Church, DY4 7DE.

Weekly Men’s Walk

Wednesdays, 6pm-7pm, Dartmouth Park

Walk and chat. All welcome, no need to book.

Please see and share flyer ‘men’s walk’ for more info.

Celebrate Sandwell 2026 Event
Celebrate Sandwell 2026 is bringing people together to showcase the fantastic range of opportunities, activities, services, and organisations available across Sandwell.

The event will feature information stalls, interactive workshops, entertainment and refreshments, giving local residents the chance to discover what is available in their community, meet local organisations and take part in a variety of activities.

There will be a fantastic selection of workshops for people to enjoy, including artwork, martial arts, yoga, drumming for relaxation and a nature walk. These activities offer something for everyone and provide an opportunity to try something new, have fun and connect with others. We even have some fantastic local group performances and The Dust Busters!!

This special event is also being held in memory of Richard Flatley, founder of the Sandwell Networkers Group. Richard was passionate about bringing people and organisations together and would have loved to see an event like this take place.

We are delighted to have over 42 organisations taking part, making this a great opportunity to connect, share information and celebrate the fantastic work happening across Sandwell.

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 'cut out' on the Birmingham Road, next to school. 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.

Should you have any need to contact school to discuss anything, your first port of call will 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/

Story: The nearly 1,000-year-old Bayeux Tapestry has travelled from France to go on display at the British Museum in London. The 70-metre-long artwork tells the story of the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Question: How can we share our stories?
Virtual Picture News: www.picture-news.co.uk/discuss

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).