8th July 2022

Well that was quite a week! 

I really enjoyed seeing the children's excitement when they found out about their new classes or visited their new schools earlier this week. They have all had plenty of opportunities to talk about any worries they might have about the changes that are approaching. When Reverend Dave came to lead school worship on Thursday, he spoke to the children all about new beginnings and how it can be a bit unsettling when there are changes in our lives but that it is important to look for the good things in the new - there usually is something!

I think that the Open Afternoon on Wednesday was the highlight of my week. Seeing the Sandygate families current and new enjoying the sunshine and the dances on the school field was uplifting. The children were proud to share their classrooms with their families too and the atmosphere was wonderful.

Yesterday, I was able to take it a bit easy as there was a new headteacher. Mr Dunne took up post (you can see his report below)- he did a marvellous job, but unfortunately he only did it for one day and you have me back in the Headteacher's chair again today!

Mrs Reynolds

Headteacher's Report from Mr Dunne 

Headteacher for the Day Thursday 7th July

Being Headteacher today was very good. I enjoyed leading school worship. Reverend Dave came in with All Saints bunny. I said 'good morning' to all the children and chose the worship leaders. We learned about 'new beginnings' and we sang 'Be Bold, Be Strong'. Sandygate Bunny was pleased to see All Saints Bunny.

At lunchtime, I ate my lunch with the teachers and enjoyed talking to them about how I want to be a teacher when I grow up.

I went to see the children in their classrooms and made sure that they were busy learning. Bee and Ant Class went for a walk to church to tidy up and weed the churchyard. I checked that they had everything they needed and made sure that they would be safe on their walk.

I had a great day!

End of Year Service 19th July

On the last day of term we will be holding our Leaver's Service at 9am. The Service is planned to take place outside and is our opportunity to celebrate the learning journey our Year 2 children have been on and say goodbye to them. 

If you are intending to come to this please can we ask that you register on Eventbrite. This will enable us to sign everyone onto site quickly and safely on the day. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leavers-service-2022-tickets-377918513447

Year 1 Seaside Day

To complement our study of the seaside over the Summer II half-term, we have invited History Off the Page to provide a Seaside Day in the school on Wednesday 13th July 2022.

History Off the Page is a company which provides immersive and practical History, Science and Literature workshops to schools. The workshop, which will take place in the school hall during normal school hours, will give us a feeling of what it was like to be by the Victorian Seaside and how the seaside has changed over time, with the opportunity to participate in a range of cross-curricular activities and crafts. The children may keep the items they make.

To help us get the feel of the day, we are asking the children to dress in a simple costume. We recommend suitable seaside clothing (no swimming costumes/trunks, please) or Victorian clothing. The children will have playtime and lunch as normal, so they will need to be warm enough to play outside.

Year 2 Trip to Maidenhead Synagogue

On Thursday 14th July the children in Year 2 will be visiting Maidenhead Synagogue to support their RE learning. We will be leaving straight after registration so please ensure your child is in school promptly on that day.  We will return before midday for lunch as usual. 

Library Books & Reading Books

We will begin collecting in Reading Books and Library books from next week so that we can carry out an audit on all our school books. 

Reception Library books have already been collected in and they will not be bringing any more home this term. Year 1 and 2 will be collected in on their library days this week so please ensure they are all sent in.

Reading Books will not be sent home after next Friday and for Year 1 and Reception the yellow reading records will be kept in school to be handed to their new class teacher in September.

Legacy Books

A letter was sent to all Year 2 parents to suggest that they may wish to purchase a book to donate to our school library in memory of their child's time at our school. There is still time to purchase a book from our wishlist which can be found here:

https://amzn.eu/3epujzK

If there are any other parents who would like to donate a book then please do so. Each book has a label stuck in to say who it was donated by and when. 

Donations for Ukraine

The truck from URC has been delayed by a week so there is still time to donate for this delivery heading for Poland for Ukrainian refugees. Donations can be brought in any day next week and Lorrains McEnroy they will be collect them to take them to URC, otherwise you can take them to URC on Oxford Road on Fridays between 10m and 12 or Sundays between 4.15pm and 6pm.

The items they most need are listed below but please NO clothes or shoes

Instant food (eg Pot noodles, tins of food (eg stews), soups, biscuits, chocolate/sweets)
Over the counter medication such as pain relief, plasters, bandages etc
Candles, torches and batteries
Kitchen cleaning items
Toiletries
Children Nappies (sizes 4-6); baby milk and baby food
Crayons, notebook, pens, markers
Thermos flasks (personal).

Camp Night

Please can all families attending camp night ensure they have completed the Google form here before attending. Details of camp night is attached in a word document should anyone have unanswered questions. 

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The PFA AGM is scheduled to take placed on 14th July at 8pm in the school hall. This is a meeting mandated by the charity commission and needs to be held yearly to comply with regulations. This year we would like to adopt a new constitution which is available to read at the school office should anyone wish to review. We would love to see as many people in attendance as possible and will follow the meeting with social drinks. Please do come along.

End of term Ice Pops

School will close for summer on 19th July at 13:15. The PFA will be selling ice pops instead of donuts at pickup for a small donation.