16th September 2022

The children are setting well into their routines now, and they are really enjoying their new topics and learning across the curriculum. 

This week we held the first of our curriculum evenings - this week it was for Reception parents. The session was well attended, and it was great to be able to share the exciting things their children have ahead of them this term. Thank you to all who attended but if you couldn't make it, the presentation is saved on the Bee and Ant home pages. We have curriculum evenings planned for Year 1 and 2, these are in the school calendar (see below) 

Our first full governing body meeting of the year took place this week and unfortunately, Emily Viarnaud, who has served the school for 4 years, came to the end of her term of office. I would like to thank Emily for all that she has done to support the school over the last 4 years, her input has been invaluable. This means that we have a vacancy for parent governor, and you will have received an email yesterday about this. If you think you this might be something that you would like to get involved but would like to know more before committing, please talk to one of our existing governors or me. To find out who our governors are, please click here

The children have been busy practising their harvest songs, and we are looking forward to our Harvest festival at the beginning of October. There certainly is an autumnal feel in the air and I know that we are missing the sunshine that we had this summer, but the Harvest service will be a celebration of thankfulness for the huge variety of food we have.

Mrs Reynolds

Awards

Over the next few weeks we will highlight each of the awards that we give in school so that parents have an understanding of what each one is given for.  Most of these awards are distributed in front of the whole school during our Celebration Worship on a Friday morning.

The Value Award

This is linked to the school values which are Service, Respect, Kindness, Perseverance, Forgiveness and Thankfulness.

Each half term we will link school worship and the value award to one of the values.  There will be a series of themes which help the children understand what the value is and these will be the focus of each week’s award.

Each week teacher’s will choose someone from their class who has demonstrated the relevant value during the week. Each child will be given a leaf or flower shaped certificate and a sticker.  The certificates will be attached to the Values tree in the hall and children will take home their sticker.

Next week's 'Learning at a Glance'

School Photographs

Wednesday 21st September

Our school photographer, Stanley Baker Studios, will be in school next Wednesday to take individual photographs of all pupils. They will also take group pictures of any siblings in school. Your child will bring home a leaflet on Wednesday with instructions on how to register to order the photographs.

Sandygate Sunday at All Saints Church

Sunday 25th September

Once a term we are invited to take part in the 10.59 service at All Saints Church. Sometimes some of our pupils read prayers they have written, and we lead the congregation in some of the songs we sing in school.

All Sandygate families are welcome to come along to the service. We ask that children wear their red sweatshirts/cardigans to identify them as Sandygate pupils. They should sit with their family during the service and the school staff in church will invite them up at the appropriate times. 

All Saints Church also invite you all to stay on after the service for their Community Harvest Celebration - more details shown below. 

So that we have an idea of how many children might be coming could we ask that you register here if you are planning to come to the service.

Year 2 Roman Day

Monday 26th September

On our Roman Day, we would love to see the children come dressed as a Roman, whether that’s a Roman soldier, citizen, actor, baker or hairdresser. If your child does dress up they will stay in costume all day – so please make sure the costume is warm and appropriate. If your child decides to not dress up, that is absolutely fine, school uniform will be expected.

Year 2 will be learning all about Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius this term and so this will be a great way to immerse the children into life in 79 AD.

Children will be taking part in all sorts of fun Roman activities during the day. 

Roman Costume

Your Roman dress up costume does not need to be shop bought. There are lots of ideas online for simple home made costumes such as - 

• Bed sheet toga (see directions attached)
• make a cardboard shield and sword for a gladiator https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/kids/how-to-make-a-roman-shield 
• foil helmet
• leaf hairband 

Harvest Festival

Thursday 6th October

Given the number of responses we have had from families wishing to attend our Harvest Festival we will be holding this event twice at 9.00am and 2.30pm on Thursday 6th October

Tickets for this event will be free but must be booked via Eventbrite here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/harvest-festival-tickets-421277310777 and we will be scanning the tickets on entry to control numbers in the school hall. Younger siblings may attend but will require a ticket and we would ask that buggies and prams are left outside as we have limited space in the school hall. 

In order to allow as many families the chance to come as possible we would ask that initially only 2 tickets per family are booked. Should there then be spaces left nearer the date we will let you know and more tickets can then be booked. 

Parent Governor

Currently we have a vacancy for a parent governor on the governing body. Your voice as a parent is very important to our school and it is vital that the governing body has good representation by our parents among its membership.

We are seeking parents who have a real willingness to help, who can listen carefully, read important documents, ask questions, attend training and be able to actively contribute at meetings.

If you can spare approximately ten hours a month then please consider nominating yourself for this interesting voluntary role by completing the nomination form which was emailed out yesterday. Paper copies can be requested from the school office.

There is a box for nominations in the entrance hall of the school. 

Scrumys Rugby

Unfortunately, Scrumys have not had enough children sign up to be able to run their club this half term. They will be putting on a free trial session on Monday 17th October and, if they then have enough children register, they will start their club after the half term break. 

If your child would like to take advantage of the free trial please register at www.scrumys.co.uk or email zoe@scrumys.com

French Club - Free Taster Session

Tuesday 20th September

MCH Languages are running a free taster session next Tuesday lunchtime for any children who would like to find out more about French club. To register your child for a place on this session please email them mariella@mchlanguages,com

PFA meeting Thursday 22nd September 

Just a reminder that our first PFA meeting of the year will be taking place at school on Thursday 22nd September at 8pm. We'd like to welcome everyone interested in being involved this year to attend. We're keen to hear if anyone has any ideas for new events and want everyone to feel welcome and involved. (If you cant make it but would like to be involved, please touch base with one of the PFA committee members)

Back to school BBQ 24th September

We are very excited about our first event of the year; the Back to School BBQ being held on Saturday 24th September 12-2pm on the school field. Food and drink will be available to buy. As an ECO school we are looking at way to reduce our waste so encourage everyone to bring their own beer/wine cups with them if possible. It is a cash only event so remember to bring some money with you. We look forward to seeing you there!

We will be sending out a google form today to try and gauge how many people to cater for, so would be grateful if you can all complete that by Wednesday 21st September if you are going to be coming - thank you

100 Club

The 100 club will go live on Parentpay today. Tickets are £10 and this will enter you in 6 draws throughout the year held every other month between September and July. The first prize for each draw will be £30 and the second prize £20 and you can buy as many £10 tickets as you would like.