6^th October 2023

The Harvest Festival was the first of our whole school services this academic year, and it was incredible to see everyone together. The children sang their hearts out and the Worship Leaders confidently shared with us the importance of being thankful. All the adults who attended walked out of the school hall with huge smiles on their faces! Our next service will be our Advent Service at All Saints' church on 5^th December at 9.45am, and we would love just as many parents to join us for this service as there were at Harvest yesterday. Mrs Downing and the rest of the teachers did a marvellous job practising the singing with the chidren.

Our last curriculum information session took place on Wednesday and the feedback was extremely positive, with all the parents who attended saying that the session was really useful. The presentation is now on the Year 2 classes' Home Pages for those who were unable to attend. I would like to thank Mrs Howarth for her work in preparing and delivering the Key Stage 1 sessions and likewise Mr Creese for the Reception session.

Next Tuesday we have an Open Morning for prospective parents for September 2024 and Holy Trinity have an Open Evening for families of Year 2 children who are moving there in September, to begin their KS2 journey.

Mrs Reynolds

Next week's 'Learning at a Glance'

Celebration Worship

The councillors and ambassadors were awarded their badges today during Celebration Worship. The teachers who will be working with them over the year were also given a badge!

Individual photos – Whole school

We would like to remind parents to qualify for free shipping, you have until Friday 13^th October to order your photo.

Great Fire of London Day – Year 2

• Tuesday 17^th October

The topic for Year 2 this half-term is the Great Fire of London. The 'History off the Page' will be coming into school to give the children an enriching experience of the topic by immersing them into Stuart Britain. This is a fabulous day for children when they become archaeologists, candlestick makers, leather makers...the list is huge.

In order to make the most of this experience, there are a couple of ways in which we need your help:

• It would be really great if the children could dress up for the day in 17^th century dress. This can be very simple and can be easily constructed from items you may have at home. We do not expect anyone to go to great expense. We have attached a leaflet giving some easy ideas for the costume. If you have any problems with this, please ask in the school office as we do have a few items children could borrow.
• To run all the activities, we will need some parent helpers during the day. 10 volunteers will be needed for the morning and 10 for the afternoon. If you can help in either the morning, the afternoon or even all day, then please click here. Thank you to those who have volunteered already, we still need a few more volunteers for both sessions.

Applying for a place at Junior School – Year 2

For children moving up to Junior School in September 2024, the applications' portal closes at midnight on the 15^th January.

Nursery Rhyme Day – Reception

• Friday 20^th October

To celebrate their first half-term's work on the topic of Mother Goose, Reception are planning a Nursery Rhyme Day on 20^th October.

We would like to invite the children in Reception to come to school dressed as a nursery rhyme character. The costume does not need to be elaborate or shop bought, a simple home-made costume would be perfect.

If your child decides not to dress up, that is absolutely fine. School uniform will be expected insead.

Waterproof trousers – Whole school

As the weather starts to get colder and wetter over the coming months, we still want the children to be able to take part in their outdoor learning sessions and stay warm and dry. After half-term, children will need to come to school equipped (not wearing) some waterproof trousers which they will put on over their uniform just before their outdoor learning session. You can purchase a pair of black waterproof trousers (the colour we would like the children to wear), through ParentPay. The cost of each pair of trousers is £10.25. We are asking parents to please specify if their child is over 120cm or under 120cm to help with sizing. If you need financial support with the purchase of the trousers, please email the school office.

As the trousers will all be identical, please mark your child's name inside. At the end of each outdoor learning day, the trousers will be returned home for washing (if needed). We will not be keeping them in school. 

We haven't specified any other outer wear for these sessions, as we have assumed that every child will have a coat that they will be wearing every day in school anyway.

Parent/carer regular helpers – Whole school

Mums, dads, carers and grandparents are all very welcome in school as helpers. Thank you to those who have offered their help already. We have had family volunteers working on a variety of activities including listening to children read, mounting and displaying work and helping with sewing and craft activities – the possibilities are endless. The school operates a policy whereby parents need to attend a short training session before helping out in class. This training will be held in the school hall. We are offering two sessions, 9am-10am 11^th October or 2.30pm-3.30pm 12^th October.

If you are interested in becoming a regular helper, please click here to read the Confidentiality Policy and here to read the Child Protection Policy. Then click here to complete the form.

Leaking water bottles – Whole school

Unfortunately, we've noticed that some books are being damaged by leaking water bottles in children's book bags. If your child's water bottle is leaking, we kindly ask you replace it on ParentPay. Please also ensure that your child's water bottle is placed in a separate compartment to their books.

Christmas Cards

This week in school, the children have been designing their Christmas cards. Your child will be coming home with their design and paperwork. If you’d like to purchase cards and gifts with their design on them, you need to register online shop.cauliflowergroup.co.uk using the unique code (top left-hand corner).  

Once you’ve placed your online orders, you need to return the form and artwork to school by Friday 13^th October.

Should you have any questions, please feed through your Class Reps.

Santa Fun Run

Are you entering the Marlow Santa Fun Run this year?  How do you fancy raising money for school? The PFA are a registered charity and can be nominated as your charity; if you raise £50 in sponsorship money, the Rotary club will match it. (Charity name. Marlow C of E Infant School Parents & Friends Association: Registered Charity No. 275299)

Bag2School – Wednesday 11^th October 

Bag2School will be collecting from Sandygate on Wednesday morning just after drop off.  This is a fundraising scheme where we can make money from your unwanted clothing and household linen. The company export clothing and shoes all over the world to distribute to those in need.  The more we can collect, the more money they will give us (the more it weighs, the more it pays!) They accept the following:

Sandygate Light Trail – Sunday 12^th November 4pm

Join us on Sunday, November 12^th at 4pm to celebrate the Festival of Lights! Every child in the school will be bringing home lantern templates to decorate over half-term. We ask that you then bring your lantern, and we will provide a battery-operated tea light (or feel free to bring torches/other lights). We will then take a lantern-lit musical walk starting and ending at school going along Trinity Avenue, Oak Tree Road and Seymour Park Road. Children will also be provided with a checklist of festive lights to spot on the way and welcomed back at school with a hot chocolate and marshmallows. Book a space for your child(ren) on Parent Pay; this is a free event, but you can make a voluntary donation if you are able.

Christmas Disco – Saturday 25^th November

Just a quick update on what to expect this Christmas… We are very excited about holding a Christmas Disco this year for the children. To make sure all the children can attend, we will be running two discos, each with lots of music, fun and games and a visit from Santa. Santa’s elves will be sending each child home with a gift.

While the kids are dancing up a storm, why not drop by the festive eco-barn for a drink and mince pie.

Coming up…

• Bag2School: Wednesday 11^th October by 9am
• End of term donuts: Friday 20^th October
• Second hand uniform: 1^st November & 1^st December
• Brickies: Sunday 5^th November 2pm – 3:30pm
• Light Trail: Sunday 12^th November  
• Christmas disco & Santa visit: Saturday 25^th November
• Wreath Making Workshop: Thursday 30^th November
• Christmas Bake Sale and Raffle: Friday 15^th December

Little Muddy Me – Whole school

Little Muddy Me are pleased to announce that they will be doing an after-school club on a Wednesday after half-term. Please see the flyer below, if you are interested and would like to sign-up, please click here.