12^th January 2024

This week we have seen the start of the half-term's topics for all year groups. The children have been busy learning their new stories and exploring the topics through the different National Curriculum subjects. 

In Reception, they have started their topic about Space. In Year 1, their topic is Frozen Planet, and in Year 2 they are learning all about Flight. You will see an overview of each week's learning in 'Learning at a Glance' below and the Class Home Pages on the school website will give you an idea of what is happening in all areas of the curriculum this half-term.

Our new displays for the spring term went up in the school hall this week. The children and staff have worked hard to produce a creative representation of each of the school values.  They are so colourful and show examples of what each of the values means to the children.

Mrs Reynolds

Space topic - Reception

Reception have a newly updated role-play area which they have been working on this week. To support their Space topic learning, the role-play area has been decorated with planets, space rockets and starry skies! There are, of course, dressing up costumes as well, which are proving to be very popular!

Next Week's 'Learning at a Glance'

Walk to School Week 8-12^th January – Whole school

This has been a great success with more children making more active journeys to school this week. Today in Celebration Worship, we awarded the Walk to School Week cup to the class who had most improved their active journeys. The results were ver close indeed. 

First Place:                    Grasshopper Class

Second Place (joint):   Butterfly & Dragonfly Classes

Third Place:                  Bee Class

As you know we have been running a 'Bling your Wheels' competition this week and we have had some wonderful entries. We will be judging the entries on Monday, so if you haven't yet sent your photo in, please do so before Monday morning!

There are 2 categories for the competition:

1. Creative use of colour 
2. Eco-friendly decorating

Big Schools Birdwatch - w/c 15th January - Whole School

Next week we will be taking part in the Big Schools' Birdwatch. This is being run by the RSPB and every class will be spending time outside, observing and counting the different species of birds that our school grounds attract. We will then submit our results to the RSPB, and this will help them understand the bird population in the country.

Spring Census Day – Whole School

Please help our school and register your child/rens school dinner on Census Day, Thursday 18th January, via SchoolGrid. 

Funding for universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) is determined using the average number of pupils recorded as having taken a school lunch on Census day.

The reason the school census takes place is that the authorities can make better-informed decisions around funding for individual schools.

Class-Led Worship

We will be holding class-led worships over the next few months. Each class will be basing their worship on their class value and we would like to invite parents/carers to join in with the worship. Each class worship will be from 9am-9.30am. We are limiting 2 tickets per family. To book your tickets, please complete the Google form here.

Dragonfly Class: Forgiveness – Thursday 18^th January

Grasshopper Class: Respect – Thursday 25^th January

Ladybird Class: Perseverance – Thursday 1^st February

Butterfly Class: Service – Thursday 8^th February

Ant Class: Kindness – Thursday 29^th February

Bee Class: Thankfulness – Thursday 14^th March

Reception Curriculum Evening – Thursday 18^th January

On Thursday 18^th January from 7pm-9pm, this session will be a follow-on from the one we held in the autumn term. It is open to all Reception parents who would like to find out more about how and what their children learn in Reception. We will be covering end of year expectations, the next phase of learning in phonics, as well as giving further hints on how to support children at home. We do need to know how many parents will be attending so that we can prepare resources. Please click here if you would like to attend this information session.

Big Garden Birdwatch - 26th - 28th January - Whole School

At home, you can also support the RSPB by gathering information about the bird population in the UK. The Big Garden Birdwatch will be taking place between the 26th and 28th January. You don't even need a garden, you can count birds and identify them from your balcony or in the park. The information you send the RSPB can help them identify how the bird population is faring and, as a result, help them to protect birds. You can sign up here for a free guide and also find out how to attract birds to your garden.

NSPCC Number Day - Friday 2nd February - Whole School

We are delighted to be supporting the NSPCC by taking part in Number Day again this year.

The NSPCC need our support more than ever. By raising money, we can help to fund their vital services such as Childline – the helpline that’s always there for children and young people, whatever their problem or concern.

On average, a child contacts Childline every 25 seconds.

Making maths meaningful

Number Day is a great way to make maths fun and bring about a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude towards it.

• We are taking on Buddy’s Key Challenge in our classes to help raise vital funds for the NSPCC. We are working to solve exciting maths puzzles in our classes, against the clock with Buddy, the Speak out. Stay safe mascot.
• We are having a fun day of maths activities and we will be taking part in Dress up for Digits. Pupils are asked to wear an item of clothing with a number on it (football shirt, cap, netball shirt or even a onesie!). Or get even more creative by dressing in a maths or numbers theme. To help raise money for the NSPCC, we are asking for donations, and we’d love everyone in the school to take part in this special event.

Safe fundraising

We’ve set up a Just Giving page

https://www.justgiving.com/page/marlow-c-of-e-infant-school-numberday2024

Please donate and share with friends, so we can support the NSPCC.

It all adds up

We’re really looking forward to all the fun of Number Day, and we really appreciate your support.
All the money we raise will make an enormous difference to children today and help the NSPCC be there for children tomorrow.

Candlemas Service - Monday 5th February - Whole School

We will have a special school worship to celebrate the feast of Candlemas on Monday 5th February.   The Service will be planned and led by Year 2 Worship Leaders.

Candlemas is also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Christ and celebrates the presentation of Jesus at the temple, as described in Luke 2:22-40, and is one of the oldest festivals in the Christian church. In many countries it marks the end of the Christmas festivities and is when decorations are taken down. It is called Candlemas as this was traditionally the day when all the church candles for the year were blessed.

We would like to invite parents/carers to join in. Due to the size of our hall, we are limiting tickets to 1 parent/carer per family. Please click here to reserve your place.

Wycombe Wanderers Football Event - Monday 15th January 2024 3.30-4.30pm

This is just a reminder for those children attending the Wycombe Wanderers Football event on Monday to wear PE kit to school for that day and to remember football boots and shin pads if you have them (but there is no need to get them if you don't). Please can you also email the PFA letting us know which adult will be accompanying the child and a contact number - thank you. 

Family Bingo Fun ** Saturday 3rd February 2024 3.30-5.30pm**

There are a few tickets left for our Family Bingo event. Come and join us in the school hall on the afternoon of Saturday 3rd February for some family-filled fun! There will be Bingo games, bar, tuck shop, pizza and raffles (adults and children). 

There are lots of prizes for the bingo winners and a chance to get together with some Sandygate families for fun, games and a catch up. This annual event is usually a lot of fun! Tickets are now available to purchase on ParentPay (£15 for a family ticket and £5 for additional individual tickets) along with pizzas (£15 each for a large pizza) to pre-order for supper on the night. 

Dates for your diary

• School Disco: Saturday 2^nd March 2pm and 4pm - tickets will go on sale in the next couple of weeks
• Wine & Cheese Tasting Evening: Saturday 16^th March
• May Fayre: Saturday 11th May
• Summer parents ball: Saturday 22nd June
• School camp night: Saturday/Sunday 13-14th July

Head Lice - Whole School

Your child has as much chance of being infected as any other and this is in no way a reflection on a family’s standard of hygiene. To reduce the chances of infection as much as possible, we suggest:

• Hair that falls below shoulder level should be tied up at all times for the child’s own safety as well as to prevent the spread of head lice. Head lice can easily transfer from head to head in a school environment.
• Using conditioner when washing hair to help prevent the spread of head lice
• Checking your child’s hair every week

For more information visit: http://www.onceaweektakeapeek.com