22^nd March 2024

It is impossible to pick one highlight this week as there have been so many.  

Our Celebration of Javanese culture was amazing. The Year 1 children performed their puppet show with enthusiasm and skill! They have thoroughly enjoyed their time with Aris Daryono and definitely benefitted from his input on their topic about Java. My thanks go to the Year 1 team who put the show together and to the parents who helped with cooking and setting up the hall. The learning for the children from this topic has been huge and was not limited to creating shadow puppets, playing Gamelan instruments and writing their own version of a traditional Indonesian tale!

World Water Day was the subject in school worship today where we looked at the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 6 and discussed the differences we can all make to help provide clean water and sanitation for all people. As part of the worship, the Year 2 children performed their 'Oceans' dance that they created as part of their Dance lessons this half-term. Everyone was impressed with the dance and the adults were moved by how wonderfully they danced and how seriously they took the message they were delivering.

It was lovely seeing all the Easter entries coming in this morning. These will be judged on Monday. We will have an Easter Hat parade on Monday too, at which the Year 2 children can show off their Easter Hat's to the rest of the school.

Mrs Reynolds

Eco Warriors visit Burford

We are constantly looking for new ways to lead our school community towards a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable future. On Tuesday 19^th March, our Year 2 Eco Warriors visited Burford School to see what Eco work they have been doing. Burford began by talking to us about what eco-friendly things they have done in their garden, which included a pond and a willow tunnel.

The children enjoyed their visit and were inspired by Burford's story throne!

Library books, readers & wellies – Whole school

As next week is our last week before the Easter break, there will be no library books going home. Please make sure all library books are handed in next week. The Reception children have already had their last library day of the term today, so they will not be bringing a book home.

On Tuesday, we will be collecting in home readers and phonics readers, so please make sure that all books are in children's book bags.  

Wellies will be sent home after your child's outdoor learning day. Year 1 will be bringing home their wellies on Monday, Reception Wednesday and Year 2 Thursday. Please remember to send the wellies to school after the Easter break.

Change to outdoor learning session – Year 1

Next week, Year 1 will have their outdoor learning session on Monday instead of Tuesday. Therefore, please could they come to school wearing their PE kit on Monday. They will need to wear their uniforms for church on Tuesday.

Easter Service – Whole school

On Tuesday 26^th March from 9.45am-10.15, we would like to invite all families to our Easter Service at All Saints Church.

We still need some parents to help walk to the church with the children:

• Ant class: 2 more
• Bee class: 4 more
• Butterfly class: 3 more
• Ladybird class: 1 more
• Dragonfly class: 3 more
• Grasshopper class: 4 more

We will leave school at 9.15am and return by 10.45am. If you can help, please let us know here. Thank you to the parents who have volunteered already.

Great Big School Clean – Whole school

On Tuesday 26^th March, our Tidy Up Team will be litter picking outside Seymour Park Recreation ground with some of the Marlow Wombles. Other schools in the town will be litter picking in other areas and the rest of our children will be litter picking in the school grounds. If the children have litter pickers at home, they can bring them in on the 26^th March.

Lending litter pickers

We would also like to lend our litter pickers to families to use over the Easter break. A limited number of pickers will be available to take home at the end of the day on Tuesday 26^th March. Please collect these from the office.

Stay & Play – Reception

The Reception team would like to invite parents/carers to school on Wednesday 27^th March between 2.30pm – 3pm for a Stay & Play session. This session will give you a chance to see what your child is learning and to get involved within your child's learning environment, as well as meet other parents and chat informally to the teaching staff. There will also be a cake sale at the end of the session.

If you would like to come, please click here.

Encouraging open conversations at home – Whole school

Children can often be guarded about their emotions or any difficulties they’re experiencing. It’s incredibly important, of course, for young people to have someone to confide in when they’re confused, upset or unsure of themselves – and to know that they can do so without fear of being judged or punished. This week, our #WakeUpWednesday guide explores how to encourage open and honest discussions with children, empowering them to open up if they need help.

To take your knowledge of online safety to the next level, we encourage parents and carers to complete one of the online safety courses on the National College platform. These courses only take 30 minutes and will take you on a detailed journey through your child’s digital habits, explaining the type of online world they’re experiencing now, what risks they might be exposed to and what you can do to support them. Presented by Myleene Klass, the courses are free if you use the Marlow Infants link and are for parents of children in different age groups.

You can use this link https://nationalcollege.com/enrol/marlow-c-of-e-infant-school to create an account and then access the courses as follows:

• Annual Award in Online Safety for Parents & Carers of Children Aged 3-7
• Annual Award in Online Safety for Parents & Carers of Children aged 7-11
• Annual Award in Online Safety for Parents & Carers of Children aged 11-14
• Annual Award in Online Safety for Parents & Carers of Children aged 14-18

Wine & Cheese Evening

Thank you to everyone who came to the Wine & Cheese night on Saturday. It was a brilliant evening with some delicious and unusual wines & cheeses. We hope you all had a great time and didn't feel too delicate on Sunday. A huge thank you to the event organisers, Helen Kitchen and Carly Stage, who very kindly donated their time and expertise and raised an incredible £700 for the school.  Lastly, thanks to our wine pourers Laura Newton and Leila Choleva and everyone else who helped with setting up and packing away.

Easter Raffle

Tickets are selling like hot cakes for the Easter raffle. We have 11 hampers packed with goodies, including our star prize, a Lindt hamper worth £59! Tickets are on sale at drop off and pick up until Wednesday morning. Cash and card both very welcome. The raffle will be drawn on Wednesday, 27^th March.

Sandygate Summer Ball

We are delighted to be hosting the Sandygate Summer Ball which will be held at Temple Golf Club on Saturday 22^nd June 7.30pm until late. We welcome Sandygate parents/carers/friends to dust off your dancing shoes, and join us for a fun evening of dinner and dancing. 

Earlybird tickets are priced at £55pp and are now available on ParentPay until 30th April. After that, tickets will be £65pp. Your ticket includes a welcome drink, a 2-course dinner, DJ entertainment and fundraising games. It's set to be a great night, and we'd love it if you could join us and support this fundraising event for the school. 

Dates for your diary

• Golf Day: Friday 26^th April
• May Fayre: Saturday 11^th May
• Parents Summer Ball: Saturday 22^nd June
• School Camp Night: Saturday & Sunday 13-14^th July