13 November 2020 

Our Remembrance Day service  on  Wednesday was very moving. The Key Stage 1 children demonstrated a high level of respect for, and understanding about, the importance of remembering those who have given their lives in defence of our way of life and the freedoms we are able to enjoy. You can see below some lovely pictures of Reception children making their Poppy biscuits on Wednesday.

The week has flown by and I know that this is a sign of being busy and it doesn't look like things are going to be any different over the next few weeks. With Safety Day and World Children's Day next week and anti-bullying week during the week of 23rd November we will definitely find ourselves in December very quickly. 

Usually at this time of year, I am telling you about the preparations for the  Nativity Play and this year things, as you can imagine, are going to be different. The children have started practising Christmas songs but in smaller groups than usual and we are planning for Key Stage 1 and Reception children  to take part in Nativity Plays. Parents will not, unfortunately , be able to come and watch performances in school  as they usually do, but we will be filming the plays and providing you with a link so that you are able to watch the children from the comfort of your homes. We will give you more details later in the term.

My thanks go to all parents and carers for their continuing support during this time, particularly by responding so positively to my requests regarding changes to the school risk assessment - it really does make our job easier.

Mrs Reynolds

Next Week's 'Learning at a Glance'

Children in Need

Thank you to everyone who has donated to Children in Need , the total so far is £560 but there is still time t donate at https://app.parentpay.com/ParentPayShop/Foc/Default.aspx?shopid=1547

Report from School Council

Don't forget to add an item or two to your shopping basket for the One Can Trust over the next few weeks and drop them in to school on Monday 23rd to Wednesday 25th November

Year 1 Toy Day Monday 16th November

On Monday Year 1 will be having a 'Toy Day' to support their current topic. We have a visitor coming in from History off the Page to show the children some toys from the past and to give them an experience of how children have played through the ages

Year 1 and 2 Library Day swap

Due to the Toy Day on Monday, Year 1 and Year 2 will be swapping their library day just for next week. Year 2 should bring library bags on Monday and Year 1 on Tuesday.

We would ask that library books are brought to school in the library bag and not book bags, this enables us, and the children, to distinguish library books from reading books and ensure they go back to the correct place.

Road Safety Day Thursday 19th November

Next week is National Road Safety week and on Thursday 19th November we will be having a ‘safety day’ in school, inspired by a national campaign entitled 'Beep Beep Day'.

Beep Beep Day is organised in Road Safety Week to engage children with road safety messages through various fun activities. During our own safety day, we will be welcoming a visitor from Scootability into school who will work with all of our classes on scooter safety. This is a popular way to travel to school and it is essential that children are aware of the safety requirements when travelling on a scooter.

The children do not need to bring in scooters as they will be provided by the company leading the training. We do ask that all children wear their PE kit and trainers on this day.

World Children's Day Friday 20th November

On the 20th November we will be celebrating World Children's Day in support of UNICEF UK to mark and celebrate how wonderful our children are!

Given our current situation, as a school, we felt that it would be appropriate to focus on 'happiness' and we are asking the children to come to school dressed in clothes that make them feel happy!  We would ask that their choice of clothes is suitable as the children will be completing a normal school day and Reception will have their PE lessons as planned.  

Please do also check the weather forecast nearer the time and ensure that children will be warm enough in their chosen outfits.

Many thanks for your support.

Reading Records

Reading records should come in to school every day with your child. They are a vital way for us to communicate with each other about your child’s reading. Any reading you do at home should be recorded in them - this should include your daily reading of a book together as well as any learning of keywords or sharing of stories. We will write in the book when your child has read in school and the focus for the reading activities. You will then be able to use this focus for your home reading too. Children will have the opportunity to change their reading book three times a week; Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

Christmas Dinner & Dolce ordering

Can we just remind parents to check that lunches have been ordered at the beginning of each week. Dolce do bring some extra food but, if your child does not have a pre-order they may be given something that they don't like and may have to wait until the end of the lunch service to be served. 

We will be having Christmas lunch in school on Friday 12th December and this is now available to order on School Grid. If you had previously ordered meals to the end of term you will need to go in and re-order for that day. 

Parent Governor Nominations

If you wish to nominate yourself, or another parent, for the Parent Governor vacancy the deadline is 3.15pm on Thursday 19th November. Nominations can be sent by email to office@marlow-infant.bucks.sch.uk or posted in the box in the main entrance to school.

DFE Guidance for Parents

The DFE have updated their Guidance for Parents & Carers on what they need to know about  early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This update provides information on the national restrictions that came into force on 5 November, the latest advice for clinically extremely vulnerable children and young people and advice on the use of face coverings in education settings.

Please find the updated guidance  here

Attendance

Our latest attendance figures show that for October attendance was 98.61% and for the year to October 97.66%.

Grasshopper had the best attendance for October with 99.79% and Ant class have the best attendance for the year to date with 98.7%

So far this year we have lost only 0.5% attendance for reasons connected with COVID (self-isolating whilst awaiting test results or due to close contact outside of school)

The PFA Newsletter was sent out earlier this week with information on their '12 Days of Christmas' campaign. Watch this space for further details on this and other ideas from them.

You can also check the PFA pages on the school website here