What another fabulous half term it has been, seeing the children working hard in the classroom, but equally having great fun with their friends. From a staff point of view, I think this has been the most difficult half term of the last two years, with all adults being incredibly flexible ensuring quality first teaching continues, whilst covering for staff at various points who have been poorly. Thank you all for your patience, understanding and kindness.
As the year continues, you may also notice that some of your children may be having a ‘struggle’ at times, for example not wanting to come to school, finding learning tricky. Please can I reassure you that this is quite normal. Throughout each year the demand on the children in terms of learning increases, preparing them for their next step in their journey and can sometimes result in a wobble. The staff in school are brilliant at reassuring the children and supporting them, especially during these times.
Our school community is really very special, and we are looking forward in the next half term to enjoying some of our usual ‘PTA’ fun over the remainder of the school year. Watch out for more information coming your way soon.
Please enjoy the newsletter and having a ‘peak’ at what has been happening around school. Have a wonderful half term break everyone and we look forward to seeing you on Monday 21st February.
Paper Free Day
Last year, we focused on removing single use plastic from our school in an attempt to become more sustainable. This year, we would like to reduce the amount of paper that we use at St Margaret’s. On Tuesday 1st of February, to introduce this new initiative, we held a Paper Free Day. The day started with the school council leading an assembly encouraging pupils and staff to think about our paper usage and how it impacts the environment. We were shocked to discover that the UK uses a forest the size of Wales every year in paper! Our councillors encouraged us to keep in mind the four ‘rs’ of paper use: rethink, reduce, reuse and recycle. Each class then took part in a day of lessons that utilised methods that don’t require paper, such as: discussions, debates, drama, ICT and practical activities. We recorded learning in different ways, including, using computers, taking photos, making videos, 'Starry Night' artwork on the playground or even writing on desks with whiteboard pens!
In Year 2, we have been learning all about money in maths this half term. Their challenge's have been to visit every table and record the amount displayed.
Why is fair trade fair?
Y6's geography topic this half term has allowed the children to investigate global trade, UK imports and exports and has allowed them to consider their role as a consumer on fair trade. Maybe you could investigate your ethical purchasing beliefs as a family at home? What products do you buy as a family that are fair trade? Are there any swaps that you could make? Our children in Y6 wrote to local companies, including the school meals company, to investigate their use of fair trade products and are keen to be advocates for fair trade in the future
SEN/D Coffee Meeting
Before the Covid-19 restrictions came into place in 2020, we ran termly coffee mornings for our parents of children with additional needs, giving them the opportunity to chat informally to me as SENDCo and to our SEN/D Governor at the time, as well as to make network connections with other parents with children with similar needs. We can once again run these sessions in school, with the first one planned for Monday 21st February 2022 at 2:15pm. Our first session will be an informal opportunity to chat to me as SENDCo, Mrs Beale (our current SEN/D Governor) or to other parents.
I am looking forward to meeting with many of our parents of children with additional needs (you will have received an email invite from me earlier in the week) on 21st February. If you are unable to make this meeting, but would like to speak to me, please send a message via the school office or your child's teacher.
Mrs Ibbitson
Year 5 News
Year 5 have been working hard this half term and have been considering their impact on the environment. One of the most important things they did, was to write letters to companies around the UK, asking them to consider reducing their plastic packaging. Their letters were really informative as they have found out so much about plastic pollution and how dangerous it can be - especially in the oceans. The children each posted their own letters to a wide variety of companies, from Amazon to Morrisons and even British Triathlon. It's been exciting to have some replies start coming in from the companies and we're waiting to hear if anywhere will be making some changes.
Sports News
We've had some super sporting success this term. The Dodgeball team headed off to Green Towers for their first dodgeball competition where they were absolutely superb! In their pool, they won all of their games which was absolutely fantastic. This put them through to the final where they were narrowly beaten and they finished in a very well deserved 2nd place. Well done dodgeballers!
Cross Country
The cross country team has had a super turn out this term. Our first race, over in Ratby, was really successful and it was great to see a number of new team mates join us. The children were absolutely brilliant and a credit to our school. We had a number of top 10 finishers and even a first place from Hannah in Year 6! Four of our children were selected to run for Hinckley and Bosworth at the National later on in February: Hannah, Iris, Max and Isla. Well done to everyone who took part!
Contact
Class WhatsApp is a wonderful platform to be able to share information, especially when children have perhaps mixed up clothes or to help remind each other about events such as non uniform days etc.
Please, if you have a worry about something your child has told you might have happened at school that day, whether it is class related or outside, contact school or the class teacher to clarify rather than putting it on a WhatsApp message and causing unnecessary worry. Often messages can get lost in translation and when staff hear, it can be very demoralising and upsetting when instead a quick call could clarify things.
Thank you for your support with this and remember, as we say to the children, please be kind.