21st July 2023

What a fabulous year it has been, so much to look back on and celebrate. There are some details of some more recent achievements below and exciting plans ahead.

During our End of Year service this morning, we were able to celebrate everything the year has held for us, as a school family. The Year 2 children shared their memories of their 3 years with us and there we were able to mark the progress all the children have made over the last 12 months. We are sad that the Year 2 children are moving on, but I know that there are so many opportunities opening up for them, and that we at Marlow Cof E Infant School have given them some very solid foundations on which to build. 

Our wonderful staff have, as always, worked their wonders, and I am so proud to be part of such a dedicated team. As we wind down now for the summer break, they are already planning the learning for their new classes. I would like to thank them for their support and hard work over the last year. This week, we have said goodbye to Mrs Phillips and Mrs Burkitt. They have both been fabulous members of the team, and we will miss them greatly.

Finally, I would like to welcome our new Reception parents, whose children will start their journey with us in September. Welcome to the family!

I would like to thank all of our school families for their support, generosity and love over the year. I feel blessed by your kind words. Wishing you a happy and restful summer!

Mrs Reynolds

Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Mark – Gold

We are very excited to announce that we have been awarded the highest level of the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Mark.

Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) is the use of places other than the classroom for teaching and learning, including in your setting’s grounds; visiting local places such as religious buildings, shops and natural spaces; and further afield on day visits to museums, heritage sites, theatres, field and adventure centres. It also includes experiences brought into school through visitors and events.

The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom has assessed the work we do at Marlow Infants, and has agreed that we meet their criteria at a high level and that we:

• Put creative learning experiences at its heart and understands that students need to learn beyond the classroom to ensure they become well-rounded citizens
• Understand LOtC can enhance students’ academic attainment and personal development
• Support our pupils’ health and well-being, and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural needs

This is a huge recognition of the work that has been embedded by our teaching team over the last few years.

Outdoor Learning: 2023-2024 – Whole School

We are very excited to announce that for the academic year 2023-2024, we will be expanding our outdoor learning curriculum. Each week, every class will have an  outdoor learning session on top of the existing lessons. The additional sessions will be led by an external company Wildness and Wonder who are Forest school specialists. Learning will be focused on objectives provided by our teachers and which fit into our curriculum.

To start with, from their first day in school in September, each child will need to bring in a pair of wellies to leave in school. When the weather starts to change, we will be looking at children bringing in over trousers to wear. You do not need to do anything about this now. We will advise you exactly what will be needed at the beginning of the autumn term.

The days that the classes will be having their Wildness & Wonder lessons are as follows:

Year R: Wednesday

Year 1: Tuesday

Year 2: Thursday

Eco Barn

The Outdoor Learning mentioned above will take place in our wonderful school grounds and in our newly refurbished 'Eco-Barn' (all the children in the school voted for the name of our new outdoor classroom and this was the chosen name). The work on the Eco Barn was funded by a grant from Buckinghamshire Community Board, and we are very thankful that they felt that our project was worthy of the funding. Although the Eco Barn is not quite completed (we are awaiting windows to be fitted) it will being full use from September, and we are hoping that we will be able also use it to share our Eco work with the wider community. This project is part of the Eco work this year which has included the installation of solar panels.

Solar Panels – Whole School

As you are all aware, we had solar panels fitted to the roof of the school during the first week in July. This has been an exciting piece of work which we are already reaping the benefits of.

Although only online since mid-July, we have already generated over 1 Megawatt Hour of electricity.

Some interesting facts about our electricity generation yesterday:

• We generated 133.5kWh, using some of it ourselves but sending 52% to the National Grid to benefit others in Marlow.
• 85% of our electricity needs were met by our solar panels.

We have also installed a Solar Fox panel in the school which will give us live updates of the power generated/used in a child-friendly manner. This means that the children will be able to have an understanding of what is happening too.

The solar panels have been funded by a grant from the DFE and money raised through the PFA.

Welcome Coffee & Cake: 07/09/23 – New Reception parents

The 2023-2024 Reception children will be starting school for the first time on Thursday 7th September. We would like to welcome the children's parent & carers to a 'coffee morning' to meet other parents/carers. This will take place in the school hall between 9.00am and 10.00am.

We would like to ask a few of the existing parents/carers to come and help serve the drinks. If you are able to stay and help, please click here. 

Back to School BBQ: 23/09/23 – Whole School

This will be our first whole school event of the year, and it is a great opportunity to meet new school families in a relaxed atmosphere. The PFA committee are coordinating the event and would be glad of any help, from setting up, to shopping for provisions to cooking the food. Please click here if you are interested in helping, and you will be contacted by a member of the PFA committee at the beginning of the new school year.

Playground Leaders – Year 1 

The Year 1 pupils had a great training morning yesterday and almost all children applied to take on the role in September. There will be more training and another chance for those who didn't apply for the role to do so in the autumn term. Yesterday all Year 1 children took home a letter with more details of the process.

PE/Library Days: 2023-2024 – Whole School

Below are details of the PE and library days for each year group for the new academic year. On PE days, the children come dressed in their PE clothes (please see details on the school website of what is the school PE uniform is. On library days, the children bring in their library bags with their library book in it that they have taken home the previous week.

PE Days

Year R                 Monday

Year 1                 Tuesday & Wednesday             

Year 2                 Thursday & Friday

Library Days

Year R                   Friday

Year 1                   Tuesday

Year 2                  Thursday

Thank you!

Fundraising total this year – more than £38,000

We just wanted to say the most massive thank you for this year. We are delighted to announce that our fundraising total so far for this academic year is in excess of £38,000 which is just phenomenal! This is entirely down to all of you, the Sandygate families and your support and help so thank you - it's all been worth it. 

We have a great team and committee for next year and hope we can continue to bring you all some fun and enjoyable events and continue to raise that vital funds for the school. 

Co-coordinators - Rachel Bourdillon and Claire Robinson

Co-secretaries - Mandy Rooney and Charlotte Thomson

Co-treasurers - Lauren King and Caroline Robinson

Dates for your Diary

We have already started planning next year so here are a few dates for your diary...

• New parents welcome coffee and cake - Thursday 7th September (for new reception parents)
• First PFA meeting of the year - Wednesday 13th September 8pm (in response to feedback we will be alternating the day of the week that meetings are held on and whether they are in person or remote) - we'd love to invite everyone to come and join us if you can and are open to new ideas and new events. 
• Back to school BBQ with bouncy castles - Saturday 23rd September
• Brickies lego event - Sunday 5th November (afternoon) - details to follow
• Sandygate Christmas event - Saturday 25th November