25th March 2022

This sunshine has made a welcome return this week and the start of British Summertime  this weekend  will make us feel that spring has arrived at last!

Grasshopper class worship this morning was a real treat. They taught us lots of lessons about how to show respect and the song they sang about the Golden Rules has kept playing through my head today! Thanks to Mrs Guinness and Mrs Britnell for preparing the children for the worship.

Last week we mentioned another way for us to continue to support the people of Ukraine through supporting the initiative that the URC are taking part in (More details below). We are pleased to be able to offer to parents/carers the ability to drop off donations at School if they are unable to make the times that the times available at the URC. We will make sure that donations reach the URC each Friday.

I am looking forward to seeing our Sandygate children at All Saints church on Sunday, it will be a real treat to hear them sing and see them taking part in the service. All the children are welcome, even if you haven't signed them up to attend.

Mrs Reynolds

Sandygate Sunday

This Sunday, 27th March, we will be helping to lead the worship at All Saints Church at their 10.59 service. If you can come along please do. The children will be singing one of our school worship songs and we would love to have as many red jumpers in church as we can. Even if you have not already signed up your child will know the song and can come along and join in. 

Next Week's 'Learning at a Glance'

History Day

Friday 1st April

On the 1st April we will be holding a History Day in school. Volunteers from Marlow Museum will be coming in to talk about the history of Marlow and show the children some local artifacts. 

We would also like the children to dress as a historical figure, this can be anyone from any period that interests them.

If there are any grandparents, or family friends, who would like to come in and share with the children any interesting stories from their past then please get in touch to let us know as we would love to have them come in and share their history with the children. 

Support for Ukrainian Refugees

We were amazed and gladdened by the way our school rallied to raise funds through the bake sale last week and I have already communicated with you on how we are supporting our pupils in understanding and processing such a complex and emotive situation. The Local Authority have been advised by central government that we can expect the arrival of Ukrainian refugees across the country over the next few weeks and we know that the people of Marlow will be generous in taking these families in and keeping them safe in our community.

The refugee population is overwhelmingly made up of women and children, and in order for them to feel safe and valued in this country, a school place will be a key element in their support.  Should any families seek a place at our school we know that the Sandygate family will do their best to support these victims of war and welcome them into our school with empathy and compassion.

Christ Church URC collection for Ukrainian Refugees

As we mentioned last week Christ Church URC Marlow on Oxford Road are partnering with Aid for Ukraine based in Maidenhead. They are collecting items for refugees in Poland and for Ukrainians still in those still there.

URC are open to receive donations on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 to 12 and on Sundays from 4.15 to 6pm and they are looking for volunteers to help receive and sort at those times. If you are able to offer any help please contact them via their Facebook page or their website https://www.christchurch-marlow.org.uk/

If you have items to donate but cannot get to URC at the times shown above then please bring these to school and leave them in the barn, and we have some parents who have volunteered to take them down to URC.

Current needs: 

• New Women's underwear S M L XL
• New Children's underwear 7-8 8-9 10-11 12-13 13_14
• Women's socks 37-40
• Children's socks from 31 to 36
• Detergents, Washing liquids, Rinsing liquids
• Household chemicals, like domestos, dishwashing liquids
• Antiperspirants, Face creams, Shampoos, Bath lotions
• Creams for nappy rash
• Bath liquids from 1 day of age, Baby lotions
• Liquid soaps
• Pampers size 4, 5, 6
• Milk for babies 3 and 4
• Long-life food
• Crayons, pens and markers, notebooks
• School backpacks
• Quilts (clean or new) and Pillows (clean or new!)
• Women's shoes 36 37 38 39 40
• Children's shoes 33 34 35 36
• Children's trainers
• Buggies/strollers in good clean condition
• Car seats in good clean condition

There are some photographs below of some of the items being packaged today. As you can see, a heart is put into each box before it is sealed so if any of the children wished to colour in some hearts and send them along that would be lovely. 

School Disco

Only one more sleep to go until Disco, Disco Disco! The PFA are very excited.  We would really appreciate it if you could help us with the smooth running of 2 discos by dropping and collecting your children at the correct time and place.  Drop off is at the main entrance to school and we ask that you please sign your children in. Collection is from the reception playground and children will be signed out.  If you can leave coats and bags at home this helps speed up admissions.  Please remember a NAMED WATER BOTTLE.

Quiz Night

We have one table of 8 left for quiz night.  Tickets are £10 each and you will be given a free glass of fizz on arrival.  If you are keen to attend please email marlowcofepfa@gmail.com

Easter Egg Hunt

We are looking for school families to display an Easter egg picture in their window so the children of Marlow can hunt them over the holidays.  Families will be given a map with the first line of your address on to help them with their search.  If you are able to decorate your window with an egg or a full easter display, please email taylorjohanna@hotmail.com so qe can list your house on the map.

Summer Fayre

Have you any party bag fillers, fidget spinners, plastic toys we can recycle for prizes on the small stalls at the fayre?  If so we would be very happy to take them from you.  Collection boxes will be outside the main reception again next week. Thank you. 

Camp Night

Camp night returns for 2022! There PFA are thrilled to be able to host school camp night once again.  This is the highlight of the academic year for many school families.  Children and their grown ups are invited to pitch a tent, bring a sleeping bag and spend the night under the stars with their Sandygate friends.

The date is set for Saturday 9th July 2022 - so for now, hold the date in your diary.  Siblings are all welcome. 

Bag 2 School

The next bag to school is 10th June - not too far away.  If you have any donations we would be very happy to receive them.

Registration for children will open in early May but registration for helpers is open now. If you helped last year you should already have received an email asking you to register for this year.

If you have never helped before then we would love to have you come and join us. Helping at Lighthouse is great fun and very rewarding, there are lots of jobs that need doing and so something for everyone. Even if you are unable to give up time during Lighthouse week, or the idea of spending a week on a field with over 300 children fills you with horror, there are still jobs you can do behind the scenes over the next few months.

Please check the Lighthouse website https://lighthousecentral.org/ for more details and to register, or speak to someone who has helped before. All our previous volunteers are always enthusiastic and happy to recruit new helpers! If you would like more information then please contact marlow@lighthousecentral.org. We hope to see you in August. '