This academic year we have been focusing on further developing the children's vocabulary so that they have a wider range of words to choose from. Part of this learning has been to make sure that we explain the meaning of words which will improve their understanding of what they read and hopefully encourage them to use a richer variety of vocabulary in their written work.

As a school staff, we have joined in with this and are launching a 'Word of the Week' for adults, and we thought that you, as parents and carers, would like to join in. Each week for the next half-term, we will be posting the word of the week here. The idea is that we look for opportunities to use these words and others our day-to-day conversations.

You can find this week's word below:

Kids Lunch 

Kids Lunch have recently updated their website along with their Frequently Asked Questions and privacy policy. Links to both can be found below for you to have a read of.

FAQs – Kids Lunch Co.

Privacy Policy – Kids Lunch Co.

Sunscreen

We would like to remind you to ensure that your child comes to school with sunscreen applied now that the weather is beginning to get nicer and the UV levels higher.

Your child may bring in a named bottle of sunscreen if they are able to apply it themselves during the day. Please remind your child that they can only use their sunscreen when told to do so by their teacher and that they may not share it with anyone else in school as they do not know if their friends might have allergies to the ingredients. 

All children have a school sun hat which they wear whenever they are outside.

The British Skin Foundation has a lot of sun safety advice for parents.

Late arrivals 

Arriving late (after 8.55am) is extremely disruptive for both children and teachers. The child misses out on the early morning routine and information about what is happening that day. Please make sure you leave home early enough to make sure that your child arrives on time. 

As a reminder, registers open at 8.45am, parents & carers have a 10-minute window to deliver their children to school. At 8.55am, the teachers and teaching assistants need to be in class so that the register can be closed and to ensure that the classes are settled and ready to start their learning. The gates will be closed at 8.55am and anyone arriving after this point will be marked as late in the register.

Whilst the teachers and teaching assistants can have a quick chat or take messages at drop off, they can't be delayed beyond 8.55am. If you need to have a longer conversation with the class teacher, please make an appointment via the school office.

Class photos

• Date: Friday 8^th May

A reminder that our school photographer will be coming to school on Friday 8th May to take class photos.

Year 2: Please make sure your child comes to school dressed in full school uniform irrespective of your child's PE day.

Marlow Town Regatta and Festival Schools Concert

We have the opportunity again this year to join with other Marlow primary schools to sing at the Regatta Festival on Sunday 14th June. It is a lovely event that children remember for years to come. 

We would love, once again, to have a large number of children representing the school on this weekend of festivities. If you would like your child to be involved, please could you fill in the attached form. Initially, the rehearsals will start after Easter within hymn practice time with Mrs Downing. Later in the term, Sheila WIlson, the composer of the songs and the schools' coordinator, will be coming into school to practice with those children who have signed up.

I hope many of you will be able to join this lovely family event. 

Trip to Wittenham Clumps – Parent Helpers Required

• Date: Thursday 14^th May 2026

We have a couple of parent helpers that are no longer able to attend the trip. If you are available and would be able to help on the trip, if you could please let the office know.

All Parent Helpers for the trip are required to attend the Helper Briefing at 9am on Tuesday 5th May 2026, where we will discuss the full plan for the trip. This is required for safeguarding purposes.

• Summer Fair and colour run: Saturday 20^th June

• Camp night!: Saturday 18^th July

Orders close on ParentPay: Friday 15^th May

It's that time of year again, when the children are doing their self-portraits ready for the year group masterpiece, and pride of your kitchen...the tea towel! Tea towels will have the whole year group on them including staff and are a lovely memento.

Tea towels are priced at £6 each or 3 for £15 and available to be ordered on ParentPay now until Friday 15^th May!

When: Saturday 20^th June 11.30am until 3.30pm

Join us on Saturday 20th June from 11.30am-3.30pm for Sandygate’s Summer Fair and Colour Run! 

Let the kids go wild with arts & crafts, face painting and endless fun on the bouncy castle, as well as traditional fair games, tombolas, dance performances and much more! With a well-stocked bar, tuck shop and BBQ, there is no better place to enjoy the sunshine!

The Summer Fair will close with an eruption of colour as the Colour Run returns! The Colour Run is more than just a fundraiser—it's an opportunity to bring children, families, and the wider community together in an energetic and inclusive environment. The children will run, walk, or jog along a course while being splashed with bursts of safe, non-toxic coloured powder at various stations. It promises to be a day full of laughter, fitness, and school spirit!

Colour Run sign up will be LIVE on ParentPay from Tuesday 5th May!

Orders close: Friday 15^th May

As we approach the end of our Year 2's time at Sandygate, we're excited to celebrate this special milestone with a keepsake, a leavers hoodie!  Each hoodie is personalised with the children's names, making it a wonderful way for them to remember their classmates and their time at the school. All children will bring home an order form, please complete this and return to the school office by Fri 15 May and make payment via ParentPay.