Dear Parents and Carers,

It doesn't seem possible that we are approaching the final week of this half-term already! The mornings and evenings are slowly starting to get a little lighter and although the rain isn't relenting, signs of early Spring are there. We have lots to be grateful for. This week in Collective Worship we watched a video of Coldplay performing Sky Full of Stars in a packed-out football stadium. Each person in the crowd had a light band around their wrist, shining brightly. The impact of seeing thousands of people shining their lights together and the effect that this had, is brilliant to watch. We considered how this relates to us here at St Margaret's, how each of us can shine brightly but when we come together as a collective, all shining brightly, the impact of this is far-reaching. We are each unique, made in God's image, created to shine brightly. Collectively we can be that beacon of light for others – 'A city on a hill cannot be hidden.' 

This Week at St Margaret’s

• Year 1 took part in the Little Big Sing at East Preston this morning. A big well done to all the children for taking part and singing so beautifully. 

• We welcome Steve Dennis, our Senior Advisor from Chichester Diocese into school today. Mr Dennis will have the opportunity to watch Faith & Wonder (RE) lessons being taught across the school with Mrs Martin and Mrs Evans. 

• Congratulations to all those children who took part in the Key Stage 2 Dance Festival on Monday, and all those who represented our school in the Southern Cross Country Finals hosted at Windlesham House. The children who took part should feel extremely proud of their achievements! Thank you to Miss Norcross for organising all the wonderful sporting opportunities our children have had access to this half-term.

• St Margaret's Church hold a monthly prayer meeting for our school at 9am on the first Friday of every month in the Vestry Hall at St Margaret's Church. All welcome! I find it such an encouragement to know that as a school we are upheld in prayer and supported by St Margaret's Church.

Looking Ahead to Next Week

• Message from Mrs Bray – Next week is Children’s Mental Health Week and the theme is ‘This is my place, the importance of belonging’. This is poignant, as we know that our sense of belonging plays a vital role in our mental health and wellbeing. The children have had a Collective Worship on this today and will be doing extra learning about it throughout next week. Please follow the link if you would like more information about how you can support your child and for some fun activity ideas which you could do with them.  https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/families/#family   
   
• We look forward to welcoming you to Parent's Evening on either Tuesday or Thursday of next week. 
   
• Congratulations to Yellow House who have won our House Point competition for the half term. Children in yellow house can wear their own clothes to school next Thursday 12th February. 
   
• Our recruitment process for the SENCo and Deputy Headteacher positions comes to conclusion next week. We have had over 30 prospective candidates come to view the school, and received applications from an extremely strong field of candidates.
   
• INSET Day – Friday 13th February - school is closed to pupils on this day.
   
• We look forward to welcoming children back from half-term on Monday 23rd February. 

Important Notices & Attachments

•  Wonka Chocolate Bars are returning to St Margaret's, inspired by the master chocolatier Willy Wonka himself! In celebration of World Book Day, we are introducing the wonderlicious chocolate bars, at £2.50 per 100g bar. We are looking for sponsors for this fundraiser. All profits go straight to our school. If you know any businesses who would be interested in supporting our school, please share the attached sponsorship letter with further details. Thank you for your support.

• A reminder that children in Year 3 and below must be supervised in the morning while waiting for classroom doors to open at 8:30am.

• Year 6 parents: a reminder to order your child’s Leavers Hoodie. The original letter (from October) is attached. The deadline for orders is 1st March 2026.

• Please see the attached flyer from St Margaret's Church with details of the Pancake Olympics they are hosting on Friday 13th February 5:30pm - 6:45pm.

• Please see the attached flyer from West Sussex County Council regarding Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) and a letter to parents, for any families that are eligible for the HAF Easter programme.

Attachments:- Dates for your Diary, Spring Term 2026 Clubs; Year 6 Leavers Hoodies, Pancake Olympics, FSW Angmering After School Clubs, HAF Flyer and letter to parents, letter to interested parties re sponsorship.

Best wishes,
Mr. Lumley
Headteacher