Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to school for the second half of the Autumn term! I hope you had a fantastic half term break, and have settled back into school routines well this week. 

This Week at St Margaret’s

- On Monday our teaching staff spent INSET day focusing on our behaviour curriculum - and how our values of Love and Aspire drive the way in which we teach and support positive behaviour. We also spent time developing our curriculum in Music, Science and Faith & Wonder. 

- It was great to welcome our October Shining Stars for Tea & Cake on Tuesday afternoon - celebrating the achievements of a child from each class who went above and beyond last month in demonstrating our school values. Our next winners will be announced at the end of November. 

- Ben Martin from St Margaret's Church led Collective Worship on Wednesday, introducing a new theme for the half term focusing on belonging.  Throughout this half term we are spending time learning about and reflecting upon our differences, what makes us unique, and how as a community we ensure that every person is welcomed, is loved and feels a true sense of belonging at St Margaret's.

- You will have seen the reminder sent out earlier this week about this Friday's Christmas Hamper Dress Down Day. Children can come to school in their own clothes in return for a festive donation! Further information attached.

Looking Ahead to Next Week 

- Anti-Bullying Week: “Power for Good” – from Monday 10th November

- Next week we’ll be marking Anti-Bullying Week with the theme “Power for Good.” We’ll start with Odd Socks Day on Monday (10th November) —everyone is encouraged to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us unique! Throughout the week, children will explore how we can use our power to be kind, supportive, and stand up for others. Younger classes will focus on showing kindness through words and actions. Find out more at the Anti-Bullying Alliance website. See also an attached flyer with details of an event at Arcade Bookshop in Littlehampton about anti-bullying week.

- Our school community is welcome to join us for a short Remembrance Day service on Tuesday 11th November. This will start at 10:50am in the top playground. The green gates on Arundel road will be open at 10:40am ready for us to start promptly at 10:50am. 

- Thank you to those who are supporting the Operation Christmas Child programme this year. Completed shoebox donations need to be dropped into the school next week ready for collection at the end of the week. It's not too late to take part - follow the instructions on this website and drop the box into school next week - Operation Christmas Child. A big thank you to Mrs Lovering-Martin for arranging this for us.

-  We are excited to be supporting Children in Need this year at St Margaret's.  We will be holding a cake sale after school on Friday 14th November.  If you would like to donate cakes, we will be accepting these donations from Thursday 13th November.  Please remember we are a nut-free school which includes spreads that contain nuts.

Important Notices & Attachments

We are delighted to have received a number of applications for the role of Parent Governor. Please do vote in the election of this important role in our school community - details will be sent home on Monday.

We have added dates to the Dates for your Diary regarding Christmas events (letter to follow).  Please make a note of these in your calendar.

See attached a letter from Dan Peeke who is offering music lessons in school, to include piano/keyboard, guitar, bass, ukulele, music theory and composition/songwriting. 

For more information about how to support your child at home in their development of phonics, please follow this link to Monster Phonics for Parents.

• Attachments (see links below):  Christmas Hamper Day, Dates for your Diary, Clubs for this half term, Information on Odd Socks Day, Dan Peeke Music Lessons

Best wishes,
Mr. Lumley
Headteacher