_{March 2026}

Welcome back to a new term! We're all looking forward to a busy and productive spring term, filled with exciting learning experiences for all our children. As the days get longer and the daffodils start to bloom, we're excited to share all the wonderful things happening in the coming weeks! It is packed with exciting learning opportunities, fun events, and ways for us to connect as a school community.

What's Happening This Term?

This term, we will be focusing on the value of happiness. As spring is here, we are able to leave the dark days behind and start to enjoy better weather. The children will be able to get out at both playtimes and lunchtimes, and we will start to use the eco garden more within lessons.

World book day

World book day is coming up, and we have some lovely activities for the children to enjoy, giving the children real experiences to help support their love for reading.

The production for this term, linked to our love of reading, will be Pinocchio on the 6^th March.

The library area in school has been updated, and the books have been changed for this term.

We ask that parents support reading in order to boost children’s life chances. 

Parents urged to read more to boost children’s life chances – GOV.UK

National Year of Reading 2026 | Go All In

Easter Service – 27^th March 2026 Easter bonnet parade

The Easter service will be held in school by Rev. Ailsa. The service will start at 1:30pm (which should give us time to get tidied up from lunch) and will be 30 minutes. Please do not arrive before 1:20pm as we will not be able to allow adults in until the room is set up.  The children will then take part in our annual bonnet parade on the playground at 2 pm.  This year, if children want to take part in the annual Easter bonnet parade, they can make their creations at home and bring them to school on Thursday 26^th March. Please remember to put your child's name on.  We also have two guests from our local community to judge the Easter bonnet parade.

Forest school

It has been the wettest ever at Forest School last half-term, not to mention the muddiest! But, with the right clothes on, this has not been a problem at all – our Reception children have enjoyed the sessions regardless!!

They have been using a range of different tools, learning about fire safety, as well as how to use the fire strikers. They have explored the arrival of Spring, enjoying splashing in muddy puddles (which have grown week by week). The children have engaged in spotting different types of fungi and mushrooms, played music outside and have created lots of muddy meals for the adults. We even had a little bit of fishing in one of the puddles.    

If anyone has any old pots, pans and metal utensils that we could have for our mud kitchens, we would be very grateful.

Outstanding payments

We still have a number of parents who have outstanding accounts, hence starting the term with outstanding debts. All accounts need to be in credit as soon as possible, as our policies do not allow debt to run over into new terms. When using our services, please ensure that all accounts are paid each week to reduce the amount, unless we use childcare vouchers, which are paid monthly.

If accounts are in debt, we will stop parents being able to access the wrap-around care until accounts are cleared. This will take effect from 1^st April. Any families affected by this will receive notification by the end of this week, in order for payment to be made or alternative childcare arrangements being put in place.

All bookings need to be made before 1pm otherwise a fee will be charged for a late after-school booking.

Wrap around care

Breakfast and After School Club are excited for the new Spring Term and have many fun activities planned for the children to enjoy and take part in. We are hoping for the sunshine to make an appearance then we can continue to play outside with the equipment and have the chance to explore the ECO Garden, see the spring flowers and animals, but mainly enjoy our beautiful garden. We are also hoping to plant some flowers and vegetables and make some bird feeders to put in the garden. If you have any seeds we can plant, please send them to school. They would be much appreciated. Not only are we hoping to enjoy the outdoors, but we also have many more indoor activities planned, from crafts, baking yummy treats, painting, step-by-step drawings, playing with the Lego to create some amazing creations and continue to have fun.

The webpage is regularly updated with lots of photos of the fun we have, so please have a look!

https://www.st-andrews-pri.derbyshire.sch.uk/page/?title=Activities+in+After+School+Club%2E&pid=396

Uniform

All children need to be in the correct school uniform each day. We have noticed that some children are wearing items that are not suitable for uniform; items with slogans and decorative designs that take away from them being smart. We expect all children to wear school uniform.

• Our school colours are royal blue:
• Grey/navy blue or black trousers/culottes/shorts/skirt
• Blue or white shirt/polo shirt
• Blue and white checked tunic dress
• Royal blue cardigan/ jumper or sweatshirt
• Dark school shoes (low heel, no trainers)
• PE kit please check that your child's PE kit fits them as many children have grown since the start of the year. 
• Jogging trousers navy blue or black
• School T-shirt/polo shirt or plain blue/white T-shirt
• Trainers and spare socks
•  Navy blue or black shorts
• All children should have a coat in school that is suitable for the weather conditions.
• Leggings are not part of school uniform and would only be considered in adverse weather conditions. Black jeans are not permitted.
• We have noticed that children are carrying rucksacks rather than book bags. They must not have keyrings or charms as these items are causing issues within school. Please remove these items and keep at home.
• Please ensure your child's uniform is clearly labelled with their name.

Attendance

School opens at 8:45am and finishes at 3:15pm we are closely monitoring attendance in conjunction with the DFE requirements. This also includes lateness. Children whose attendance falls below 95% will receive a letter and parents/grandparents will be asked to attend a meeting regarding the attendance.

In addition to this, we will also be monitoring those children who regularly arrive late each morning, and those children who leave early. We require evidence of all medical appointments and dance examination requests via email, which consists of the photograph of the appointment text or email. 

Please inform the school office of any absences as soon as possible. This can be via email or phone call. Please do not send absence information to class emails or the headteacher, as these could easily be missed first thing in the morning.

First aid

Staff and children in school have received first aid training. We are delighted that we are one of the few schools in the area that have all the paediatric first aid staff trained and, in addition to this, all our children have basic first aid qualifications. We hope that our children never have to use their new skills. However, they are all very confident in following basic skills in keeping a casualty safe and gaining help from the emergency services, if required. As a school we value this life skill, and it is a fundamental part of our safeguarding plan.

In addition to this training, all Derbyshire schools have been issued with an emergency bleed kit. Unlike our defibrillator, this emergency bleed kit is housed in the school building; however, we have registered it as a kit that can be used in the community during school hours.

ICE

Reminder that as part of our first aid update and training based around the new bleed kit, we no longer ICE injuries until the swelling has come out. Children will no longer be given ice packs unless staff see that this is the case, and will then administer ice to reduce the swelling. This change is because some injuries were being masked by the quick use of ice; this information has been shared with all children.

Parent engagement in aspects of school life

We have worked really hard since the start of the academic year to develop engagement with parents and grandparents.

This has taken the form of:

Parents consultation

Open classroom events

Reading support for EYFS

Phonics support for Yr1

Maths support for KS1 & KS2

Sport interest: Boxercise

Compass and Inclusion team meetings

Homework

Children have lots of homework activities that they need to complete each week.

We have noticed that many children are not completing these basic homework tasks that will impact their outcomes at the end of the year.

Reading, phonics and spelling 15minutes at least four times a week.

Active learn, TT Rock Stars and Purplemash: If you are struggling to log on, please email your class teacher. 

Staff continue to monitor the activities set, and we can see how often and for how long children have access to their accounts.

Safeguarding information

Artificial intelligence is becoming a familiar part of young people’s online experiences, with a myriad of school tools and entertainment platforms in use. This guide breaks down what AI really is, helping adults explain it clearly and realistically, so children don’t overestimate its abilities or trust it unquestioningly. It explores how AI systems work, where they appear online, and why understanding them matters. The guide also highlights key online safety considerations, including misinformation, data privacy, bias and over-reliance on AI tools. With practical advice on setting boundaries, choosing age-appropriate platforms and encouraging ethical, creative use, it empowers parents and educators to build digital literacy while keeping children safe, curious and critically engaged.

The school council focus is getting ready for Comic Relief – Red Nose Day, Friday 20th March 2026

School Council have been very busy discussing how we can raise lots of money for Comic Relief this year. Here are some of the amazing ideas that they have come up with to raise funds;

• Buy a bracelet kit for 50p that you can wear at home
• Face painting and hair chalk decorating - £1 a go.
• Name a bear for 50p a go, to win a lovely teddy bear
• Enter a competition to make a 3d craft animal – 50p an entry and a prize for the winner of each class.
• Enter a drawing competition for 50p – draw something red

Some amazing ideas!!! The activities will be taking place on the day, at playtime and lunchtime, and will be run by the school councillors.

We will be asking for a small donation of £1 to wear non-uniform (children to wear something red!!!)