A very happy start to 2026 in Reception! The children have settled back in brilliantly and have loved exploring their brand new classroom and reconnecting with friends. And with the chilly weather arriving right on cue, it’s been the perfect launch into our new topic on the Polar Regions.

PE day for Reception Class is on Mondays 

Key Stage 1 had an unforgettable Great Fire of London experience this week. Master Phillip greeted the children and whisked them back to the year 1666, where they discovered what life was like at the time of the famous fire. They crafted plague medallions, made wonderfully smelly bags to ward off the stink from the river, threaded old‑style newspapers, and even created their own ink to write important messages to King Charles II, who was away from London during the disaster. In the afternoon, the children became archaeologists, uncovering clues from the past such as clay pots, pipes, animal bones and even tiny anvils. They also learned how people tried to protect the city by scaring pigeons away to stop the flames spreading. It was a day full of curiosity, creativity and hands‑on history.

PE days for Year 1 & Year 2 are on Mondays and Wednesdays 

We have started the new Spring term with lots of exciting Science investigations in Year 3 and 4. Year 3 have been thinking about how organs in the body are protected and why this is important. They explored this idea using eggs in cups with and without water to see what happened to the eggs when they were moved about. Year 4 were scatologists for the afternoon and were using their scientific skills of observation and pattern-seeking to identify which animal had made which (fake) animal scat. They used a key to determine if they could see evidence of insects, worms, fruit, seeds and grass and then decide if that animal had to be a carnivore, herbivore or omnivore. Great detective work Year 4!

PE days for Year 3 & Year 4 are Tuesdays & Thursdays 

The Kindness Challenge

We’re starting 2026 with a special initiative: The Sandfield Kindness Challenge

Our aim is to encourage every child to use kind words and kind actions both in and beyond the classroom. By doing this, we hope to create a school environment where every child feels happy, safe, and part of a caring community.

How the Challenge Works

Kindness Tin

Each class has a Kindness Tin filled with heart-shaped notes. Adults and peers will write down acts of kindness they notice and add them to the tin.

Daily Reward System

At the end of each day, one heart is drawn from the tin, and the chosen child receives a special reward, which is sometimes even shared with friends. The more hearts in the tin, the greater the chances to win.

Recent rewards have included:

A VIP seat for the day

Becoming the class DJ and choosing dance tracks for brain breaks

Picking a friend to sit next to

Wearing your own clothes for a day

This challenge will run for two weeks, with even more exciting rewards to come!

There’s already a wonderful buzz of kindness and respect around Sandfield. Children are eager to celebrate each other’s good deeds. But the greatest reward of all? Making others happy and feeling proud of your kind actions every day.

Please click here to see all the latest sports news and fixtures.

In English this half term, Year 5 and 6 are exploring Race to the Frozen North. We began by writing vivid descriptive sentences using all our senses to imagine life aboard a sailing ship. After reading several chapters about Matthew Henson’s childhood, we’ve also been practising writing in both the active and passive voice. All of this sentence-level work is building strong foundations for the exciting narrative writing we’ll be tackling in the coming weeks.

PE days for Year 5 & Year 6 are Thursdays and Fridays

Year R: Quinn and Poppy

Year 1: Rosaleen and Leo

Year 2: Nikka and Dylan Ha

Year 3: Zara and Austin

Year 4: George and Mine

Year 5: Maebh and Austyna

Year 6: Elle and Matilda

Kindness Awards went to:

Year R: Finlay

Year 1: Zeynep

Year 2: Drishti

Year 3: Hazal

Year 4: Lyla

Year 5: Austyna

Year 6: Amelia

Don't forget to order your child's school meal for next week!

Parent Teacher Meetings

Tuesday 27th January 2026 from 15:40 to 18:00

Wednesday 28th January 2026 from 14:00 to 16:50

These meetings are now available to book on the Parents Evening module of your MCAS App, you will not receive an email confirmation of your booking, but you can view your booking on your app. Please take care to only book one slot for each child.

Please note that all meetings are face-to-face at Sandfield with your child's classteacher.

Thank you to everyone for your patience while MCAS had their issues with parent meeting bookings. Please check that an appointment has been made on your app.

Start the year off well!  Deeply relaxing, mindful classes - reduce stress & rediscover your natural ease & vitality

All abilities welcome - you do not have to be slim, fit or flexible to join a class.

Booking is essential . See breathecalm.org or contact amy@breathecalm.org for more details.

15 January

Closing date for all Reception September 2026 Applications

27th January

Parent Teacher Meetings 15:40-18:00

28th January

INSET Day, school is closed to all pupils

Parent Teacher Meetings 14:00-16:50

All term dates and INSET dates, Club information, Wrap Around Care Information is on the Parents Calendar

Please click the link here for all Term Dates and Inset Dates

Request for Absence Under Exceptional Circumstances

Administration of Medicines in School

Change of Address Form

Cleverchefs Allergy/ Intolerance Form

Community News & Events & Parent Workshops and Support

Consent for a Child Under 18 to Collect Your Child

Permission to Walk Home Alone (Year 5 & Year 6 Only)

Pupil Leaving Sandfield Statutory Form

Pupil Health Care Plan

CONTACT US!

All parents please use the Message module on your MCAS app to contact the school.

To report an absence and upload documents for medical appointments etc. use the Attendance Module on your MCAS app.

T: 01483 566586

E: parents@sandfield.surrey.sch.uk

Please find below the links for “What I wish my parents or carers knew…. A guide for parents and carers for managing their children’s digital lives now and in the future.

The guide includes:

• Conversation starters for talking to your child about their digital life

• Top Tips on managing screen time

• Children’s ideas for rules at home

• When bad things happen online

• Signs to look out for when things go wrong

• The world of AI for children

• Checklist on ideas to help your child

https://assets.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wpuploads/2025/12/cc-what-i-wish-parent-guide.pdf