4th January - 8th March 2021: SCHOOL OPEN ONLY TO CHILDREN OF KEY WORKERS AND THOSE WHO ARE VULNERABLE
Friday 26th February - Message from Mr Gray:
Dear Parents 8th March 2021 We are continuing to work on the plans for the safe return of all children on 8th March. We are looking forward to having everyone back. Our plans have been informed by a letter we received from Noah, one of our children in Year 3, the views of parents who have contacted us and the knowledge and expertise of the staff. On Monday 8th, we are therefore going to run activities in every class to enable children to talk and re-establish friendships. These will include collective worship; team building outdoors; art linked to the PTA exhibition "what we have missed during lockdown"; time in the garden; social and emotional activities around dream and hopes, and shared reading. World Book Day 4th March Before we return, we have World Book Day on 4th March. After faith, reading is the most important thing we pass on to our children because it opens up a world of independent learning, enjoyment and life opportunities. As parents and teachers, we have a responsibility to role model for our children a love of reading and knowledge. |
Looking at my own life and talking to friends, I know how difficult it is to move away from our phones and screens but our desire for our children to be happy will only be fulfilled if we tell them stories, read them books, share our skills/interests and find time to play with them. Personally, I find that impossible to do with a phone or screen in my hand. For these reasons, World Book Day becomes more important each year. Whilst the focus is usually dressing up as a character, the important part is to read to children and talk to them about books. Therefore, we are inviting everyone to dress up and (if you wish post a photo of your child on the BGfL) but more importantly to read to your children and for them to read to you.
I am always encouraged by the amount some children do read and the conversations I have with Year 6 children about authors. Those who read a lot know so much and talk enthusiastically and knowledgably about authors well beyond Roald Dahl and David Walliams. I have also been delighted by the number of children who are reading books form the online EPIC scheme.
Today, we heard that a character created by Arthur, one of our Reception children, has been used in a poem by the professional writer Martin Riley. A recording of the author reading the poem will be published on our website. Well done, Arthur and all our children who write.
No screen day 5th March
We are concerned about the amount of time we are spending on screens and therefore, on Friday 5th March, all our learning activities are going to take place without computers, laptops or tablets. Teachers will have posted before the 5th March suggested activities for that day.
Stars of the Week
Reception - Junnat and Aisha for phonics.
Year 1 - Ismail and Mustafa for phonics; Naira and Inaaya for comprehension.
Year 2 - Uthman - for super reading and research on owls; Raihan - for showing such dedication, by working so hard every day and uploading some amazing, finished work; Umar - for creating wonderful, descriptive writing on senses, in English; Layth - for superb knowledge when using a compass and of weather instruments, in Geography.
Year 3 - Ahmed for his work on personal pronouns in English; Adam for the accuracy of his measuring in Maths; Maryam for her independence; Eli for his persuasive writing.
Year 4 - Haris- scientific work on liquids and solids; Usayd and Ksenija for their work on Unheard of Beasts; Amnah for her contribution to live lessons.
Year 5 - Mem for his work with algorithms in Computing; Owais for the range of vocabulary he uses in his writing; Taimoor for his descriptive writing; Emily for her story writing.
Year 6 - Shalom for his art work; Lemuela for her scientific work; Maira for her poetry
Virtues
This half term we are focussing on being attentive to God and others and being discerning in our choices.
Tabitha and Isabel - being attentive to the needs of the poor in Lent.
Kayden and Omair being attentive to the younger children during football matches.
Best wishes
Justin Gray
Headteacher
I am always encouraged by the amount some children do read and the conversations I have with Year 6 children about authors. Those who read a lot know so much and talk enthusiastically and knowledgably about authors well beyond Roald Dahl and David Walliams. I have also been delighted by the number of children who are reading books form the online EPIC scheme.
Today, we heard that a character created by Arthur, one of our Reception children, has been used in a poem by the professional writer Martin Riley. A recording of the author reading the poem will be published on our website. Well done, Arthur and all our children who write.
No screen day 5th March
We are concerned about the amount of time we are spending on screens and therefore, on Friday 5th March, all our learning activities are going to take place without computers, laptops or tablets. Teachers will have posted before the 5th March suggested activities for that day.
Stars of the Week
Reception - Junnat and Aisha for phonics.
Year 1 - Ismail and Mustafa for phonics; Naira and Inaaya for comprehension.
Year 2 - Uthman - for super reading and research on owls; Raihan - for showing such dedication, by working so hard every day and uploading some amazing, finished work; Umar - for creating wonderful, descriptive writing on senses, in English; Layth - for superb knowledge when using a compass and of weather instruments, in Geography.
Year 3 - Ahmed for his work on personal pronouns in English; Adam for the accuracy of his measuring in Maths; Maryam for her independence; Eli for his persuasive writing.
Year 4 - Haris- scientific work on liquids and solids; Usayd and Ksenija for their work on Unheard of Beasts; Amnah for her contribution to live lessons.
Year 5 - Mem for his work with algorithms in Computing; Owais for the range of vocabulary he uses in his writing; Taimoor for his descriptive writing; Emily for her story writing.
Year 6 - Shalom for his art work; Lemuela for her scientific work; Maira for her poetry
Virtues
This half term we are focussing on being attentive to God and others and being discerning in our choices.
Tabitha and Isabel - being attentive to the needs of the poor in Lent.
Kayden and Omair being attentive to the younger children during football matches.
Best wishes
Justin Gray
Headteacher
In this other video, our headteacher, Mr J Gray is giving you more key information on our school.
And this 3rd video will show you the amazing new garden we created last Spring for our pupils:
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Children at St. Martin's achieve high academic standards. OfSTED described the standard of behaviour and relationships at the school as outstanding.
Latest News

Ms Steele recommends: Click on the Virtual School Library banner to access this National Literacy Trust/Oak Academy website for reading.

Dear Parents,
In these difficult times when Covid19 makes us send whole classes home for a fortnight more often than we ever wished, we are doing our best to provide your children with other means of learning than traditional school attendance. We are posting worksheets and other resources on the Birmingham Grid for Learning (BGfL365) as well as on this website and are organising online video lessons. However, all this is pointless if our families do not have access to the internet.
The survey below will allow us to assess the ability of our school community to access online learning, to scale the issue and to find solutions for families who do not have access to the internet. We would thus be grateful if you could take a minute to complete the survey here.
Thank you very much for your time.
In these difficult times when Covid19 makes us send whole classes home for a fortnight more often than we ever wished, we are doing our best to provide your children with other means of learning than traditional school attendance. We are posting worksheets and other resources on the Birmingham Grid for Learning (BGfL365) as well as on this website and are organising online video lessons. However, all this is pointless if our families do not have access to the internet.
The survey below will allow us to assess the ability of our school community to access online learning, to scale the issue and to find solutions for families who do not have access to the internet. We would thus be grateful if you could take a minute to complete the survey here.
Thank you very much for your time.
![]() We are delighted that the PTA are organising an art exhibition during November. We are really looking forward to seeing not only the children's entries but also your own and those from members of your families. Click here for more information.
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DAY TO DAY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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PLEASE ENSURE THAT CHILDREN ARRIVE IN THE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND EACH MORNING BY 8.50AM,
READY TO BE COLLECTED BY THEIR CLASS TEACHER AT 8.55AM.
READY TO BE COLLECTED BY THEIR CLASS TEACHER AT 8.55AM.