Cheam Common Junior Academy
Weekly Newsletter
Friday 3rd November 2023
Cheam Common Junior Academy: Kingsmead Avenue, Worcester Park, KT4 8UT
Email: ccjoffice@leoacademytrust.co.uk http://www.cheamcommon.org.uk/
School Updates
Year Group Coffee Afternoons
After the success of the Year 3 Coffee Afternoon in October, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting Coffee Afternoons in Year 4, 5 and 6 throughout the year. The dates can be found below. More details will be shared nearer the time but timings will be approximately 2-2:45pm.
Monday 4th December: Year 6
Monday 22nd January: Year 5
Monday 4th March: Year 4
Monday 17th June: Year 3
Wrap Up London
We are pleased to announce that we will be supporting the charity, Wrap Up, this winter. Wrap Up is a project run by various Rotary Clubs working in partnership with Hands On London. Its sole aim is to provide coats, that go directly to people across the UK, who struggle to keep warm during the winter months. More information can be found here.
From Monday 13th November until Friday 24th November, we will be collecting any clean, secondhand coats that you no longer need. These can be brought in by children and will be collected by Active Citizens in each class, organised by Mrs Culver and Miss Govier. These coats can also be dropped off at the main gate every morning and afternoon.
Odd Socks Day - Monday 13th November
On Monday 13th November, we will be celebrating Odd Socks Day. This is a day organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, CBBC and CBeebies to raise awareness of Anti-Bullying Week, which runs from Monday 13th November to Friday 17th November. There will be an assembly on this day to discuss what anti-bullying means and what we can all do to help.
This are not collecting donations. We are simply asking children to wear their odd socks to school that day. The odder the socks, the better!
BBC 500 Word Story Competition
500 Words, the UK’s most successful children’s writing competition has now opened for submissions and will run till Friday 10 November.
Since the competition was first launched in 2011 by Chris Evans on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it has received over one million stories from children throughout the UK.
This year, the two age categories will be 5-7 year-olds and 8-11 year-olds.
Children of all abilities are encouraged to use their creativity and imagination to write a story they would love to read without the pressure of having to worry about spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Our brilliant 500 Word judges are back; award-winning and best-selling authors Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Francesca Simon, Charlie Higson, and former children’s laureate, Malorie Blackman. We are delighted to say that this year there will be a new addition to the panel, TV legend, children's author and World Book Day ambassador, Sir Lenny Henry. The judges will be casting their expert eyes over the final 50 stories. You can find out why they are perfect judges here.
This year, BBC Breakfast will be hosting the competition supported by us on BBC Teach. The winners will be featured in a special 500 Word programme with The One Show, on World Book Day on 7 March 2024.
You can find out more information here.
All the stories must:
Be 500 words or less (title is not included in the number)
Be written by an individual and not a group
Be a child’s own original idea
Be prose, not rap or poem
Stories must not:
Give any personal details of the child, including their name
Recount an historical event (but they can use a real person or historical character as a source of inspiration)
Book in a Jar
Over the last few weeks, we have had some incredible entries for our Book In A Jar Competition, launched by Mr Strange. Please see some photos below of these entries.
After much deliberation, the winners were announced in Celebration Assembly this morning.
<-- Year 3 and 4: Hector
Year 5 and 6: Rashad -->
♻️ The Big Recycling Hunt ♻️
This Recycle Week, we’re leading a nationwide hunt for the ones that often get away. We want to hunt out all the recyclable items that are going in the rubbish bin and return them to their rightful place: the recycling!
Competition: Pupils are encouraged to take part during Recycle Week (16-22 October 2023), but the competition is open until 25th November 2023.
Registering for Pupil Premium
All children in Sutton will automatically qualify for Universal Free School Meals, but this does not mean automatic qualification for benefit-related Free School Meals.
It is vitally important that you still complete your school or borough’s registration form in case your child is eligible for extra funding for their school from the Government, worth £1,300 per year. That’s extra money to spend on enrichment activities, teacher development, and targeted support for the children that need it most. Depending on how schemes operate in your borough, it may also entitle you to other benefits like food vouchers during the holidays. Please register for Pupil Premium here.
Free School Meals - Sutton.pdfOur Book Wishlist
Children across the school wrote a wishlist of the different books that they would like to see in their library and their classrooms.
We have collated this wishes and have put together an Amazon Wish List, which can be found here. If parents and families wish, there are over a hundred books that children are desperate to read on the list and these can be ordered as a present to our school. Alternatively, if you notice a book on the list that your children no longer read, we are always grateful for any donations!
It has also been suggested by our children that, on a birthday, rather than bringing sweets in for their classmates, children choose a book on the list that they would like to donate to their class. This also falls in line with our commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles. On the order, there is an option to leave a message - you can specify which class the book is for. As ever, we recognise that money can be tight so please note that this is entirely optional. Any support is always appreciated.
Weekly School and Sporting News Stories
It was another busy week of events at Cheam Common!
🛕 Year 3 Diwali Assembly: On the last day of term, we were delighted to be joined by Nabhi, who came in to discuss and tell the story of Rama and Sita to our Year 3 children.
🏐 Seaton House Netball Tournament: On Wednesday afternoon, our Netball Team travelled to Seaton House School to take part in the 39th Gladman Netball Tournament. There were 9 other schools there and, after a long afternoon, Cheam Common emerged as winners of the tournament. Well done!
⚽ Year 6 Boys' Football League Match: On Thursday afternoon, our Year 6 Boys' Football Team played Manor Park in their next league match. It was an incredibly tight match, with Vian scoring an excellent goal for CCJ. Unfortunately, the match ended 2-1 to Manor Park. We are so proud of the attitude of our children.
Mollie's incredible charity donation
Linda's artwork
Over half term, Mollie (Year 4) donated lengths of her hair to charity after growing it for months in preparation. She donated 10.5 inches to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that gifts wigs to children and young people who have lost their own hair. She also raised £750!
Well done, Molly. What an incredible achievement!
Linda (Year 3) participated in a Surrey County Council Hong Kong community event, which involved creating a piece of art to represent the culture from her birth country.
Linda's artwork, which can be seen above, were on display over half term in the Pitzganger Manor Gallery, Ealing.
Isaac's half term adventures
Isaac (Year 5) had an incredibly adventurous half term, visiting the Bear Grylls Adventure Experience. Isaac climbed up the high ropes and snorkelled with sharks, amongst many other activities to challenge his bravery. Well done, Isaac!
IMG_4304 (1).MOV
Norita's fantastic achievements
Norita (Year 4) has been selected to perform in the Little Mermaid show at Leatherhead Theatre in January; she will be attending rehearsals every Sunday until Christmas.
Additionally, Norita reached 50m in her swimming lessons, and received a medal and a certificate to celebrate this. Well done!
Ana's Art
Check out Ana's incredible 3D Art Canvas that she created before half term!
Mila's adventurous half term!
We are proud to hear that Mila conquered her fears while on holiday over half term and tried out parasailing!
What an impressive demonstration of courage!
Elinor's Pickleball Tournament
Over half term, Elinor took part in the Junior Pickleball Nationals in Bolton, placing fourth in her group.
She and her family attended; it is so great to see them trying out different sports.
If you would like to share your child's achievements outside of school with us, we'd love to hear them! Please email the school office.
Autumn Term Dates
Please find below all the key dates and times for the next few weeks of the Autumn Term.
PTA events are shown in this colour. Please see below for more details.
New dates
Monday 6th November
Year 6 Bikeability: Week 3
Monday 13th November
Odd Socks Day
Children to wear odd socks to school to raise awareness for Anti-Bullying Week
Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th November
Parent Consultation Evenings
Wednesday 15th November
6W, 6CB and 6SB Trip: Sutton Life Centre
Monday 20th November
6S: Trip: Sutton Life Centre
Tuesday 21st - Friday 24th November
Year 4 Trips: Roman Amphitheatre
Friday 1st December
MUFTI Day
Thursday 7th December
Christmas Choir and Orchestra Performance (9:30am to parents)
Friday 8th December
Year 3 Stone Age Workshop
Friday 15th December
GymKidz Performance to Parents (9am)
Monday 18th December
Year 5 and 6 Christmas Productions (9:15am and 6pm)
Tuesday 19th December
Year 3 and 4 Christmas Productions (9:15am and 6pm)
Wednesday 20th December
Christmas Lunch
Thursday 21st December
Christmas Class Parties
Friday 22nd December
Last day of term (2:10pm finish)
Friday 2nd February
Quiz Night
Friends of Cheam Common - Updates
The Friends of Cheam Common now has a new Facebook group, where you can follow any updates on upcoming events or how you can get involved.
The Friends of Cheam Common will be distributing secondhand uniform to anyone may need it.
If this is something you would be interested in, please contact them on friendssecondhanduniform@gmail.com.
A message from the Friends
Christmas Mufti Day
Across the various events we hosted last year and thanks to the incredible generosity of our wonderful parents and the wider community, we made a gross profit of just shy of £25,000.
We used this to fund a number of exciting projects for the schools.
Among other things, we helped the schools to procure:
● play equipment, with tunnel, for the nursery;
● a climbing wall for year 2;
● a new portable PA system to use for sports days and other outdoor events;
● a variety of new sensory equipment for Cheam Common Infants (CCI);
● scooter boards for CCI;
● a playhouse for CCI’s playground;
● an outdoor stage for Cheam Common Junior’s (CCJ’s) playground;
● shade sails across parts of CCJ’s playground;
● a variety of items bought for the wild garden in CCJ.
It is a privilege to be able to support our schools by providing opportunities for the parents / carers, teachers and children to all spend time together doing fun things and getting to know each other better, as well as to help procure resources which can further the education of all our children.
If getting involved with Friends sounds like something you would enjoy, please contact us at friends_cca@outlook.com. We always welcome more help and fresh ideas for new things to try.
Christmas Raffle
Celebrations, Awards and Stars of the Week
Stars of the Week
3A - Lola
3F - Maya
3S - Evan
3T - Amrik
4I - Aurora
4C - Kayden
4HJ - Emily
4M - Astrid
5VH - Soha
5G - Arthav
5JH - Karsten
5M - Kailey
6S - Avyukt
6CB - Jaeden
6SB - Vian
6W - Hazel
PRIDE Ambassadors of the Week
Perseverance, Respect, Imagination, Dedication, Encouragement
3A - Anaya
3F - Elska
3S - Sana
3T - Taya
4I - Judie
4C - Keya
4HJ - Noah
4M - Seoju
5VH - Vaani
5G - Nika
5JH - Sofie
5M - Sonny
6S - Aaila
6CB - Charlotte
6SB - Ji-Youl
6W - Jake IJ
Times Tables Rockstars
Our top three classes were:
🥇6CB
🥈4HJ
🥉4I
Our top Rockstar in each year group was:
Year 3: Stefanos (3T)
Year 4: Yug (4HJ)
Year 5: Ashley (5JH)
Year 6: Ben (6CB)
SEND & Inclusion Updates
Young Carers at Cheam Common
At Cheam Common Junior Academy, we hold a weekly small group session to support children across the school who fulfil the role of ‘Young Carer’ because they have a sibling or parent with serious health issues, special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
We want to celebrate the important role our Young Carers play, but also recognise that they may face challenges and pressures not shared by the general school population.
The group meets during assembly time and is led by Mrs Hart.
If you would like your child to take part please complete this form.
If you have any questions about the group, please feel free to contact us at ccjsend@leoacademytrust.co.uk
Please click here for more information on how parents can be supported with the behaviour and understanding of their children. The courses that are available are as follows:
Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities
Care for the Family
Adapt to Learn
Please click here to access the Local Authority's Ambitious for SEND parent newsletter to stay in touch with what is happening in the local area. To receive these newsletters (three produced each year) please subscribe to the local area Ambitious for SEND newsletter. It is a great way to stay in touch with what is happening in the local area. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Click the image above for further information!
Sutton Dyslexia Association
The next meeting of Sutton Dyslexia Association will be on Monday 6th November 2023 at 8pm. Neil Mackay will be talking on high impact revision skills to aid long term recall and will be of interest to some year 6 pupils. If you would like to join the zoom meeting, please send your first name, surname and email address to admin@suttondyslexia.org.uk.
You will get an acknowledgement and the access details will be sent to you on the morning of the talk so that you can join from 7.45 pm.
The next Parent/Carer Drop- In will be on Wednesday 13th December from 10-11.30 am, at The Sound Lounge at the bottom of Sutton High Street in Sutton.There is free parking at Sainsburys and LIDL for 90 minutes. Members of the committee will be there.
Keeping Safe Online
DIGI Safe - Keeping Children Safe Online
LGFL have launched a wonderfully informative and practical website full of resources to help keep children safe online. With videos, informative guides and top tips, there is lots to explore to help keep your child safe whilst online. To visit, click here.
Family Support
Any of Us: Surrey Fostering Campaign
If you have ever thought about fostering, now is the time to take that first step and find out more. The more people who consider fostering, the greater the chance of finding loving, stable homes for children in Surrey who desperately need them.
You can contact Surrey County Council Fostering Service on 0800 096 9626, via email at fostering.recruitment@surreycc.gov.uk or by visiting the website; www.surreycc.gov.uk/fostering
Fostering is an incredibly rewarding experience that can transform the lives of both the children being fostered and the foster carers themselves. Children who enter the care system have often experienced trauma and instability in their lives, and a caring, stable foster family can make a significant difference in their wellbeing and development.
Nationally, there are currently over 70,000 children living with foster families in the UK. However, there is still a significant shortage of foster carers, with around 9,265 new foster families needed in the next year alone. In Surrey, there are over 1,000 children in care and Surrey County Council have just under 400 foster families.
Foster carers come from all walks of life and backgrounds, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to fostering. Whether you are single or married, young or old, own your own home or rent, you can still become a foster carer. The most important thing is a willingness to provide a safe and loving home for a child in need.
This is the message that Surrey County Council is promoting in national recruitment film ‘Any of Us’. The short film has been jointly funded by over 80 councils across England and aims to raise awareness about fostering, particularly among those people who may not have previously considered themselves suited to fostering. The film looks at the potential of three people from different backgrounds to become foster carers, and the potential of children they care for to grow and thrive.
🇭🇰 Hong Kong buddies needed 🇭🇰
Volunteer Centre Sutton are currently looking for volunteers in their latest project 'Integrating Sutton'.
They are looking for anyone who has recently moved from Hong Kong to buddy up with families who have recently moved to Sutton.
If you are interested in volunteering, you can find out more here.
Sutton Library of Things - why buy when you can borrow
You could save money, space and help the environment with a visit to Sutton Library of Things. For a small daily cost, hire tools and equipment, from a carpet cleaner and drill to an ice cream maker and party kit, for those one off activities for your home, projects and adventures. Located in Sutton Central Library, it takes just a few clicks online to reserve your item for collection. There is even a no questions asked 25% discount rate available for anyone who may need it.
Take a look at what's on offer here.
Primary Parent Webinars Poster 23-24.Education Wellbeing Service.pdfMental Health and Wellbeing Update
WL & St George’s Mental Health Trust: events for parents and carers
The SW London and St George’s Mental Health Trust has ongoing events for parents and carers to support their primary or secondary aged children. Sessions cover body image, mental health, school avoidance, social media and gaming, sleep, parenting children and young people with ADHD, understanding ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and lots more.
Find their primary school aged events on Eventbrite, or events for parents and carers of secondary aged children.
Local Activities and Events - General Information
Please find flyers attached for the following advertisements:
Dance Unlimited @ North Cheam
Tamil School - North Cheam
Future term dates
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