Newsletter 10 Autumn Term

Exciting Job Opportunity  

Would you like to join our incredible school community as a special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant and Lunchtime Supervisor?  To learn more about the role and its responsibilities, please click here.  We also welcome you to share this information with anyone you believe might be interested in this rewarding position. 

Reminder!  Mufti-day

Don't forget its mufti-day for all pupils this week on Friday 17th November.  Pupils can come to school in their own clothes in exchange for chocolate donations, which the PTA will be collecting at drop off. 

Thank you for your continued support. 

SASM MPs receive their badges! 

During our Celebration Collective Worship on Friday afternoon, our School Parliamentarians were issued with their badges, which can be worn as part of their school uniform. With 60 MPs across the school, it is fantastic to see so many pupils helping to lead in our school.

Anti-Bullying Week: Odd Socks Day 

On Tuesday 14th November, SASM joined other schools around the UK by wearing odd socks to school. Odd Socks Day is designed to remind us all to stand up to discrimination and bullying. Our Wellbeing Committee of MPs led collective worship and explained to the school the Anti-Bullying Alliance's definition of bullying, which our school uses, as well as how it can be challenging to discern the intentions of others. We discussed how pupils can let adults know about any worries they have using the twice-daily check-in and by speaking to trusted adults. It was also highlighted that it is the responsibility of all of us to let adults know on the day when unkind behaviour occurs so that it can investigated and resolved. For more information about how we keep pupils safe at SASM, visit this page of our website.

Celebrating Diwali

Our school community welcomes and learns from many religions. We hope all of our families who celebrated Diwali during the weekend had a wonderful time. Here is Shyla's recount of her family's celebrations:

On Sunday the 11th I celebrated Diwali with my family and friends and it was really fun. First we prayed to our gods (Puja) and I gave them £10.  Then my dad gave me preshard (a food offering from the gods) and I soaked coins in water to clean them and also soaked them in milk (which is a family tradition)   Then we lit sparklers and my dad bought a box and set fire to it and firecrackers came out. They made a big noise and it was so loud my mum starting laughing and said it would wake up all the neighbours.  And to finish the day off, I had a chocolate coin. 

Shyla (4G)

Remembrance Day - a time for thankfulness

Our school community gathered on Friday afternoon to reflect on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. Mr Gates spoke to pupils about how these days are used to remember all of those who sacrificed their lives to protect the freedoms and rights that we are thankful for today. We then joined in thought and prayer for all of those who are currently unsafe, lack freedom and are affected by conflicts in the world today.

Online safety discussion with parents and carers

It was fantastic to welcome 30 parents and carers as part of hybrid meeting with PC Lucie Smith and PC Becky Soole. We discussed the use of technology, particularly WhatsApp, as well as places to gain further advice and support. Here are a few useful links shared at the meeting:

• https://www.sasm.kingston.sch.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety - SASM's online safety page. This has details of how to access the Safer Schools App as well as Google Family Link and Apple's screen time apps to monitor your child's access online.

• https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/parental-controls/ - Shared by the officers, the NSPCC has advice for how to get the settings correct for your child's devices and apps (always worth doing before presents are opened on Christmas day!)

• https://swiggle.org.uk/ - This SASM's default search engine. It includes a number of additional safeguards and presents results in a more child-friendly format than Google

Keeping children safe online   

If you were unable to attend the our Online safety discussion, Peter Cowley, Achieving for Children's Former Online Safety Advisor is running an online safety session for all parents/ carers.  For further information about this event and to book a place please click here. 

Music in collective worship

At SASM, all pupils learn to play the recorder in Years 3 and 4. In Year 5, a tutor from the Kingston Music Service teaches all pupils to play the ukuele. In addition, many pupils have private music tuition and we welcome anyone who would like to play during collective worship. Today, it was delightful to hear Clare (4H) play 'Amazing Grace' on the piano to start the day and we also heard Arthur (6S) play the piano last week.

Sportshall Athletics visit

Lots of fun was had by selected members of year 5 and 6 at Sportshall Athletics last Thursday which took place at The Kingston Academy. All of the children took part in 4 events each which they all did very well in. They also did very well at cheering each other on from the sidelines! 

Measles cases are rising in London. Make sure your child is up to date with their Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations

The Local Authority and NHS are urging parents to check that their children are fully vaccinated with two MMR doses by checking their red book or with their GP practice. Anyone not up-to-date should make an appointment with their GP to receive vaccination as soon as possible. 

Routine vaccinations are free and an appointment can be made with your GP to catch up on any that have been missed. For more information visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/ . 

If you would like more information on MMR vaccination, the NHS in South West London are hosting a webinar aimed at South West London parents. The online MMR webinar is taking place on Wednesday 13 th September, 6-7:30pm. This webinar will provide you with information about the MMR vaccine. You will also have the opportunity to get your questions answered by local healthcare professionals. The webinar is free to join. You can book your place by visiting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nhs-swl-measles-mumps-and-rubella-webinar-tickets-709381026747?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can lead to serious and, on rare occasions, fatal complications. 

Anyone with symptoms that could be measles is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, rather than visiting their GP surgery or A&E. 

Find out more about MMR vaccination on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine/

Click here for more information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12zVMhj2jHq-d6hC1akD7VvFRG2tfTai9/view?usp=sharing 

Click the 'Community Groups' button to see all community notices:

Winter uniform

As mentioned in our previous newsletter, our uniform has now switched to ‘winter uniform’, which pupils wear until the end of the spring term. This includes a white long/short sleeved school shirt or blouse and a red tie with the school logo (a tie does not need to be worn with blouses). More information can be found on the school uniform page of our website.

We have continued to have conversations with families regarding uniform and will be writing notes in planners this week as appropriate. Pupils are required to wear smart black shoes as part of their uniform. Trainers, boots or football boots are not allowed and shoes should not display a logo. All hair beyond shoulder length must be tied back with a black, red or white hairband.  Polo shirts and summer dresses are not permitted as part of the winter school uniform.

School uniform can be purchased from our second-hand clothes shop in the school office in return for a donation to the PTA. This makes sure the correct uniform is accessible to all of our families. Thank you to the many families who have donated their old uniform to the shop; you can donate any pre-loved items to the school office at any time.

Bring a coat to school - wet weather ahead!

When ever possible, pupils play outside at break and lunch, including in rainy conditions. As we enter November, please ensure you child brings a coat to school every day.

Bringing valuable items to school

Please do not send your child to school with toys or valuable items. Whilst the school does not allow toys nor smartwatches, valuable fitness trackers and expensive 'Air Up' bottles are becoming regular features in some classrooms. Should such items be bought to school and become lost or broken, the school will not be responsible for this.