Newsletter 4 Autumn Term
27th September 2023
St Andrew’s and St Mark’s
Church of England Junior School
“I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness.” John 10:10
-School News-
Our Instagram feed displays photos of school events. Click or tap on a photo to find out more:
If you would like your child to have the opportunity to be featured on our Instagram page, please update the parental consent on the SIMs Parent App and ensure permission to be posted on social media is ticked.
Facing challenges with your child at home or school? Come and see what we can offer
Friday 6th October, 8:45am-9:45am
As a school, we exist to serve our local community. In addition to providing education, we offer signposts to further support a wide range of areas including mental health, wellbeing and neurodiverse conditions.
We have bought together some of the services we work with for a special parent and carer informal coffee morning at 8:45am to 9:45am on Friday 6th October. This is a drop-in session is for any one who faces challenges with their child at home or school. Representatives from mental health support, pet therapy and ADHD Embrace will be on-hand to answer questions and explain what is locally on offer.
Available to chat will be;
Nellie – one of our therapy dogs
Sallie Crook from ADHD Embrace
Sarah Crowther – SENDCo/ DHT
Emily Woodward – Mental Health Lead/ AHT
Abby Southall and Fahmida Wadud – Education Wellbeing Practioners
If you would like to chat to school staff, other parents, or even just fancy a coffee, please follow this link to register.
ADHD Awareness Month and non-uniform day, Tuesday 3rd October
We are proud to be supporting ADHD Awareness month, which aims to raise awareness of ADHD as well as give reliable information and support.
Next Tuesday (3rd October), will be a non-uniform day. Pupils can come to school in their own clothes or join our dress theme 'celebrating all our amazing brains'. We would like as many pupils as possible to bring a £1 contribution, which will go to our local charity ADHD Embrace. Mrs Crowther and the advocacy MPs will be leading a collective worship focused on ADHD.
First pupil to reach 5 Christian Value Points
Congratulations to Terry in Year 6 for showing the Christian values of trust, service and perseverance. Terry is the first pupil to reach the milestone of having 5 CVPs, which means his name is now in our half-termly draw to choose a book from our new book vending machine.
Pupils' CVPs are counted on Fridays. Our milestones are:
5 CVPs earned - entered into every half-termly draw for a book token from the machine
15 CVPs earned - postcard home from Mr Gates
30 CVPs earned - book token/voucher
40 CVPs earned - invited to a pizza lunch with a friend
50 CVPs earned - phone call home from Mr Gates and one mufti day for you and a friend
Home learning support
With the academic year well-underway, pupils are now expected to complete their home learning. Our home learning webpage includes step-by-step guides to signing into each app as well as answers to frequently-asked questions.
Bring a coat to school
As we head into autumn, the weather has become more turbulent! Please make sure your child has a raincoat with them. We are outside at break, lunchtime and school pick-ups even in light rain.
Do's & Don'ts
Pick-up etiquette: a polite reminder
Our pupils are working in their classrooms until 3:20pm, the end of the school day. We kindly request that parents and carers entering the school site do not distract our pupils by tapping on windows or trying to get their child's attention.
Please also be aware that parents, carers or children from outside school are not permitted on stairwells nor in classrooms. We also do not allow anyone to use the play equipment at school drop-off or pick-up.
Dogs and other pets are also not permitted on the school site. Thank you for your understanding.
Achievement for Beavers
Tommy in Year 3 is very proud of his recent achievements at his Beavers colony. He is in the Beavers section in the 1st Surbiton (Sealion) Sea Scout Group which a Royal Navy recognised Sea Scout group.
Last week, he was delighted to receive three new badges one of which was the 'joining in' badge to mark his first year at Beavers. Tommy also received 'Beaver of the week' for his assistance in setting up at the meetings on Saturday mornings. On top of this, he became Assistant Lodge Leader and enjoyed attending the parade at Surbiton Festival on Saturday. One very busy Beaver! Well done, Tommy.
Mental Health Support Team
As a school, we are fortunate to have a link with a local mental health support team (MHST). This team consists of Education Wellbeing Practitioners who work with families, delivering interventions to support children who struggle with anxiety and low mood. They also deliver an intervention supporting parents and carers when managing children’s challenging behaviour at home. If you would like more information about how you could get support, please make an appointment with Miss Woodward through the school office.
The MHST are also delivering a series of webinars for parents of primary aged children. The ‘Helping Children with …’ series will cover a range of common difficulties experienced by children and will aim to share evidence-based strategies to help parents and carers support their children with these difficulties. If you are interested in any of these, you can sign up via the links below:
Helping children with...Worries
The ‘Helping children with worries’ webinar will help you learn ways to support your child in dealing with their big feelings, worries and fears. This webinar will give you practical ideas on how to help your child to think more positively and develop their self-confidence. You will also be introduced to some helpful cognitive behavioural therapy concepts.
Thursday 28th September 2023 (9:00am) sign up here
Helping children with...Resilience
The ‘Helping children with resilience’ webinar will support you in understanding how children develop resilience, while exploring a variety of helpful coping skills and what you can do as a parent or carer to help them be their most confident self.
Monday 16th October 2023 (6:00pm) sign up here
Wednesday 18th October 2023 (9:00am) sign up here
SASM EXPLAINS
Lunchtimes at SASM
Each week we will be diving into a different aspect of SASM life in more detail.
Pupils spend approximately a fifth of their time at school out at play;
this week, we explain what's on offer for pupils during lunchtime
When is my child's lunchtime and when do they eat?
Years 3 and 4 have a lunch hour from 12:00pm - 1:00pm., whilst Years 5 and 6 have a lunch hour from 12:25pm - 1:25pm. This means there is a period of time when the lower school and upper school have the outside space to themselves.
Each class enters the hall to eat their lunch in turn, starting with Year 3. All of our pupils are entitled to free school meals this year and our kitchen (which is shared with Maple Infants) produces over 300 meals per day. Those with packed lunches also eat in our hall at the same time as the rest of their class. To help us check for any potential well-being concerns, pupils put up their hand when they have finished eating and an adult checks they are ready to leave. Once pupils have finished eating, they are able to leave the hall and continue to play outside.
What does outside play look like?
Our playground space has several areas, including a running zone, colour zone, MUGA (multi-use games area) and gym area. Our teaching assistants, who work with our pupils in the classroom, supervise pupils outside at lunchtime. In collective worship at the start of term, Mr Gates explained the playground rules and how to use the equipment safety. You can view the rules we shared here:
How can my child make new friends?
As well as free play, there are a range of adult-led activities that pupils can join. These activities provide structure and a way for pupils to find new friends as they interact with different people. Pupils can also sit at 'Buddy Bus Stop' if they would like to find new friends. Pupils who see someone at the Buddy Bus Stop, encourage them to join in with their game.
What happens on the MUGA?
Organised games take place on the MUGA, supervised by a teaching assistant. This includes ball games such as football (mixed and girls only), hockey and rounders. The sports are mixed and are designed to encourage as many pupils to engage in physical activity as possible. Each year group is given a slot to play.
Our teaching assistants also run organised games on the running zone at different points throughout the year.
What happens in the Spiritual Garden?
Our Spiritual Garden offers to quieter and calmer space for pupils to sit, reflect or participate in gardening activities. Staffed by a teaching assistant, pupils can be seen working in the garden or talking to an adult in this space. There is a small pond and often pupils will take home a vegetable they may have harvested from the garden.
What is Calm Club?
Calm Club is run in our library space (known as the LRC - Learning Resource Centre). This is a quiet space, run by a teaching assistant, which includes activities including drawing and board games. Each year group has a designated day where they may choose to attend Calm Club.
What happens if there is a problem on the playground?
We expect all pupils to show responsibility and let an adult know if an incident occurs. During the year, some of our MPs are trained to become Peer Mediators. Using the UN model of conflict resolution, our Peer Mediators help support pupils who have had a disagreement by encouraging listening, reflection and problem-solving.
For first aid, pupils may see Mr Waldock on the playground or visit the medical room for further assessment and treatment.
When there has been verbal or physical harm, an incident form may be written. Our behaviour policy and webpage about how we keep pupils safe contains more information about this.
-This Week's Notices-
Secondary school
If your child is starting secondary school in September 2024, please follow this link to Kingston's admissions brochure and find out how to apply for a place.
Secondary school open days:
Tolworth Girls' School
Year 7 open evening for Tolworth Girls’ School & Sixth Form is on Wednesday 4th October 2023.
Open Events — Tolworth Girls' School & Sixth Form (tolworthgirlsschool.co.uk)
-Repeat notices-
Home learning
This year, our home learning will be issued each Monday and will be due the following Monday. All pupils follow the same schedule of weekly learning:
MyMaths - pupils are given tasks to complete on MyMaths, which is related to what has been taught in class (this will only be set in Year 3 from after the October half term).
Reading Eggs - pupils will be given one reading comprehension lesson on Reading Eggspress (via Reading Eggs). Pupils must attempt the first task (a baseline assessment) without adult support; this ensures work is set at an appropriate level. If your child wants to explore the other parts of the site (such as the library), they can. This can only be done once the home learning task is completed. Please note, a few children may be directed to a platform called IDL instead of Reading Eggs.
Spelling Shed - a new platform for this year, pupils will have one task to complete each week, which is linked to the spelling rule they are studying in class. This year, we have a new approach to spelling and there will no longer be a weekly spelling test, instead children will learn their new words and apply them in a lower stakes dictation.
In addition, pupils are expected to read daily and record this in their planner. TTRockstars is also available for regular practice as pupils work towards their Gold Star Badge. However, there are no 'lessons' set on TTRockstars.
Pupils' login information are in the front pages of their planner. Our first home learning tasks were set on Monday 11th September.
Clubs and Wrap-Around Care
We have a fantastic offer of after-school clubs, Breakfast Club and After-School Care. On Friday, our club offer for the Autumn Term will be sent via ParentMail. Please remember to book your child into Breakfast Club and After-School Care in advance of them attending.
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
Safer Schools App
We would encourage all parents/carers to download the Safer Schools app for free push notifications about online safety and helpful advice. You can download the app using the instructions here.
Safeguarding Hub
This week the Safeguarding Hub are talking about the new online Safety Bill and how it is going to work.
Do you have concerns about a child?
Adults - you can contact the Single Point of Access to request support, or to report a concern about a child or young person. Click here to make a referral. You can also call for advice. Opening hours: From 8am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 5pm on Friday call 020 8547 5008 (Out of hours, phone 020 8770 5000). If you think a child or young person is in immediate danger call 999. Referrals are not limited to safeguarding: the Single Point of Access acts as a signposting service to other services, including mental health. Matt Gates is our Designated Safeguarding Lead.
-What's New? Community Groups-
Click the 'Community Groups' button to see all community notices:
-School reminders-
Pupil Premimum Grants
For the first time, all pupils at SASM are entitled to receive a free school lunch. To enable your child to access this, you must book your child's lunch via ParentPay.com.
If you were previously eligible for means tested free school meals or are in receipt of any of the following benefits...
income support
income-based job seeker's allowance
income-related employment and support allowance
the guarantee element of state pension credit
support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
child tax credit (but not working tax credit) and have an annual income of less than £16,190
working tax credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit
Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
...your child maybe eligible for a Pupil Premium Grant. This will gives your child access to:
This gives your child access to:
A free after school club every half term
A free 'stay and play' session in our Wrap Around Care each week
A free place at Breakfast Club every day
A discount on school residential visits
... and much more!
Please contact the school office if you have any issues with activating an account.
Our school gates close at 8:45am
The school gate on Maple Road opens at 8:30am and closes promptly at 8:45am, when registration begins. If pupils are late to school, they must arrive via the school office and log the reason for being late to school.
Summer uniform
From now until the end of the October half term, pupils may come to school in their summer uniform, which includes a white long/short sleeved school shirt or blouse, white polo shirt or red checked dress.
For further information regarding our school uniform please follow this link to our school website and our school uniform supplier.
Alternatively, is a second hand uniform sale in the office foyer
Jewellery
Children can wear watches to school but the wearing of jewellery and earrings of all types is not permitted on safety grounds. Any child wearing earrings to school will be asked to remove them. If they are unable to remove them they will be required to stay inside during break and lunch times and will not be able to participate in any PE or physical activities.
Hair and shoes!
Please remember that all shoulder length hair needs to be tied back for school, even on mufti days. Having your child’s hair tied back, is one of the most effective ways of keeping the nits and lice at bay. With the hair tied back, it makes it more difficult for the lice to hold on to the hair. Please note that pupils are required to wear black shoes (no trainers, boots or footwear displaying a logo).
Smart Watches
Fitness trackers without smart watch capability are permitted but St Andrew’s and St Mark’s accept no responsibility for the loss or damage of these items. Smart watches , including iWatches- are not permitted due to their messaging capabilities.
Lost Property
Please remember to label your child’s uniform, lunch box and water bottle. All named lost property will be returned to your child by the next school day. Unlabelled property will be kept for one week only in the school office.
Road safety for children
If your child walks to school on their own, it is important they know how to cross roads, including zebra crossings safely. Please click here for more information about Road Safety for children.
Unwell and absent children
If your child is unwell and absent from school please contact the school office before 10am. If you need to leave a message on the answerphone please explain the symptoms of your child’s illness. Siblings of unwell children should attend school.
Diarrhoea and vomiting
PHE recommends that children are kept off school until 48 hours after the last symptoms have passed. Whilst this is not enforced by us it is responsible practice by parents/carers.