Newsletter 7 Autumn Term
18th October 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.
Message from the Headteacher
It has been an action-packed half term! Thank you to all our families for your continued support and engagement. We have been thrilled to offer a wide range of events for parents and carers this half term from open coffee mornings to workshops about social media as well as the upcoming Year 3 morning, tomorrow, where parents and carers will have the opportunity to observe their child's lesson; the high numbers of attendees at these events demonstrate how dedicated our families are in supporting our pupils. Parents and carers also have the chance to meet with their child's class teacher this week. These pastoral appointments are an opportunity to see how your child is settling into their new year group.
This week pupils have focused on wellbeing. It was fantastic to see our Wellbeing MPs lead collective worship on Tuesday and everyone learnt how to have a positive mental attitude and 'bouncebackability'. As our first units of study for the year end, we would like to share the huge range of educational visits which have taken place over the last week - all of which are featured in this newsletter.
On Friday, our first Christian Value Points (CVPs) draw will take place. At the time of writing, 751 CVPs have been given to pupils, with 178 for showing 'trust' and 158 for demonstrating our theme for this half term - 'respect'. Every pupil with 5 CVPs or more will be entered into a draw to win a token, which is used to claim a book from our new book vending machine. I am told the machine will include signed copies of books from our visiting authors! All pupils with 100% lesson attendance this half term will automatically receive 5 CVPs.
As the half term draws to a close, we invite parents and carers to join us for our Harvest Festival Service at St Andrew's Church at 9:15am on Friday and we wish you a restful break.
Get ready for winter uniform!
After the October half term, our uniform switches 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). Polo shirts and summer dresses are not permitted as part of the winter school uniform after half term. More information can be found on the school uniform page of our website.
We have continued to have conversations with families regarding school shoes. 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.
School uniform can be purchased from our second-hand clothes shop in the school office in return for a donation to the PTA. Thank you to the many families who have donated their old uniform to the shop.
Collection for Harvest Festival: Kingston Foodbank
Final call for Kingston Foodbank donations!
As the season changes and we approach our Harvest festival, we are excited to announce that this year, we have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in our local area. We are proud to support Kingston Food Bank again this year by collecting donations. The Kingston Food Bank works tirelessly to provide essential support to individuals and families in our community who are in need. Please click here to see a list of the items that the food back is particularly looking for.
Your generosity can help us make this Harvest festival a time of giving, sharing, and compassion. If you are able participate we are collecting donations in the school office from now until the Harvest Service on Friday 20th October.
Thank you to everyone who has already bought donations to the office so far!
Closing date for Secondary school applications - Tuesday 31st October
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. The closing date to submit applications is 6pm on Tuesday 31st October 2023.
If you are struggling to access the e-admissions form, please contact the school office, who will be able to help you.
Promoting positive wellbeing: SASM Wellbeing MPs
This week is Wellbeing Week! Pupils across SASM have been learning - and putting into practice - the wellbeing strategies they have learned. We hope that these strategies will help our pupils to recognise and manage difficult emotions and cope when they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. The Wellbeing MPs gave a fantastic collective worship to the school on Tuesday where they talked about 'big emotions' and what we can do when they don't go away. If you would like to watch the video that was shown, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz1S66_pYTw
Reem 3M: This week I've learnt that we should be looking after our minds by keeping control of our body and not letting big emotions get out of control. I liked doing the collective worship because I got the opportunity to stand on stage and talk to the whole school about wellbeing.
Kaloyan, 6S - Wellbeing MP. "Wellbeing is about your mind and your mental health and we have been learning about how to help ourselves and others to keep their minds healthy too. If you need help with your wellbeing, ask for help from the Wellbeing MPs, your teachers or your friends at SASM."
Thank you all for your donations for our 'Hello Yellow!' mufti day, we raised £292.11 for the Grace Dear Trust.
Author visit: Jack Meggitt-Phillips
On Monday, SASM were visited by the fantastic author, Jack Meggitt-Phillips. We have been reading extracts from his first book, The Beast and the Bethany, as well as hosting an art competition to design the Beast! Well done to everybody who worked hard on their entry, we had hundreds of submissions. Congratulations to Maelle in Year 5 on the winning design. Our thanks go to Pat and the team at Regency Bookshop for organising the visit and supplying the books at a discount price.
Leo 4G: "It was funny and the books sounded interesting. My favourite part was when we designed our own villain!"
Summer 4G: "I liked how he was so funny and used a lot of expression in his reading. He told us how to make our own monsters which was inspiring for making our own stories."
George 5D: "I liked when the parrot sung a terrible song about the beast because it was awesome! I also liked the evil laugh competition."
Choir visit to Southborough Nursing Home
On Tuesday, pupils in from Years 4, 5, and 6 who attend Musicality Club travelled to Southborough Nursing Home to wake up the residents with their fantastic singing. The children performed confidently and enjoyed conversations with the residents before being treated to some delicious homemade cupcakes!
Race across Ditton Fields!
As you can see, some pupils in Year 5 had a great time today at cross country. They were so dedicated that they made up some of their own warm up drills before the race and had fantastic resilience when running two laps of Ditton Fields! Well done, Year 5!
Year 6 visit to Gunnersbury Park Museum
Last Thursday and Friday, Year 6 had a taste of Victorian life as they visited Gunnersbury Park Museum. They took part in a whole day of drama based learning, where they interviewed for "downstairs" job positions such as being a scullery maid or footman. They were scrubbing the floors and polishing the silverware! They also had a lesson from a Victorian schoolmistress, practicing the 3Rs, reading, writing and 'rithmetic!
Leo 6S - It was extremely exciting seeing what Victorian schooling was like and it's tough to believe that some people had to live like that day in, day out and it was fun to find out about all the different jobs people did below stairs and try out what they had to do!'
Miray 6S - "I liked when they represented how strict they were in the Victorian times, it made me feel scared but it was good to experience how a Victorian child behaved!"
Arthur 6S - "At Gunnersbury Park, the past was made a reality, with life like school experiences to enjoy. You can learn what it would be like to work at the Rothschild's mansion. I also hear that there's a butler's job opening - I might apply, so don't be surprised if you see me serving drinks in the staffroom!"
Year 4 Roman Day
Year 4 ended last week by celebrating Roman Day! We started the day watching a Roman play by Hobgoblin Theatre Company. After this, Year 4 spent the rest of the day taking part in a drama workshop, creating their own Roman gods and making some amazing Roman shields. Everyone's costumes looked fantastic (even the adults) and everyone had a brilliant day.
Free Advice Clinic sessions to help support your child
1:1 Family Support sessions are free to residents of Richmond and Kingston Boroughs. They are bookable online with ADHD Embrace Family Support for parents who want to discuss their children and ideas for specific support in more detail. Please follow this link for further details and to book an Advice Clinic Session.
Emotion Regulation Parent/Carer Workshop at Maple Infants’ School
On Friday 24th November, Abigail Southall (EWP and Systemic Practitioner) will be holding a parent/carer workshop on Emotion Regulation at 9.00am in Maple Infants’ School. Maple has extended the invitation to all SASM parents and carers; if you would like to attend, please click here to complete the Google Form.
-This Week's Notices-
The River Thames Boat Project has recently launched a school holiday programme ‘Venturer Club’ for primary school children. The club offers games, challenges, art and craft activities on board Thames Venturer and makes use of surrounding areas. Venturer Club helps children and parents/guardians enjoy quality-time together; building confidence levels and interpersonal skills whilst having fun.
Timings: Sessions are 2 hours long (10:15 -12:15 and 13:00-15:00)
Half term dates: Tuesday 24th and Thursday 26th October
Price: £20 per child, per session
Location: Thames Venturer, Canbury Gardens, Kingston
Please click here for further details.
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 support
Our home learning webpage includes step-by-step guides to signing into each app as well as answers to frequently-asked questions.
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.
Please click here for the latest edition - Creative Skills & Wellbeing Newsletter.
New for this half term Kingston Adult Education are offering Skills to manage your Stress, Anxiety and Emotions. This is a 7 week course that looks at ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
The next dates for their popular workshops are:-
Help your child to be a good friend - 15th November 2023
Support Your Child Through Exam Stress - 6th December 2023.
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 discussing some worrying reports surrounding AI chatbots in popular apps and find out why TikTok is facing yet more legal battles in the US.
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 Premium 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.