Newsletter 11 Autumn Term

Additional Funding for low-income households

The Department of Work and Pensions has made additional funding available for low-income households in Kingston who meet the criteria and are struggling to afford food, fuel, utility bills and other essentials. The expectation is that the fund should be used to support households in the most need; particularly those who may not be eligible for other government cost-of-living support. For more details click here. 

If your household has received help through any of the previous rounds of the Household Support Fund, we may not be able to issue any further funding.

However, we may be able to provide you with information about other support

available so please email: householdsupportfund@kingston.gov.uk

Wreaths For Sale

Beautifully hand crafted circular wreath is the perfect addition to your home this festive period. These wreaths are created by a SASM mum. She will be in the play ground tomorrow, 22nd of November, at pick-up taking orders. Please come and find her, or alternatively let the office know if you are interested and we will pass it on. 

Local Charity Competition 

Every year, SASM chooses three charities to support. There is always a local charity, a national charity and one global.

The global charity which we support every year is called the Bishop’s Lent Call. 

The Advocacy MPs have voted on a national charity to support. They chose Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day because they help children all over the UK and around the world. We will be raising money on 12th December. Everyone can wear a Christmas jumper and bring in £1. 

We also want to make a difference right here, in our own community. So, we are holding a competition to find a local charity to support this year. This competition is open to all children across the school. 

How does your child enter? 

First, decide what local charity your child wants us to support. It could be a charity which is special to your family. Your child needs to film a video of themselves explaining why they would like to raise money for that charity and why they think it is important. They can work on their own or with others. 

Once the video has been filmed, please open the assignment that Miss Woodward has posted on the year group’s Google Classroom and save the video there. Pupils have their own login to access Google Classroom, which can be found in their planner. 

The video must be no longer than 2 minutes and the closing date for entries is Friday 6th December 2024. 

To see 2022's winning entry, please click here  

We need your help - Christmas food donations for Kingston Foodbank

As you know, this half term our Christian value is GENEROSITY on Friday 6th December our Advocacy MPs will be on the playground ready to collect your kind donations. To make sure we collect a range of items, we are allocating each year group, specific items to donate:

• Year 3 - Christmas chocolates, shampoo and UHT milk

• Year 4 - Christmas biscuits, cooking oil, and orange/blackcurrant squash

• Year 5 - Tinned corned bee, tinned ham, tinned custard and ladies' shower gel

• Year 6 - Chutney, pickle, long life puddings, ladies' spray deodorant and coffee

We are very grateful for any donations you are able to provide.

Reminder: Eco-Refill shop returns for November

After two sell-out events in September and October, November's Eco-Refill Shop opening will be on Friday 29th November before and after the school day. 

Come along with a 500ml bottle and some cash to restock on your sustainable hand soap, washing-up liquid and shower gel! The shop is non-profit and run by our own pupil Environment MPs

Christmas Fair at St Mark's Church 

This Saturday, 23rd November (11:00am - 2:00pm) come to the Church Christmas Fair which will be launched by the SASM school choir at 11:00am 

From then on:

Mince pies, face painting, craft stalls, 3D printing stall, hook-a-duck, artisan candles, burgers, book stall, and fabulous auction prizes.

Bidding at the auction starts at 1:00pm. You could win:

• Spend a week in the Languedoc region of France in a house  (sleeps 10)

• A three month family membership at Colets Health & Fitness Club

• A book a month from the Regency Book shop for all of 2025

• Lunch at the Liberal Club with Ed Davey

• A wine tasting experience for 8

• A phone call and book from an ex MI6 agent

• Declutter your life: consultation with a Marie Kondo trained decluttering expert

• Tickets for 4 to the Rose Theatre Christmas production of Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist

• A family sailing taster session on the river at Hampton

• Drink and draw at The Lamb Surbiton

• A haircut at home from a Headmasters trained hair dresser

• A health consultation with a fitness expert trained by Bear Grylls!

• Bockets Farm, Feeka, Hobbledown, English National Opera, Fish and Chips at the Seashore Restaurant, Rose Theatre membership, and lots more...

Look forward to seeing you there!

Ed Davy MP, Christmas Card Competition 2024

It is that time of year again when Ed Davy MP is inviting pupils and students from across Kingston & Surbiton to enter his Christmas Card Competition. 

This year’s theme: Kingston Past, Kingston Future

Closing date: Monday, 25th November 2024 – 12:00pm  

Pupils are free to interpret this theme in any way they wish.

There are four categories (entrant’s age is determined as of 1st September 2024):

• Ages 4-6

• Ages 7-10

• Ages 11-15

• Under-19 SEN

The overall winner will have their design printed on Ed Davey's official 2024 Christmas card and will also be invited to have tea with him. 

There will be prizes for the winners of each category, with certificates for runners up and all highly commended entries.

How to submit: You can either drop if off in the school office by 4:00 p.m. Friday 22nd of November or post it directly to 21 Berrylands Road, Surbiton, KT5 8QX before the closing date.

Oracy at home

A discovery of more that 6,000 ancient Maya structures, including a city of pyramids, has been named Valeriana.  Hidden by jungle canopy in the Mexican state of Campeche, the city was discovered by chance.  A student at Tulane University, in the US, found the city with the help of Lidar, a light detection technology, that uses lasers to map landscapes.

Things to talk about at home...

• Share what your definition of 'discovery' is with someone at home.  Ask what their definition is.

• Can you think of any big discoveries in the world made during your lifetime? Ask others at home whether they can recall any.  Talk about the impact each had. 

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. 

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 8.00am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8.00am to 5.00pm 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.

Activities and Opportunities

Skylarks is an independent charity that are expanding their outreach. We recommend parents and carers of pupils on the SEND register to sign up with the charity to stay up-to-date on a range of fun activities and opportunities. For more details and to register, please click here.

FREE SCHOOL MEALS  

If your child is eligible for free school meals but you prefer to provide them with packed lunches, it's still important to register.  By doing so, the school receives additional funding called Pupil Premium which helps support your child in other ways. 

Once you have registered for free school meals and we have received confirmation that you are eligible, your child will then be able to attend an enrichment club after school free of charge, as well as one session at our after school club.  They will also qualify for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme, this is also known as FUEL (which stands for ‘Feed Ur Everyday Lives’) This programme offers free places at holiday clubs during the Easter, summer and Christmas breaks. 

Children can enjoy 4 sessions during Easter, 16 sessions over the summer and 4 in winter, with lunch provided at the club. There are lots of clubs and activities to choose from across a range of dates, time and locations. Some activities include: cycling; film-making; yoga; technology and coding; skateboarding; art and crafts; cooking; indoor climbing; and lots of sports such as cricket, football, netball and rugby. 

If you think you may be eligible and would like further information please contact the office and ask for Mrs Miller, our School Community Worker. 

Uniform - pupils must now wear their winter uniform

Winter uniform is coming! From after half term, until the start of the summer term, children will be required to wear winter uniform. 

Winter uniform includes:

• Grey pinafore or skirt

• Long or short grey school trousers

• White long/ short sleeved school shirt or blouse

• St. Andrew’s and St Mark’s tie (does not need to be worn with open neck/ revere collar blouses without a top button)

• Red jumper or cardigan

• White or grey socks or tights and black shoes 

Trainers, boots and leggings are not permitted. Should your child come to school not wearing the correct uniform, they may be asked to wear items from our nearly new stock - this is at no cost to parents/carers.

Please remember that pupils need to wear a coat to school.

For further information regarding our school uniform please follow this link to our school website  and our school uniform supplier.  

Please send a water bottle with your child

Its important to ensure that our pupils stay hydrated throughout the day.  Please remember to send your child to school with a  water bottle.  To avoid any mix-ups, kindly label the bottle with your child's name.   Thank you.

No toys in school, please!

We would like to remind parents and carers that pupils are not permitted to bring their own toys or collectables into school. Not only do toys provide a distraction from pupils' learning, there is a potential for personal items to be misplaced. Please be aware that any lost toys, collectible cards or other play items are beyond the responsibility of the school.

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. 

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.