Newsletter 8 Autumn Term

Fullness Focus: Unicef  Rights Respecting School

This week, we are excited to celebrate our Unicef Rights Respecting School! As a, 'silver award' school, we are committed to fostering respect, equality, and kindness; we are proud to promote the values of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This special focus gives us the opportunity to highlight the importance of ensuring that every child has the right to be heard, feel safe, and be supported in their learning.

Throughout the remainder of this week, we will be engaging in a range of activities that focus on children’s rights, including discussions, creative projects, and a special collective worship in our  commitment to becoming a 'gold award' school. Being a rights Respecting School is an integral part of our vision of providing ‘life in all its fullness,’ rooted in Christian values and our focus on building a nurturing and inclusive community.

The ECO-Refill shop returns tomorrow!  

Don't forget the ECO-Refill shop opens for business again tomorrow morning before and after school - 8:30am until 8:45am and 3:15pm until 3:30pm 

Our stock is limited and we will be re-supplying after half term.

Please remember to bring with you some empty 500ml bottles! 

We look forward to seeing you there.

Thaeshya (4B), Isabella (5L), and Isla (6S), your marketing and sales team

Harvest Festival at St Mark's Church   

It was fantastic to see a completely full church for our Harvest service, led by Reverend Janice. With readings from across the school, along with performances from the choir and a piano recital by Charlotte in Year 6, it became a moving reflection of harvest time. Thank you to Miss Jervis and Miss Jose for putting together the service and to parents and carers for supporting the life of our Church of England school. 

Food Donations

A big thank you for all the generous donations we have received for the Harvest Festival.

If you would still like to contribute, there is time to drop off donations at the office by the end of the school day We are collecting;

Cereals, coffee, UHT milk, pasta sauce, tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned vegetables, shampoo and conditioner   

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.

Uniform - winter uniform after half term.

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.  

We review our uniform policy each year and we'd love to hear your views! 

Click here to share your thoughts about our school uniform

Half Term Break

Tomorrow is the last day of school before half term and we will close at the usual time of 3:20pm.

Please remember that Friday, 25th October is an inset day for staff, so school will be closed to all pupils. 

Children return to school on Monday 4th November. 

Oracy at home

Following a ten-year capaign, music exam boards have announced they will now be including Sikh sacred music, also known as Kirtan, on their syllabus.  It will be examined alongside violin and percussion instruments.  The campaign to get the music recognised was led by Dr Harjinder Lallie, the co-director of Birmingham-based Gurmat Sangeet Academy.  

Things to talk about at home...

• Have you ever learnt to play a musical instrument ? Would you like to?

• What type of music do you like listening to? Ask others at home what they like to listen to. Is it the same as, or different from what you like?

• Can you think of times when you listen to music or make music with others.?

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.

Learn to swim this half term holiday

Children can learn to swim this half term holiday with our wide range of crash courses and workshops available at Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre and Pools on the Park.

Bookings can be made by calling us on 020 37722999 or at the in person at the centre reception.

Please click here for more information.

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. 

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.