Newsletter 2 - Autumn Term
11th September 2025
Embedded Files
- This Week -
Thought For The Term
From Reverend Robert Stanier
Whether you’re new to SASM or whether you’ve had children here for years, one thing you soon get to notice is the fact that we are a community, and in this piece I just want to highlight some parts of that. For guidance, I’m going to turn to the Rule of St Benedict.
This guide to monastic life was written in about 500AD, and isn’t much read today, but for seven hundred years it was the most read text in all of Europe. Some of its precepts are clearly of their time and place: there are whole chapters on the order for reading through the psalms, for example; but other precepts remain astonishingly relevant for good community life.
Just look at the first few chapter headings: good works, obedience, restraint of speech and humility . There is a real suspicion of the value of speech; too often, Benedict writes, speech just leads to ‘vulgarity and gossip’ rather than community harmony. Benedict is keen on the healing power of silence and a highly structured approach to resolving community conflict. And this was 1500 years before the rise of WhatsApp.
On one level, emphasising humility and the virtue of silence is way out of step with modern life, but I wonder if we are not due a correction in that direction. For example, in the past few years, I have noticed not an increase in the number of times when our headteacher or teachers or administrative staff are contacted by parents, but rather an increase in how aggressive a tone parents use when they talk or write to the headteacher or class teacher or member of the office team. It’s a subtle thing but it can make all the difference in getting to a better outcome; and greater aggression usually leads to antagonism rather than a better result.
Each child, your child, is special and important, but equally each child is just one of 360 special and important children, and it’s unfair (and plain unrealistic) to think that one’s child should get particular attention in a very short time frame. We’re all in a community, and we need to recognise our place.
Of course, there are times when it’s crucial to have that conversation and there are rare occasions when it is essential for that conversation to happen immediately, but these occasions need to be rare. If we all bear that in mind together, the whole school community will benefit.
Exciting Author Visit – Dermot O’Leary at SASM!
Thanks to our friends at Regency Bookshop, we are thrilled to announce that, SASM will be welcoming TV presenter and bestselling children’s author Dermot O’Leary on Wednesday 1st October as our first author visit of this academic year.
All year groups will enjoy an inspiring talk from Dermot about his much-loved books, followed by the chance to ask him questions. Dermot will also be introducing his brand-new adventure in the Toto the Ninja Cat series: Toto the Ninja Cat and the Pirate Treasure Hunt.
To celebrate, Regency Bookshop is offering Dermot’s latest title – along with his other books – at an exclusive SASM-only discount (not available directly through the shop). Please look out for an email with details on how to pre-order.
Important: All pre-orders must be submitted by Thursday 18th September.
We can’t wait for this special day of reading and inspiration!
Year 5 visit Marchants Hill
Year 5 are currently away on their exciting residential at PGL Marchants Hill! So far, the children have been showing incredible teamwork, courage and resilience as they take on challenges such as the high ropes, climbing, and the giant swing. Evenings have been filled with games, laughter and plenty of opportunities to strength relationships as pupils begin their journey in the upper school.
We look forward to sharing more highlights and stories when they return, but already it’s clear they are making wonderful memories and living out our school values in action. You can follow the visit on our Instagram page
Those not going to Marchants Hill have been attending Camp SASM. They have taken part in a full activity week, including pizza baking, science experiments, edible campfire-making and stop motion film creation.
Year 6 Sports Leaders' Inspiration Day
Today, our Year 6 children have been stepping into the role of Sports Leaders by taking part in a special Inspiration Day, designed to prepare them for leading younger pupils in sporting activities. The day was led by coaches from the Merton Sports Leaders programme.
Throughout the day, Year 6:
· Learned the six key principles of sports leadership: Safety, Organisation, Communication, Co-operation, Enjoyment and Responsibility.
· Reflected on their own leadership skills by writing an application letter explaining why they would make a great Sports Leader.
· Worked in groups to plan and deliver PE games, thinking carefully about how to keep them safe, fun, and fair for all.
In the afternoon, our new Sports Leaders put their skills into practice by teaching exciting games to the Year 3 and Year 4 children. This was a fantastic opportunity for them to be role models, build confidence and share the joy of sport with younger pupils.
We are really looking forward to seeing our Year 6 children shine as leaders and mentors!
Congratulations, Mrs Shew!
We're delighted to share that Mrs Shew's new baby, Freya, was born during the summer break. We wish Mrs Shew and her family all the best as they adjust to life with Freya - a new addition to the SASM family!
Home learning
Home learning begins fully from next week (week beginning 15th September). Here is a reminder of the school expectations for home learning:
Home learning begins fully from next week (week beginning 15th September). Here is a reminder of the school expectations for home learning:
Tasks that must be completed each day:
Tasks that must be completed each day:
Spelling Shed - spelling words will be assigned on a Monday in preparation for a dictation task on Friday. We encourage children to practise these words every day for 10 minutes.
Recording reading in the planner - Children are expected to read their colour-banded book at home every day. They must then record this in their planner. Your child should write in their planner themselves and should include: the name of the book, pages read and a short comment about what they have read. Children must write in the box for the day the planner will be marked in school e.g. if they read on Monday night, they should write in Tuesday's box as this is when it will be marked. All children are expected to complete 5 entries in their planner over the week.
Tasks that must be completed each week:
Tasks that must be completed each week:
DoodleMaths - Doodle builds confidence and ability in maths by creating every child a personalised work programme tailored to their strengths and weaknesses. Using Doodle regularly has been proven to help children make three months of progress in just one month! Pupils need to complete 45 minutes of DoodleMaths per week - this could be completed in one sitting or using a 'little and often' approach.
DoodleTables- Unlike other times tables apps, Doodle builds in practice of using inverse operations as well as applying multiplication and division facts in context; this is known as multiplicative reasoning and is essential for pupils to succeed in understanding number. Pupils need to complete 25 minutes of DoodleTables per week - this could be completed in one sitting or using a 'little and often' approach.
Families can see their child's progress in Doodle:
Families can see their child's progress in Doodle:
Link your email address to your child’s account by logging in by tapping on the menu arrow in the top left-hand corner and selecting Settings and then selecting Parent details. You’ll then be able to view your child’s progress by visiting parents.doodlelearning.com or downloading the free DoodleConnect app on Apple and Android devices.
Doodle are running free webinars to help parents get started with the programme. You can access them here: doodlelearning.com/live-webinars-for-parents/
If you have any questions about Doodle, please visit help.doodlelearning.com or click on the green chat icon on the website, Parent Dashboard, or DoodleConnect app to find articles and how-to videos on everything you need to know, or to chat with the helpful Parent Support Team.
More optional learning to support pupils at home:
More optional learning to support pupils at home:
Maths: Key-instant-recall-facts (KIRFs). These key facts support pupils' learning in class and helps them grasp the curriculum much faster. All of the KIRFs for the year can be found on our maths page
'Helping children with....' Webinars for parents 2025-2026
Achieving for Children’s Mental Health Support Teams are delivering a series of webinars for parents of primary-aged children. The ‘Helping Children with …’ series of webinars 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. We have included a list of webinars on offer over the coming months. Click here to book your place
Copy of 2025_26 - Helping children series flier.docxSmartphones
Pupils are not be permitted to bring a phone to school unless families have attended Smartphone Awareness Training. If your child brings in a smartphone, we will ask for it to be collected from the office by an adult.
The aim of the training is to explain the school's approach, some emerging concerns about smartphone use for young people and provide key tips about how to keep your child safe online. The training video will run in the Science Lab at key school events and your next opportunity to view this will be at the Parent Consultation Evenings in October, where the training will be on shown on a loop in the Lab. The flowchart below explains the process:
SASM has been working with parent representatives from the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement. You may wish to sign the SASM Parent/Carer Smartphone Pledge , where 128 families have pledged to not give their children a smartphone until at least they are in Year 9.
- Back-To-School Notices -
Clubs
After-school clubs begin from week beginning 15th September. Whilst many of our clubs are now sold-out, there are some spaces remaining. Look out for an email with information about which spaces are still available.
Smart black shoes or black trainers only, please!
Our school uniform includes smart black shoes or black trainers. We do not permit boots or football boots and shoes should not display a logo.
Black trainers need to have black soles. We may supply your child with alternative footwear if required.
Bikes and Scooters - To be stored behind the MUGA
The property next to the school - 98 Maple Road- is currently being converted into residential flats. We are working with the building company closely to ensure disruption to school life is minimal. However, for a number of weeks in September we will be without a bike/scooter shetler. During this time, bikes and schools can be stored behind our MUGA area. As ever, items are left at the owner's risk.
PE days
We're really excited to be working with specialist PE coaches from Moving Matters, who will be delivering PE lessons to many of our pupils next year as well as supporting lunchtime games and clubs. Pupils should come to school in their PE kit on PE days. Next year, some classes will have a PE afternoon, with 2 PE lessons. The PE days for each class are:
3B - Thursday (indoor and outdoor)
3H - Wednesday (indoor), Friday (outdoor)
3N - Tuesday (indoor and outdoor)
4M - Wednesday (indoor), Thursday (outdoor)
4R - Tuesday (indoor and outdoor)
4S - Monday (indoor and outdoor)
5J- Thursday (outdoor), Friday (indoor)
5L - Wednesday (outdoor), Friday (indoor)
5S - Monday (indoor and outdoor)
6G - Wednesday (indoor and outdoor)
6M - Thursday (indoor and outdoor)
6MC - Tuesday (outdoor), Friday (indoor)
-School Reminders-
Healthy School Snacks
For our break time snack, we ensure pupils only have fresh fruit or a savoury snack which is full of goodness and will keep pupils full until lunch!
Whilst our team makes every effort to check and speak to pupils about snacks, our healthy approach places trust in parents and carers working with us to ensure this takes place.
Examples of permitted snacks include:
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Plain rice cakes
Plain breadsticks
Pure fruit, such as 'Yo-Yo Bears'
Plain crackers
Ryvita crackers
Bagels
Cream cheese
Marmite
Hummus
Babybels/Cheese triangles
Examples of snacks not permitted are:
Cereal bars
Cakes, biscuits or sweets
'Lunchbox' chocolate bars
Crisips
'Belvita' biscuits or 'Go Ahead' Bars
PE Kit
School PE kit to be worn only on PE days.
Red PE sweatshirt with the school logo
OR
Plain red PE sweatshirt with NO visible branding.
White t-shirt with the school logo
OR
Plain White t-shirt with NO visible branding.
Red Shorts
Plain black jogging/tracksuit bottoms with NO visible branding.
White or Grey Socks
Black Trainers. NO football studded shoes.
Pupil Premium Grants
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.
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.
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.
Parking outside SASM
If you are driving to drop your children off or pick them up from school, please park considerately on the surrounding roads. Please don't park over driveways or over the zig zag lines. This helps keep everyone safe.
Whilst the school is not responsible for enforcing street parking, we have advised our local community to report all instances of poor parking or behaviour to the police.
Uniform donations warmly welcomed!
If your child has outgrown their school uniform over the summer break (including shoes, plimsolls or trainers) and they are still in good condition, please consider donating them to our uniform shop. You can drop off any unwanted school uniform or shoes at the office.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
No toys in school please!
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.
No jewellery in school please!
No jewellery in school please!
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.
No smart watches in school please!
No smart watches in school please!
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.
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