Newsletter 6 Spring Term

21st February 2024

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.

Vacancies

We are have an exciting opportunity for a School Business Manager to join our team.  Please click here for further details (closing date for applications: Monday 26th February 2024 at 8.00am). 

We are currently seeking a Special Educational Needs Teaching Assistant including lunchtime supervision to start in June 2024. If you are interested in learning more about this position and joining our incredible staff team click here (closing date for applications: Monday 13th May 2024 at 8.00am)

Parent Consultations -  Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th March 2024

School will close early at 2.20pm on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th March 2024 to facilitate our parent consultations from 3.00pm - 6.00pm which will be face to face, giving parents and carers the opportunity to meet their child’s class teacher in person, as well as look at their child’s books.

You will be able to book a 10 minute appointment with your child’s class teacher. An additional 10 minute slot will also be available for children who are on the SEN register.

Bookings will open via https://sasm.schoolcloud.co.uk/ at 07.45am on Friday 23rd February 2024.

Please note:  There are no enrichment activity clubs running w/c 25th March but wrap around care/after school club will be open until 6.00pm on Monday 25th, Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th March.

Headteacher for a Day!   

Following outstanding speeches and statements at our hustings event from Saaz, James, Seita, Izzy, Lyla and Ava, our school community visited the Polling Station to cast their votes. It was an extremely close-run race and Mr Medway announced to the school that Ava (6PM) was duly elected to be our Headteacher for a Day 2024! In her speech, Ava took care to show the Christian value of thankfulness as she praised the other candidates.

Ava's one-day term of office will be on Tuesday 27th February 2024 and she has decided that this will be a non-uniform day for all pupils. Ava has a busy schedule ahead and her account of the day will be included in our next newsletter. Congratulations, Ava!

Mini Market

Despite the rain, our pupils ran an incredible Mini Market on the final day of half term. Thank you to the huge numbers of parents, carers and friends who came to support the event. From football and cream-pie shootouts to Super Mario mazes and creative face painting; the inventiveness and entrepreneurial spirit of the pupils shone through. 

Our Christian value of service ran through the event. The pupils raised a huge £1,650 which will be sent to the Bishop's Lent Call and will support a wide range of local and international charitable efforts. You can find out more able the Lent Call here: https://southwark.anglican.org/news-events/events/lent-call/ 

Years 3 and 4: New Age Kurling 

Today, a group of Year 3 and 4 pupils attended a 'New Age Kurling' competition. What is 'New Age Kurling'? It is just like curling on ice but with wheels in a hall!

The pupils were amazing, especially considering that this sport was entirely new to them. After a draw in their first game they went on to win all their subsequent matches. The pupils were presented with a trophy, medals and certificates.   Their achievement has filled them with excitement as they prepare to represent Kingston in the upcoming final round. Congratulations to all involved and good luck in the finals!   

Christian Value Points update 

It was fantastic to award 191 pupils with 5 'perseverance' CVPs for having 100% attendance in the last half term. 304 pupils have now reached a 'CVP milestone' this year (achieving 5, 10 or 30 CVPs). To date, 106 letters home have also been sent to congratulate pupils on reaching 15 CVPs. 

This half term, the Christian values we will be focusing on in worship are 'justice and peace' - we look forward to exploring these values in more detail and rewarding pupils for putting these into practice.

Uniform reminder

Our winter uniform is still in place until the end of the Spring Term. This includes non-branded black shoes (no boots, trainers or football boots). 

When a pupil does come to school without the correct uniform, we may lend them some items of our pre-loved uniform stock and you may find a reminder placed in your child's planner about this. More information about our uniform, including a visual guide, can be found on our uniform webpage.

Year 5: SASM FM

As part of Oracy Week, each Year 5 class put together their own podcasts. Presented by pupils in a magazine format, each class explored what they had learned during the course of the year so far. It was brilliant to hear their passion for learning and engaging style!

Year 4: Poetry Slam 


Well done to all our finalists who took part in the Poetry Slam Final, held at Surbiton Girls’ Prep. Congratulations to Evie and Luka (4H), who came second in the competition and were the highest performing pupils from a state school.

 

The children all created fantastic poems – have a look below!

By Lottie (4G)

As a baby

I cry like a wearwolf

Crawl like a mouse

All because

I was alone


Turning into two

Only my parents for company

Just my cousins for play

Please let me have someone soon.


At three, 

I see a strange change

Mummy has a mystery

In her little tummy

The bump got bigger and bigger


Then at four

A miracle happens

On a roasting, toasting June afternoon

My brother is born

And I was never alone again. 


This boy changed my life

He's as loving as a rabbit

He's as brave as a lion

He became my best friend


Sometimes we squabble

Soon we have a hug

There's never a dull moment

And I love him

To Pluto and back.

By Edie & Abby (4B)

It's the new year

It's bright and filled with cheer

No one works so instead there's fireworks.

There's red, yellow, orange and green

You'll definitely flash a happy beam. 


In the seasons of spring, new lives begin

Jesus forgives all the sin

New chicks hatch, cute as ever

Every year they set the weather. 


As we play in summer's blaze, 

We gaze all day in a daze.


As the leaves crunch beneath my feet

I walk on the crowded streets

In the season of autumn, 

The leaves have fallen.


As the tinsel shines, we get ready to dine

Under the mistletoe, a promise to kiss that you will not miss.

Soon it will be the new year

And it will be bright and filled with cheer.


Change

By Luka and Evie (4H)

Change in the seasons, Change in the months,

Change in beavers, Change in lunch.

Change twice, Change once,

Change homes, change schools, 

Change age, Change toys, 

Change in girls, Change in boys.


Change can be good, 

If you wear the right hood,

Change can be scary, 

But there's no need to be wary. 

Kitchen update - thank you

A huge thank you to all of our parents and carers for your support with lunches this week. Whilst we were without main ovens in the school kitchen for 2 days, we were able to work together to ensure everyone was able to have lunch. We're pleased to say that the ovens are now fully operational again. 

Safeguarding at SASM - we would like to hear your voice!


Emma Clarke, an Education Advisor from Achieving for Children, recently visited our school to lead a safeguarding review. We commissioned this review as part of our standard best practice. As part of the review, we are seeking the views of parents and carers about safeguarding in our school. 


Please click on the survey response link here to add your voice to the review.  We would love to hear from as many of you as possible - 


More information about how we keep pupils safe and safeguarding at SASM can be found on the website.

https://www.sasm.kingston.sch.uk/keeping-children-safe/how-we-keep-pupils-safe 

https://www.sasm.kingston.sch.uk/keeping-children-safe 


What is SEND and how are SEND pupils supported at SASM?

Sarah Crowther and Emily Woodward will be running an informal coffee/workshop for all parents/carers on Friday 23rd February 8.45am - 10.00am where they will present;

There will also be the chance for a discussion and Q&A.  

Please complete this form if you would like to attend. 

Please note, on this occasion it will not be possible to join this meeting via Google Meet.

Beyond Fussy Eating


Beyond Fussy Eating is a new online programme for families of children who have feeding difficulties.  Please follow this link for further information. 

-This Week's Notices- 

Surbiton Literary Festival 

Meet Laura Ellen Anderson - creator of Marnie Midnight

Date:  Saturday 24th February 2024

Time:  2.30pm - 4.30pm 

To book tickets:  Please click here

                                                        -Repeat notices-

Family Concert at the Rose Theatre on Sunday 24th March


Oompah Brass entertain their audiences with high-octane renditions of well-known rock and pop favourites, as well as introducing the intricacies of each instrument to the children, each member of the group showing off their instrument and its characteristics. The perfect way to start the day! 

 

Oompah Brass are one of the busiest brass quintets in the UK, performing over 100 shows a year, in everything from school classes to Oktoberfest audiences of over 6000 people. They are the original exponents of 'Oompop', the clever re-working of rock and pop classics onto brass instruments and continue to lead the way. Oompah Brass are very keen and active educators, and run many school workshops every year, introducing the next generation to the joys of making music on brass.

 

Tickets are going fast, so book now at the Rose Theatre website: https://rosetheatre.org/whats-on/211//oompah-brass-spectacular-a-kms-family-concert

Adults £10, Concessions £6.

Message for parents - Kingston Children and Young People's Plan 

Kingston Council is developing a new Children and Young People's Plan. It's being co-produced with children and young people, and will set out priorities for Kingston children and young people from 2024-2027. Its aim is to focus on the needs of all children and young people aged up to 19 years old (up to 25 for anyone with SEND or who have been in care) who live, study or work in Kingston. Kingston Council would like children, young people and parents of very young children to tell them what's important to include in the plan. There is a short survey so you can have your say, and a chance to win a £10 Love2Shop gift card by completing the survey today!  The link to the survey is here.

Kooth: mental health support for young people for children aged 10+


Kooth is an online mental wellbeing community with helpful articles, discussion boards and a friendly team to talk to. The service is for children and young people aged 10-21 years and is recommended by our local authority mental health support team and school nurses.


Children can sign up for Kooth online and it is an anonymous service. Our year 6 pupils are made aware of this service in year 6 as part of their PSHE lessons and it can provide some useful wellbeing support for children outside of school.


Wraparound Childcare Programme - parent/carer survey


What is the Wraparound Childcare Programme?

Wraparound care is before and after school childcare for primary school aged children. The Wraparound Childcare Programme aims to increase the availability of wraparound childcare places, so that all families can access childcare between 8.00am - 6.00pm and therefore allow parents to continue, or enter employment. 


Achieving for Children is looking for parents and carers to share their requirements, in relation to wraparound childcare, to support our planning for September 2024. You can access the survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKlFKzL6vBJzS1T_IAb9FUfc4RagzEmZUKVoHaNB_dJ9kMig/viewform 


Making a difference within our community

Surbiton Community Fridge is joining forces with Surbiton High School to donate products on the first Thursday of each month from 3.30pm until 5.00pm at the Community Fridge, 115 Brighton Road, Surbiton. 

Families receiving free school meals are invited to attend.  To receive products you will be kindly asked to complete a brief registration form.  Please click here for further details. 

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.

Autism and Sleep

For an information booklet about autism and sleep, please click here.   

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 experts have issued a Safeguarding Update regarding a trending film on Amazon Prime which has attracted significant attention due to its extremely explicit content.

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...  


...your child maybe eligible for a Pupil Premium Grant. This will gives your child access to: 


This gives your child access to:



... and much more!


In order to make this possible, our school receives funding for every pupil signed up. If you think you might be eligible please sign up as soon as possible here.


Please contact the school office if you have any issues with activating an account.   

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.


We have received reports from local residents of dangerous parking and verbal unkindness from some parents and carers. Please help us to be a positive part of our local community. 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.


Attendance reminder: being late to school

Punctuality is an important life skill that is required in order to achieve and to succeed. Children must be in school by 8.45am each day. Children who arrive after that time but before the end of registration must come into the building via the main office, where they will be coded as late (this appears as an 'L code' on the register). Children will be marked late if they arrive at school after the gates have closed but before 8:55am, when the registers have been taken. 

If a pupil arrives after 8:55am, the register is closed and attendance after this time is considered to be an unauthorised absence and is recorded as a 'U code', which shows as a 'X' on the SIMS Parent App.

The school gates will be shut by 8.45am. Persistent lateness will be monitored by the school and may be reported to the E.W.O. (Education Welfare Officer) after the school’s initial interventions.

Bringing valuable items to school

Expensive 'Air Up' bottles are becoming regular features in some classrooms. Should such items be bought to school and become lost or broken, the school will not be responsible for this. 

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. 

 

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.