Newsletter 9 Summer Term

21st June 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.

Feedback - Question of the Week

How do you feel about the House system at SASM?  Please click here to let us know!

School Vacancies

Come and join our dynamic team. We are currently advertising for an Administrative Assistant and an After School Club Playleader.  Please share these details, if you know of anyone that might be interested. Thank you.

Keeping safe in the hot weather 

The hospital services are currently very busy due to extreme heat, pollen and pollution levels. If you, or your child, has asthma or other respiratory conditions click here to find out more about how to keep safe. 

Year 3 - Kew Gardens  

To consolidate their learning about Rainforests, Year 3 were captivated and inspired when they visited Kew Gardens last week and took part in a range of activities.   


Luka (3AD) The coach journey to Kew Gardens was fun and I liked the air conditioning. I enjoyed  playing in the children's garden and going on the tree top walk way, even though I was scared of heights.  I also enjoyed having a picnic with my friends.  


Ali K (3D) I loved Kew Gardens because we tasted rainforest food and smells and we went on a 100m bridge when you look down it is like a rainforest. We could also see bananas and coco trees in a glass house which was filled with ginger smells and amazing plants. We had lunch in the sun and shade. We also made it to the children's garden which had water and there were amazing special entrances.


Patricia (3R) My favorite part at Kew Gardens was the tree top walk because you could see all the birds, the squirrels and the layers of the trees.  I would really like to visit it again. 

Year 4 - Brazil Day!  

This half term, Year 4 have been learning all about Brazil in their geography lessons. To celebrate their learning, we will be having our own ‘Brazil Day’ on Monday 17th of July, where the children will be completing a range of activities relating to a Brazilian carnival including learning a capoeira dance! We would like to invite the parents of Year 4 to join in with our carnival finale from 3.00pm until 3.20pm. 

Year 4 - Author talk at the Rose Theatre

Last Tuesday, Year 4 visited the Rose Theatre to meet Sam Copeland and Jenny Pearson, the authors of  The Underpants of Chaos.  It's a very funny story about spy detectives which the children have enjoyed reading in class.  It was fantastic to see the book brought to life in the theatre.  This event was in partnership with the Barnes Children Literature Festival which is being held this weekend and promises to be an amazing experience. 



Ofsted: English research visit

We are delighted to welcome a visitor from Ofsted to our school next Tuesday, who will be conducting some research about our English teaching and learning. This includes speaking with pupils. Research visits such as these are not inspections but contribute to research reviews, which aim to improve practice across the UK. 


Prior to the visit, we have been asked to share the document below with all parents and carers. This explains the purpose of the visit and participant rights.

Pre-visit letter, information sheet for parents

Mufti-day and other activities to raise money for Born Too Soon

Next week on Thursday 29th June, we will be raising money for our chosen charity, Born Too Soon. The SASM Fundraisers committee of the School Parliament have put their heads together and decided it will be a mufti-day in return for a £1 donation. 


Another exciting activity that will be taking place on the same day is Sponge The Teacher! If you'd like the chance to throw wet sponges at your teacher of choice at lunch time, bring along a £1 donation! 


There will also be a Guess the Baby Photo competition which will be available to enter for 50p. It includes a mystery prize for the person who guesses the most baby pictures correctly. 


Please join us in supporting Born Too Soon by donating what you can.

Letter from King Charles III

Compassion is one of our SASM values.  Last December, Isabella (3R) decided to write a letter to King Charles.  She wanted to express her sympathy for the loss of his mother and also to wish him a merry Christmas.  Much to Isabella's  surprise, she recently received a letter from King Charles who greatly appreciated her message.  Thank you Isabella for sharing your very special letter with us all.   




-This Week's Notices- 

Jungle Book and Buzz - Two free family theatre shows in local parks

Come along and enjoy two fun-packed outdoor theatre shows for children aged 4 to 10 - touring across Kingston from Saturday 1st July to Sunday 9th July. Packed with spectacle award winning puppetry. the Smoking Apples Company present the environmentally-themed Buzz - a brilliant adventure featuring a giant honeycomb set. 


Renowned accessible theatre company Jellyfish, will be taking a playful and inventive retelling of the much loved story, Jungle Book, using integrated sign supported English. See website for times and locations.

Clarks Measure and Fit Appointment service 

Skip the queues and book a 15 minute Clarks measure and fit appointment at a designated time to suit you.  

Clarks will also be extending their opening hours throughout August and the first week of September.

 

Places are filling up fast.  To make a booking for July and August please click here. 

                                                        -Repeat notices-

Hong Kong Parents

There are two free online workshops this term for Hong Kong parents funded by the Mayor of London and delivered with Kingston BEATS.


Transition:  Thursday 29th June from 5.00pm until 6.00pm for Hong Kong parents of  Year 4 to 6 pupils.  Sign up using this form and information for your school newsletter.  


SEND:  Wednesday 5th July from 4.00pm until 5.30pm for all Hong Kong parents of pupils with SEND. Sign up here and information for your school newsletter here. 

Experience of post diagnostic services for autistic people and people with ADHD

South West London Integrated Care want to hear from people with ADHD and their carers who live in Kingston and Richmond.  They would like to hear about your experience of the process of being diagnosed with autism or ADHD, and the support you've had as a result.  The Survey will take 5 minutes to complete. 

Albany Outdoors Summer Activities 2023


Albany Outdoors is an accredited outdoor, adventure and water activity centre by the Thames in Kingston. The centre has a lively atmosphere with activities taking place at the centre and off-site locations. Based on the River Thames between Kingston Bridge and Teddington Lock, the centre is well served by road, rail and public transport. There are courses for adults, children and families at all levels and abilities, from school holidays, adult Saturday courses and even Hampton Court evening river trips.  A range of adapted activities and courses are offered for young people and adults with a learning disability or physical disability.


Albany Outdoors' entire team of instructors are young local and energetic and ensures everyone gets involved. With their multi activity courses, there are different activities every day and there is nowhere better to be in the summer than on the river in a boat.


Bring a packed lunch and a change of clothes a hat and plenty of sunscreen for a great day making new friends and learning new skills and facts about the mighty River Thames. 


Albany Outdoors is approved and licenced by the Adventurous Activities Licencing Authority, the RYA and British Canoeing and all staff hold the National Governing Body instructor awards for the activity they are leading.


For all bookings and further information please click here.

Research opportunity for children and parents at Kingston University


The Brain, Resilience, Exercise, and Develop Lab (BREAD Lab) at Kingston University is inviting children and parents to take part in a research project studying how socioeconomic factors are related to thinking, attention, and health in primary school children. 


Children and parents only have to visit the campus once, for 2-2.5 hours. Each participant can earn £25 Amazon vouchers after completing this project. For specific information, please click here.  

 

If you have any questions, please contact: breadlabkingston@gmail.com 

Hong Kong parents: primary to secondary school transition workshop


香港家長：預備升中工作坊 

An online workshop for Hong Kong parents about transition from primary to secondary school is being held on Thursday 29th June from 5.00pm to 6.00pm. This is free, and funded by the Mayor of London. Kingston BEATS are delivering the workshop with Achieving for Children, so that we have Cantonese interpretation. 


Hong Kong parents with children in Years 4 to 6 can follow this link to sign up to join the workshop.

Sign up to Free School Meals – not automatic and more than just a free lunch!

 

Please click here for further information. Please sign up to the Free Schools Meals scheme if you are eligible.

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. 


Tbis week the Safeguarding Hub talk about when Online challenges go viral  and explain to parents/ carers what they need to know and how they can respond.

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-

Break time snacks

As a healthy school, pupils' daily snacks should be full of goodness to keep children full until lunch. Suitable snacks include:


Insect bites and pollen count


As we enter the summer term and warmer weather begins, more of our pupils will be wearing short sleeve shirts and shorts. This coincides with an increase in the bug population. Whilst we always monitor our school site with regular health and safety checks, our playground is outdoors.  Pupils will spend more time outside, both when at school and away from school.  Preventative  measures that can be taken at school and elsewhere is to cover exposed skin by wearing long sleeved shirts and long trousers, as well as reminding children to be careful around flowering plants. Similarly, the pollen count is set to increase, particularly for grass, triggering some allergies. 


Here is some more information from the NHS about insect bites and hayfever: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/  and  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/ 

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, every Friday there is a second hand uniform sale in the office foyer


PE Kit

On PE days children must come to school wearing their PE kit.  Please click here to see PE days for each class.

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.