Newsletter 1 Summer Term

Can you spare 5 minutes to complete our parent/carer survey?

Our annual parent and carer survey, the 'Big Ask' in the final week before the Easter break. The Big Ask is your opportunity to give us feedback and only takes 5 minutes to complete; our Senior Leadership Team reads every response and your views help us to shape the next academic year. So far we have had 56 responses but we hope for many more!

A summary of last year's survey results can be found here

Our survey closes at 5.00 pm on Friday 26th April and we would like as many voices from parents and carers as possible. Thank you for giving us your feedback and helping to make our school even better!

Click here to take the survey and have your voice heard

A message from Father Robert

My own child is getting to the stage where he walks to and from school on his own. That marks the end of a long shift of parenting; as a father of three, I’ve been walking one or other of my children to school since 2012.  So it’s got me thinking.

The perspective of being a parent at SASM depends on whether your child is an oldest child or a youngest child or somewhere in between. If they are the oldest, then one is continually amazed at their development; all the things they can do now which were light years away just a short time ago: their gymnastic feats, the books they start to tackle, the conversations you have with them.

If they are the youngest, you’ve seen some of these developments before so they aren’t quite so amazing, and you are aware of the foreshadowing of what lies ahead: increasing independence from you and the development of their own interests that don’t reflect yours. There’s perhaps a more intense awareness that you should really enjoy where they are at now, because there is something wonderful about junior age children that doesn’t stay forever. It’s not that teenagers are inherently difficult; it’s just that their sensibilities shift, their centre of gravity moves away from you as their parent and hence your relationship changes.

So for now, rejoice in the conversations you have with your children, because they don’t yet have a phone to distract them. Rejoice in the relative lack of self-consciousness, where their clothing and hair style choices are not driven by the intensity of secondary school peer pressure. Rejoice in the ongoing discovery of new things: the first time in a theatre, the first time on a plane, the first time at the beach, or whatever it may be. Rejoice in their sheer enthusiasm for whatever it is they are doing, right here, right now.

And then try to remind yourself to see things through their eyes. Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” We don’t actually know the age of the child he was talking about, but I do know there’s a gifted perspective through seeing with the eyes of children aged 7 to 11 years old. 

Amid the hurly-burly of tasks to do, uniform to find, clubs to pick them up from, remember to enjoy your actual relationship with them and what they teach you.

Congratulations, Mrs. Hamilton!

We're delighted to announce the marriage of Miss Robnett. Whilst Miss Robnett will now be known as Mrs Hamilton, the class name of 3R will remain the same. We wish Mr and Mrs Hamilton a joyful and prosperous new life together. 

New Age Kurling - SASM represents Kingston

Following the team's success in the Kingston finals, our team went on represent the borough in the London finals on Thursday 21st March and Redbridge Sports Centre. Of all London boroughs, our team was placed fourth - an incredible achievement! Well done, everyone.

Viking projects

During the last half term, pupils in Year 5 produced some outstanding Viking projects at home after being inspired in their history learning. The quality of the projects produced was exceptional and Mr Gates met with the winning project from each class. 

Check out these fantastic pieces of work from Imogen (5D), Jess (5J) , Jackson (5GJ), Zachary (5GJ), Lyla (5J) and Eva (5D):

Time for summer uniform

As the summer term begins, pupils may now wear summer uniform. This includes a polo shirt, summer dress and shorts for PE (as shown in the picture) and should continue to be worn until the end of the October half term.

Please also ensure your child wears smart black shoes on non-PE days. If your child is not in school with the correct uniform they may be giving alternatives from our newly-new stock. 

What will our Student Teachers be teaching this week?

4G - Miss Gardiner

Hello, Miss Gardiner here! This week in 4G I am scheduled to teach English, spelling, computing, geography, outdoor PE, Science Lab and knowledge, alongside Miss G. Additionally, I'll facilitate group work during math lessons and aim to be a supportive presence for Year 4. I’m especially excited to be teaching geography as volcanoes are one of my favourite topics in the National Curriculum! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to approach me at the end of the school day - I'm happy to help. 

4B - Mr Matthews

Hello, I am Mr Matthews and I am teaching in 4B along with Mr Burley for the upcoming term. This week my lessons will cover - English, science, PE, computing and spelling.  I'll also assist and co-teach wherever needed. I am particularly looking forward to teaching PE this week, as sports day is one of my favourite events of the year. 

Team EB - raising funds to find a cure

Last minute preparations are underway for two SASM mums who will be cycling 200 miles this week from Paris to London to raise awareness and funds for Cure EB - the charity that funds research into Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), the genetic skin condition that former SASM pupil Poppy has. 

Kate (Poppy and George's mum) and Suzy (Chloe, Arthur, and James' mum) are cycling novices who have been inspired to borrow bikes, invest in padded shorts, and take on this challenge to raise funds to support the vital research needed to find a cure for EB. 

Many of you know Kate, Pete, Poppy and George Gee and will have some idea of the enormous daily challenges they face as a family. EB is a devastating and painful condition that makes Poppy's skin very fragile. The slightest knock or bump can cause irreparable damage. You can read more about Poppy's daily routine on the Cure EB website -  Poppy - Cure EB.

The link for our fundraising page is here: Team EB - raising funds to find a cure!

Please help us spread awareness of EB and donate if you can - we'd be so grateful for the support.

Parenting Course for 4-11 year olds 

The ADHD Embrace Team are running a new 6 week parenting course (8th May - 19th June); Maximising Cooperation, Self Reliance and Self Esteem.  Please click here for further details and to book a place. 

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. 

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.

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.