Newsletter 4 Summer Term

Parent/carer query forms - a trial approach

Our team are incredible and deal with a wide range of enquiries each day. Whilst our office team can answer some questions, it is sometimes appropriate to pass on other queries to teachers or the leadership team. 

To help the office team forward communications to the right member of staff, you may be asked to complete a short form, which asks you to explain the nature of your query and the outcome you would like from any further communication. 

The aim is to make communication, calls and meetings as effective as possible for our school community and we are trialling this form for the remainder of the summer term.

School on the River 

Last week, year 5 went on a geography field trip to Teddington. Aboard the Thames Venturer, pupils tested the temperature and pH of the river and the permeability of different rocks and soils found nearby. They were even lucky enough to have a demonstration of the lock in action from the lock keeper. 

Diwali Dance Workshop

In Year 3, pupils are learning about Hinduism this half term. Last week, the year group had a delightful opportunity to immerse themselves in a Diwali dance workshop. Here are some reflections from Year 3:

Marnie (3M) - I liked how we learnt more about Hinduism through dancing. My favourite dance move was the deer one. 

Daya (3M) - I liked all of the dance moves that we did, but my favourite dance move was the fireworks one. 

Georgia (3M) - I really liked how we got to stand up tall and shout Diwali when we were dancing. My favourite dance move was the bow and arrow. 

Year 3 maths trail

Today, Year 3 took advantage of the beautiful weather to take learning outdoors during their maths lesson. Pupils had to find and answer questions relating to time. 

Pupils could be seen working out puzzles such as 'How many days are there in 3 weeks?' and, 'My brother said he would give me a chocolate bar on the 31st of each month.  How many chocolate bars will I get in a year?'

Mental Health Support Team – Online Workshops

Achieving for Children’s Mental Health Support Teams are delivering a series of webinars for parents of primary aged children. The ‘Helping Children with …’ 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. 

Please follow this link to see a list of webinars on offer over the coming months. In the third and fourth columns of the table you will find the sign up links.

Reminder:  Class Collective Worship!

Parents and carers of children in 3R are invited to attend Class Collective Worship this week on Friday 10th May (9.00am - 9.15am).  You can join us in the school playground from 8.30am and you will be invited into the school hall for a 9.00am start. 

Please note:  We do not permit any photos and videos to be taken.

Oracy in action at home! 

Talking About Talk 

Each week, we have presented different activities to promote a variety of conversations around the home. This week, we are going to explore what makes a good conversation.

To what extent do you agree with the following statements? 

• You are naturally good at talking, or not, and nothing can be done about it.

• Writing is more important than talking.

• You can never tell what anyone else thinks.

• Learning to talk and work with other people is important.

• If you help people solve problems in class, it’s cheating.

Discuss your ideas and see if you can come to a shared opinion about each point.

Team EB - raising funds to find a cure

To find out more about EB and why it is such an horrendous condition to live with, or to donate to the cause, please visit Team EB - raising funds to find a cure! 

CAMHS Autism and ADHD screening/assessment process: information for parents and carers 

Videos have been developed by Kingston and Richmond CAMHS Single Point of Access (SPA) and Your Healthcare. 

The aim is to increase parent/carer understanding and confidence around the local pathway to seeking a diagnostic assessment for Autism and/or ADHD within CAMHS. 

These information videos are aimed at parents and carers of young people who are registered with GPs in Kingston and Richmond.

You can view the all the videos and associated content on the Kingston and Richmond SEND Local Offer

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.

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.

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. 

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.