Newsletter 5 Summer Term

15th May 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.

Next week is Sports Week!


As we mentioned in our newsletter on 1st May, next week is Sports Week at SASM. Pupils should attend in their PE kit all of next week. There are a wide range of exciting opportunities for pupils to get active, as well as two events that parents and carers may attend. The dates for your diary are: 

 

Monday 20th May - Playground Personal Bests at SASM 

During this event, parents and carers are invited to SASM to watch their child(ren) as they complete a circuit of sporting activities in the playground. Pupils across the school have been practising each activity during this half term in their PE lessons and are aiming to beat their own 'personal best'. 

Parents and carers are permitted under the covered walkway in the playground (separate from the pupils) and no photos or videos are allowed at this event. 

 

Tuesday 21st May - Sports Day in Victoria Park  

 

Pupils will be competing as a class against the other classes in their year group. There are a range of races, from relays to sack races! 

 

As this is a public space, we are unable to prevent photos and videos being taken at this event but please be mindful to include only photos of your child and do not share photos of others on social media platforms. 

 

In order for us to safeguard children, parents and carers are not permitted to interact with their child(ren) or any pupils during this event. Pupils sit in-between 2 race tracks and parents and carers are invited to attend and view the races on the outside of each track. 

 

This event is weather-dependent and a final decision will be made on the day as to whether the event will go ahead: we will communicate as soon as possible via ParentMail should this event need to be cancelled. 

Archbishop's Leader Award

Last Friday, Year 5 went on a community walk for the Archbishop’s Leader Award around Surbiton to spot how they can improve the community.  Year 5 were very engaged and enjoyed thinking of the different ways to improve our local community which they included in their project. 

SATs week


This week, Year 6 have been completing their SATs assessments. These national assessments help measure the attainment of pupils in relation to the standards set out in the national curriculum, and help teachers and parents identify where pupils may need additional support in a certain subject area. 


Whilst the SATs only test a small fraction of what pupils learn at SASM, we couldn't be prouder of Year 6 as they showcase everything they have learned in English and maths. 

World Laughter Day

On Tuesday, SASM celebrated World Laughter Day with a worship led by our Faith MPs. We explored how laughter evolved, why it is a superpower as well as learning that being able to laugh boosts our wellbeing. 


Adults and pupils also shared some of their favourite jokes and things that made them laugh! These included:



Author visit - Sam Copeland


We were delighted to welcome bestselling author Sam Copeland to SASM last week. As well as listening to Sam speak, pupils were able to take part in a book signing at break time.

Year 5 computing - Micro:bit coding 


Building on their coding work in computing and study of circuits in science in Year 4, Year 5 created their own reaction time games this week. 


Powered by the BBC Micro:Bit device, pupils used block coding to create a game before using crocodile leads, tin foil and cardboard to make the inputs. The result was an addictive 2 player game!

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, which includes our astrotruf - 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/ 


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 3C are invited to attend Class Collective Worship this week on Friday 17th 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 during Class Collective Worship.

Oracy in action at home! 


I just can't say no!


This week we're inviting you to play a game deigned to help extend your children's answers. Ask them a question which could typically be answered with just a "yes" or "no". However, the only words they can't use to respond are "yes" and "no"!


When somebody slips up and uses either yes or no in their answer then swap over, the interviewer becomes the interviewee. 


This game is great for car, train or bus journeys. 

Big Question of the Week! 

At SASM we thrive ourselves on learning about various religions, cultures and beliefs. One way in which we are able to do this is through the use of Picture News. Picture News is an online platform that SASM use to share child-friendly information about things happening around the world. Each Friday, our Faith MPs carry out an amazing job of teaching their peers about a global event that took place during the week. By including this segment in the newsletter, we hope that adults at home will join us too in learning about more exciting things unfolding worldwide! In the poster below, you will find information about our weekly news lesson and have the opportunity to discuss with friends and family our Big Question of the week. We hope that you will find it enjoyable!  

What will our Student Teachers be teaching this week? 


Miss Gardiner (4G) and Mr Matthews (4B)


As we are both busy helping with SATs this week, we thought it would be fun to hear about your favourite books!  When presenting your book review, we would like to know:



You may want to use the template click here to download or you can create your own template.

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! 

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- 

                                                        -Repeat notices-

Wrap Around Care

To pre-book places in wrap around care for the Breakfast Club and After School Club for April to July 2024 please follow this link to our website. 

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. 

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

Achieving for Children is now registered to offer National Autistic Society (NAS) Teen Life programme

Teen Life, an NAS (National Autistic Society) programme for parents and carers of children aged 10 to 16 years with a diagnosis of autism. The programme will run for 8 consecutive weeks and sessions are 2.5 hours. 

Session topics are:

Please be aware that NAS guidelines state that AfC are able to have a maximum number of 8 parent groups attending this course.

There is a waiting list in place for this group and places will be offered as per the waiting list. 

Parents can register their interest in the new programme by contacting Karen Williams on Email  karen.williams@achievingforchildren.org.uk

Activity Fund applications are open 

The purpose of the Activity Fund is to help provide children and young people with disabilities with a Short Break. 

Most applications are made by the parent/carer. A professional such as a Social Worker, Family Support Worker or school SENCO can also apply on behalf of a parent/carer.

The amount of funding available per child, per year (1 April to the 31 March) is £140. Only one application can be made per year.

Read more about Activity Fund and how it can be used 

Find out about activities especially for children and young people with SEND

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.


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.

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. 


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.

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. 

 

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.