Newsletter 13 Autumn Term
4th December 2024
Embedded Files
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.
Welcome to advent!
As we enter the season of Advent, we warmly welcome our families to this special time of anticipation and reflection. Advent is a time of hope, peace, joy, and love, as we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas. At SASM, there are a number of parent and carers events to look forward to, including:
Tune into Christmas: a musical celebration of learning - All the children in years 3, 4 and 5 will be performing in our Christmas Concerts, showcasing the instruments they have been learning to play this term by playing and singing Christmas hits from across the years. The choir will also be singing. There will be performances at 09.30am and 2pm on 17.12.24 and 18.12.24. The duration of each performance will be approximately 45minutes and will finish before the end of the normal school day. Ticket bookings will close at 6pm on Friday 6th December. After this we will offer any remaining tickets to families who have requested additional tickets. You can reserve seats by completing the appropriate sections of this form.
SASMRocksXmas 24 - Join us from 3:30-4:30pm on Thursday 19th December for a concert by SASM rock bands, who have been learning through Rock Squad. Snacks, drinks and the all important Christmas raffle draw will be part of the afternoon.
Christmas service - this includes all year groups and takes place at St Andrew's Church, Maple Road from 9:15-10:15am on Friday 20th December. Join this special Christmas service as we explore the nativity and reflect on the birth of Christ.
Please can the children bring in a Christmas jumper/festive accessories to wear during the performances. These should be brought to school in a named bag by Friday 13th December and will then remain in school until 18th December.
SASMSantaDash24 will take place on Friday 6th December. All children should come to school wearing their SASM PE Kit and trainers, ready for a morning of Christmas themed sporting activities including a whole school SantaDash. The children are welcome to wear Christmas accessories (Santa hats, tinsel, headbands etc.) with their PE kit to add to the fun.
Our Advocacy MPs
We need your help this Friday - Christmas food donations for Kingston Foodbank
As you know, this half term our Christian value is GENEROSITY on Friday 6th December our
Advocacy MPs will be on the playground ready to collect your kind donations. To make sure we
collect a range of items, we are allocating each year group, specific items to donate:
Year 3 - Christmas chocolates, shampoo and UHT milk
Year 4 - Christmas biscuits, cooking oil, and orange/blackcurrant squash
Year 5 - Tinned corned bee, tinned ham, tinned custard and ladies' shower gel
Year 6 - Chutney, pickle, long life puddings, ladies' spray deodorant and coffee
We are very grateful for any donations you are able to provide.
Next week is autumn assessment week
Summative standardised assessments are conducted termly at SASM. These are low-stakes assessments, delivered in classrooms, which help inform our next steps in teaching. These will be taking place next week (9th-13th December).
Parents and carers will be sent the outcomes of autumn term assessments via the SIMS Parent App in January (week commencing 13th Janaury). You will have received an invitation to join the SIMS Parent App via the email addresses you have provided when registering with the school. More information about the assessment results will be included within the report.
Boys' Football
Boys' Football
Girls' Football
Girls' Football
SASM was invited to attend football tournaments at Kew Association Football Ground. The children had a great experience playing with other teams of the Kingston Borough.
Introducing our Peer Mediators!
This week, our new Y6 playground mentors started their work on the playground at lunchtimes. They have received bespoke training from Miss Woodward, based on the UN model of conflict resolution.
Our mentors have two roles:
Peer mentoring – they will be available every day to talk to anyone who is feeling worried or if they need help finding a game to play or having a game explained to them
Peer mediation – mentors can also lead peer mediation sessions. These are designed to help children solve small disputes e.g. arguments about a game.
SASMFestivities24
The PTA are working hard planning activities and stalls for the children at their festive fundraiser SASMFestivities, taking place on Friday 13th December. All the children will be visiting the event with their teachers from 1:30pm until 3:00pm. There will be lots of fun and entertainment for them to take part in such as ,crafts, games, competitions. tombola's and an Alpine Cafe.
Don’t forget to buy your entry wristbands! £10 per child... This can be purchased via the shop in ParentMail or in cash via the school office.
Friday 13th December will be a festive non uniform day.
If you would like to help out with any of our PTA events please submit this form
Local Charity Competition
Every year, SASM chooses three charities to support. There is always a local charity, a national charity and one global.
The global charity which we support every year is called the Bishop’s Lent Call.
The Advocacy MPs have voted on a national charity to support. They chose Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day because they help children all over the UK and around the world. We will be raising money on 12th December. Everyone can wear a Christmas jumper and bring in £1.
We also want to make a difference right here, in our own community. So, we are holding a competition to find a local charity to support this year. This competition is open to all children across the school.
How does your child enter?
First, decide what local charity your child wants us to support. It could be a charity which is special to your family. Your child needs to film a video of themselves explaining why they would like to raise money for that charity and why they think it is important. They can work on their own or with others.
Once the video has been filmed, please open the assignment that Miss Woodward has posted on the year group’s Google Classroom and save the video there. Pupils have their own login to access Google Classroom, which can be found in their planner.
The video must be no longer than 2 minutes and the closing date for entries is Friday 6th December 2024.
To see 2022's winning entry, please click here
In the news this week
The Football Association (FA) has laid out new plans aimed at raising awareness and increasing participation in disability football. The strategy, called Football Without Limits, includes growing the Comets programme for young people aged 5-11. The FA says Comets will be the most inclusive format of the sport and will provide a safe and supportive space for children to start playing football.
Things to talk at home…
Share your thoughts about the FA’s plans to increase awareness of disability football.
Can you think of a time when you have felt like you belonged (perhaps in a team or group)? What was it that made you feel included? Ask the same questions to someone at home.
Ask someone at home whether they, or someone they know, have benefitted from a similar programme.
Wreaths For Sale
Beautifully hand crafted circular wreath is the perfect addition to your home this festive period. These wreaths are created by a SASM mum. To order please WhatsApp Mrs. Raana Khatabakhsh on 07742 521650. The deadline to order is 10th of December 2024.
With flu and norovirus cases on the rise, here are some simple steps to help keep your child healthy this winter.
1. Teach good hygiene habits: Encourage children to wash their hands regularly and use a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes to stop the spread of germs.
2. Know when to keep your child at home: Children can still attend school with symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough, but should stay home if they have a high temperature, diarrhea and vomiting. Read NHS guidance to help you decide. Click here to read more.
Additional Funding for low-income households
The Department of Work and Pensions has made additional funding available for low-income households in Kingston who meet the criteria and are struggling to afford food, fuel, utility bills and other essentials. The expectation is that the fund should be used to support households in the most need; particularly those who may not be eligible for other government cost-of-living support. For more details click here.
If your household has received help through any of the previous rounds of the Household Support Fund, we may not be able to issue any further funding.
However, we may be able to provide you with information about other support
available so please email: householdsupportfund@kingston.gov.uk
Message from the PTA Committee - we're looking for a new Chair!
On Friday, the PTA held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), and we’re thrilled to announce some updates to our team. A warm welcome to our newly elected Secretary, Alexandra Sharp and Treasurer, Ivett Isai - who bring fresh enthusiasm and skills to the committee.
For now, our headteacher, Matt Gates, has kindly stepped-in as Acting Chair on a temporary basis until the position can be filled permanently, which was supported unanimously at the AGM. If you’re passionate about enhancing our school community and have a little time to spare, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. The role of the Chair is to:
Facilitate meetings
Liaise with the school
Welcome and motivate new volunteers
Ensure the PTA is registered with regulatory bodies eg, the Charity Commission, and submit annual reports
Being part of the PTA is a fantastic way to get involved in school life, make a difference, and meet other parents. If you’re interested in becoming Chair of the PTA or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing us via office@sasm.rbksch.org. Alternatively you can let the school office know by Friday 13th December.
Let’s work together to make this year a success!
Thank you for your continued support,
The PTA Team
Repeat notice: Online Parenting Courses - Family Lives
Family life and parenting is more complex than ever. Family Lives has produced a series of online parenting courses, to support parents and carers. If interested please follow the link below:
https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/online-parenting-courses
Family Lives offers a confidential and free* helpline service for families in England and Wales (previously known as Parentline). They can be contacted on 0808 800 2222 for emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. Their website is also a rich source of useful support and advice.
(* Free from landlines and most mobiles)
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 8.00am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8.00am to 5.00pm 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 News-
Dreaming of a Kingston Christmas - New festive Nutcracker Trail, fun for all the family
There will be an exciting range of Christmas activities in Kingston town centre from 14th November 2024 - 5th January 2025.
The popular Christmas Market will make a return, filled with unique gifts and artisan food, including a festive bar, and a stage with live music performances.
New this year is a free Nutcracker Trail, featuring 15 life-sized Nutcracker statues hidden around the town centre, with an opportunity to win a Christmas hamper. Plus, the first 300 trail-goers will win an exclusive wooden tree decoration! The town’s evolving festive offering also includes a pop up crafts stall featuring free activities that kids will love, from personalised mini wreaths to magical decorations.
All of this alongside the incredible retail, hospitality and entertainment offer, means there's no place like Kingston this Christmas!
Activities and Opportunities
Skylarks is an independent charity that are expanding their outreach. We recommend parents and carers of pupils on the SEND register to sign up with the charity to stay up-to-date on a range of fun activities and opportunities. For more details and to register, please click here.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS
If your child is eligible for free school meals but you prefer to provide them with packed lunches, it's still important to register. By doing so, the school receives additional funding called Pupil Premium which helps support your child in other ways.
Once you have registered for free school meals and we have received confirmation that you are eligible, your child will then be able to attend an enrichment club after school free of charge, as well as one session at our after school club. They will also qualify for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme, this is also known as FUEL (which stands for ‘Feed Ur Everyday Lives’) This programme offers free places at holiday clubs during the Easter, summer and Christmas breaks.
Children can enjoy 4 sessions during Easter, 16 sessions over the summer and 4 in winter, with lunch provided at the club. There are lots of clubs and activities to choose from across a range of dates, time and locations. Some activities include: cycling; film-making; yoga; technology and coding; skateboarding; art and crafts; cooking; indoor climbing; and lots of sports such as cricket, football, netball and rugby.
If you think you may be eligible and would like further information please contact the office and ask for Mrs Miller, our School Community Worker.
Supporting Our Families with Kingston Foodbank
We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That is why we are pleased to be able to offer our families support in partnership with Kingston Foodbank.
Kingston Foodbank provide three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
Foodbank clients bring their vouchers to a foodbank centre where they can be redeemed for three days of emergency food. Volunteers meet clients over a warm drink or free hot meal, and are able to signpost people to other agencies that may able to them solve the longer-term problems.
Vouchers can be issued any day and at any time during the school week. These can be either printed or sent to you electronically via your mobile phone. This is a confidential service and vouchers are only allocated by Mrs Miller - School Community Worker.
Our nearest food collection points are listed below - please note the opening times.
Monday (6.00pm - 7.00pm)
Surbiton New Life Baptist Church
1 Balaclava Road
Surbiton
KT6 5PW
Tuesday and Friday (11.00am - 12.30pm)
Kingston Everyday Church
46 Union St, Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1RP
Click the 'Community Groups' button to see all community notices:
-School reminders-
Uniform - pupils must now wear their winter uniform
Winter uniform is coming! From after half term, until the start of the summer term, children will be required to wear winter uniform.
Winter uniform includes:
Grey pinafore or skirt
Long or short grey school trousers
White long/ short sleeved school shirt or blouse
St. Andrew’s and St Mark’s tie (does not need to be worn with open neck/ revere collar blouses without a top button)
Red jumper or cardigan
White or grey socks or tights and black shoes
Trainers, boots and leggings are not permitted. Should your child come to school not wearing the correct uniform, they may be asked to wear items from our nearly new stock - this is at no cost to parents/carers.
Please remember that pupils need to wear a coat to school.
For further information regarding our school uniform please follow this link to our school website and our school uniform supplier.
Autumn Term - PE days
Pupils in all year groups have 2 PE lessons a week. One takes place in the school hall (indoor PE) and the other takes place on the school's Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) or playground. A guide to our school uniform for PE can be found here. On your child's PE days, they need to come to school in their PE kit (pupils remain in their PE kit all day).
Your child's PE days are:
3CR - Monday (outdoor PE), Thursday (indoor PE)
3J - Wednesday (indoor PE), Friday (outdoor PE)
3M - Monday (outdoor PE), Wednesday (indoor PE)
4B - Monday (indoor PE), Wednesday (outdoor PE)
4H - Monday (indoor PE), Wednesday (outdoor PE)
4R - Thursday (indoor PE), Friday (outdoor PE)
5J - Tuesday (outdoor PE), Friday (indoor PE)
5L - Tuesday (outdoor PE), Friday (indoor PE)
5M - Tuesday (indoor PE), Friday (outdoor PE)
6G - Thursday (outdoor PE), Friday (indoor PE)
6M - Tuesday (indoor PE), Friday (outdoor PE)
6S - Thursday (outdoor PE), Friday (indoor PE)
Uniform reminder
Everyone is now looking very smart in their winter uniform. We would like to remind parents and carers that smart black shoes (no trainers, boots or football boots) are required on non-PE days. Smart shoes are widely available and we do have a limited free supply in our nearly-new store, in our school office.
This week is the final week of our school uniform parent/carer survey: https://forms.gle/AikEzhtdhhe3opsE8 . This closes on Friday 15th November.
Uniform donations warmly welcomes
If your child has outgrown their school uniform over the summer break (including shoes, plimsolls or trainers) and they are still in good condition, please consider donating them to our uniform shop. You can drop off any unwanted school shoes at the office.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
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...
income support
income-based job seeker's allowance
income-related employment and support allowance
the guarantee element of state pension credit
support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
child tax credit (but not working tax credit) and have an annual income of less than £16,190
working tax credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit
Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
...your child maybe eligible for a Pupil Premium Grant. This will gives your child access to:
This gives your child access to:
A free after school club every half term
A free 'stay and play' session in our Wrap Around Care each week
A free place at Breakfast Club every day
A discount on school residential visits
... and much more!
Please contact the school office if you have any issues with activating an account.
Please send a water bottle with your child
Its important to ensure that our pupils stay hydrated throughout the day. Please remember to send your child to school with a water bottle. To avoid any mix-ups, kindly label the bottle with your child's name. Thank you.
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.
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.
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