Newsletter 14 Autumn Term

Sign up to the SASM Smartphone Parent/Carer Pledge!

There has been national rise in concern and interest around young people's use of smartphones. At SASM, pupils are not permitted to bring smartphones to school until they are in the Upper School (Years 5 or 6). We do not permit smartphones to be used by pupils on the premises: they must be handed into the class teacher each day. There is also a growing Smartphone Free Childhood community of parents at SASM.

Following a survey of 159 SASM parents and carers in autumn 2024, 87% of respondents said that they would be supportive of SASM recommending to parents that they do not give their child a smartphone during the primary school years.  

This survey recognises that there is a growing number of parents and carers who are delaying giving their child a smartphone. As a result, we have created a pledge that parents and carers can sign. The aim is to create an environment where parents and carers do not feel isolated if they choose to delay giving their child a smartphone. Knowing other parents are delaying helps alleviate the pressure to expose children to the risks of smart devices and social media.

This pledge is optional and anonymous but we will share the number of pupils whose parents have completed this pledge in our newsletter. You can take the pledge by clicking here. 

Looking for more information?

• SASM Parents/Carers Smartphone Free WhatsApp Group - this is a parent-led group for any SASM parents to connect as part of the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement; it is not created nor regulated by the school. You can join the group here:  https://chat.whatsapp.com/LaR5fqDTbmy6p3VOkFn4Tt 

• Should smartphones be banned for under-16s? - this article is a record of a debate, hosted by the BBC, between Daisy Greenwell (founded of the Smartphone Free Childhood movement) and Sonia Livingstone (a professor from the London School of Economics, who leads the university's research centre for children's digital rights)

• Smartphone Free Childhood - the principal website for the Smartphone Free Childhood movement

• LGFL ParentSafe- this resource, from the London Grid for Learning, contains practical information and guidance about technology use, including smartphones

• Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones - coming soon on Channel 4, the Stanway School in Colchester and challenge a group of Year 8 pupils – and themselves – to give up their smartphones completely for 21 days. This experiment, conducted in conjunction with The University of York, will see the pupils undergo a series of tests with experts meticulously monitoring their behavioural changes over the 21 days, repeating the tests at the end of the three weeks to conclude what effects giving up your phone really does have on your brain including sleep and attention.

FRIDAY - 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.

THANK YOU to all parents/carers who have already purchases entry wristbands! £10 per child... This can be purchased via the shop in ParentMail or in cash via the school office. The funds raised help keep our educational day visits free for all pupils. 

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

MONDAY 16th - PC Smith - parent/carer coffee and drop-in session - Monday 16th December - 9am

PC Lucie Smith, our Safer Schools Officer, will be visiting SASM again on Monday 16th December for an informal parent/carer drop-in session. This is an opportunity to get advice and support from a police officer experienced in working with young people and their families. 

You may have seen in the news that there has been a rise in theft of mobile phones across London. Lucie will be also spending part of the drop-in to discuss personal safety and possession safety.

Click here to sign up to attend

Santa Dash Success!

Last Friday, our school joined primary schools across the nation for the annual Santa Dash! The event brought the festive spirit alive while highlighting the physical and mental benefits of daily exercise.

The morning began with each year group jogging the Daily Mile route, cheered on by classmates and teachers alike and joined by Mr. Gates dressed as Santa. The atmosphere was electric as the playground was filled with determination, laughter, and a sea of red Santa hats!

In the hall, the excitement continued with Christmas-themed relay races led by Miss Moore. Teams, carefully mixed to include all abilities, worked together brilliantly, showing fantastic teamwork and encouragement. The competitive spirit was matched only by the smiles and laughter that filled the space.

Thank you to Miss Moore, who organised the day. It was a wonderful reminder of how daily activity can bring us together, lift our spirits, and strengthen our bodies and minds. 

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

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.

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. 

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.  

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.

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.