Newsletter 15 Autumn Term

Message from Mr. Gates

As we approach the end of another busy and rewarding term at SASM, we want to take a moment to thank our wonderful pupils, parents, and staff for their hard work, enthusiasm, and support. This term has been filled with opportunities for learning, creativity, and community, from musical celebrations like Tune into Christmas to our Christmas lunch and the joyful festivities of WinterFest. Together, we’ve not only celebrated the season but also embraced our school values of generosity, kindness, and love in everything we do.

On behalf of everyone at SASM, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful, happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming you back in January for another exciting term filled with opportunities to grow, learn, and thrive. Have a happy and restful holiday, and may your Christmas be filled with love and joy.

Merry Christmas from all of us at SASM. We look forward to seeing you again on the first day of term for pupils, which is Tuesday 7th January 2025.

SASM WinterFestivities 

Last Friday, SASM hosted its much-anticipated SASM WinterFest, an afternoon packed with festive cheer, creative activities, and seasonal treats. The event, organised by the PTA and held during the school day, ensuring every pupil could participate while offering staff a chance to connect with pupils in a relaxed, fun-filled environment. Children enjoyed a variety of exciting stalls, from biscuit decorating and snowman pong to reindeer poop stacking and the always-popular chocolate tombola. The Alpine Café served up warm waffles and vegan hot chocolate, while Santa’s Workshop in the LRC provided a calm and cozy retreat for crafting. 

WinterFest wasn’t just about fun; the money raised supports pupils' learning, with funds raised helping to keep non-residential educational visits free for parents and carers. Thank you to the huge number of families who contributed £10 for their child’s wristband, giving them access to premium stalls. 

The day wrapped up with a delightful performance from the Musical Theatre Club, leaving everyone in high spirits. A big thank you to the PTA, volunteers, SASM staff and Mrs Morgan in particular for making this magical afternoon possible. WinterFest truly captured the joy of the season while bringing our school community together.

Tune into Christmas: a SASM musical event

This half term, Years 3, 4, and 5 at SASM delighted audiences with Tune into Christmas, a musical journey inspired by a magical old radio. The show opened with the choir's vibrant rendition of Tune into Christmas (set to Step into Christmas), setting the scene for a festive showcase. Year 3 impressed with chair drumming to Last Christmas and a spirited performance of Holly Jolly Christmas. Year 4 added elegance with glockenspiel and vocals in All I Want for Christmas Is You and Wonderful Christmastime, while Year 5 dazzled with ukulele and dance in Sleigh Ride and Driving Home for Christmas

The finale brought all the children together for Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, with the audience joining in for a joyous close. The performance ended with a powerful reflection on the Christian value of generosity, a key focus for the children this term. The message from Hebrews 13:16—"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased"—reminded us all of the importance of kindness, gratitude, and giving, especially at Christmas. Our thanks to Miss Jose and the team for putting together a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to perform and celebrate together.

Congratulations, Anaiyah

Congratulations to Anaiyah in Year 6, who won 3rd place for her age category in Sir Ed Davey MP's annual Christmas card competition. Anaiyah has been invited to special prize-giving ceremony on Saturday.

Year 3 visit the Rose Theatre 

On Monday, Year 3 had the incredible opportunity to watch Robin Hood: The Christmas Heist at the Rose Theatre, a delightful retelling of the classic tale with a festive twist. Thanks to the generosity of our community and partnerships, this unforgettable experience was provided at no cost to families. The pupils were captivated by the lively performances, humour, and heartwarming messages of courage and kindness, all set in the magical spirit of Christmas. Thank you to parents and carers for collecting pupils directly from the theatre after the show.

Personal safety talk with PC Lucie Smith

PC Smith visited SASM again this week to speak with Year 5 and 6 about personal safety. As pupils move up the school, they often begin their first journeys alone. PC Smith's talk included road safety awareness, securing personal belongings and how to be respectful when part of a large group. PC Smith urge all pupils with a mobile phone to make a note of the device's IMEI number. There was also an opportunity to discuss policing in the local area and answer pupils' questions. Pupils were also reassured that Kingston is the second safest London Borough (with Westminister being the first). 

Sign up to the SASM Smartphone Parent/Carer Pledge!

Update: we have had a significant response from parents and carers to the smartphone pledge (your can view our live counter with this article).   

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 - out now 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.

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.