Newsletter 11 - Autumn Term
20th November 2025
Embedded Files
-Our calendar-
You can add our Google Events calendar to your device - scroll to the bottom of the calendar and click/tap 'Add to Google Calendar'
-Attendance-
Year 3 - 97.6%
Year 4 - 97.9%
Year 5- 97.6%
Year 6 - 95.1%
Whole school - 97%
-Don't forget-
Family Hub (Supporting Your Child at Home) tomorrow (Friday ) - 8:45am-10am
Non-uniform day to support PTA Winter Fest (Friday) - don't forget to buy your child's wristband on Arbor!
- This Week -
HSBC Workshops
HSBC Workshops
This week, we were delighted to welcome representatives from HSBC who led fantastic financial education workshops for pupils. Year 3 kicked off the week with a "Super Supper Challenge" on Monday, learning about budgeting and making smart choices. On Tuesday, Year 4 explored the concept of need vs. want in their session, "To buy or not to buy." Wednesday saw Year 5 tackle "Sporting Chance," focusing on managing money related to hobbies and sports. Finally, Year 6 wrapped up the program on Thursday with "Savvy Shopping," where they practiced making cost-effective decisions. These engaging sessions provided invaluable, real-world lessons in financial literacy for all our students.
Dodgeball Competition
Dodgeball Competition
A group of Year 5 and 6 pupils visited The Kingston Academy this week, who were hosting an inter-school dodgeball competition. Our team enjoyed playing a number of schools as they worked together as a team, winning a number of games.
Family Hub: Supporting your child at home
Family Hub: Supporting your child at home
This Friday (21st November) at 8:45am after drop-off, we’ll be holding our next Family Hub session, hosted by Miss Woodward and Mr Medway, who will presenting on How to support your child at home: handwriting, reading and spelling
Sign up via
https://forms.gle/i6AF9M4P3KGFT2Qr5 to attend either in person or online.
Lucky Deer
Lucky Deer
This week, we’re delighted to celebrate Laura in 5L, a proud member of our Write On Club. After Mr Gates’ recent collective worship on thankfulness—our Christian value for this half term—Laura was inspired to reflect on being grateful for what we already have, rather than what we receive. Her thoughtful reflections sparked a wonderful story exploring this very idea, which she has now submitted to the BBC 500 Words competition!
Moments like these remind us how our collective worship and focus on Christian values help our children to flourish not only spiritually, but also creatively. You can read Laura’s beautiful story by clicking the image.
Good luck, Laura!
Sportshall Athletics
Sportshall Athletics
SPORTSHALL ATHLETICS is an indoor multi-event athletics competition which gives young athletes the chance to compete in track, field, throwing and agility events in a high energy team based event. Sportshall Athletics works in partnership with England Athletics to provide a competition pathway for young athletes, helping them develop core skills and progress into wider athletics.
On Sunday 16th November, Edward and Zara were part of a 20 strong team competing at the first U11 Sportshall event of the season. The team was one of the youngest teams at the event. They both did amazingly well in their first ever competition. Edward achieved 4th place for javelin and 6th place for hi stepper, and Zara achieved 5th place for standing triple jump. Each event had at least 25 competitors from across Surrey, so they did extremely well and their coaches are extremely proud.
Well done, Edward and Zara!
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Winston's recent achievement in winning a silver medal in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) inter-club tournament.
He is an agile player with good resilience. All the hard training paid off and we are very proud of him.
Well done, Winston!
Children's Choir at Church
Children's Choir at Church
This Friday is a great chance to start being part of the St Andrew's and St Marks' Church children's choir. The group meets on Friday afternoons at 4.30pm at St Marks church to practise for an hour, with a view to singing at one of the church's big services.
This time around, we're starting to practise singing for our Christingle service on Christmas Eve afternoon.
So the commitment would be to coming to five rehearsals on Friday afternoons from this Friday on, until Christmas!
It's totally free, and great fun. You don't need to have sung in a choir before, or be able to read music; you just need to like singing!
If you want to find out more, contact robertstanier@btinternet.com
Christmas Fair
Christmas Fair
It's that time of year again when St Mark's church hosts its Christmas Fair: this Saturday from 11am.
You may wish to bid for prizes on the auction, which will start at 1pm. Youc ould win a week's holiday in the Languedoc; a trip behind the scenes at the British Museum with the curator of Leanardo and Michaelangelo's sketches, Whisky tastings and wine tasting, sailing lessons, a book a month at the Regency Bookshop, fish and chips, whsitky, real tennis, health club membership, Rose theatre membership and even hard-to-source brand new Labubu teddy bears.
For children, there's face painting, hook-a-duck, biscuit making and a sweetie tombola.
From 11am till 2pm this Saturday (22nd November).
Vicar Moving On
Vicar Moving On
It was announced at church last Sunday that the Reverend Robert Stanier will be leaving his post at St Andrew's and St Mark's Surbiton in the New Year to become Interim Team Rector of the Richmond Team Ministry. As and when he leaves (departure date is not quite fixed) he will cease to be the Chair of Governors at SASM Junior School.
There will be time for farewells with the children nearer the time of actual departure, but this is to let you know that the school governors are aware and will be making arrangements in organisation to ensure the school is still well supported by the governing body.
His replacement as vicar at St Andrew's and St Mark's is not anticipated until August 2025, so there will be a short time of transition.
In the news this week
Nike has revealed a new type of powered shoe, called Project Amplify, which uses small motors to boost a person’s walking and running movement. The shoes are designed to reduce tiredness and make everyday movement easier, especially for those who need extra support. Nike says the aim is to help people stay active, independent and mobile in their daily lives.
Things to talk at home…
Explain and share your thoughts with someone at home about the new shoe design.
Do you believe everyone should be allowed to use the same technology, or should some things be only for people who really need them?
Can you think of other technologies designed to make life easier? Which do you use?
Friday 21st November - non-uniform day to support Winter Fest
At SASM, our PTA fundraising looks a little different! Instead of holding a traditional Saturday school fair, our PTA focuses on fun activities for the children during the school day. This means that every child can take part, enjoy time with their friends and teachers and help raise money for the PTA.
The PTA generously funds school trips throughout the year — including visits to Butser Ancient Farm, Kew Gardens Rainforest Experience and Egyptian Day (Year 3), Hampton Court Palace and Roman Day (Year 4), School on the River, Greek and Viking Days (Year 5), and Gunnersbury Park, Painshill Park and Junior Citizenship (Year 6) — so families do not have to pay for these events.
This Christmas, we’re inviting every child to take part in SASM Winter Fest by purchasing a £12 wristband (card payment via Arbor). The wristband gives access to competitions, crafts, games and activities throughout the day — a festive celebration for the whole SASM community.
Non-Uniform Days
Friday 21st November – Non-uniform day to thank families for supporting Winter Fest by purchasing a wristband.
Friday 28th November – Non-uniform day in exchange for donations of treat-sized chocolate bars, individually wrapped sweets, chocolate coins, or small Christmas chocolates/decorations.
Winter Fest Raffle
We’ll also be holding a Winter Fest Raffle with some fantastic prizes, including vouchers for local restaurants, a family cinema ticket and Secret Santa sacks.
Tickets: £1 each (sold in blocks of 5 or 10 via Arbor). These will also be available to buy before class assemblies in December.
Prize Draw: Friday 19th December, during our end-of-term Collective Worship
If you have any connections with local businesses who might like to donate a raffle prize, please do let us know!
We have lots of activities planned but need your help to make the event a success. If you have time to help decorate the playground, fold raffle tickets, help set up a stall, help run a stall or help clear away, please sign up on this form
New Fences
We're very happy with our refreshed fencing at the back of our playground. Fencing is also due to be installed in the first week of January at the front of school.
- Repeat notices -
Christmas Class Collective Worships
In December, we will be looking forward to welcoming families to Class Collective Worships for the Christmas season! Each class will have the chance to share what they have been learning and to celebrate the festive story. The children are looking forward to showcasing their developing speaking skills as they share what they have been learning this year. This will also include Christmas songs the children have been practising in their music lessons. At the heart of this celebration, we will come together as a class community to reflect on and share the true message of Christmas. You will find the date and time for each class collective worship on our digital diary above and listed here:
6M- Tuesday
9th December - 9:00am4R- Tuesday
9th December - 2:50pm5J - Wednesday
10th December - 9:00am6G - Wednesday
10th December - 2:50pm4D - Thursday
11th December - 9:00am3H - Thursday
11th December - 2:50pm
3N- Tuesday
16th December - 9:00am4S - Tuesday
16th December - 2:50pm5L - Wednesday
17th December - 9:00am6MC - Wednesday
17th December - 2:50pm5JW - Thursday
18th December - 9:00am3B - Thursday
18th December - 2:50pm
Rock Squad Concert - Saturday, 13th December
Rock Squad runs on Saturdays in the SASM hall. The Rock Squad are tuning their guitars and warming up their vocals for their big Christmas Concert on Saturday, 13th December!
To make sure everyone can join the festive fun, Rock Squad holding two separate performances. The first show will run from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, followed by a second show from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. This allows families to choose the time slot that suits them best. Different bands will be performing at each concert, so please stay tuned for communication from Rock Squad for details on which bands are playing when.
Rock Squad warmly invite you to come and support our rock stars, enjoy some mince pies and festive refreshments, and celebrate their hard work. Keep an eye on Rock Squad's social media pages, too, where they will be sharing a special promo video to give you a sneak peek!
Smartphones
Pupils are not be permitted to bring a phone to school unless families have attended Smartphone Awareness Training. If your child brings in a smartphone, we will ask for it to be collected from the office by an adult.
The aim of the training is to explain the school's approach and some emerging concerns about smartphone use for young people and to provide key tips about how to keep your child safe online. The training video will run in the Science Lab at key school events and your next opportunity to view this will be at the Spring Term Parent Consultations, where the training will be on shown on a loop in the Lab. The flowchart below explains the process:
SASM has been working with parent representatives from the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement. You may wish to sign the SASM Parent/Carer Smartphone Pledge , where 135 families have pledged to not give their children a smartphone until at least they are in Year 9.
-Community opportunities-
Christmas in Kingston
Christmas in Kingston begins on 13th November - 28th December 2025, and for the first time, there will be real-life reindeer at All Saints Church on 13th and 21st December, 11am-2pm.
The popular Christmas Market will make a return, including a festive bar, gift stalls and live music performances. And to top it off, the new InKingston app is your essential Christmas companion to exploring Kingston - filled with exclusive offers and discounts, exciting events, hidden gems, and more!
All of this alongside the incredible retail, hospitality and entertainment offer, means that everyone can enjoy Christmas together in Kingston!
More information can be found here: https://kingstonuponthames.info/christmas
Fostering opportunities in Kingston
New Opportunities in Kingston
Kingston Community Fridge Simply turn up and collect surplus food from local supermarkets gathered that day.
Square one cafe - Square 1 Cafes are safe and inclusive spaces. Everyone is welcome and everything is free.
More information about community support can be found here: https://www.sasm.kingston.sch.uk/parents-carers/community-support
Think Pharmacy First
Most pharmacies in England are now providing the Pharmacy First service.
This free NHS service allows you or your child to get quick access to healthcare advice for the following seven conditions:
Earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
Impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
Infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
Shingles (aged 18 years and over)
Sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
Sore throats (aged 5 years and over)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women (aged 16 to 64 years)
If you or your child has symptoms that suggest you may have one of these conditions, you can walk into a pharmacy and be offered a consultation with a pharmacist in a private consultation room.
The pharmacist will provide advice and, if clinically necessary, a prescription medicine to treat the condition (the normal NHS prescription charge rules apply to people aged 16 and over).
Think Pharmacy First!
Find out more by watching the Pharmacy First animation or visiting nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst
'Helping children with....' Webinars for parents 2025-2026
Achieving for Children’s Mental Health Support Teams are delivering a series of webinars for parents of primary-aged children. The ‘Helping Children with …’ series of 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. We have included a list of webinars on offer over the coming months. Click here to book your place
Copy of 2025_26 - Helping children series flier.docxAutumn 2 25_26 Parent information leaflet.pptx.pdf
Supporting Our Families
Supporting Our Families
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
What is HENRY?
What is HENRY?
What is HENRY? HENRY is a UK charity working to give children a healthy, happy childhood so they thrive now and in the future. There are loads of useful ideas and resources for parents on the HENRY website.
Is the HENRY programme for me? The HENRY programme can help everyone with a primary-school aged child. Every parent who joins learns something new and useful. If you have at least one child of primary school age and can answer yes to any of the questions below then HENRY is for you...
Would you like to feel more confident as a parent?
Would you like support and ideas for helping your family be healthier?
Do you wish your child would eat a wider range of foods or more fruit and vegetables?
Would you like to reduce mealtime stress?
Would you like your children or family to be more active more often?
Are you interested in some ideas to get children away from screens?
Free School Meals
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.
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 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)
Please speak to Mrs Miller if you would like help to apply.
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
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.
Together Thursdays
What are Together Thursdays sessions? These sessions deliver opportunities to socialise and gain new skills, self confidence and make friends.
All activities are free, all refreshments and lunch are free, community larder with free food supplies. Conversations, fun and social interactions are free. Visiting Together Thursdays is free.
Achieving for Children, Kingsnympton Youth and Community Centre,
Kingsnympton Park, Kingston KT2 7RP
Thursdays, 10am to 2pm.
Drop in term time only.
Kingston Young Carers' Project
Who is a young carer? A young carer is someone aged 18 or under who helps to look after someone at home who needs extra support or care. This may be a sibling, parent/carer or other relative that lives at home with you.
We have a team dedicated to supporting the needs of young carers (aged 5-18), with a wealth of experience and expertise in issues which affect their lives. We provide:
information and advice, including 1-to-1 support
opportunities to meet other young carers
fun activities, outings and breaks away from home
regular drop ins
awareness raising of the needs of young carers, particularly in schools
advocacy and whole family support
quarterly newsletter
If you would like to know more information, please contact the School office and ask to speak to Mrs. Miller - School Community Worker.
-Repeat Notices-
Safer Schools App
Safer Schools App
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.
Worried about a child?
Worried about a child?
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.
Children with SEND
Children with SEND
How to support children with SEND
Please follow this link for further information and support. For Kingston & Richmond the number is:0800 028 8000
Winter Care
Winter Care
Winter Care
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.
-School Reminders-
Healthy School Snacks
For our break time snack, we ensure pupils only have fresh fruit or a savoury snack which is full of goodness and will keep pupils full until lunch!
Whilst our team makes every effort to check and speak to pupils about snacks, our healthy approach places trust in parents and carers working with us to ensure this takes place.
Examples of permitted snacks include:
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Plain rice cakes
Plain breadsticks
Pure fruit, such as 'Yo-Yo Bears'
Plain crackers
Ryvita crackers
Bagels
Cream cheese
Marmite
Hummus
Babybels/Cheese triangles
Examples of snacks not permitted are:
Cereal bars
Cakes, biscuits or sweets
'Lunchbox' chocolate bars
Crisips
'Belvita' biscuits or 'Go Ahead' Bars
PE Kit
School PE kit to be worn only on PE days.
Red PE sweatshirt with the school logo
OR
Plain red PE sweatshirt with NO visible branding.
White t-shirt with the school logo
OR
Plain White t-shirt with NO visible branding.
Red Shorts
Plain black jogging/tracksuit bottoms with NO visible branding.
White or Grey Socks
Black Trainers. NO football studded shoes.
PE Days
3B - Thursday (indoor and outdoor)
3H - Wednesday (indoor), Friday (outdoor)
3N - Tuesday (indoor and outdoor)
4M - Wednesday (indoor), Thursday (outdoor)
4R - Tuesday (indoor and outdoor)
4S - Monday (indoor and outdoor)
5J- Thursday (outdoor), Friday (indoor)
5L - Wednesday (outdoor), Friday (indoor)
5S - Monday (indoor and outdoor)
6G - Wednesday (indoor and outdoor)
6M - Thursday (indoor and outdoor)
6MC - Tuesday (outdoor), Friday (indoor)
Pupil Premium Grants
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.
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.
Please send a water bottle with your child
It's 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.
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.
Uniform donations warmly welcomed!
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 uniform or shoes at the office.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
No toys in school please!
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.
No jewellery in school please!
No jewellery in school please!
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.
No smart watches in school please!
No smart watches in school please!
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.
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