Newsletter 12 - Autumn Term
28th 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 - 97.5%
Year 4 - 97.7%
Year 5- 97.6%
Year 6 - 95%
Whole school - 97%
-Don't forget-
SASM WinterFest (for pupils) - Friday 5th December
Class Christmas Collective Worships start on 9th December
- This Week -
Baylor University and SASM's 40th Anniversary
Baylor University and SASM's 40th Anniversary
Last Friday, our Collective Worship was truly special! We were honoured to welcome Dr Kelly Johnston alongside students from Baylor University's School of Education to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our partnership with the Baylor Interns in England (BIIE) program. St. Andrew's and St. Mark's has proudly hosted student teachers from Texas for four decades, including the recent wonderful group who have been working with us over the past few weeks. Baylor presented our entire school community—students, staff, and teachers—with a special commemorative plaque to honour our long-standing collaboration. It was a wonderful recognition of the success and longevity of this important international educational partnership!
Christmas Class Collective Worships
Christmas Class Collective Worships
As mentioned in our newsletters previously and as per our digital calendar, our Christmas Class Collective Worships begin next week! We look forward to welcoming families into school throughout December to share in this special festive celebration.
Each class will have the opportunity to share what they have been learning and reflect on the true message of Christmas. This is a wonderful chance for the children to showcase their developing speaking skills and share some of the Christmas songs they have been practising in their music lessons. It's a key moment for us to come together as a community to celebrate the festive story.
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
Interfaith poetry competition
Interfaith poetry competition
This term, our budding authors in Write On! club have been busy exploring the meaning of Inter Faith Week.
Inspired by this year’s theme, “Community: Together We Serve,” the children discussed how different faiths and beliefs come together to support one another. They channeled these discussions into creativity, producing a beautiful range of poetry that celebrates kindness, diversity, and the spirit of serving others. Their work will soon be displayed in the school for our whole community to enjoy.
We are incredibly proud of their thoughtful words. It has been a joy to witness how faith acts as a spark for creativity, helping our students to flourish spiritually through the written word.
Church Christmas Fair
Church Christmas Fair
The festive season officially kicked off with the annual St Andrew's and St Mark's Churches Christmas Fair on Saturday, November 22nd! The church was thrilled that the wonderful SASM Choir was able to perform, providing a beautiful and joyful start to the event. Their fantastic singing truly set a high note for the morning. A huge thank you must go to all the choir members for their hard work and dedication, and especially to Miss Jose and Miss Cumper for leading the children and preparing such a brilliant, festive performance.
Year 5 and 6 Sportshall Althletics
Year 5 and 6 Sportshall Althletics
We had a fantastic time at the Y5 & 6 Sportshall Athletics competition held on Thursday, November 27th. Our pupils had the chance to showcase their speed, strength, and agility in a variety of track and field events. Everyone who attended had a brilliant time, displayed excellent sportsmanship, and put in a huge amount of effort. It was a day full of excitement and great energy, and we're so proud of all our young athletes for representing the school so well!
In the news this week
McDonald’s changed the colours of its famous Happy Meal box in the UK, making it white on three sides, for children to colour and design it themselves. The company said the new boxes encourage creativity and let children express their ideas and feelings through drawing. Four million of the new ‘colour-your-own’ boxes have been given out as trial to see how children respond.
Things to talk at home…
Talk to someone at home about the campaign. Share your thoughts – do you think it’s a good idea? Share what you might draw on the box.
One of the aims of the campaign is to encourage children to express themselves. Do you believe it achieves this aim? Can you think of any other ideas?
Home Learning Survey
Home Learning Survey
We would like to extend a massive thank you to all the families who took the time to complete our recent Home Learning feedback survey. We were delighted to receive a total of 104 responses, reflecting an excellent level of engagement across the school community. As expected, the feedback covered a wide range of views and insights into how the current approach is working for different families. We are now carefully collating and analysing all your comments and will be communicating a summary of this feedback, alongside any resulting changes to our practice for the spring term, in due course. Thank you again for your valuable partnership in your child's learning.
Meeting Sir Ed Davey
Meeting Sir Ed Davey
On Monday this week, Ella de Souza, Environment MP for Year 4, posed a few questions to Sir Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, and former SASM's School Governor, on all things ministerial, including the environment.
Judo Competition
Judo Competition
Sophie Sassoon 5L and Sam Sassoon 3B entered a Judo competition at Core Judo last Saturday. The children did really well. Congratulation to both children!
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
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 2026, so there will be a short time of transition.
Win Prizes at Maple Infants' Festive Fair Raffle 2025
Win Prizes at Maple Infants' Festive Fair Raffle 2025
- Repeat notices -
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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