Newsletter 11 Spring Term
22nd March 2023
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.
Global links: Alpha School
We love to celebrate that we are a global school. On Tuesday, our pupil Faith Committee led collective worship to share how they have been establishing a link with the Alpha School, a Christian school is Sri Lanka. Alpha school teaches all children from the English curriculum - the same as we have at SASM without the large school fees.
During the collective worship, Camellia said, 'In September 2022, we wrote our first letter to our pen pals. We wrote all about ourselves and asked them questions about themselves so that we could get to know them better. Miss G sent them by airmail during the Christmas holidays.' Elizabeth explained, 'Recently, we have received our letters back and were excited to see their responses to the things that we asked them. We are going to be sending a letter back to them before the Easter holidays so that we can continue to keep in contact.' We're looking forward to sharing our experiences with a school in another continent!
Year 6 activity week: Isle of Wight residential and SASM activity week
This week, 72 pupils began their Isle of Wight residential. The visit provides and opportunity for pupils to work as a team with more freedom than our urban environment allows. The Urban Saints Centre in Ryde, where the pupils are staying is a large Victorian residence surrounded by 18 acres of mixed parkland and managed woodland.
Throughout the week pupils will be visiting key locations to support their curriculum learning including Osborne House , Amazon World Zoo Park and Dino Isle. Whilst at the centre, pupils will participate in activities, such as swimming and target catapult, as well as enjoying some free time. You can follow their adventure on our school Instagram page.
Year 6 pupils at SASM also have a week of exciting activities including a visit to Morden Hall Park, an on-site 'escape room', Laser Lions, pizza making and film creating.
Year 4 visit: Hampton Court Palace
Today, Year 4's study of the Tudors came to life when they visited Hampton Court Palace. As well as visiting the incredible local landmark, pupils took part in sessions about King Henry's Court and learned about the different jobs that existed at the palace in Tudor times. This visit was made possible due to PTA donations.
SIMS Parent App: assessment reports next week
Please note that parents and carers will be sent the outcomes of spring term assessments next week, prior to parent consultation appointments.
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 are included within the report.
Reminder: Year 3 - Egyptian Day
On Friday, its Egyptian Day and pupils in year 3 can come to school wearing their costumes.
Reminder: School closes early on Tuesday and Thursday next week
Next week on Tuesday 28th and Thursday 30th March school closes early at 2.20pm for parent consultations . Wrap Around Care is available to book until 6.00pm. Children who are not collected at 2.20pm will be supervised by our after school team - parents/ carers will be charged a £15 pick up fee.
Reminder: Catch Up Club Sessions
Next week there are catch up sessions for the following extra curriculum clubs.
Upper School Football club - Monday 27th March
Upper School Hockey Club - Wednesday 29th March
Young Artist Show
There is only one week left to submit entries for the Young Artists' Summer Show at the Royal Academy of Arts.
Please follow this link to find out details of how to enter - you might get to see your artwork in a real exhibition!
-This Week's Notices-
ConfiDential Clinic in Surbiton, currently have capacity to accept new NHS children’s registrations at the practice. Registration is easy and can be done over the telephone by calling 0208 399 1291 or by popping into the practice. Please follow this link for further details.
-Repeat notices-
Sign up to Free School Meals – not automatic and more than just a free lunch!
Please click here for further information. Please sign up to the Free Schools Meals scheme if you are eligible.
Raising FREE funds for SASM
If you would like to support the PTA continue to provide extra curricular projects for our pupils, please follow this link for further information about how you can help raise free funds.
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.
Safeguarding in 60
This week the Safeguarding Hub talk about the focus of this year's National Child Exploitation Awareness Day - child sexual exploitation.
Child Flu Vaccination
All primary school children (from Reception up to Year 6) are eligible for a free flu nasal spray. For further information please click here to read a letter from NHS England.
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 8am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 5pm 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 Groups-
Click the 'Community Groups' button to see all community notices:
-School reminders-
Break time snacks
As a healthy school, pupils' daily snacks should be full of goodness to keep children full until lunch. Suitable snacks include:
Fruit and chopped vegetables
Plain rice cakes (not the chocolate variety)
Ryvita, crackers or a mini bagel with Marmite / cream cheese / houmous
Plain breadsticks
Cheese portion – triangle / Babybel
These snacks are NOT suitable for a break time snack:
Winter Uniform
Our pupils are looking smart in their winter uniforms this week! From now until the start of the summer term, children will be required to wear winter uniforms .
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 blouses)
Red jumper or cardigan
White or grey socks or tights and black shoes
Trainers, boots and leggings are not permitted.
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.
Alternatively, every Friday there is a second hand uniform sale in the office foyer
PE Kit
On PE days children must come to school wearing their PE kit. Please click here to see PE days for each class.
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.
Hair and shoes!
Please remember that all shoulder length hair needs to be tied back for school, even on mufti days. Having your child’s hair tied back, is one of the most effective ways of keeping the nits and lice at bay. With the hair tied back, it makes it more difficult for the lice to hold on to the hair. Please note that pupils are required to wear black shoes (no trainers, boots or footwear displaying a logo).
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.
Unwell and absent children
If your child is unwell and absent from school please contact the school office before 10am. If you need to leave a message on the answerphone please explain the symptoms of your child’s illness. Siblings of unwell children should attend school.
Diarrhoea and vomiting
PHE recommends that children are kept off school until 48 hours after the last symptoms have passed. Whilst this is not enforced by us it is responsible practice by parents/carers.
Raising FREE funds for SASM
Businesses can now register with easyfundraising and raise FREE funds for causes when they make business purchases. From booking travel for work trips to restocking the stationery cupboard, businesses can raise regular and BIG donations for SASM with popular retailers including Booking.com, Viking, Currys PC World, Euroffice and more.
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