Newsletter 12 Spring Term
29th 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.
A message from Mr Gates:
After another term full of excitement, I am so thrilled to see the learning that is taking place across the school. From visits to the Isle of Wight (Y6) and Hampton Court Palace (Y4) to Viking plays (Y5) and Judaism workshops (Y3), our school is buzzing with experiences.
The term is drawing to a close with Easter Week, with pupils studying the mysteries of the cross and considering questions such as 'What do Easter eggs have to do with the Easter story?', 'What do we mean when we say Jesus 'saves' us?' and, 'Why didn't Jesus say anything when Pontius Pilate was asking him questions?' In our church service today, we reenacted the events of Easter, setting the tone for our Easter breaks.
We wish you and your family a restful Easter break.
A new addition to the SASM family:
We are thrilled to share the arrival of Miss Bradley's baby. Baby Zachary was born on 21st March at 14:54 weighing 7lb and 7oz. After a couple of days in hospital, both mother and baby are at home and doing really well. We wish Miss Bradley and her family all the best as they begin this exciting adventure.
We need your feedback!
We are always looking at ways to improve and your feedback is vital in helping us make our outstanding school even better. Please do spare 5 minutes to complete our short feedback survey by tapping on the link below: https://forms.gle/mjWN3mqQhA8Qy3Sk8
We read and consider every response when planning for our school's future.
School shoes, please!
We have seen a rise in pupils attempting to wear trainers to school on days they do not have a PE lesson. Please ensure that your child does wear their school shoes when they are wearing their normal uniform. Pupils are required to wear black shoes (no trainers, boots or footwear displaying a logo). Teachers do write notes to parents/carers of pupils without the correct uniform and a second-hand school uniform shop can be found in the office.
Hair!
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.
The Summer Term Enrichment Activity Clubs Summer Timetable
On Saturday 1st April at 9.00am parents/ carers can book enrichment activity clubs via Parentmail. Please follow this link to view the summer time table. Clubs start week commencing 24th April. There will be no clubs running week commencing 22nd May with the exception of the Drama Club. The last week for clubs will be the week commencing 10th July.
Upcoming Mental Wellbeing Courses
If you are interested in attending any of the following courses designed to help your children - please follow this link for further details and to register your interest.
Reduce anxiety and develop resilience in your child
Support Your Child Through Exam Stress (online)
Help your Child to be a good friend (online)
SASM Rocks!
We were treated to performances from several pupil rock bands this week, who have been learning to play as part of Limitless Rock Squad at SASM on Saturdays. If your child is interested in learning to play, more details can be found on the link above or on the flyer your child bought home from school.
Reminder: School closes early tomorrow and Friday!
Due to parent consultations, school closes early tomorrow at 2.20pm. 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.
On Friday, it's the last day of term and school closes early. There is no After School Club and all children must be collected at 2.00pm.
Running for CureEB
Sophie's (6M) Dad, John, is running the London Marathon next month to raise funds for Cure EB. He has been inspired to run for this charity by Poppy (6M) who has bravely battled EB for 11 years. To read more about John and Poppy's stories and to donate please visit his JustGiving page. Thank you for your support.
Reminder: Young Artist Show
Today is the last day 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-
Easter Crash Course.docx-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 review harmful content online.
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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