Newsletter 2 - Spring Term

11th January 2023

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- 

SASM Astronomy Challenge!


We have an exciting opportunity for SASM families to observe the stars! 


What is the challenge?

We have 5 telescopes and activities that can be loaned to children and their family to use at home. The ‘SASM Astronomy Challenge’ pack includes a telescope, a night sky scavenger hunt and a moonasic puzzle.

 

How do I book it out?

To register your interest, please complete the Google Form below. The office will then contact you on the Monday you have been assigned to collect your telescope and pack from the office. You can have the pack and telescope at home from Monday to Thursday (please return it to SASM on Friday ready to be loaned the following week).

 

What if it is a cloudy night?

Not every day is ideal for stargazing as you will need a clear night. Don’t worry if you don’t get a chance to see the stars - there are plenty of other activities to try in the pack and you can book it out again!

 

Do I have to be outside to use the telescope?

The telescope requires little assembly and fits on a window ledge or table inside. It can also be taken outside if desired. The magnification of the night sky is not powerful but the aim of the activity is to create excitement when looking up at the moon and stars.


To sign up for the SASM Astronomy Challenge, please complete this Google Form. 

Planting new trees

Cecile Stern and Kate Manz from Liquid Ambar Design created our Spiritual Garden. Last week, they kindly gave up their time to plant 50 new trees in our front garden area with some of our pupils. The trees were given to the school from the Queen's Green Canopy to create a living legacy with over a million trees planted in Her Majesty’s memory across the nation. 

Charity competition

Our school supports 3 charities each year. In the autumn term, we raised money for Children in Need and this half term will end with the Mini Market, raising money for the Bishop's Lent Call. 

We asked pupils to submit video entries for the third charity we will support and the response was overwhelming. After shortlisting, the SASM Fundraising Committee (part of our School Parliament) scored the entries, along with the school leadership team. 

The shortlisted videos were shown to the school in Collective Worship this week and the charity nominated by Appoline - Born too Soon was declared the winner. Well done, Appoline, and thank you to everyone who submitted videos to the competition.

VIP Day

Pupils are awarded 'VIP slips' for anything from showing Christian values to displaying excellent learning behaviour or completing brilliant work. Each term, an upper and lower school winner is randomly selected in our 'VIP draw'. The winners are allowed to come to school in their own clothes, have a VIP breakfast with Mrs Crowther and lunch with Mr Gates. They can also join any class in the school for the afternoon. Congratulations to the autumn term winners: Della and Saaz.

Reminder:  6M Class Collective Worship

Parents/carers of children in 6M are invited to attend Collective Worship next week on Friday 20th January.  Please enter the hall via the school playground - doors open at 8:5am for 9:00am start until 9.15am.

Preparing for transfer to secondary school - 2023

Jonathan Rourke from Kids SENDIASS will be speaking on 31st January 8:00pm - 9:30pm regarding the transfer to Secondary School. Please follow this link for further information and to book a place for the webinar click here. 

 

Scarlet Fever/ Group A streptococcal infection and flu

With cases of Scarlet Fever and flu spiking nationally, please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the latest government guidance, which advises pupils not to attend if they are ill and have a fever. Promoting good handwashing and hygiene practice remains key. 

 

Iona Lidington, Director of Public Health for Kingston, writes: 

It is important to minimise the spread of infection in schools and other education and childcare settings as much as possible so parents should be advised that if their child is unwell and has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better and the fever has gone. Is my child too ill for school? - NHS

 

Parents can also support in helping children to learn about the importance of good hand hygiene with regular hand washing at home with soap and warm water, and encouraging catching coughs and sneezes in tissues then binning them and washing hands, which is another simple way to help stop illness from spreading.

 

Flu vaccination uptake among young children remains low. Flu can be very unpleasant and in some cases can lead to more serious illness. Getting your child vaccinated protects them, and others they come into contact with, and it’s still not too late to take up the offer:

 

Has your child missed their flu vaccination? - NHS South West London Integrated Care Board

 

Friday 6th January 14:30 -16:00 and Friday 13th January 14:30 -16:00

Teddington Health and Social Care, Queens Road, Teddington TW11 0LR

For any queries, please call us on 020-3691-1027 or 020-3691-1042

-Repeat notices-

Keep up-to-date with our Instagram page

From DT lessons to a Thanksgiving Collective Worship, follow us at @sasm_school22 to see snapshots of life across the school; you don’t need an Instagram account to see what’s going on.  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.

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.

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 Safeguarding in 60 is talking about new digital resolutions.

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.

-Community Groups-

GSCE English Language Course: Adult Education Course 2023/24 (15 places available)


As part of Surbiton High School's growing Community Outreach programme, starting in February they will offer GCSE English Language as an adult evening course.  This is intended for those who would benefit from it most: refugees, immigrants, those who weren’t able to get a GCSE at school or those simply looking to improve job chances, or to help their children with their homework.


Please click here for more information and the application form.  For those who cannot afford the donation, this is offered free of charge.


Surbiton Warm Hub

 

In order to help fight the economic hardships and the energy crisis of the winter months, Surbiton High School have committed to running a warm Hub at Surbiton High Girls’ Prep through January, February (and March if there’s demand).

 

In short, it's a place where local residents can come to enjoy a hot drink, soup, and some warm conversation. Everyone is welcome – and people are very welcome to come and collect a large flask of homemade soup and a pile of fresh bread after school to take home for a family dinner.

 

The Warm Hub is open every Thursday, 3.30 -5.00pm - nothing required, no questions asked – you can stay and chat or take and go. 

New Year, New You!  Join now and get up to two months half price*

Sign up to Feel Good Fitness today and get up to 2 months half price.


Available at Pools on the Park, Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre, Shene Sports and Fitness Centre, Whitton Sports and Fitness Centre and Hampton Sports and Fitness Centre.


Free specially tailored programmes for those new to or returning to exercise. Over 200 fitness classes available including Indoor Cycling, Zumba and Pilates.


The offer is valid from 3rd January to 6th February 2023 and it cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and can be withdrawn at any time. *This offer is only applicable for fees charged in January and February 2023, the first direct debit will be taken on 28 February 2023. Please follow this link for further information. 

Junior sports courses

Book now for the spring term starting in January. Courses include gymnastics, karate and judo.  Available across our sports centres: Whitton Sports and Fitness Centre, Teddington Sports Centre and Shene Sports and Fitness Centre.

Please click here for more information and to book call 020 3772 2999. ​ 

New adult personal safety course


Sign up to a new course at Shene Sports and Fitness Centre with tuition from an experienced instructor. Sessions will include personal safety, improve social awareness, anticipate dangerous situations and information on personal belongings and property protection.


The course will run on Thursdays 6:30pm - 7:30pm


Call 020 3772 2999 for more information and to book your place click here.   ​ 

-School reminders-

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:

 

 

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. 

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. 


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).

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. 

 

Break time snacks

These should be full of goodness to keep children full until lunch. Suitable snacks include:

 

These snacks are NOT suitable for a break time snack:


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.