Newsletter 3 Spring Term
18th January 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.
-This Week's Notices-
NEU Strike Action
You may have heard on the news there are some proposed strike days planned by the National Education Union (NEU). We will be writing to parents and carers next week once we have more information, including our on-site arrangements for these days.
School vacancies
Come and join our dynamic team. We are currently advertising for an Early Career Teacher and an Administrative Assistant. Please share with anyone you think may be interested.
Parent/Carer Coffee Morning Friday 27th January, 8:45am - 9:45am
We will be holding an informal coffee morning for parents/carers on Friday 27th January. Sarah Crowther (SENCO) and Emily Woodward (Wellbeing Lead) will be joined by representatives from the Mental Health Support Team (Education Wellbeing Practitioners), Express CIC and ADHD Embrace.
Express CIC and ADHD Embrace are local charities that provide activities, advice and support for families with children with ASD or ADHD. The purpose of the event is to support parents/carers to access these services and for informal conversations to take place amongst and between our families and staff. To help us cater appropriately, please sign up via Google Form.
Please note there will not be any formal presentations at this event.
Spark! Book Awards
SASM is taking part in the Spark! Book Awards. If you would like to buy copies of any of the books on the list, Regency Bookshop in Surbiton has agreed to provide copies at 30% discount. Please click here for further details.
Shoe Box Donations
Year 6 need lots of shoe boxes for their their upcoming computing project. If you have any shoe boxes to spare, please can you deliver them to the school office by the end of this week - Friday 20th January . Thank you.
The Old Kingstonian Hockey Club
The Old Kingstonian HC is a local hockey club with a strong junior section, focusing on community hockey to inspire a life long love of the game across all abilities and ages.
On January 22nd they are offering a free trial session to Kingston school children interested in playing hockey. All ages and abilities welcome.
If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact the administrator@okhockey.com or check out their website.
Junior recruitment flyer_trial session (1) (3).pdfTISKA Surbiton Beginners Classes - Jan 2023 (1).pdfTiska Surbition Karate Club
Tiska Karate are a family-oriented karate club, the majority of their students are primary school children (and their parents).
The Dog House is back!
Could you provide a loving home for a rescue dog? The Channel 4 series, The Dog House is looking for couples, individuals, friends and families who are seriously considering bringing a rescue dog into their lives and are willing to share their reasons for doing so.
Please follow this link to apply.
Kingston Young Carers Project Party Conference
This will take place on Saturday 4th February 2023 at Chessington World of Adventures.
Inspiring Young Carers - the first ever Party Conference organised specially for young carers aged 5 to 22 in the Royal Borough of Kingston.
A young carer is a young person who provides emotional, physical or practical care and support to a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition,or drug or alcohol problem. The Young Carers’ Project support nearly 800 young carers from the age of 5 and are the only organisation in the borough dedicated to doing so.
A quote from a parent; “It was wonderful for him to get time away from the house, where what we can do as a family, is severely restricted by the needs of my other son. To be with other children who understand and live those restrictions, was wonderful.”
To celebrate young carers, the Party Conference will play host to music, magicians, goodie bags, food, prizes, face painting and entertainment as well as free entry to Chessington Zoo afterwards.
Finally, there is a creative competition for young carers with prizes including an Xbox series X and £150 in Amazon vouchers.
The event is free and open to all professionals and young carers in Kingston but you must book a space by emailing YCPConference@kingstoncarers.org.uk or calling 020 3031 2757.
Meet the Short Breaks Team online with Kingston Parent Carer Forum
Join Kingston Parent Carer Forum in conversation with Alys and Geraldine from Achieving for Children Short Breaks Team.
Short breaks provide disabled children and young people with fun, enjoyment and a chance to be with friends while their parents and carers get a break from caring. They come in many different forms, ranging from an overnight stay in a residential centre or a carer’s home to attending a youth club, leisure centre or getting involved in a sports activity.
This is your chance for Kingston families to hear what facilities are out there for their children and raise any concerns.
Register to join online on Wednesday 25 January at 10:00am.
If you have any questions or topics you would like to discuss, whether it is to do with Short Breaks or any other matter, please contact the Kingston Parent Carer Forum at help@kingston.co.uk.
CONNECT CLUB @ Express CIC
CONNECT CLUB @ Express CIC
Connect clubs at Express are for autistic young adults aged 16 to 19 and 19 to 25. Young people must be able to attend and participate independently. A chance to meet others, connect, express and be yourself. Clubs are user led and welcome input and suggestions from group members.
How do I apply?
Please complete an application form which you can get from Express CIC.
Once received, if appropriate you will be invited to attend one of the clubs.
Connect Clubs run fortnightly on Saturdays.
Please email connectclub@expresscic.org.uk for further information including costs and timings.
-Repeat notices-
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.
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 has an online update on 'The Game' on Roblox.
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:
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*
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
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
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:
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.
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:
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:
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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