Newsletter 4 Spring Term
25th 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-
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
Please see the communication sent to parents and carers on Tuesday 24th January. The school will remain open to all pupils on Wednesday 1st February- the first proposed strike day.
Challenging behaviour workshop parents/carers - 24th February 2023
The Kingston Mental Health Support Team (MHST) will be running a hybrid workshop for parents/carers on Friday 24th February 8:45am-9:45am. They will be sharing a range of strategies that can be put in place at home including positive praise, special time and rewards. These strategies can help support families to communicate in a positive and effective way, improving family relationships and children’s behaviour.
The workshop will be available both online and in person. Sign up via this Google Form by Wednesday 22nd February.
Managing winter illness
Click here to view parent guidance for managing winter illness
Preparing for transfer to secondary school 2023
Jonathan Rourke of SENDIASS will be talking for ADHD Embrace on Tuesday 31st January, 8:00pm to 9.30pm.
Jonathan will talk about the process of transferring from primary to secondary school and how best to navigate this so that parents can best support their child.
The webinar will also cover the things parents/carers of a child with ADHD should consider when selecting a secondary school for their child, as well as the role of the SENCO in a senior school.
Finally Jonathan will explain a little more about the Kids SENDIASS service for those who are not already familiar with what they offer.
Parenting Course - Managing Physcial and Aggressive Behaviour in children with ADHD
ADHD Embrace also have a new online Parenting Course course which will help parents of children that frequently exhibit aggressive, controlling and very challenging behaviours. The 5-week course is specifically designed for parents of pre-teen children and those who are currently in junior school. Please click here for further details and how to book.
Once Upon A Robot Writing Competition
Key Stage 2 children (aged 7-11 years old), are invited to write an imaginative short story featuring any kind of robot - or robots - their imagination can conjure! Children will have up to 800 words to tell their creative robot tales and they can choose any literary genre they like. It could be a spine-tingling horror, an action-packed adventure, or even a light-hearted comedy.
The competitions close for entries on the 23rd April 2023
The writing competition will be judged this year by award-winning author Sharna Jackson, whose inspiring and mystifying books include High-Rise Mystery and The Good Turn.
This year's exclusive prize packages include:
Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor kit - contributed by competition partner Birmingham Extreme Robotics Lab
A tour of the Extreme Robotics Lab in Birmingham and a robotics masterclass from RobotCoders for the winner and a friend
Printed copy of the winning story with bespoke illustrations by illustrator and science communicator Hana Ayoob
A copy of the books "The Good Turn" and "Black Artists Shaping the World", signed by competition judge Sharna Jackson
Runner-up prize:
Maqueen Lite - micro:bit - contributed by competition partner The National Robotarium
A copy of the book "High-Rise Mystery", signed by competition judge Sharna Jackson
For more information, details of prizes, judging criteria and to submit an entry, please click here.
Pupils visiting Londis
We have been made aware that some pupils are crossing the road before and after the school day to visit the Londis on Maple Road. Please do speak with your child at home so that they are aware of your expectations about visiting shops on the way to and from school. Whilst our gate is staffed as pupils enter the school, we will release pupils at the end of the day whose parents/carers have been permission for them to walk home on their own.
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.
-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.
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 asks 'Are you cyber security aware?
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:
HALF TERM CAMP FEB 2023 ChoirRecruitmentPoster2023 The Mayor of London's cost of living bus is coming to Kingston
January is a challenging time for many, with people often suffering from financial stress.
This half term, the Mayor of London's cost of living bus will be parked in the Hook Centre car park on 16 February from 10am - 4pm for Kingston residents to drop-in.
The bus will serve as an in-person advice centre and offer debt, money and welfare advice, as well as other forms of cost of living support available across Kingston.
Expert advisors from Debt Free Advice https://debtfreeadvice.com/bus will be on-hand to give free and confidential advice on debt, benefits and other money worries.
For more information please visit the Mayor of London's website. https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/communities-and-social-justice/help-cost-living/find-support-your-local-council-and-advice-centre
For general cost of living support, visit www.kingston.gov.uk/costoflivingsupport
Click here to view poster. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_n6JfoSOZl4w4GcfDa1243EOt-bN5Ewu/view?usp=sharing
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.
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.
-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.