Newsletter 5 Spring Term

1st February 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

Dates for your diary

Community Groups

Signposts to local support for parents and carers

-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-

Watching the stars

The telescopes are back! We have 5 telescopes and activities currently on loan to SASM families. Finlay really enjoyed finding the stars and learning the names. He even opted to sleep downstairs for the night on the sofa so he could fall asleep watching the stars!

Year 6: Junior Citizenship Visit

Today, our Year 6 pupils visited Chessington World of Adventures. Whilst they did not go on any theme park rides, they did complete the Junior Citizenship course. The purpose of the course - run by an array of public services including fire fighters, police officers and paramedics - is to equip youngsters with the knowledge and skills they need to cope with everyday life in adulthood, particularly when it comes to dealing with potential emergencies. Stranger danger, fire safety, first aid, drug awareness, road, bus and rail travel, anti-social behaviour and graffiti were all elements of the course. Our pupils returned full of enthusiasm and were eager to share the knowledge that they had gained.

Mini Market is coming!

Next week sees the return of our annual Mini Market. The Mini Market is a fair run entirely by SASM pupils, who work in groups to devise an inventive idea to raise money. The children are responsible for planning their stall, organising themselves, bringing in everything they need on Friday 10th Feb as well as setting up and manning their stall on the day. Pupils have been working in their groups today to design and make their stalls.

Please note: Next Friday (10th February) is a non-uniform day for all pupils as they run the Mini Market. Parents and carers are welcome to attend at 10:45-11:15am.

Planner design competition

We launched our annual planner competition today! The school planner is an essential part of life at SASM - every child has a planner to record their reading and keep their technology details; it also contains resources used in lessons. Each year, pupils enter a competition to design the front cover, which is then printed on every planner.

Many pupils began their designs in class but we are accepting more entries and some pupils have taken home their design to finish off. Completed designs should be given to the school office by next week on Tuesday 7th February.

Here are some top tips for a fantastic design:

Make sure these words are on the front:
- SASM 2023-2024
- Class: _____________
- Name: ______________
- Believe, Achieve, Succeed
- John 10:10: "I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness.”
You might also want to include:
- The school logo
- The name of the school: St Andrew’s and St Mark’s Junior School (but check your apostrophes!)
- Subject names (but remember only P.E, R.E, English and French need capital letter)

I'm Accepted, I'm Forgiven

It was a delight to see several Year 3 pupils lead part of Songs of Praise, demonstrating the actions to the hymn, 'I'm Accepted, I'm Forgiven' after being taught by Miss Cumper.

Parenting Course

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.

SEN Webinar

There is a webinar on Tuesday 7th February at 8:00pm until 9:30pm which will be offering parents advice on the topics of SEN support and EHCPs, out of school and home based education. Please follow this link for further information and click here to book a place.

School vacancies

Come and join our dynamic team. We are currently advertising for an Administrative Assistant. Please share with anyone you think may be interested.

-Repeat notices-

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 ready for Safer Internet Day 2023?

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:

Community Groups

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.

Express CIC website

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.

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.

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