Newsletter 6 Spring Term

8th 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 

-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- 

Break time snacks

Whilst this information is displayed in the newsletter every week, we wanted to share this as the first item this week as we have noticed several pupils with cakes, biscuits and 'Yo-Yo Bear' snacks at breaktime, which are not permitted at SASM. 


As a healthy school, pupils' daily snacks should be full of goodness to keep children full until lunch. Suitable snacks include:

 

These snacks are NOT suitable for a break time snack:

Sir Ed Davey MP launches Community and Wellbeing Week

 

This week at SASM, it is community and wellbeing week. Pupils have spent time learning about how our democracy works. In school, our annual 'Headteacher for a Day' event was launched in Collective Worship by Sir Ed Davey, our local MP and leader of the Liberal Democrats. Ed also took questions about leadership and how to appeal to voters. 


Year 6 pupils have written manifestos and the selected candidates will create volunteer campaign teams to canvass around the school. On Friday, a polling station will be set up and each pupil and member of staff will vote for a winner, who will take the post of Headteacher for one day in March. 


As part of the week, pupils will also be learning about online safety and courageous advocacy. The climax of the week is the Mini Market, where pupils work in teams to run a stall to raise funds for the Bishops' Lent Call; this year, the money raised will support projects that work to improve mental health and well-being in the UK and around the world. 



How do we promote pupils' wellbeing at SASM?

 

This week is Children's Mental Health week and pupils have been learning about positive mental health and wearing bright colours to promote the day. It has been well-reported that childrens' mental health needs are increasing, partly due to the effects of the pandemic. At SASM, we have risen to the challenge in a number of ways. Here are just some of the things we do to support pupils' mental wellbeing throughout the year:

Whole school approaches:


Classroom approaches:

Individual pupil support:


Individual parent and carer support: 

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.


Welcome back to SASM alumni! 

 

It was a delight to meet former pupils, including many who were part of SASM's first intake when the new junior school opened in 1972. Mr Gates gave the group a tour of the school; it was fascinating to talk about the changes to the school over the years as well as the areas that were familiar to the group. 


Are you interested in teacher training?

 

Surrey South Farnham SCITT (school-centred initial teacher training) is hosting a drop-in event, being hosted at St Andrew’s and St Mark’s CoE Junior School (SASM). 


Anyone interested in finding out more is welcome to drop-in to SASM any time between 1:00pm and 5:00pm on Monday 20th February to chat to one of the SCITT team about training to become a teacher. Courses begin from September 2023.

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-

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  have provided a guide to The Pupil Safeguarding Review and explain how parents/ carers can create  safer online experiences for children in their care.


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-

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. 

 

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.