Newsletter 7 Spring Term
21st February 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-
Community and Wellbeing Week
During the last week of the half term, pupils participated in a week of activities focused on wellbeing and the community, which included learning about, democracy, online safety and courageous advocacy. Years 4-6 also participated in yoga sessions with Faye Retite.
Mini Market - The highlight of the week was our annual Mini Market. Thank you to everyone who donated items to help pupils prepare and run such a spectacular event. From custard pies to WW2 code breaking, there was a huge array of ingenuity on show! The event raised a brilliant £1,845.56. All of the money raised is donated to the Southwark Diocese Bishop's Lent Call, which is supporting mental health projects in the UK and their Link Dioceses in Zimbabwe and Jerusalem.
Headteacher for a Day - After a hard-fought election campaign, including hustings, canvassing and our very own Polling Station, the quality and courage of the Year 6 candidates shone through! After careful counting, Max was declared the winner. We are looking forward to seeing what he has in-store during his day in Mr Gates' shoes!
Ash Wednesday - 22nd February
Ash Wednesday is on February 22nd and as part of our collective worship tomorrow morning, children will be offered the chance of being 'ashed'. This is one of the great signs of the beginning of Lent, a season for self-reflection and self-discipline. No child has to come forward during the service - it is completely optional - but they can if they would like. Father Michael or Janice will mark their forehead with a sign of the cross in ash (a mix of ashes and olive oil); it makes a slight dark mark that washes off the next time they wash their face. As this takes place, the priest will say to them what has been said for centuries at this time: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ."
It is a powerful moment of liturgy and it's a great chance for children to experience this - it is completely optional for pupils to do so and you may wish to talk about it with your child before it took place. (For parents: there are Ash Wednesday services in St Mark's church at noon and then at 7.30pm at St Andrew’s. All welcome!)
World Book Day Dress-Up - Friday 3rd March
Next week we will be celebrating World Book Day on Friday 3rd March instead of the national date of Thursday 2nd March. Pupils are encouraged to come to school dressed as a character from their favourite book. We're also excited to welcome Andy Jones, author of 'Bob vs. the Selfie Zombies', for a whole-school author talk next Monday.
Please send your child dressed as a character from a book. There is no need to spend money on buying an outfit - homemade and creative ideas work just as well. There are some great ideas here.
Challenging behaviour workshop parents/carers - Friday 24th February 2023
The Kingston Mental Health Support Team (MHST) will be running a hybrid workshop for parents/carers this week 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 tomorrow, Wednesday 22nd February.
Year 5 visit to Buddhapadipa temple
On Thursday 9th February, Year 5 completed their study of Buddhism with a visit to the Buddhapadipa Temple in Wimbledon. They learned about the 8 fold path and the key tennants of Buddhism.
DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal
On Monday 6 February at 4:17am local time, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey (officially known as Türkiye) near the city of Gaziantep, devastating parts of Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria. It was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks. Several families in our school community have familiy and friends who have been affected by the earthquake. If you would like to donate to the Red Cross to help those affected by the earthquakes, you can click the link to donate to the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal or point your phone at the QR code (left).
Child Flu Vaccination
All primary school children (from Reception up to Year 6) are eligible for a free flu nasal spray. For further information please click here to read a letter from NHS England.
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 reviews harmful content online which can be challenging to deal with in the presence of popular online personalities.
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-
Break time snacks
As a healthy school, pupils' daily snacks 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:
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.
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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