Newsletter 9 Spring Term
8th March 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-
A day in the life of a headteacher
On Monday, I took over from Mr Gates and became the headteacher. Firstly, I went around on the Daily Mile and talked to some pupils about what they were excited about for the day. Then, when the bell rang, I prepared my collective worship where I ran a Blooket for MPs and ran through some of the questions with the rest of the school. After that, Mr Gates and I completed a learning walk, we had some positive feedback and some suggestions on how to improve.
Then we went out to both breaks to see if there were any problems. Then after break we conducted a safety walk to find any dangerous things. After that, I planned the football tournament for lunch. Next I had lunch and then handed out biscuits that I had brought from home to staff. After that I did some teaching with Mr Gates in 5B. The final thing I completed was a pupil voice session with the MPs.
-Max (Headteacher for a Day Winner 2023)
At the end of last half term, Max won the election for Headteacher for a day. Earlier in the week, Max spent a day ‘in office’ as the headteacher. From conducting collective workshop to going on learning walks in the school, Max did it all! As he found out, enacting his ideas came with challenges, such as the rain cutting short his planned extra break time. However, he was able to declare a mufti day and permitted pupils to bring in squash to drink. Congratulations, Max, on a successful day as the headteacher!
World Book Week dress-up and Spark! poetry competition
Thank you to all of those who helped prepare pupils' book-themed outfits on Friday. From a 'SASM dictionary' to dinosaurs, the day had it all! On Thursday, we wrote poems based on the covers of the shortlisted books for this year's Spark! Book Awards. Several pupils were able to perform their poetry in collective worship and Mr Medway will be shortlisting entries as part of the competition.
Thank you for your support
I extend my sincere thanks, respect and appreciation to the school for their support and assistance in collecting donations for the people of Syria and Turkey affected by the earthquake. I also extend my great thanks to the people who bought cupcakes and paintings. I would also like to thank my classmates who participated in making paintings with me. We have raised £166.
-Leen (Year 5)
Reminder: Class Collective Worship
Parents and carers of children in 3D are invited to attend Class Collective Worship this week on Friday 10th March. Please enter via the school playground - the hall doors open at 8.45am for a 9.00am start and it will finish at approximately 9.15am.
-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.
Raising FREE funds for SASM
If you would like to support the PTA continue to provide extra curricular projects for our pupils, please follow this link for further information about how you can help raise free funds.
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 are discussing what is meant by the term 'livestreaming', the risks of Twitch and giving advice for helping you keep those in your care safe when gaming online.
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.
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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