Newsletter 6 Spring Term
12th February 2025
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Our Instagram feed displays photos and video of school life. Click or tap on the image below 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.
-School News-
It was fantastic to see 34 pupils in their own clothes on Monday after being awarded 15 Christian Value Points (CVPs) so far this year. The next '15 CVP day' will be at end the spring term. At the end of each half term, we hold 'Fullness Focus' days at SASM, which gives pupils an opportunity to study and be inspired by learning beyond the National Curriculum. This week, we have been looking at Careers and Ambitions and more information has been shared about this below. It has been a busy end to the half term with the Safer Internet Day, the Headteacher for a Day election, aspirations day, preparations for the Mini Market and more!
Have a restful half term break and we look forward to welcoming pupils back to SASM on Monday 24th February.
Our Headteacher for a Day candidates: Leo, Elena, Harith, Anaiyah, Maisie, Mila, Salma, Ava
Careers and ambitions: Headteacher for a Day
The atmosphere was electric at SASM today as our 8 shortlisted candidates for 'Headteacher for a Day' spoke to the school in our hustings event. As part of learning of the British Value of democracy, Year 6 have studied speech-writing and manifestos. After producing their own speeches for what they would do if they were a 'Headteacher for a Day', the Year 6 teachers selected 8 candidates to stand in the election.
After gathering a campaign team, our candidates met with Mr Gates to test out their speeches and ask questions about the role of Headteacher. Today, each candidate delivered their speech to school and were grilled by pupils and staff in a 'question time' format. Tomorrow sees a day of hard-fought campaigning, simulating the format of a national election. On Friday, each pupil and member of staff visits SASM's Polling Station to cast their vote. The elected candidate will go on to take the job of Headteacher for a day next half term.
Careers and ambitions - our 'fullness focus'
Tomorrow, SASM will be delighted to welcome over a number students from local secondary and sixth form settings to participate in our Aspirations Fair. During the morning, pupils in Years 5 and 6 will have a chance to reflect on the subjects that they have a passion for and explore subjects that are locally available at GCSE and A-Level that they may not yet know exist!
Year 5 and 6 pupils will be visiting the Aspirations Fair whilst pupils in Years 3 and 4 will be learning about careers and considering their own personal qualities. On Friday, pupils will be learning about applying for a job and how payslips work.
It is fantastic to see our pupils excited about how much it is possible to learn and how diverse their choices will be in the future. Our particular thanks go to the students from our local secondary schools for working with us.
Year 4 mosaic artwork
After studying patterns and styles of moasic making, such as Roman moasics, Year 4 have designed and created their own designs during the half term. The final pieces are excellent and pupils are very excited to be taking these home and sharing them with you. Well done, Year 4.
Safer Internet Day
This week, we marked Safer Internet Day with a special collective worship and engaging lessons focused on staying safe online. The children explored the importance of recognising and avoiding online scams, learning how to spot misleading messages, protect their personal information, and seek help if something doesn't seem right. Through discussions and interactive activities, they gained valuable skills to navigate the digital world responsibly. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home, reinforcing the message that staying safe online is just as important as staying safe in the real world.
Team of wellbeing supporters!
This week we held our first professionals' meeting of the wide and varied adults who work to support our pupils with their wellbeing. It was fantastic to be able to gather together to discuss how we can continue to grow our work with both pupils and families....and having us all in the same room made us realise how big our team has grown! Attendees were:
Dr Kim O'Connor - Educational Psychologist
Deborah Cottrell - Clinical Specialist/Art Psychotherapist
Vivi Hillsdon - Counsellor
Fahmida Wadud - Education Wellbeing Practitioner
Sarah Crowther - SENCo
Emily Woodward - Senior Mental Health Lead
Alison Miller - School Community Worker and ELSA
Annette Simmonds - HLTA and Drawing and Talking Practitioner
Sam Hall - TA and ELSA (inc Calm Club)
It's just a shame that Nellie (our pet therapy dog) and Sue (her owner) couldn't join us.
The SASM Smartphone Parent/Carer Pledge
We have a growing number of parents and carers who have signed the pledge to delay giving their child a smartphone. Knowing other parents are delaying helps alleviate the pressure to expose children to the risks of smart devices and social media.
This pledge is optional and anonymous but we will share the number of pupils whose parents have completed this pledge in our newsletter. You can take the pledge by clicking here. 93 SASM parents and carers have signed this so far.
The planner competition- deadline is this Friday!
This is the final week of this year's planner competition. The competition challenges pupils to submit their original artwork for the cover of next year's planner. The prize is simple: the winning design is featured on every pupils' planner next year!
The details of what needs to be included on the design has been shared with every pupil via their Google Classroom and have been included below. We are always astounded by the quality of the entries we receive.
Pupils need to give their design to the school office. The closing date is Friday 14th February 2025 at 3.30pm.
Kingston Adult Education has a number of new workshops and short courses taking place this term that we think might be of interest to you:
1. FREE maths courses for adults to grow your numeracy confidence and help you to better support your children with their maths school work.
2. A series of two-hour Saturday family workshops where you (or another adult) and your child can spend quality time together while learning. Workshops cost £20 for one adult and one child and activities include cookery, computing, Italian and art, and jewellery making.
See this brochure for further details about these courses as well as Kingston Adult Education’s wider offering: bit.ly/KAE-Spring2025
Their classes take place both online and at centres across the Royal Borough of Kingston.
For further information, please contact Kingston Adult Education directly on 020 8547 6700 or at adult.education@kingston.gov.uk
Kingsnympton / Kingston - Advert for all Kingston schools and parents
Kingsnympton / Kingston - Advert for all Kingston schools and parents
Join our FREE* Mindfulness Moments and Meditation course.
Bring some calm into your day, Learn simple breathing exercises and enjoy guided meditation
Thursdays from 11:00 to 12:00 term time only.
Starts 30 January for 9 weeks Together Thursdays at Parent Champions Cafe, Kingsnympton Youth and Community Centre, Kingston KT2 7RP
For further information and to enrol please use link.
These classes take place as part of Together Thursdays sessions.
Parents are welcome to also join FREE Tai Chi and Pilates sessions plus our parents coffee mornings.
All learners are welcome to stay after for our guest talks and community lunches.
*Free to learners earning below the London Living Wage (currently £27.007.50 )
Click here to view flyer
Opportunity to take part in research at Kingston University
Executive function is a hot topic in the field of education. If your family would like to take part in a local research study, please see the flyer for more information.
Parenting support
Parenting support
Please see details attached of 3 groups that will be running this term for parents and carers of adolescents:
Triple P Teen
This group is for parents and carers of adolescents with mild to moderate challenging behaviour. Topics include encouraging appropriate behaviour and managing problem behaviour
Saturday 1 and 8 March. Venue to be confirmed but will be in Kingston borough
10am-2pm for 2 consecutive weeks
Click here to read more.
-Repeat Notices-
Road safety on Maple Road
We would like to remind everyone of the importance of road safety on Maple Road, particularly during pick-up and drop-off times, following a near miss this morning involving a member of the public and their child.
To ensure everyone’s safety, please observe speed limits, do not park illegally, use the designated crossing. It is particularly important to refrain from stopping or parking on yellow lines and near junctions, as these areas are designed to protect pedestrians and maintain clear visibility. We also ask for patience and courtesy to make this busy time safer for everyone and ensure our school is a positive force in our local community.
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.
Assessment results are now available on the SIMS Parent App
We share the results of assessments termly with parents and carers. The outcomes of pupils' autumn term assessments will be available to view via the SIMS Parent App on Monday. You will have received an invitation to join the SIMS Parent App via the email addresses you have provided when registering with the school. More information about the assessment results are included within the report. If your child was absent during the day of the assessment no result will be shown.
Summative assessment results explained:
Towards the end of each term, pupils sit standardised assessments in reading, maths and GPS (grammar, punctuation and spelling). In Years 3, 4 and 5, we use tests developed by Rising Stars, which have been standardised against thousands of pupils nationally. In Year 6, past SATs papers are used. The results help inform our practice and gives some indication of a pupils’ progress.
A score between 90-99 means that your child is currently projected to be ‘working towards the expected standard’ at the end of Key Stage 2.
A score of 100-109 means that your child is currently projected to ‘achieve the expected standard’ at the end of Key Stage 2.
A score of 110 or over means that your child is currently projected to be ‘working at greater depth’ at the end of Key Stage 2.
Please note that these tests reflect a snapshot in time and many factors can influence a test result. Year 6 past SATs papers test pupils on content they have learned across their time at SASM, so you may see some differences between results in Year 5 and Year 6.
To reduce anxiety surrounding assessments, all tests are conducted in a ‘low stakes’ environment and we request your support in helping children understand that assessments are used to help target and support classroom teaching.
In order to ensure the integrity and reliability of our assessments, we are unable to provide copies of Years 3, 4 and 5 test papers to parents and carers. Thank you for your understanding.
WANTED
Donations of board games for our new 'Lunchtime board games Club'
Please check that there are no missing pieces and that the game is in good condition.
Advance notice: changes to school uniform from September
Thank you to the parents and carers who responded to our uniform survey. We have been carefully considering how to ensure our school uniform creates a sense of belonging, prepares pupils for the expectations of secondary school whilst keeping branded items to a minimum. From September 2025, there will be the following changes to our school uniform:
All pupils will be required to wear a shirt and school tie in the Autumn and Spring terms- this ensures consistency across all pupils and applies whether your child is wearing trousers, shorts, a skirt or a pinafore. It also represents the transition from the polo shirts of Infant School and prepares pupils for Year 7 and beyond, where they will be expected to wear a shirt, tie and blazer. In the Summer term only, polo shirts and summer dresses will be permitted.
Black trainers (without logos) will be permitted instead of smart black school shoes - we encourage our pupils to be active, from the Daily Mile to lunchtime activities. As a result, pupils will be able to attend from September with black trainers everyday; these must not display a logo. This also means that the same shoes can be used for PE and school uniform, making uniform for comfortable and affordable.
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.
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 8.00am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8.00am to 5.00pm 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.
How to support children with SEND
Please follow this link for further information and support. For Kingston & Richmond the number is:0800 028 8000
Winter Care
With flu and norovirus cases on the rise, here are some simple steps to help keep your child healthy this winter.
1. Teach good hygiene habits: Encourage children to wash their hands regularly and use a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes to stop the spread of germs.
2. Know when to keep your child at home: Children can still attend school with symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough, but should stay home if they have a high temperature, diarrhea and vomiting. Read NHS guidance to help you decide. Click here to read more.
-What's New? Community News-
Light Up Kingston returns - A series of stunning light installations around Kingston town centre
Kingston First and Riverside Walk proudly announce the return of Light Up Kingston, an immersive light experience held in Kingston town centre from 14-23 February 2025, 4.30pm-9pm daily.
This year, we have expanded the event with new light installations that feature soundscapes and sensory functions to create an interactive and exciting experience for all audiences and ages to enjoy. We have also collaborated with local businesses to offer exclusive offers and discounts throughout the duration of the event, such as 25% off the total food bill, and Kids Eat Free!
From beautiful light displays to unmissable deals, Light Up Kingston is a wonderful event to enjoy with the whole family this Half Term and to illuminate your cold February evenings.
Please add your details to this form to register your interest for Rock Squad.
The Learn2Bounce Programme
As part of Children’s Mental Health Week, the Year 3 children will be taking part in an online resilience workshop on Thursday morning. Year 3 classes from all over the country will come together to learn simple brain science and to learn some skills to help them calm big feelings & grow resilience!
If you would like to find out what your child will learn in the Learn2Bounce workshop, please click here: https://raisingresilience.thinkific.com/courses/raising-resilience-children-child-mental-health-week-2025 You will need to make a free account to access the video.
Additional Funding for low-income households
The Department of Work and Pensions has made additional funding available for low-income households in Kingston who meet the criteria and are struggling to afford food, fuel, utility bills and other essentials. The expectation is that the fund should be used to support households in the most need; particularly those who may not be eligible for other government cost-of-living support. For more details click here.
If your household has received help through any of the previous rounds of the Household Support Fund, we may not be able to issue any further funding.
However, we may be able to provide you with information about other support
available so please email: householdsupportfund@kingston.gov.uk
Activities and Opportunities
Skylarks is an independent charity that are expanding their outreach. We recommend parents and carers of pupils on the SEND register to sign up with the charity to stay up-to-date on a range of fun activities and opportunities. For more details and to register, please click here.
Together Thursdays
What are Together Thursdays sessions? These sessions deliver opportunities to socialise and gain new skills, self confidence and make friends.
All activities are free, all refreshments and lunch are free, community larder with free food supplies. Conversations, fun and social interactions are free. Visiting Together Thursdays is free.
Achieiving for Children, Kingsnympton Youth and Community Centre,
Kingsnympton Park, Kingston KT2 7RP
Thursdays, 10am to 2pm
Drop in Term time only.
Kingston Young Carers' Project
Who is a young carer? A young carer is someone aged 18 or under who helps to look after someone at home who needs extra support or care. This may be a sibling, parent/carer or other relative that lives at home with you.
We are the only organisation in the borough with a team dedicated to supporting the needs of young carers (aged 5-18) and as such have a wealth of experience and expertise in issues which affect their lives. We provide:
information and advice, including 1-to-1 support
opportunities to meet other young carers
fun activities, outings and breaks away from home
regular drop ins
awareness raising of the needs of young carers, particularly in schools
advocacy and whole family support
quarterly newsletter
If you would like to know more information, please contact the School office and ask to speak to Mrs. Miller - School Community Worker.
Supporting Our Families
Supporting Our Families
We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That is why we are pleased to be able to offer our families support in partnership with Kingston Foodbank.
Kingston Foodbank provide three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
Foodbank clients bring their vouchers to a foodbank centre where they can be redeemed for three days of emergency food. Volunteers meet clients over a warm drink or free hot meal, and are able to signpost people to other agencies that may able to them solve the longer-term problems.
Vouchers can be issued any day and at any time during the school week. These can be either printed or sent to you electronically via your mobile phone. This is a confidential service and vouchers are only allocated by Mrs Miller - School Community Worker.
Our nearest food collection points are listed below - please note the opening times.
Monday (6.00pm - 7.00pm)
Surbiton New Life Baptist Church
1 Balaclava Road
Surbiton
KT6 5PW
Tuesday and Friday (11.00am - 12.30pm)
Kingston Everyday Church
46 Union St, Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1RP
What is HENRY?
What is HENRY?
What is HENRY? HENRY is a UK charity working to give children a healthy, happy childhood so they thrive now and in the future. There are loads of useful ideas and resources for parents on the HENRY website.
Is the HENRY programme for me? The HENRY programme can help everyone with a primary-school aged child. Every parent who joins learns something new and useful. If you have at least one child of primary school age and can answer yes to any of the questions below then HENRY is for you...
Would you like to feel more confident as a parent?
Would you like support and ideas for helping your family be healthier?
Do you wish your child would eat a wider range of foods or more fruit and vegetables?
Would you like to reduce mealtime stress?
Would you like your children or family to be more active more often?
Are you interested in some ideas to get children away from screens?
Free School Meals
Free School Meals
If your child is eligible for free school meals but you prefer to provide them with packed lunches, it's still important to register. By doing so, the school receives additional funding called Pupil Premium which helps support your child in other ways.
Once you have registered for free school meals and we have received confirmation that you are eligible, your child will then be able to attend an enrichment club after school free of charge, as well as one session at our after school club. They will also qualify for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme, this is also known as FUEL (which stands for ‘Feed Ur Everyday Lives’) This programme offers free places at holiday clubs during the Easter, summer and Christmas breaks.
Children can enjoy 4 sessions during Easter, 16 sessions over the summer and 4 in winter, with lunch provided at the club. There are lots of clubs and activities to choose from across a range of dates, time and locations. Some activities include: cycling; film-making; yoga; technology and coding; skateboarding; art and crafts; cooking; indoor climbing; and lots of sports such as cricket, football, netball and rugby.
If you think you may be eligible and would like further information please contact the office and ask for Mrs Miller, our School Community Worker.
-School Reminders-
PE Timetable Spring 2025.pdfPupil Premium Grants
For the first time, all pupils at SASM are entitled to receive a free school lunch. To enable your child to access this, you must book your child's lunch via ParentPay.com.
If you were previously eligible for means tested free school meals or are in receipt of any of the following benefits...
income support
income-based job seeker's allowance
income-related employment and support allowance
the guarantee element of state pension credit
support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
child tax credit (but not working tax credit) and have an annual income of less than £16,190
working tax credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit
Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
...your child maybe eligible for a Pupil Premium Grant. This will gives your child access to:
This gives your child access to:
A free after school club every half term
A free 'stay and play' session in our Wrap Around Care each week
A free place at Breakfast Club every day
A discount on school residential visits
... and much more!
Please contact the school office if you have any issues with activating an account.
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.
Please send a water bottle with your child...
Its important to ensure that our pupils stay hydrated throughout the day. Please remember to send your child to school with a water bottle. To avoid any mix-ups, kindly label the bottle with your child's name. Thank you.
Parking outside SASM
If you are driving to drop your children off or pick them up from school, please park considerately on the surrounding roads. Please don't park over driveways or over the zig zag lines. This helps keep everyone safe.
Whilst the school is not responsible for enforcing street parking, we have advised our local community to report all instances of poor parking or behaviour to the police.
Uniform donations warmly welcomed!
If your child has outgrown their school uniform over the summer break (including shoes, plimsolls or trainers) and they are still in good condition, please consider donating them to our uniform shop. You can drop off any unwanted school uniform or shoes at the office.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
No toys in school please!
No toys in school please!
We would like to remind parents and carers that pupils are not permitted to bring their own toys or collectables into school. Not only do toys provide a distraction from pupils' learning, there is a potential for personal items to be misplaced. Please be aware that any lost toys, collectible cards or other play items are beyond the responsibility of the school.
No jewellery in school please!
No jewellery in school please!
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.
No smart watches in school please!
No smart watches in school please!
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.
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