Newsletter 2 - Spring Term
16th January 2026
Embedded Files
-Our calendar-
You can add our Google Events calendar to your device - scroll to the bottom of the calendar and click/tap 'Add to Google Calendar'
-Attendance-
Year 3 - 97.1%
Year 4 - 96.8%
Year 5- 97.1%
Year 6 - 94.8%
Whole school - 96.5%
-Don't forget-
Mufti (non-uniform) day for 4R and 3H only on Friday - they have won the award for the class with the most organised equipment
- This Week -
Coming soon: the Mini Market
Coming soon: the Mini Market
The Mini Market is coming - Friday 13th February
Mr Gates introduced the Mini Market to pupils in collective worship on Tuesday this week. It is a great opportunity for pupils to serve the local community and the wider world by raising funds to help those in need. The Mini Market is also a teamwork experience and teaches pupils business skills. To find out more, please see our explainer below:
What is the Mini Market?
SASM holds a Mini Market each year to raise money for the Bishop’s Lent Appeal, which supports a huge number of charities across the Southwark Diocese (including some in Kingston such as the Fircoft Trust and ATBeacon Project) as well as through their link diocese. This looks and feels just like our PTA SASM WinterFest or SASMFest with one key difference: it is organised and run entirely by pupils!
Children organise their own fundraising stalls and this year’s event will be held on Friday 13th February. Children plan, set up, run and clear up their own stalls. They will be given planning time in school, assisted by their class teacher. The pupils learn about how to work as a team with minimal adult support as well as the economics of running a stall.
What sort of stall do pupils run?
There are lots of different ways of raising money at the Mini Market. Competitions such as 'guess the name of the teddy' and 'guess the number of sweets in a jar' are always popular. Other past stalls have included: biscuit icing; sale of second hand toys/books; handmade crafts; cake sales; nail painting and outdoor games. To ensure variety, each class can have only 1 group selling homemade food or drinks. Please note that there are no power points available so pupils cannot use electrical equipment No nuts are allowed to be bought into school (including sweets and chocolates which have nuts i.e. Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, and Snicker bars) and all homemade food and drink items must have the ingredients clearly listed and displayed on them. Fizzy drinks are not permitted.
Do pupils have to spend any money organising our stall?
The aim of the Mini Market is to make a stall that costs nothing or as little as possible. We speak to pupils about the need to minimise the outlay (money spent setting up a stall) and maximise the profit (the money taken on the day). There is no requirement to spend any money to make a stall; some of our most successful stalls have cost very little money to set up (think 'beat the goalie' or 'guess the baby photo')!
What do pupils need to bring to school?
Pupils should work as a team and bring everything they need to run their stall including a poster to tell people what they are doing and price labels. The idea is for pupils to work together and organise themselves; learning to work as a team without adult support is a key learning point in running the Mini Market!
What is the SASM Bank?
The SASM Bank operates out of the LRC. Each stall visits the bank before the Mini Market opens to collect £1 in small change to use as a float.
Does my child need to bring money to spend at the Mini Market?
Yes please, but not much money is needed because many of the things at the Mini Market cost 30p-50p. The children can have lots of turns on stalls by bringing £2-£5 spending money - ideally in small change. We'll be on-hand to make sure that everyone has a role at the Mini Market, regardless of whether a child has any money to spend or not. All money raised goes to the charities supported by the Bishop's Lent Appeal.
Can our families come to the Mini Market?
Yes! Just like SASMFestivities, the Mini Market is open to pupils only for the first session and if family members would like to attend, they can join us from 10.45am-11.30am. Please bring loose change/cash to spend. We will also be looking for adults to help us in the SASM Bank. If you would like to volunteer to help as a cashier please sign up here!
What happens to the money we make?
All the stall takings are paid into the SASM Bank which will be open in the LRC. The money will be counted and then given to The Bishop’s Lent Appeal.
The planner competition is back!
This week, Mr Gates introduced 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 13th February 2025 at 3.30pm.
Jewellery
Jewellery
Our school policy prohibits the wearing of ear studs or earrings in school. This is intended to keep pupils safe as getting ear jewellery caught on equipment, particularly during active play and PE lessons, can cause significant injury. We highly recommend families choose to complete ear piercings at the beginning of the summer break to ensure ears have time to heal and jewellery is removed, prior to the start of term.
If your child has recently had their ears pierced, pupils may join active play and PE lessons provided they wear neutral coloured ear tape. This measure is to to ensure pupils' safety.
Family Hub and Home Learning
Family Hub and Home Learning
Our next session Family Hub is Friday 16th January, where Mr Gates will be talking about how to support your child with home learning. To help plan for thus event, please express your interest here. Please show if you would like to attend online, a link will then be sent prior.
DoodleMaths provides further details for parents/carers about your child's understanding of each area of maths using a traffic light system. To find out more about how to create your parent account, please visit our website: https://www.sasm.kingston.sch.uk/teaching-and-learning/home-learning . In the final week of term, our second parent consultation evenings provide another opportunity to discuss your child's progress in more detail.
Executive function - organisation and working memory
Executive function - organisation and working memory
Over the past 12 months, we have been teaching pupils about executive function, known to the pupils as 'study skills'. These are the skills we learn to help us to achieve our goals and be successful in learning and beyond.
Our work has included assemblies about working memory, lessons about how to develop mental flexibility and targetted teaching to develop our skills.
Part of this initiative has also included provided every pupil with a pencil case and stationery, so that they are prepared for learning, can get organised and make progress. We have been completing class stationery checks and it was brilliant to see 3H and 4R have every child with all the equipment they needed, winning them a non-uniform day on Friday 16th January.
In the news this week
Famous online creators have come together at the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai to talk about how their influence affects people around the world. Influencers at the event use their fame to share kindness, as a part of the ‘1 Billion Acts of Kindness’ campaign. One of the most well-known creators, MrBeast, has encouraged millions of people to take part, using his videos and social media to inspire positive actions.
Things to talk at home…
Talk to someone at home about the summit and the campaign. Do you think lots of people will choose to take part? Why?
Share who influences you. Talk about how some of the people we admire or look up to are well-known or famous, and others maybe family or friends.
Ask someone at home about who influenced them, when they were younger. What impact did they have?
Family Hubs - coming up
Family Hubs - coming up
We believe in working closely with families to support pupils and children. We run a range of informal workshops at our Family Hub in school. These run most Fridays (8.45-10am) and are led by a member of the SASM team (either Sarah Crowther, Emily Woodward or Alison Miller) and sometimes include external speakers. Everyone is welcome - these sessions are a chance to learn, share, ask questions, support, chat and make friends.
The schedule for this term is shown here. Our next session is Friday 16th January, where Mr Gates will be talking about how to support your child with home learning.
Message from ADVANCED TREE SERVICES LIMITED – Working in Partnership with Royal Borough of Kingston
Please be aware that we will be carrying out essential tree works on behalf of the Council on Maple Road starting Monday 12th January 2026 for approx. 3 weeks. For the works to be completed quickly and smoothly with minimum disruption, we would request that no vehicles are parked below the signed off tree/trees and to be aware of cones and road signs on site.
We thank you in anticipation of your cooperation in this request. If you have any queries regarding this matter, please call our office on 01483 210066
Places available on a number of parenting groups starting in Kingston
There are places available on free parenting groups which will be starting next term in the Kingston borough.
The Parenting Puzzle/Nurturing Program for parents and carers of primary school aged children.
Workshops for parents of children aged up to 10 years
Teen Life for parents and carers of children aged 10-16 years with a diagnosis of ASD
Please see attached posters for more information about each group.
Please contact Karen Williams for further information.
- Repeat notices -
Smartphones
Whilst this article has been included in the newsletter weekly this year, we have had a number of enquires from families about smartphones following Christmas.
Pupils are not be permitted to bring a phone to school unless families have attended Smartphone Awareness Training. If your child brings in a smartphone, we will ask for it to be collected from the office by an adult.
The aim of the training is to explain the school's approach and some emerging concerns about smartphone use for young people and to provide key tips about how to keep your child safe online. The training video will run in the Science Lab at key school events and your next opportunity to view this will be at the Spring Term Parent Consultations, where the training will be on shown on a loop in the Lab. The flowchart below explains the process:
SASM has been working with parent representatives from the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement. You may wish to sign the SASM Parent/Carer Smartphone Pledge , where 135 families have pledged to not give their children a smartphone until at least they are in Year 9.
Online safety guidance for neurodivergent children
Online safety guidance for neurodivergent children
Online scams like trust trades and fake giveaways can cause harm and upset to all children, but neurodivergent children are at greater risk of falling victim to scams. Internet Matters have worked with Ambitious about Autism and Roblox to create new resources to help families with neurodivergent children learn and stay safe from scams within games.
There’s a guide for parents, a video for children and young people, plus stories for families to read and discuss together to explore the risks, with practical actions for children to take to help stay protected.
-Community opportunities-
Fostering opportunities in Kingston
New Opportunities in Kingston
Kingston Community Fridge Simply turn up and collect surplus food from local supermarkets gathered that day.
Square one cafe - Square 1 Cafes are safe and inclusive spaces. Everyone is welcome and everything is free.
More information about community support can be found here: https://www.sasm.kingston.sch.uk/parents-carers/community-support
Think Pharmacy First
Most pharmacies in England are now providing the Pharmacy First service.
This free NHS service allows you or your child to get quick access to healthcare advice for the following seven conditions:
Earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
Impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
Infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
Shingles (aged 18 years and over)
Sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
Sore throats (aged 5 years and over)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women (aged 16 to 64 years)
If you or your child has symptoms that suggest you may have one of these conditions, you can walk into a pharmacy and be offered a consultation with a pharmacist in a private consultation room.
The pharmacist will provide advice and, if clinically necessary, a prescription medicine to treat the condition (the normal NHS prescription charge rules apply to people aged 16 and over).
Think Pharmacy First!
Find out more by watching the Pharmacy First animation or visiting nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst
'Helping children with....' Webinars for parents 2025-2026
Achieving for Children’s Mental Health Support Teams are delivering a series of webinars for parents of primary-aged children. The ‘Helping Children with …’ series of webinars will cover a range of common difficulties experienced by children and will aim to share evidence-based strategies to help parents and carers support their children with these difficulties. We have included a list of webinars on offer over the coming months. Click here to book your place
Copy of 2025_26 - Helping children series flier.docxAutumn 2 25_26 Parent information leaflet.pptx.pdf
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.
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 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)
Please speak to Mrs Miller if you would like help to apply.
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.
Achieving 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 have a team dedicated to supporting the needs of young carers (aged 5-18), with 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.
-Repeat Notices-
Safer Schools App
Safer Schools App
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.
Worried about a child?
Worried about a child?
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.
Children with SEND
Children with SEND
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
Winter Care
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.
-School Reminders-
Healthy School Snacks
For our break time snack, we ensure pupils only have fresh fruit or a savoury snack which is full of goodness and will keep pupils full until lunch!
Whilst our team makes every effort to check and speak to pupils about snacks, our healthy approach places trust in parents and carers working with us to ensure this takes place.
Examples of permitted snacks include:
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Plain rice cakes
Plain breadsticks
Pure fruit, such as 'Yo-Yo Bears'
Plain crackers
Ryvita crackers
Bagels
Cream cheese
Marmite
Hummus
Babybels/Cheese triangles
Examples of snacks not permitted are:
Cereal bars
Cakes, biscuits or sweets
'Lunchbox' chocolate bars
Crisips
'Belvita' biscuits or 'Go Ahead' Bars
PE Kit
School PE kit to be worn only on PE days.
Red PE sweatshirt with the school logo
OR
Plain red PE sweatshirt with NO visible branding.
White t-shirt with the school logo
OR
Plain White t-shirt with NO visible branding.
Red Shorts
Plain black jogging/tracksuit bottoms with NO visible branding.
White or Grey Socks
Black Trainers. NO football studded shoes.
PE Days
3B - Thursday (indoor and outdoor)
3H - Wednesday (indoor), Friday (outdoor)
3N - Tuesday (indoor and outdoor)
4M - Wednesday (indoor), Thursday (outdoor)
4R - Tuesday (indoor and outdoor)
4S - Monday (indoor and outdoor)
5J- Thursday (outdoor), Friday (indoor)
5L - Wednesday (outdoor), Friday (indoor)
5S - Monday (indoor and outdoor)
6G - Wednesday (indoor and outdoor)
6M - Thursday (indoor and outdoor)
6MC - Tuesday (outdoor), Friday (indoor)
Pupil Premium Grants
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
It's 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.
Report abuse