Newsletter 6 - Summer Term
4th June 2025
Embedded Files
-Reminders-
Don't forget!
RSE lessons take place this half term
Looking ahead:
Wednesdays continue to be swimming for Year 4
-Attendance-
What is our school attendance?
Year 3 = 97%
Year 4 = 97.2%
Year 5 = 97.1%
Year 6 = 95.2%
This week, SASM was recognised for the excellent attendance of its pupils:
-Coming Up-
Coming up in the next 7 days:
Friday 6th June - 3J class collective worship (9:00-9:15am)
Friday 6th June - 3CR class collective worship (3:00-3:15pm)
Monday 9th June - Year 6 visit to Painshill Park for shelter building
Monday 9th June - author events. Liz Pichon (Y4), Jeffery Boakye (Y5)
-This Week-
Thought For The Term
From Reverend Robert Stainer
“Let the children come to me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Thus Jesus told his disciples on one occasion, when they were attempting to stop their teacher from being troubled by some children.
It has been much debated what Jesus actually meant, but one of the things that children are inherently better at than adults is playing: namely, finding a game out of almost anything and then being able to play it with their friends.
Recent research shows not only that, but that playing regularly in one’s childhood leads to those same children becoming adults with greater resilience and fewer mental health problems in later life. At first this is counter intuitive, but the researchers believe that this is because playing requires umpteen micro-negotiations, as children set rules, accommodate other players, rethink how the game is played and so on. Leaving children to play on their own is sending them to the university of emotional intelligence.
However, the seeming detail - to leave them to play on their own - is a significant one. The emotional benefits are lost if an adult is there, setting the ground-rules for them and telling them how to play; the key is for them to be unsupervised.
At a time when we all prioritise becoming better parents, this should actually be a release. On this occasion, less is more. Adults should do less supervision to allow children to grow more. Obviously, there needs to be some kind of presence, as a safety net, but overall we should be aiming at less intervention here rather than more.
Summer is a great season for play. Just as going to the playground in a rainy November is a pretty miserable experience, heading there in high summer is a joy. And when we go, we as parents should resist the temptation to get too involved. This isn’t a failure of parental responsibility. Rather, liberating our children is doing more good for them in the long run than our being too connected.
A new half term of learning begins
It has been fantastic to see our pupils getting stuck into their new learning topics this week. You can explore what your child is studying in each subject on our curriculum page. This also includes the key vocabulary and knowledge pupils will learn as they study each topic.
Our Christian Value for this half term is courage.
A peek into Curriculum Clubs
From maths to musical theatre, there is a wide range of Curriculum Clubs available at SASM. It was fantastic to see the science and maths clubs join forces this week to explore and create Lego machines. Meanwhile, the art club were taking part in a drawing class, inspired by Disney.
Culture Club is coming
We have a new opportunity for SASM pupils to join a free before-school club, which will take place on Wednesdays from 8:15-8:45am. This will be led by Carole - our School Chaplain - and will focus on exploring all sorts of cultural delights. Pupils will be able to broaden their horizons, stretch their minds and discover more about themselves and the world around them. The club begins on Wednesday 18th June. Click here to register your child on a first-come-first-served basis.
In the news this week
The UK has a new astronaut currently training with NASA for six months. Dr Rosemary Coogan, who has a degree in astronomy, is expected to take part in a space mission within the next five years. It is possible that Dr Coogan could become the first British person to walk on the Moon, and there has been discussion about future mission to Mars!
Things to talk at home…
Share your thoughts on the news that Dr Coogan could be the first Briton to walk on the Moon. Is it something you think you would like to do? Why?
Share with someone at home a time when you were the first to do something. Talk about how you felt before and after. Has someone at home ever been the first to do something?
Do you want to find out more about how to make your home eco-fit for the future?
St Andrew's Church, Surbiton is hosting an event on behalf of Kingston Council and Crew Energy, in which they offer advice on everything from draught excluders to solar panels, from heat pumps to double glazing.
The talk will start at 7.30pm on Tuesday June 17th, and there will be lots of time to question the experts individually afterwards.
Our Journey Towards Gold – A Rights Respecting School
At our school, we believe that every child has the right to be heard, to feel safe, to be respected, and to thrive. As we work towards achieving the Gold Rights Respecting School Award, we are proud of the way children are leading the way — through their voice in School Parliament, their advocacy work in sub-committees, and their role in building a kind, inclusive school community.
Every week, our children take part in rights-focused oracy lessons and termly Fullness Focus Days where we explore powerful themes like dignity, equity and global justice. Our staff and pupils are working together to make sure that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is not just something we learn about - but something we live every day.
Supporting Your Child with the Transition to Secondary School – MHST Webinars
The Mental Health Support Team (MHST) is offering a free webinar to support parents and carers with the transition from primary to secondary school. This online session will explore common worries children may have, share strategies to help build confidence and independence and offer practical tips for a smoother move into Year 7.
The same webinar will be offered on three different dates – you only need to sign up for one:
· Tuesday 20th May 2025 – 6:00pm to 7:15pm
· Thursday 22nd May 2025 – 9:00am to 10:15am
· Tuesday 10th June 2025 – 6:00pm to 7:15pm
Final Dates for this Academic Year
Final Dates for this Academic Year
Friday 27th June
Friday 18th July
Just a reminder of the amazing products we sell at fantastic prices! Come and find us on the playground outside the hall before and after school on the dates shown.
These prices are for 500ml refills but you can of course buy in larger quantities if you wish. Please bring your own bottles to refill and help reduce plastic waste.
Body wash and bubble bath - £2.70 Coconut, Pink Grapefruit and Aloe Vera or tea tree and mint.
Shampoo - £2.70 Pink Grapefruit
Handmade soap bars - £2.30 Aloe Vera, Dragon fruit or Coconut
Hand wash - £2.20 Sweet Clementine, Cucumber and Aloe Vera or Lime, Basil and Mandarin
Washing Up liquid - £1.50 Apple Orchard or Wild Rhubarb and Lemon
BRAND NEW PRODUCT!!! ECO SPONGE SCOURER - ONLY £2
We need donations of empty (cleaned) 500ml bottles, to use if a customer forgets to bring their own bottle!
Please save your old shower gel, shampoo, washing-up liquid and handwash containers and give them to our office team. Thank you! So far the ECO shop has saved 80 plastics bottles!
ADHD Teacher Training and Coffee Mornings for Primary & Secondary Schools
We would like to remind all schools of the training and services ADHD Embrace offering to the local communities in the borough of Kingston & Richmond.
We can offer to all schools the following provisions:
ADHD Teacher Training and Coffee Mornings for Primary & Secondary Schools
We would like to remind all schools of the training and services ADHD Embrace offering to the local communities in the borough of Kingston & Richmond.
We can offer to all schools the following provisions:
Teacher Training for teachers, teaching assistants or all staff, tailored to Primary or Secondary schools, providing an overview into the condition and talking about practical strategies to use in the classrooms.
Coffee Mornings (or Afternoon Teas) for parents and carers of children with or without a diagnosis of ADHD, to signpost the local support services available.
We are now taking bookings for the autumn term. Please do not hesitate to get in contact with us to book your training or to ask for more information: laura.e@adhdembrace.org
Your Healthcare – Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Social Media
Your Healthcare – Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Social Media
Your Healthcare’s Children’s Speech and Language Therapy team have relaunched their Facebook page and Instagram account to support families. You can find these links here on the local offer. Families can find practical advice, tips, resources, and information about the team as well as providing a platform for connection for families experiencing similar challenges.
Smartphone Free Pledge
SASM was featured in Surbiton Good Life last term, which covered how the school has been working with parents and carers to create our own smartphone 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. 114 SASM parents and carers have signed this so far.
-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.
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.
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.
-What's New? Community News-
Please add your details to this form to register your interest for Rock Squad.
13_A3_Surbiton_John_Patrick_Green_June_21_v01.pdf_Advert 2025 F (2).pdf2025 Summer courses flyer - Hampton and Kingston.docxSummer Hockey 2025 A4 (004).jpgAlexandra Recreation Ground All Stars Programme.pdfAlexandra Recreation Ground Dynamos Programme.pdf
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 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.
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-
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 and Timetable
PE TIMETABLE - SUMMER TERM 22nd April - 22nd July 2025
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.
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.
Changes to School Uniform
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.
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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