Newsletter 12 - Summer Term
13th July 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 - 97.4%
Year 4 - 96.9%
Year 5- 97%
Year 6 - 95.4%
Whole school - 96.7%
-Don't forget-
PE kit may be worn all week. Please ensure your child has a sun hat and water bottle
School finishes at 2pm on Friday 17th- there is no after school club on this day
Friday 17th July - 9:30am - Year 6 Leavers Service - St Andrew's Church
Monday 7th September - 8:30am - start of term
- This Week -
A message from Mr Gates
It has been another busy and successful year here at SASM!
In addition to our day-to-day lessons, special events, trips and clubs, our school community has truly shone, securing outstanding results in both our Ofsted and SIAMS inspections. This term alone has been packed: from our Year 6 leavers visiting the Isle of Wight and preparing for a production of Finding Nemo to Year 4's Big 'Sleep' evening, choir performances and Brazil Day, our pupils have been embracing a full life at SASM. We've been fortunate to welcome a huge number of guests, including inspiring visits from a Paralympic hopeful and author Cressida Cowell, alongside fantastic events like SASMFest. The school continued to adapt and continue, even during the hottest weather of the year. I would like to thank everyone for supporting our truly excellent pupils and staff team.
The end of year is always bittersweet as we say goodbye to our Year 6 pupils as well Miss Woodward, Mr Burley and Mr Srilangarajah. Miss Woodward is moving up to the role of Deputy Headteacher in a Sutton school, which is a huge achievement. Mr Burley and his family are relocating to Essex, whilst Mr Srilangarajah is also looking forward to a new adventure. We wish them well on the next part of their journey.
We look forward to welcoming families back to SASM on Monday 7th September. Parents/carers are welcome to join us in the playground from 8:30-8:45am for the first day of term, where teachers will be holding up signs for their new classes to find them as term begins.
I wish you a restful summer break and thank you all for a remarkable year!
Year 4 Brazil Day
Year 4 Brazil Day
Friday was a vibrant, action-packed Brazil Day for Year 4. The year group embodied the spirit of Brazil with an energetic football session and a rhythmic, lively Samba workshop. The creativity and culture continued to flow as students crafted beautiful carnival masks, mixed refreshing mocktails and tried their hands at making delicious, traditional brigadeiro chocolate cakes. The day concluded with a competitive Brazil quiz before we opened our doors for a wonderful Celebration Afternoon with families, capping off a spectacular day of learning, music and teamwork.
Choir performance
Choir performance
The choir treated families to an unforgettable performance as the choir showcased their singing on stage today. From hymns such as 'The Lord is my Shepherd' to pop anthems like 'Cover Me in Sunshine', the choir gave us the perfect way to start the week. Thank you to our families for coming along and supporting our choir.
Year 6 Celebration Day
What an unforgettable Year 6 Celebration Day we had at SASM! The action-packed day kicked off with energetic games on the MUGA, followed by a walk to the Kingston Rotunda. The children had an absolute blast bowling and enjoying slices of pizza, before heading back to school for lunch and a sweet ice cream treat in the sunshine. The excitement didn't slow down in the afternoon, as the students put their all into a final dress rehearsal of Finding Nemo to perfect their performances just in time before showing their families their work at as part of our Celebration Afternoon.
Rock Squad Performance
Rock Squad Performance
We had a fantastic start to last week with an incredible Rock Squad performance in the front garden on Monday! Our talented young musicians blew everyone away with their energy and stage presence, as they each played a song they had been practising for our SASM community. Following the musical showcase, we drew the winners for our school raffle. A huge thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and supported the raffle - your generosity is greatly appreciated and congratulations to all of our lucky winners!
Year 6 Performing 'Finding Nemo'
Year 6 Performing 'Finding Nemo'
Our incredibly talented Year 6 pupils are ready to wow audiences this week with their spectacular production of Disney's Finding Nemo! Bringing the vibrant underwater world to life on the SASM stage, pupils are ready to showcase their fantastic acting, synchronised musical numbers and impressive stage presence. Each pupil is set to play a vital role, whether performing under the spotlight or working hard behind the scenes to manage props, lighting and sound. A massive congratulations to Year 6 for their dedication and hard work, and thank you to all the staff team who helped make this a swimmingly exciting production!
Summer challenge - DoodleMaths
Summer challenge - DoodleMaths
Join the thousands of families taking part in DoodleMaths’ Summer Challenge!
With quick daily practice and real-life rewards to earn, it’s a great way to keep your child learning throughout the holidays Jump in today!
1. Register
Visit the Parent Dashboard and press Register next to your child's name for one or both Challenges.
Important: If your child has a school account, you'll need to link your email address to their account before doing this.
Register for the Challenge here
The last day to register for and begin the Challenge is August 18th.
2. Doodle!
Encourage your child to earn 750 stars (or 600 if they were born after August 2018) and use DoodleMaths for 14 days* before August 31st. *These days don’t need to be in a row. A day of use = completing at least one exercise between 00:01 and 23:59.
3. Receive your rewards
Once they’ve reached their target, we'll send them a pin badge! This will be sent to their home if they have a home account, or school if they have a school account.
You can also claim a personalised certificate for them by visiting the Parent Dashboard and pressing Download certificate.
Summer challenge - Read to the Beat
Summer challenge - Read to the Beat
This year's Summer Reading Challenge, Read to The Beat, inspires children to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity. To take part in the challenge, children should aim to read 6 books over the summer and will collect stickers and a medal and certificate on completion.
Register for the Summer Reading Challenge here
At SASM, we keep learning all the way through to last day of term and we are excited to look ahead to our upcoming, whole-school "Sense of Place" Fullness Focus week.
This week - 'Sense of Place' and Transiton Learning
This week - 'Sense of Place' and Transiton Learning
Throughout this special week of learning, our pupils will dive into immersive activities designed to explore how they fit into their local community and the wider world by progressively zooming their geographical perspectives. The children will start with a global outlook by investigating Fairtrade and tracking how everyday items travel across the globe straight to a dot labelled Surbiton, before examining the vital role Surbiton Station plays as a sustainable national transport link and mapping our town's distinct human and physical features. The exploration then shifts closer to home as children map their own families' unique migration journeys to Surbiton and create personalised footprint maps of their favourite local spots. To conclude this inspiring project, our pupils will design their own Surbiton Eco-Pledges, discovering how their small, everyday actions can make a powerful, positive impact on both our local environment and the wider planet. The week will end with some critical transition activities to prepare pupils for their new classes in September.
Warm weather continues...
Warm weather continues...
Warm weather is set to return to London this week. SASM remains open as normal and we have continued to implement a comprehensive hot weather plan to ensure the school environment is managed safely. Pupils can wear PE kit and must bring a sun hat and water bottle to school.
To keep our pupils cool and comfortable throughout the day, the following adjustments are in place (you might have seen some of these in action in our newsletter this week):
Uniform: Our dress code has been relaxed. Pupils are encouraged to wear their school PE kits to help them stay cool.
Hydration: The team on the gate has continued to check every pupil upon arrival to ensure they have a water bottle and a hat. We will be messaging home directly for any pupils who arrive without these essential items.
Sun Protection & Shading: Pupils are wearing their hats during break, lunch and on school trips. We have also set up additional gazebos by the MUGA to provide extra outdoor shaded areas. We are fortunate to have a covered walkway and plenty of trees to also provide shade.
Classroom Management: Classroom blinds are being kept down, lights are turned off where possible and internal temperatures are being strictly monitored using precise data loggers. We have several spaces with air conditioning, which we have used if classrooms start to become too hot.
Modified Activities: PE lessons are heavily modified with mandatory hydration breaks every 15 minutes and have transitioned entirely to very short and shaded activities when the measured temperature exceeds 30°C.
LRC: To offer a cool indoor alternative during peak midday heat, we have offered a board games club or film club inside
Please be reminded that our standard school absence procedures remain firmly in place. Because we have robust mitigation measures to keep children safe and cool, non-attendance due to the hot weather will not be authorised.
We ask that you please support us by ensuring your child applies suncream before school, arrives with a suitable hat and carries a refillable water bottle
Digital summer flyer Kingston.jpgComing soon: LondonTKD Martial Arts School Club
Coming soon: LondonTKD Martial Arts School Club
From September, London TKD Martial Arts will be based in the hall on Fridays afterschool. To find out more, please see the flyer below. Booking opens soon.
Kids School Club flyer.pdfThings to do this summer
Things to do this summer
Looking for some budget-friendly ways to keep the family entertained over the upcoming summer holidays? The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has launched its Summer 2026 Family Activities programme.
Families can cheer on racing teams at Kingston's Dragon Boat Festival at Canbury Gardens on Sunday, 19th July, step back in time at the Kingston Museum's Saxon Fayre on Saturday, 25th July, or celebrate National Play Day at Dickerage Sports & Community Centre on Wednesday, 5th August.
There are also plenty of ways to stay active, including the 'Active for All' Sports Day at Chessington Sports Centre on Wednesday, 12th August, weekly Wheels for All family cycling sessions, and free weekly 2km junior parkruns every Sunday at 9:00 AM at both Lovelace and Surbiton (Alexandra Recreation Ground). Don't forget to check out your local library for summer activities, or visit Connected Kingston online to view the full leaflet and tick off your summer adventures as you go!
Summer 2026 Family Activities leaflet.pdf
In the news this week
People living in remote parts of the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador are using solar-powered canoes to travel along rivers. The boats use energy from the Sun instead of petrol, making journeys quieter and creating less pollution. The project is helping people travel while protecting the rainforest and has inspired other communities in the Amazon to try similar ideas.
Things to talk at home…
How do you usually travel to school, work. Or the shops? Why do you or the adults you travel with choose those ways?
Can you think of any journeys that could be different to help protect nature?
If you could invent a new wat to travel that was kinder to the planet, what would it be like?
Please don't bring toys or junk food to school.
Please don't bring toys or junk food to school.
To ensure a focused learning environment, we kindly ask that families remind students not to bring toys or other non-essential objects into school. This includes sweets or other forms of junk food.
These items can often cause arguments, distractions or safety concerns during the school day.
-Repeat Notices-
Health and safety - please do not use the equipment at the end of the school day.
Health and safety - please do not use the equipment at the end of the school day.
We would like to kindly remind all parents, carers, and pupils that the outdoor play equipment is strictly off-limits before and after the school day. While we love seeing the children’s enthusiasm for play, the equipment is only supervised by staff during designated school hours to ensure everyone's safety. To prevent any accidents or injuries during the busy pickup period, please ensure your children remain with you and stay off the apparatus once they have been dismissed from class. Thank you for your continued cooperation in keeping the St Andrew’s and St Mark’s community safe!
Donations of picnic blankets welcome
Donations of picnic blankets welcome
We are looking to enhance our outdoor spaces at SASM and are currently inviting donations of picnic blankets to support a new initiative. Our goal is to create a dedicated area in the front garden where children can enjoy quiet games and relaxation during lunchtimes. If you have any spare blankets in good condition that you would be happy to part with, please drop them off at the school office. Thank you!
-Community opportunities-
Please add your details to this form to register your interest for Rock Squad.
Parent advice clinic parent communication Sept 25.pdf
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
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 - Monday (indoor) and Wednesday (outdoor)
3H - Tuesday (indoor) and Wednesday (outdoor)
3N - Tuesday (outdoor) and Wednesday (indoor)
4D - Wednesday (swimming) and Thursday (outdoor)
4B - Tuesday (outdoor) and Wednesday (swimming)
4S - Monday (outdoor) and Wednesday (swimming)
5J- Thursday (outdoor) and Friday (indoor)
5L - Wednesday (indoor) and Thursday (outdoor)
5JW - Monday (indoor and outdoor)
6G - Wednesday (outdoor) and Thursday (indoor)
6M - Wednesday (outdoor) and Thursday (indoor)
6MC - Tuesday (indoor and outdoor)
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.
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