Dear Parents,
Happy New Year, I hope you enjoyed the Christmas break. Thank you for all the gifts that staff received at the end of term - they are all very much appreciated. The Spring Term is always a good time to really focus on our teaching and learning. Nevertheless, there is a still range of broad curriculum events going on, starting with Year 5's visit to the O2 in two weeks with 'Young Voices'. We went straight back into our Celebration assemblies last Friday, where the children share their learning with their key stage. It is also an opportunity for someone from each class to be nominated for the 'Celebration book' for any aspect of school life. It was also great to see our broad range of clubs start this week, with some new art clubs joining the offer.
Parent forum
I am meeting the 'parent forum' tomorrow afternoon. This is an informal meeting between myself and the class reps. I will give a short update on various school initiatives, but most of the time is given over to a Q & A session. Anyone within the classes can feed into this meeting by contacting your class rep. A summary of the meeting will be shared with all parents.
Start of the school day
A reminder please that the school gates close at 8.55am and this is when the class registers are taken. Therefore, please do not aim to come through the gates at 8.55am. Children may well be marked 'late' if they enter the classroom after 8.55am. Additionally, lessons start promptly once the register is taken. The school gates open at 8.35am and then the classroom doors open at 8.45am.
Upcoming dates including sharing our learning
Parent consultation evening
The consultation dates for these this term are: Monday 27th February, Wednesday 1st March and Thursday 2nd March. Monday 27th February will be an online meeting and the second two will be in person. This will allow us to meet the demand for online meetings as experienced last term. Details will be sent nearer the time.
We connect 'sharing our learning' with the parent consultation evenings; this is when parents can come into the classroom and look at their children's work with them. This term it will be on Friday 24th February from 2.30pm until the end of the school day. Having it at the end of the day will provide less disruption to learning and the younger pupils will not have to say goodbye to their parents again, which causes some anxiety. You will also be able to see your child's work if you attend in person consultation evenings.
A reminder that there are class assemblies this term as stated in a newsletter on 29th September- https://www.sheenmount.richmond.sch.uk/parentportal/newsletter/?id=94
Spring singing assemblies
With KS2 pupils having numerous performances last term and events coming up this term (Y3 have their class assembly and Y5 have young voices in two weeks) we have decided to keep these to a performance by reception and one by Y1 & Y2 (KS1).
The dates are: Reception Thursday 30th March at 2.45pm. Y1 & Y2- Wednesday 29th March at 2.45pm. We hope to have these outside in the Orchard playground and you will be able to take your children straight after their singing.
KS2 Cross Country
We will aim for this inclusive but competitive school event to be on Friday 24th March on Sheen Common from 2pm. Parents are welcome to watch.
We are also planning an Arts Week for the children for after half-term.
Curriculum bulletins
They will be available from Monday in the year group section on the website.
Smartwatches
A reminder in the post-Christmas gift time of a previous message about smartwatches. This very much applies to older children, but could children please not wear 'smart' watches in school. Those with the ability to take photos and are connected to the Internet are not appropriate. 'Fit bits' that just count steps and have none of the features outlined above are allowed.
Please note some fit bits have different swipe functions (but not connectivity) and this can be a distraction for the child wearing it in the classroom. Teachers will feedback to parents individually if this is the case.
Playing on school equipment/using football goals before or after school
Please do not use school equipment after or before school even if your child is supervised-this is for insurance reasons. Additionally, please do not have small games of football before/after school as this can be dangerous to others leaving the site.
Secondary school children picking up Sheen Mount pupils
We have had a number of questions regarding this over the past few weeks and have discussed it as a leadership team. Just to reiterate there is no law over this and ultimately it is the parent's responsibility. It is also problematic setting age limits for teenagers as they can display a vast array of maturity that may not be linked to their age. If you wish to request a sibling pick up from outside the guidance below, please contact me.
KS2 pupils: May be collected by secondary school pupils of any age
EYFS/KS1 pupils: The child collecting them should be in Year 9 and above.
Cross Country results
We finally received the team results for the school country. The girls' team demonstrated a fantastic team effort, which was led by two of our girls finishing first and second. The girls' team finished second overall in the borough, which combined with the boys' team score meant we finished 8th overall.
Reception places 2023
A reminder that the deadline date for Reception places for 2023 is 15th January. Please remember if you have siblings already in the school, you must still complete the application process. You can use the admissions website https://www.eadmissions.org.uk/
Funding available
You may be aware of a pot of money we receive for 'Pupil Premium' children. We ensure we use this in a range of ways to support these children's education and wider opportunities. We are also greatly aware that some families may find it hard to afford extra items such as residential trips/music lessons/clubs and there is a small fund where we could support families. We greatly appreciate this can be a sensitive and personal matter, but the school will deal with applications in a sensitive and confidential manner. Please see the attached form. You can either send this to the office or if you want greater privacy, directly to me at the below email address.
Swimway
Thank you to Swimway for giving the opportunity for 12 pupil premium children to swim without charge as part of their Sunday opening. A reminder about the swimway link for private lessons- https://www.swimway.co.uk/
Project outdoors
We look forward to bringing some substantial news about this within the next two weeks. Confirming what funds have already been raised, our aim of how to raise future funds, how to involve the whole school community and sharing some visuals.
There is a core team of members of the PSA who the school are working with during the project. The core component is making the best use of our school field which involves looking at the area as a whole and creating a wildlife trail and maximising that space. Whilst ensuring we can use the field surface the whole year around by having a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) installed on it.
Fit For Sport
Please see the attachment regarding their half-term provision.
Scooter amnesty
There seem to be multiple scooters that have been permanently left at the school. Please ensure you take any home this weekend as we will take any left away from the scooter park and look to give them to charity or our Reception.
Local library announcement
I am a Children and Communities Librarian for Richmond Libraries and I wanted to let you know about an upcoming free monthly club for 8-10-year-olds at East Sheen Library.
Chatterbooks is relaunching after being put on hold during COVID-19. At these popular groups we chat about books, play games and do quizzes. It is a great way to discover new authors and make new booky friends.
A brand-new Chatterbooks group at East Sheen Library will be starting on Tuesday 31 January and will take place on the last Tuesday of the month at 4pm - 5pm (during term time).
We are currently looking for members to join this free club for book lovers. We would love if you could share the attached poster and let parents/carers know about Chatterbooks at East Sheen Library. Parents/carers can scan the QR code or follow this link https://forms.office.com/r/1Href2veEW to register their child's interest. They can also sign up in their local library.
Communication
A reminder, I am more than happy to speak to parents at drop off and pick up, or you can contact me directly at:
headteacher@sheenmount.richmond.sch.uk
Have a good Christmas break.
Tom Holmes - Headteacher
Maria O'Brien - Deputy Headteacher
