Dear Parents,
I hope you are well as we come to the end of the first half term and I hope you enjoy a relaxing half-term break. A reminder that JAG for all year groups and Mr Brown's sports club for Year 4 and above ( https://cbsportsdevelopment.classforkids.io/) is running as part of the child care options.
In addition, a reminder that Monday 4th November is an INSET day and we look forward to welcoming the children back on Tuesday 5th November- before school clubs will be starting from 8am on that Tuesday as usual.
Harvest Assemblies
Thank you to all the staff who have organised and put the time in for the harvest singing assemblies. We look forward to Reception and Mrs O'Brien's guitar playing tomorrow. Although the hall is busy, it is wonderful to watch 180 children all sing together. The true Sheen Mount community spirit came in to play in our KS1 assembly, when our pianist was stuck in traffic. A parent came forward to play the piano and the show could go on! As you know, we are never too old for a sticker and I was delighted to present her with a Headteacher’s award sticker!
Ambassadors
It is the turn of our News editors and Mrs O'Brien this week.
We are: Alexandra(6K), Calla (6S), Casper (6AD) and Idil (6AD). We work with our Deputy Head (Mrs O’Brien). We would like to share some of the things that we do.
Forum Assemblies
Each week we take it in turns to find news stories and present them in Forum Assemblies. Here are some of the varied stories that we have looked at in the last few weeks: Earth’s new moon, the dog that plays foot volley, penguin chicks cut off on a glacier, the 14 year old international goalkeeper, the giant pigeon in New York, the baby rhino that broke her leg, the ladies’ limb difference football team going to the world championships.
As part of the Forum Assembly this month, we have also been looking at famous black scientists who have changed, or are changing, the world. For example this week we have learned about Dr Samantha Tross, a consultant surgeon and trailblazer in orthopaedic surgery. Dr Tross was the first black female orthopaedic surgeon in the UK and is recognised as one of Britain’s most influential black Britons.
“Writing stories and doing research is fun.” (Casper)
“I like to share news stories with people.” (Idil)
“It’s fun to tell exciting stories to people" (Calla)
“I just love presenting in assemblies and getting people interested in the news stories.” (Alexandra)
School Events
Pupil Parliament
Two of our Year 6s were nominated by their peers to attend pupil parliament last week.
From Eric and Tabby
Last Friday we went to York house in Twickenham and took part in some speeches in the council's chamber. We had to prepare a speech of up to 90 seconds on "whether under14s should have phones." We had to vote for who we thought gave the best speeches from all the other children there. Some children (including Eric) were then invited to give their speech to the Mayor of Richmond and then two finalists were chosen. The vote for whether under 14s should have phones was pretty much split 50:50. We were able to ask the Mayor a few questions at the end.
Sports
Our Y5/6 Tag rugby team had a great day at the 32 school borough event yesterday at Richmond rugby club. 
They won eight matches in a row, scoring 20 tries and only conceding 3. This put them through to the knock-out semi finals. They were locked at 2-2 after normal time and then went to extra time. Then we went to golden try and unfortunately, tasted defeat. Well done to the mixed team, and you need three girls on the pitch at all times out of seven players and ours more than held their own and proved to be expert taggers.
Black History Month
We are always constantly reviewing and reflecting on our curriculum offer and content. Particularly around ethnicity and female role models and therefore, we do not change our curriculum for black history month, but ensure it has been recognised. The same ethos will be taken for Anti-Bullying week after half-term. We feel it serves no purpose just to focus on these events once a year, but ensure they are built into the curriculum.
Reception have been looking at the subject around their whole topic, which is all about how we explore our similarities, our backgrounds, differences, cultures, languages. Two books in particular are 'We all Belong' by Nathalie Goss and the other is 'Who Are You?' by Smirti Halls.
KS1 shared Rosa Parks' story and linked it to treating people fairly and equally. We also spoke about how everyone is unique and that we can learn about other traditions and cultures.
LKS2
To celebrate black history month, we have looked at a timeline stretching back to pre-historic times, which shows how key people of colour have been in British history for tens of thousands of years. We have also learnt a little about the amazing author Malarie Blackman. We have also been learning about one of the first black Headteachers in London, Beryl Gilroy.
UKS2
This week, as part of their learning in history about how World War II affected the lives of people, the children in Year 6 have been examining the significant contribution and sacrifices made by people born and raised in countries from across the Commonwealth. Many Commonwealth countries provided men and women who served in the armed forces, worked in factories to provide armaments or provided healthcare in their role as nurses. The children have also been learning that although the British government needed everyone from Britain and across the Commonwealth to work together to defeat the Axis Powers, tensions sometimes existed between them and some white British people which others worked hard to overcome.
School Streets
Please find attached some updates around school streets. The children will have some assemblies shortly around the initiative and we look forward to its hopeful success.
Toilets update and gates for collection
The toilets look certain to be ready for Tuesday 5th November, so unless you hear any different, the arrangements are back to 'usual' for drop off and pick up. The blue gates on West Temple Sheen and the brown gates on Christchurch road will be open before and after pick up.
I received a very welcome surprise on my latest tour of the toilets. The lights are all on movement sensors and the toilet flush and the taps are both on sensors; it feels like we have gone from rock bottom to state of the art!
Uniform-reminders
Sheen Mount hoodies cannot be worn on uniform days instead of the jumper.
All uniform items brought into school need to be named. I had the pleasure of sorting out the lost property last week with some Y6 volunteers during lunchtime. Over 80% of the items do not have names on them.
Parking
It once again rears its ugly and it seems inevitable head. As part of the community, we need all parents to play their part in this. Christchurch Road was an issue this week. Traffic wardens have been instructed and will make appearances.
Parent tidy up day
Many, many thanks to all the parents who came for the tidy-up day. There were around 30 volunteers, who braved the mid-afternoon rain and carried out some invaluable jobs around the school. Including various outdoor areas to painting one of our group rooms and then the woodland trail having its wooden circle installed, this was an invaluable event. It was great to see parents who had been in the school for a short and long time from a variety of year groups. Please see the attached poster.
Sheen Mount App-connected to MyHighstreet
You will have seen the leaflets handed out this week. This is a project to encourage people to shop locally and connect the community, plus the school receiving a small amount of percentage sales through the app.
Police-WhatsApp groups.
Please find attached a letter from the police around suspicious WhatsApp groups.
Art competition
Please see the link of an art competition connected to Teddington Memorial Hospital.
https://friends-tmh.co.uk/pain-clinic-naming-competition/
Food choices-vegetarian and jacket potato
A reminder in order to ensure there is a fair choice for all and to cut down on waste, we will be releasing a termly survey, which will take you two minutes to fill in. It is only so we are aware of numbers for vegetarian and jacket potato options.
https://forms.gle/7STsga6WkgWUgyAL8
Have a great half-term
You can contact me directly on headteacher@sheenmount.richmond.sch.uk or see me at the school gates before and after school.
Best wishes
Tom Holmes - Headteacher
Maria O'Brien - Deputy Headteacher
