Dear Parents,
I hope you had an enjoyable Easter break. Although the warm weather has not been here this week, the starting of summer term clubs has been very positive to see. Re-introducing the range of clubs the school has to offer, including the indoor clubs such as languages and computing has been excellent for the general school life. Additionally, a full range of sporting outdoor clubs- on Tuesday morning we had five different clubs running before school. We will continue to review this and maximise our space (both indoor and outdoor) as best we can.
There have been local trips, sports fixtures, residential trips and some children in Y5 were even lucky enough to go to Lord's to watch the cricket yesterday.
Sports day date
Unfortunately I was a bit too hasty in setting the sports day date for the whole school on one day. The schedule would be too tight to complete in one day. Therefore KS2 sports day wil be in the morning of Thursday 7th July and KS1 will remain in the morning of the existing published date Friday 8th July.
Drop off changes
The opening of both gates at pick up has been a success. My only request is that if you are not picking up from Doves, Otters or Moles to keep away from their classrooms as they are very busy at 3.20pm. Please just walk around a small section of the playground, rather than in front of those exits. We will also open the gates at 3.15pm to try and help with the congestion; the pick up time is still 3.20pm and 3.30pm.
From Tuesday 3rd May, we are going to open both gates for drop off from 8.35am in order to avoid the formal longer queue. The school day will continue to start at 8.45am, therefore please do not try and enter classrooms before this time. Speaking to senior staff as to how this was successful in the past there are a couple of points to raise:
- Please keep to the right down the alley and be mindful of other parents and children.
- Children should not be going on any equipment or use balls before school.
- Children can not be left unattended in the playground before 8.45am. The exception is any children who walk to school on their own - they can continue to do so.
- Please leave the school premises by 8.55am at the latest. The gates will be closed at this time and anyone arriving after this will need to go through the office.
- Please note some children with additional needs come in through the school office before 8.45am in order to help settle them for the day. This is by arrangement only and therefore please do not follow them into the school.
Juniper Hall
You may have seen through Twitter that Y4 have been at Juniper Hall since Wednesday on their 2 night/3 day residential. This is the school's first residential in two years. I visited for the day yesterday and the children have had an excellent time, enjoying a range of wonderful outside experiences in a beautiful setting. More will come in the next newsletter.
Thank you to all the staff who have given up their time for the children to experience this.
Parent forum
Thank you to those who attended the parent forum this morning. We covered a lot of material in the 90-minute meeting. The notes from the meeting will be circulated.
Smile for five
The children had a visit from parent and Assistant Headteacher, Laura Reilly this week all around 'Smile for Five'. The children were taught about the science of smiling and the concept is a relatively simple one in that children try to smile at five different people (not their friends) during the day. There are two ambassadors in each class to look out for this and they are changed on a daily basis.
We will provide further information, including purchasing badges next week and information will be sent via class list.
Macmillian cycle ride
One of our very own Sheen Mount mums, Penni Nagle, was diagnosed with cancer in 2019. Not only did she make a successful recovery, she also made a commitment to the fantastic team at Macmillan Cancer Support to raise funds in support of other cancer patients and the great work Macmillan does.
Earlier today Penni and her Pootlers set off from Sheen Common on a 300 km, 3 day cycle to Bruges. The event was delayed a number of times due to COVID and sadly, during this period another team member lost his mother to cancer, further spurring along efforts to raise funds to support those impacted by this disease.
Penni’s Pootlers includes a Sheen Mount staff member, parents with children in Years 1, 3, 5 and 6 and former pupils’ parents. The team wishes to thank all the families for their generous support to date. If you’d like to make a contribution to Macmillan Cancer Support and Penni’s Pootlers please follow this link - https://www.justgiving.com/team/TeamPenni
Swimming pool
Dear Parents,
SwimWay are offering a 10% booking discount for all new adult swimming lessons and parent & baby classes at SwimWay Sheen Mount and Home Guard Pools (SW14 8LA) for the Summer Term.
Parent & baby sessions at Sheen Mount run between Wednesdays and Fridays mornings between 9.00am – 12.00pm for children aged 3 – 36 months.
Adult classes run at Home Guard Pool run weekday mornings between 8.00am – 9.30am for all ages and abilities. Parent & baby sessions also run on weekday mornings between 9.30am – 12.00pm for children aged 3 – 36 months.
To take advantage of this offer, or to find out more information please contact SwimWay directly using info@swimway.co.uk or telephone 0208 871 3972 (ext.2) referencing this email and your membership number.
This offer is valid for two weeks (ending 13/05/2022)
Regards,
SwimWay team
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
PSA Corner
Summer fair
The summer fair date has been confirmed for Saturday 2nd July. There will be a home clothes/be yourself day on Friday 1st July for the children for a bottle/cake collection. Further details will be given nearer the time.
Parent volunteer
Matt Haslum, contacted the PSA recently to see what we could do as a community to support Ukraine refugees, most notably children. SM parents and volunteers, Zoe Stuart, Matt and a team of volunteers have been working hard behind the scenes to connect with charities and supply them with children's books (which we have many of in the PSA shed) to support children and families during this difficult time. A huge thank you to Matt for coming forward and actioning this amazing initiative.
Have a good long weekend
Tom Holmes - Headteacher
Maria O'Brien - Deputy Headteacher
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