Newsletters

Dear parents,

Welcome to the new half-term, the long evenings and dropping temperatures show us autumn is fast drifting past. There is lots to look forward to in the coming weeks as we begin the build up towards Christmas. Our choirs have performances coming up before the end of the term at Christ Church (The Holly Lodge Concert) and John Lewis in Kingston.  It was lovely to see our Year 1s enjoying the new woodland area during their forest school. 

I hope you have found the parent consultation meetings valuable this week. They play a vital part in the partnership between home and school. Thank you to all the teachers for their preparation and time after school at the meetings.

Please see the information below from Good Neighbours. This time of year is always an appropriate time to think of those less fortunate than ourselves. For children to learn to support those in their own community with a simple act of kindness is a very worthwhile cause and ties in very nicely with our current Living Value of Love. The deadline to get the gift bags to school is Wednesday 27th November - which gives two weekends. 

A reminder of the emailed information out about Children In Need Day tomorrow:

Children In Need is on Friday 15th November and, as this is a national campaign, children can wear one item of clothing/accessory that is spotty on Friday and then parents should donate to the central online point.  https://donate.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/

Like last year, the school council will also choose a charity day to support a good cause once a term and this year, it will be a Christmas Jumper theme later this term.

Attendance

This always plays a key part in school life, but nationally and locally it has a real focus at the moment and will continue to do so moving forward. I stood at the gate a couple of times this week right up to the last entry time at 8.55am and there were very few late comers after this point- thank you for your promptness.

One metric that we measure (and have to then subsequently report and are hold to account on) are those who we deem to be 'persistently absent'. Those with an attendance of less than 90% are in this category and will be receiving letters this week, ensuring they are aware of this and with the hope this will improve as we move through the year. 

Peer review

We had two headteachers and our school improvement partner visiting us last week for the day. They visited over half of our classes and spent time talking to children and looking at their books. We were then presented with a report around our strengths and then questions for us to consider. In turn, I will then visit the other two schools within the same process. It is a useful process for us to have ratified what we believe we are doing well, and then consider how to further develop as we move forwards. 

Remembrance Event by Mrs O'Brien

Over the last few weeks, Sheen Mount has been involved in preparing for the Remembrance Weekend. Working with a local resident, Bernard Adams, we have been helping him to showcase the stories of the 308 men from East Sheen and Mortlake who, sadly, lost their lives in WW1. This year is the 110^th anniversary of the start of the First World War and Bernard has worked really hard to find and share the information about these brave men. He had them printed onto large cards and then Years 4, 5 and 6 neatly copied some WW1 poetry and drew poppies to decorate the cards.

The Year 6 Art Ambassadors: Frank, Vivian, Hazel, Seren and Darcey worked with Mrs O’Brien to complete the decoration of the cards with wooden crosses that they painted and resin poppies that were glued to each card. Poppy seeds were also put into little bags to be taken home by the people who attended the event to grow poppies in their gardens, in memory of those who were lost. Altogether, 76 cards were decorated and put on display in Christ Church and at the war memorial in Mortlake. We have already had requests from other churches to use them in the years to come. The children in Years 4, 5 and 6 have also been to Christ Church to read the stories of these men. It has been a lovely community event to be part of.

Ambassadors

It is the turn of our English ambassadors and Miss Breckon this week. She said they were very enthusiastic and excited!

Sport

Football

Girls' Borough Tournament 

The girls went to the Richmond borough tournament yesterday. They had one win, draw and a loss in the morning matches and progressed to the cup phase. They then had 2 victories and a narrow loss, just missing out on the semi-finals. With over half the team from Year 5, we look forward to watching their progress over the next two years. 

Basketball Tournament

Our basketball team attended a tournament this morning between 7 schools run by Richmond Knights. The team did very well, receiving their silver medals for only losing in the final and winning their other 5 games. 

Football Friendly versus Radnor House

On Tuesday, myself and Mr Brown took 36 children down to Richmond to play 4 games at once against Radnor house. There were two boys' and two girls' teams. This was a fantastic experience for all the children and resulted in comfortable victories.

London Youth Games Cross Country

Congratulations to Lottie Westlake and Tabby Tapp for qualifying to represent Richmond in the London Youth Games U11 Cross-country on Saturday. Their reward is to run up Parliament Hill in a race against over 200 children from across London. Good luck girls! 

Good Neighbours

Chickens!

Following Poppy Du Parcq's fundraising last year, the chicken coop was successfully installed by 'Team Du Parcq' last weekend in the fenced off area at the back of reception.  We look forward to welcoming some chickens in the next few weeks. They are from a battery farm and therefore will not be the most healthy looking animals when they arrive. However, part of the project is to restore the chickens to their former glory with feathers and laying eggs. We hope their new 5-star abode will assist them on this journey. 

PSA-Quiz, Christmas Fair and Cycle. 

PSA Quiz

We very much look forward to the quiz on Friday 22nd November and a 10 strong staff team are going through some rigorous training.....

Cycle Ride

Many thanks to the team organising the cycle ride. I understand places are filling up fast and the significant challenge of a 3-day cycle from Lands End to Sheen Mount has motivated many to sign up-including yours truly.

For any further enquiries or applying for the wait list please contact info.sheenmountride25@gmail.com

Christmas Fair requests from the PSA

CAN you help with our silent auction? 

In the past, our auctions have raised lots for the school thanks to some really generous offerings from parents. In the past, prizes sourced from our school community have spanned everything from tickets and meals to special experiences like photography, portrait painting sessions and (even the loan of holiday homes!)

If you feel you have something you could offer, please get in touch on  clarazmnelson@gmail.com

Tickets for the Santa’s Grotto at the fair will go on sale Monday 18th of November at 8pm on Classlist (poster attached)

Also, from Monday, the Secret Santa Stall is asking for donations of new and unused gifts, wrapping paper and sellotape for the Secret Santa stall (poster attached)

There will also be a pre-loved uniform sale at pickup on 21st November. 

Thank you!

Pet people

Many thanks to Phoebe from a local vets - Pet People, who gave up her time to speak to our Reception children recently around their topic of 'People who help us'. 

AfC news

Please see a range of links around health

• Reviewing and implementing the UKHSA guidance on looking after children during cold weather.

Support staff, parents and children to reduce risk of infections and protect health by:

• Promoting flu vaccination for children.
• Reinforcing public health messages around hand and respiratory hygiene and taking other steps to prevent the spread of infections during the winter.
• Providing parents with information on children attending school or early years settings when ill.
• Promoting vaccination for COVID-19 and/or flu among those staff who are eligible.

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