Dear Parents,
I hope you had a good half term and I am sending a Wednesday newsletter this week as I am at a conference tomorrow for Richmond and Kingston Headteachers. We look forward to welcoming you to Sharing our Learning on Friday between 2.30-3.30pm. As per the email before half term, you may take your children home before the scheduled finish time but please do not take siblings around the school if you visit different classes.
Parent Consultation Meetings w/c 26th February
These important meetings take place next week on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday 28th February is an online option with the other evenings being face to face.
Mental Health Webinar
Please see attached a webinar by AfC in May entitled 'Helping children with challenging behaviours'.
Platinum Day at school - Friday 1st March
We very much look forward to this event next Friday. All the year groups will be going off their usual timetable, but we are hoping to give the children a really enriched day. Among the ideas put the forward from the school council and the extended leadership team are: lessons in the style of that decade, significant events from that decade-based on art/music or other subject areas, plus an assembly with a parade so everyone can see other year groups' costumes.
Our catering providers are putting on a special pudding for those that have school lunches. Those on school lunches may include a special treat for the day. The school council did request food from that decade - I had to point out that post war food in the 1950s might not be to their liking! The senior leadership team have been shopping too for their outfits.
We have done well with our volunteers, if anyone else would like to volunteer we are happy to have these online and will be just 30 minutes to 1 hour at some point of the day to tell children about Sheen Mount in that decade. Please email me directly on headteacher@sheenmount.richmond.sch.uk, if you know if anyone can assist.
A reminder of the below from the previous newsletter. We are finalising the donation amount and you will be able to pay via Arbor.
We will ask for a donation for them to dress up and this will ensure each child gets a momento for the platinum. I have been discussing with the school council and we agreed a mug would be best with a specially designed emblem. There will also be a competition to have the same words on each mug. Simply, describe Sheen Mount in 70 letters!
Y6 - 1950s
Y5 - 1960s
Y4 - 1970s
Y3 - 1980s
Y2 - 1990s
Y1 - 2000s
R - 2010s
World Book Day - Thursday 7th March
Following the dress up day for the platinum celebrations, there will be no dress up for World Book day this year. Children may bring their favourite book and/or an object as a clue for their favourite book. The children will be taking part in a range of activities on the day as usual.
Uniform Reminders
Three consistent issues we have to remind the children of.
All hair below the shoulders needs to be properly tied up. This is for health and safety reasons and stop nits from spreading. Therefore a small pony tail whereby some of the hair is still covering the shoulders is not appropriate.
Trainers can not be worn as part of the school uniform - only on PE days. If school shoes break/become too small, please send in a physical note or email to the office to inform them how long you anticipate before a replacement pair are bought. Trainers that are all black may be worn as part of the school uniform-there can not be any other colour on them.
The green PE hoodies, typically worn on PE days, can not be worn on non PE days.
School lunches
Myself and a member of the office team regularly liaise with our catering company-Accent in order to give them feedback about what is working well and what could be better. They also come to a school council meeting twice a year.
After the very successful Turkish food day earlier this academic year, we are introducing a regular programme of themed events once every half term. Unfortunately, unlike Christmas lunch, these will only be open to those who have school lunches, so you can't opt in just for one day.
The events planned at the moment are- Chinese day 21st February, Portuguese day 16th May and Spanish day 18th July
Parent forum
I have annually met with class reps to answer questions about the school as well as to hear feedback-positive as well as areas for development. The meeting this year will take place on Friday 8th March if you wish to push any information through them. Please note- anything about your individual child should as always be addressed through the usual channels. If you wish to contact me directly you can speak to me on the gate or headteacher@sheenmount.richmond.sch.uk
Well-Being Ambassadors
Hi from the wellbeing ambassadors!
The whole school celebrated children's mental health week before the half term holiday. The theme of the week was 'My Voice Matters' so some of us debated whether children's opinions were important. There were lots of lessons on positive thinking and each class made a collage of photos reminding us to 'Take a Moment'. The week ended with fun as the whole school came together to watch a varied talent show with amazing performances from the kids of Key Stage 2.
Isla, Beatrice, Samara, Jamie, Lumia and Janek
Sports Results
There were a multitude of league fixtures and borough events towards the end of last half term. We are committed to finding fixtures for those not in the league/tournament teams and using our new astroturf facility.
Football
Both the football teams had considerable success in their league fixtures with the boys topping their league and qualifying for the quarter finals. Among their results were victories against
The girls have agonisingly lost out on goal difference. Mr Brown was really impressed with the girls' determination and grit.
Swimming Gala
Mr Brown and Felipe from Swimway took the children to the borough gala on the last day before half term. Well done to all those involved especially with some last minute team changes. Various medals and ribbons will be presented in assembly next week. In the large schools' gala, the boys finished 4th and the girls 5th and overall for all schools the boys finished 5th.
Tag Rugby
A large squad was taken with some children representing the school for the first time in an event when all league fixtures were played on the same afternoon. The team won one and lost two of their matches.
Mr Brown's Sports Holiday Club
We have received positive feedback about this from the recent half term holiday. I will reflect with him on his offer moving forward in the holidays.
Have a good rest of the week and a good weekend when it comes.
Three PSA dates - Platinum Party, Summer Fair and Quiz Night
To confirm, the Summer Fair will be platinum themed this year on the already published date of Saturday 6th July.
There will be a Parents' Platinum Party on Friday 7th June in the evening. Save the date!
There is also a second quiz night on Friday 8th March.
Tom Holmes - Headteacher
Maria O'Brien - Deputy Headteacher
