Dear parents and carers
Happy New Year. I hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas break. The Spring Term is always a bit shorter than the Autumn one, but with lots going on and to fit in. The falling snow raised the excitement levels on Tuesday, only to be dashed a few minutes later with the abrupt end!
SCHOOL FUND REMINDER
Carol/Christmas concerts
A note of thanks to the staff who organised these events prior to Christmas. They are wonderful community events and a lot of hard work goes in to them by many members of staff. The fact that 180 children from each phase sing as though they are like one elite choir, is a joy to watch. Thanks go to Mrs Adams and Mrs Boa with the KS2 and Y1 concerts, the Y2 team for their performances and Mrs O'Brien leading the Reception concert. We also have staff playing instruments at these events; the names above are joined by Mrs Wrigglesworth - thank you.
Class assemblies
We are looking forward to these beginning next Thursday with Moles class. All classes in R and KS1 have class assemblies and Key Stage 2 have year group assemblies. These were sent out to you on the school dates document and all start at 9.10am.
https://www.sheenmount.richmond.sch.uk/attachments/download.asp?file=781&type=pdf
Maths Curriculum Morning - a reminder
We have had over 40 parents sign up for this initiative, following the success of our English and Science events in previous years. We still have space for more if anyone is interested. The form will close on Monday 12th January so that we can plan accordingly.
Maths Curriculum Morning for current parents – Thursday 29th January 2026 9.00-10.30am.
The morning will include seeing maths in action in the classrooms, talking to some children and then a presentation from our maths lead, Mrs Humphreys, and the chance for Q&A at the end.
Please sign up here if you would like to attend:
Google form - Maths Curriculum Morning
Ambassadors – Science
A comment from Miss Mortimer and Mrs Hayes:
The science ambassadors have met their responsibility head on and are eager to share and implement their many ideas for developing science learning at Sheen Mount. It has been great listening to them speak about science with such enthusiasm and heartening to hear them express their desire to nurture younger children’s interest in science.
Comments from the science ambassadors:
I like doing experiments and learning new things. As science ambassador I would like to inspire younger children and help them realise how fun science can be. - Alex M
I’m especially interested in chemistry and, as science ambassador, I’d like to add more chemistry equipment to our school resources - Cinar.
I enjoy learning about famous scientists and learning about their achievements. As a science ambassador, I want to help other children to be inspired by people working in the field of science, like my mum who is a doctor- Devarsh.
I love that there are so many different parts to science and I especially love nature. I would like to use my position as science ambassador to create some interactive science activities in our outdoor learning environment so that younger children can have fun with science and learn new things - Hunter.
I like science because I am interested in learning about the world around us, in particular, space, the planets and how they were formed - Zach B.
I really like science and going to science conventions. I’m especially interested in dissecting things and going to new places - James J.
Living Value for the half-term
Our Living Value for this half-term is 'Responsibility'. Please find opportunities to talk about this at home. Between now and the end of the academic year our other Living Values will be: Humility, Honesty and Freedom.
Parenting in the Modern World – an online presentation on Tuesday 27th January at 8pm
We have put together this presentation to help parents with some of the most common issues we see as senior leaders within school and the wider context. It is very much not a definitive guide or experts but our own experiences from school. We will not focus on e-safety/social media but will look for a separate presentation for this. In addition, we have sign-posted lots of useful material in the past.
If you would like to attend this online event, please sign up here. There is also a section for you to fill in about any subject areas you would like to be covered.
https://forms.gle/Bi8g6vgVs6NK1vUU9
The link for the meeting will be sent by email during the week of the presentation.
SEND information
Please see some updates from Mrs Jeffery around some AfC information:
Please find information below about AFC’s SEND register, this is different to the school’s SEN register and is an opportunity to register a child of any age who has special educational needs and/or a disability.
AFC’s Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Register - New Customer Platform
AFC are excited to announce the launch of a new online customer platform for their Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) register. This new service is designed to make signing up and managing personal details easier for local families and young people.
What is the SEND Register?
All local authorities must keep a Special Educational SEND Register, as mandated by the Childcare Act 1989. Kingston and Richmond's register helps AFC and health services understand the number and types of needs of children and young people with SEND in the area. It also allows them to gather feedback from children, young people, parents, and carers to plan and improve services.
Those on the register receive information on support, services, activities, and events, as well as opportunities to influence service development. The register is a valuable resource for co-production and engagement throughout the organisation.
If your family would benefit from joining the SEND Register please follow this link to the Local Offer page.
Additionally, this poster gives the key information.
SENDIASS, a charity serving Richmond and Kingston, is an impartial Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) that aims to make a positive and lasting difference for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) and their parents and carers. Please find here the workshops SENDIASS have planned for January.
School Events
Sport
Indoor Sportshall Athletics
18 children from Year 5/6 had the opportunity to represent the school at a borough event at St Mary's university on the Wednesday before Christmas. All the team took part in two running events and two field events. Well done to them all as they finished 3rd.
New Year Fitness Event - from a parent organiser
Sheen Mount Primary School Community Event - Starting 2026 off with some fun!
To kick 2026 off in a healthy way, the school is hosting a community event on Saturday, 17 January from 4 to 6 pm to promote an active lifestyle and engagement within the local community.
Mr Brown will be hosting activities for kids whilst adults can participate in an indoor cycling activity in a party environment. Our local DJ will be pumping out tunes whilst parents can participate in a short, virtual “race” against the clock.
You can sign up via classlist here https://app.classlist.com/events/#/events/view/1417330849%0A
PSA funding
Please find attached a recent overview of spending and income from the PSA.
Community news
Free bike workshops from Richmond Council
Our Year 6 children are having their Bikeability training this week and whilst speaking to one of the instructors, I became aware of this initiative for a free one to one 90 minute cycling lesson from Richmond Council. It is for adults or children, although under 16s need an adult with them.
https://www.richmond.gov.uk/book_cycling_training
Should you wish to contact me directly, please do so on
headteacher@sheenmount.richmond.sch.uk
Have a good weekend
Best wishes
Tom Holmes - Headteacher
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