Dear parents and carers,
I hope you are well. This is a relatively short, but very busy, half-term with lots of workshops and trips coming up next week.
We are looking forward to next week's Children's Mental Health Week as well as Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 10th February.
This is the last newsletter of the half-term. A reminder, we finish at normal time on Friday 13th February, and we welcome the children back on Monday 23rd February.
With Parents' Evening coming up on the week commencing 2nd March, a reminder that Sharing our Learning takes place in the first week back on Friday 27th February from 2.30pm. Parents evening appointments will be available from next Wednesday-please look out for the emails.
SCHOOL FUND REMINDER
Safer Internet Day - from our computing lead - Mrs Wrigglesworth
As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping children safe online in a rapidly changing world — where new technologies bring both benefits and risks — we will be marking Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 10th February. This is especially timely as it falls within Children’s Mental Health Week, providing a valuable opportunity to explore how digital life and emerging technologies can affect wellbeing. We want to ensure that all pupils develop the understanding they need to stay safe online and to transition confidently into their next settings, equipped to use technology responsibly. Safer Internet Day will be supported through a range of engaging, age-appropriate activities and discussions, and we will also be inviting parents and carers to complete a short AI questionnaire. Your views and experiences are important and will help inform our approach as we continue to review the latest developments and guidance. Thank you in advance for your support.
Parking on Christchurch Road yellow zig zag lines
A reminder to please not park or drop off on these lines on Christchurch road during the designated hours that are clearly stated on the sign. Thank you for keeping to this and helping all of our community.
Reading Events
Sponsorship event
Look out for a separate email coming out next week around a sponsored reading event to coincide with World Book Day, and it is the National Year of Reading.
The sponsored event essentially involves children keeping track of what they read and the money donated goes towards putting books in hospitals.
We are also talking to the children about how reading can happen in any place in multiple ways; this is under the banner of 'go all in'.
https://goallin.org.uk/
From our English Lead, Miss Breckon
This week is National Storytelling Week. It is a celebration of oral storytelling, reading and writing for pleasure. To celebrate this great event, KS1 explored storytelling through music with author, storyteller and musician, Annemarie Anang. They created a story together through sound and rhythm. KS2 learned about rhythm and poetry (rap) with Alim Kamara, we rapped positive affirmations together, collaborated on lyrics and learnt how to tell stories through lyrics – some children even had a go at creating their own!
Maths Curriculum Morning
We had over 50 parents attend our Maths Curriculum Morning on Thursday 29th January. They had the opportunity to see maths in action from a range of year groups and then listen to a presentation from our maths lead, Mrs Humphreys. Many thanks to all the staff who opened up their classrooms and the children who helped in the morning and, of course, Mrs Humphreys.
Attached is the presentation.
Executive Function Coffee Morning - from our SENCo, Mrs Jeffery
On Friday 23rd January, Dr Alicia Crane, our school-assigned Educational Psychologist delivered an informative session for parents exploring key executive functioning skills, including organisation, emotional regulation, flexible thinking, and managing distractions. She shared practical strategies to use at home to support children’s learning and wellbeing.
Please find the slides attached.
Ambassadors – Wellbeing (and children's mental health week)
Ester, Willow, Amelie, Jaya, Ardil and Yuki
Next week is Children's Mental Health Week and the theme this year is 'This is My Place'. During the week we will be talking about how we can help everyone feel like they belong. Everyone deserves to feel like they have a place where they are accepted, cared for and loved. When we feel like we belong, we feel happy, safe and ready to learn and play. Throughout the week we will be doing activities at school which help us recognise that we are all part of a team. Look out for the whole school homework on the theme of This is My Place!
Ambassadors-News Editors
Please see the attachment from the news editors.
Bingo - PSA event
A very entertaining after school PSA event was held on Friday with over three hundred children attending the two events.
Reception had a mini taster in the afternoon and all did very well! This was then followed by a Y1-3 session and culminated with the Y4-6 at 4.30pm. There was a lot of interaction in the final session with children being given the clue and shouting back the number. Many thanks to those from the PSA who helped organise the event.
School Events
Trips
Year 4 visited the Hindu Temple this week over in Wimbledon. Please see the Year 4 page below for further information
Sports
Table tennis 
The boys went again to a tournament – this time as individuals rather than a team. However.... Peter and Oscar both reached the U11 boys final, where Peter was victorious. A fantastic achievement by the boys – well done!
Netball
The team continued their winning league campaign with a significant victory over East Sheen at school on Monday.
RISE swimming gala
On Wednesday 4th February, a group of children from Years 4, 5 and 6 took part in the RISE Swimming Gala at Pools in the Park in Richmond. Everyone demonstrated resilience and confidence in the water; even more impressive was the support they showed the other swimmers taking part. With 11 swimmers in total, we returned to school with an impressive 17 medals, 13 of which were gold!
Y4 Girls football
They had their first venture into competitive tournament football last week. 
Although they didn't progress to the knockout stages, Mr Brown was impressed with the team's tenacity and work ethic.
Y3 Girls football
They entered the same tournament as above but for Y3 children. They won two
and lost two of their games. This time, Mr Brown was impressed by their passing and teamwork.
Tag rugby
The team won all four of their league matches this afternoon against four local schools to progress to the next round.
Talent show
We look forward to the traditional end of February half-term with the talent show on Friday 13th February.
Mr Brown's half-term club
This is happening as usual this half-term. Please see the attachment.
Community/Parenting Link
Winter illness
https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2023/01/05/back-to-school-5-things-to-do-to-help-manage-winter-illness/
Richmond Library events
https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/libraries/library_services_for_children_and_teens/library_events_for_children_and_teens
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
