Dear parents and carers,
We have arrived at the final newsletter of the school year. Our visitors last week have certainly kept everyone going until the end of term. School life very much goes on as normal and you can see that from all the activities below. We have the end of primary school events coming up for our Year 6s this week, including their production over the next two evenings, which the school watched yesterday.
A thank you to all the staff for their hard work over the academic year. A note of thanks to the pupils for all their engagement and effort across the year, and to you, our parents, for all your engagement and support to make Sheen Mount community the special place it is.
I wish you all an enjoyable summer break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 7th September. Our INSET days for staff are on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th September.
SCHOOL FUND REMINDER
E safety over the summer from our computing lead – Mrs Wrigglesworth
Please see the attachment.
Summer Reading Challenge
A reminder of this annual event across Richmond libraries. It is an excellent motivational tool for some summer reading. https://www.richmond.gov.uk/summer_reading_challenge
Celebration for our Year 6
We look forward to a range of activities for our Year 6 over the coming days after their leavers party on Friday (organised by their parents). Two evening performances of their production, Leavers Assembly with their parents on Thursday and then the School Leavers Assembly on Friday ending with them exiting through the Sheen Mount children's tunnel.
School events
Sustainability Ambassadors – Mrs O'Brien
Today the Sustainability Ambassadors, Olivia, Olivia, Lukas, Lottie and Clara, went out to Sheen Common to pick up litter. We all found rubbish, and we were surprised by just how much there was. There was a range of different types of rubbish, such as sweet packets, wet wipes, aluminium foil, drinks cans, wire, plastic bottles, bottle caps, other plastic items, cigarette butts and even a towel. Many passers-by stopped to talk to us and told us that we were doing a good thing. That made us feel quite proud. There are many opportunities for anybody to litter pick to help protect our planet, so make sure you take your opportunity to do a good thing, too.
Quiz Club National Finals
Congratulations to the team for their excellent performance two weeks ago. One child from every year group in KS2 was in the team; we sent two teams to the semi-finals.
Lyla Year 6
On Monday the 29th June, Sheen Mount entered a team into the Quiz Club National Championships at Oxford University. We qualified after coming first in an area heat in the autumn term. All four members of the team from Year 3 to Year 6, along with our parents, met Mrs Sroka outside the impressive Examination School. Our quiz team worked extremely hard and collaborated well in order to beat our opponents. By the end, we came 21st out of almost 50 teams. My team should be extremely proud of their achievements, especially as we were the only state school that came in the top half!
Attis (Y5): It was special because Oxford University is one of the best places in the world. It was really special to be there as it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Jonah (Y4): I learnt that there is always a chance of winning – if you work hard and put your mind to it.
Daisy (Y3) : I had a great time. It was tricky but fun!
Careers Week
Please find the attachment from Mrs Sroka, our Enrichment Lead, all about the careers Week.
Reception beach day
Last Thursday, Reception had great fun in the outdoor area, which turned into a beach! Unfortunately, it was too warm for their intended external trip. We had our beach-themed day and changed into our swimmers for the afternoon. We sunbathed, splashed our feet, played and had an ice pop! What a lovely way to end our time in Reception!
Year 2 Scooter Training
Year 2 enjoyed their scooter training on site in small groups. Learning how to stop as if they were on a road, emergency stop, turn and push and glide.
Music Concert
Many thanks to Mrs Boa and Mrs Wrigglesworth for putting on this annual event on Thursday 2nd July. It was wonderful to watch over 50 children from Year 2 to Year 6 playing a wide range of instruments, from the recorder to electric drums. The orchestra opened and ended the evening, and we look forward to them continuing next year.
Sport
School Games Mark
The school has been awarded the 'Gold' award once again. Well done to Miss Lawton for her work in the application process and leading the curriculum side and to Mr Brown for all his work with the teams, PE lessons and opportunities.
Sports Day
Well done to all the pupils for their sports day participation.
Thank you to all the staff for their work in organising the sports days, particularly Miss Lawton for KS1 – we adapted our plans to beat the heat!
We enjoyed an excellent reception only sports day on the school grounds on Friday 3rd July. Children did a rotation of events, an individual sprint and a house relay.
The KS1 enjoyed a shortened rotation followed by a sprint race; the children were doing so well, we squeezed in the house relays.
Somehow, in KS2, we got through the tug of war, 72 races and 4 relays in less than an hour.
Dance World Cup
Four girls from Sheen Mount represented Team England at the Dance World Cup Finals in Dublin last week, competing with MV Academy of Performing Arts based in East Sheen. Ruby (Year 3), Georgia (Year 5), Lois (Year 6) and Geovana (Year 6) did fantastically well to come home with 3 medals, 1 silver and 2 bronze, which they won for their Commercial and Jazz group numbers. They were among 11,500 dancers from over 60 countries competing in the largest all-genre dance competition in the world.
Mile track
The new track is getting a good running over at lunch and break times, and we look forward to using it more during curriculum time when the weather cools down.
Y6 Hockey Competition 
Ten children from Y5/6 enjoyed some skills sessions followed by matches two weeks ago.
Netball Matches
Two wider squad matches have taken place in recent weeks, both resulting in victories.
Y5 Girls Tag Rugby 
Ten girls from year 5 enjoyed a competition and introduction to competitive matches; for some it was their first experience playing tag rugby.
PSA
Outgoing Committee
A huge thank you to our outgoing committee from the previous two years; some great community events, along with significant fundraising raised for vital projects within the school. The school greatly appreciates these voluntary roles and all the time and effort that is put in, particularly by those on the committee.
Summer Fair
Whilst it now seems like a long time ago, what a fantastic event! All based on the Orchard playground, the event was constantly busy with the stalls, inflatables and showcase events.
An excellent £11,500 was raised for the school.
Next Year's fundraising
Some exciting initial plans have been made for next year's significant fundraising project around 'project indoors'. We are looking at more than just a cycle ride.....more to follow.
Have a good summer.
Should you wish to contact me directly, please do so on headteacher@sheenmount.richmond.sch.uk
Best wishes
Tom Holmes - Headteacher
