Dear families,
We hope you had a lovely break and enjoyed spending time with your families. It was lovely to see the children back in school last week and was a very positive first few days despite the cold weather! Thank you for ensuring that your children were wrapped up warm!
Exciting News: We are thrilled to introduce and warmly welcome a new member to our Surrey Square community. Abi has joined us as our new Receptionist/Admin Officer and will now be your first point of contact in the school office. We are confident she will be a fantastic addition to the team. Please do say hello and make her feel welcome!
In Friday’s assembly, we launched our value of this half term – Community. We shared that Community is all about togetherness; and a key aspect of togetherness is working with others to take care of our local and global communities. Each year group then shared an update about the community projects that they have been working on so far this year:
- Year 1 – Improving housing and communities
- Year 2 – Improving health and hygiene at SSQ
- Year 3 – Improving the understanding of the importance of physical and mental health
- Year 4 – Improving biodiversity in our school community
- Year 5 – Raising awareness about air pollution in our local area
- Year 6 – Improving boys’ mental health/ equality in education/ awareness around children in poverty
Please click here to see further details for each project. We look forward to seeing how the actions from the year groups will lead to a positive change.
Have a lovely week and fingers crossed for slightly warmer weather!
Matt
I am available in school from Monday to Wednesday – do get in touch ([email protected]) if you have any questions in the meantime.
Southwark Council has produced a leaflet outlining ways they are supporting residents this winter. See THIS LINK for more information. If you have any questions about this, please let me know. Also, if you try to apply for any of the support offered and get turned down, please contact me.
The council are now responsible for issuing Free School Meals vouchers during school holidays, and we’re aware that several of our families didn’t receive them over half term. Please email Maxx on [email protected] if anyone experienced problems over the Christmas break.
Several of our parents have recently asked me about employment opportunities at school. Unfortunately we don’t have any at the moment – if we do, they will be advertised on our website. One of our partner organisations, Pecan (based in Peckham) offers employment preparation support, CV writing and other programmes to help people get back into work. Please go to this website for more information https://www.pecan.org.uk/employment-support/ Please also go to https://southwarkworks.com/jobs/ for more information about local jobs.
If you are interested in training courses, the Thomas Calton Centre in Peckham run a wide range, including academic subjects like maths, English and IT, but also practical courses like fashion, pottery mindfulness and textiles. Lots of the courses have already started, but there are some that begin this week. There is a new range of courses starting this month, so do check their website https://services.southwark.gov.uk/schools-and-education/adult-learning
Please keep an eye on this information page outlining information from me about various issues.
Please keep an eye on my information page outlining advice from me about various issues that may concern you.
Fi
Core Value Champions Spring Term 2025:
Although he may be small Col Community is a mighty value. Col uses his bubbles to share lots of wonderful stories from his community with others. He also tries really hard to listen and understand what others say about their communities. They add to the wonderful community bubbles floating around him. He knows it is important to form his own opinion on what he learns so he takes a deep breath, concentrates and forms a beautiful bubble to show his view. After all he doesn’t like stereotypes that might be untrue. The feelings and special times he has spent with his communities are very important to Col. He uses colourful knots on his tail to remember them. They help to build his unique character. We all have our own marvellous cultural tales to show too. Col knows that it doesn’t matter that he is tiny as you are never too small to make a difference to the people and world around you. His fabulous ears remind him that he is a member of both his local community at school and home, but also part of the global community. He has an important part to play in its future. One small act can make an enormous difference.
NEWS – Meet the SENDCo Team at SSq
We have slightly reorganised the SENDCo team here at SSq.
Kathryn will be the strategic overview for SEND as well as leading The Hive provision.
We are delighted to welcome back Jade from maternity leave. Jade will be SENDCo in Nursery, Reception, Years 1, 4, 5, 6
Jenny will be SENDCo in Years 2 and 3.
If you have concerns about your children's progress, behaviour or wellbeing then do come and speak to one of us.
NEWS – VOTE SURREY SQUARE AT TESCO!
We are so lucky to have Christina and her team from Edible Rotherhithe who provide so many amazing opportunities for our young gardeners here at SSq. They have the chance to get more funding to help teach pupils how to prepare a healthy salad using ingredients grown in our outdoor polytunnel.
By simply shopping at a local Tesco and voting using their blue token system you can make a difference.
Here is where you can vote for SSq/Edible Rotherhithe: Old Kent Road, The Cut, London Bridge High St, Blackfriars Circus, Tabard Square Tower Bridge Rd, Borough Rd, Gt Suffolk St,
Tooley Street or Borough New Kt Rd.
NEWS – FREE ENGLISH COURSE FOR PARENTS
Would you like to support your children with their school work and exams? Do you want to increase your confidence in English for your own life or work? Join Southbank UA and Lambeth College for classes dedicated to parents. Lessons will help you improve your reading, writing and communication skills. We will also guide you to further courses to support with numeracy and IT. This course is completely free, and you will have help and support from experienced teachers.
To sign up and for more information email: [email protected] Phone: 020 7277 3000
NEWS – Science Competition and Planetary Parade!
Competition Launch
The Young Science Ambassadors (YSAs) are launching a Science Class competition this week. There will be 10 QR codes hidden around the school, when they are scanned they will reveal a Science Question.
Marcia, our Science Lead, explains: ‘Each correct question recorded will receive a point, each correct answer will receive 2 points. The winning class is the first to return their sheet with the most correct questions and answers. THE DATE AND TIME SECTION MUST BE FILLED IN SO THAT IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE ENTRIES A WINNER CAN BE DECIDED.’
Planetary Parade
Breaking SCIENCE news – on On January 21, 2025, six of the major planets—Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn—will align closely on one side of the sun. This is what astronomers call a "planetary alignment," where multiple planets gather in proximity on the same side of the sun. For more information and how best to see this astronomical event watch this video and click this link.
NEWS – SURREY SQUARE ON THE RADIO!
Socks: the Art of Care and Repair is still open at the Now Gallery. Over the Christmas holiday, Celia Pym – who worked with our children- went on to BBC Radio 4 to discuss the exhibition and want went into creating it. Click to hear Celia discuss this in the final seven minutes of this show.
Matt D has started to take small groups to see the exhibition and we hope that all the children can visit over the next few weeks before it closes in March.
To book FREE tickets to see this wonderful exhibition at the Now Gallery in North Greenwich (near the 02 Arena) then click here.
Inspirational Class Names
Each year our teachers think carefully about an inspiring person to name their class after. This year we have artists, activists, athletes, Paralympians, musicians, mathematicians and TV presenters. Next week we will find out why our Nursery Teachers have named their classes after Axel Scheffler and Ellie Simmonds. In the meantime, find out why our teachers have chosen their names this year by watching the playlist below.
After School Club News – Spring Sign Up!
Spring term 430pm clubs have started again. Remember, children do not automatically get a place just because they did the club in Autumn Term. You have to sign them up again.
Lots of clubs are already full.
Spaces are available in the following clubs so contact Maxx if you would your child to join:
-Monday drama (Y4-Y6)
-Wednesday multisports (Y3-Y6)
-Thursday dance (R- Y1)
-Friday football (Y4-Y6)
To pay for this term’s 430pm clubs, go to your Arbor account at the end of this week (as any amounts owed will be added to your accounts by then)
Any questions about 430pm clubs, please email Maxx [email protected]
Music Lessons – Spring Sign Up!
Thank you to everyone who has already signed up for Spring Term music lessons.
Drums and guitar will begin on Wednesday with violin and keyboards starting next week.
Do email Maxx ([email protected]) or Chris ([email protected]) if you have any question or queries.
Attendance Last Week – well done Mellah Class!
Well done to Year 3 Mellah Class who had 99.4% attendance last week!
Well done folks and keep it up!
Please contact us daily if your child is off ill or for another reason.
Email [email protected] or phone 0207 7033049 (option 1)
This Week’s Menu and Update!
Thank you to all the parents that responded to the lunch survey before the Summer, apologies we haven't let you know sooner about the steps we have taken to improve the dining experience. The current menu is under review and we are looking at making sure this reflects our community, we will be collecting daily feedback from the children and tweaking the menu in terms of their responses. We will update in a couple of weeks on what further steps we have taken to improve this service. If you have any questions or comments please come to the office and speak to Kelly or email [email protected]
Please ensure that you never send your child in with any foods that may contain nuts. Click here for more details.
Key Dates: 2024-25
Please see our updated Key Dates Summary for the rest of 2025
King's College London and South London Citizens have created two groups aimed at empowering parents to guide their children’s academic journey effectively and campaign for their access to university and other educational opportunities:
South London Parent Power: Open to all parents, providing comprehensive resources and tools to help foster their children’s educational development and college admissions journey.
Empoderando Familias: Tailored to assist Hispanic parents with resources and strategies that align with their unique needs in supporting their children’s academic success.
South London Citizens are arranging a day of events to celebrate another year of campaigning. Please see the flyer below and do let Fi know if you intend to attend ([email protected])
Below are flyers from IRMO (Indoamerican Refugee and Migrant Organisation). Scroll for your language of choice!
Southwark Food Action Alliance Food Map
Southwark Food Action Alliance have launched their new food map which you can access using this link. This map shows food banks and pantries, community fridges, community meals and more. They have also produced a leaflet that is split into four sections: Places to go for free food, Places to go for low-cost food, Places to go for meals, cafes and takeaways, and Foodbanks where you need a referral or voucher from an agency. You can view and download the leaflet here.
Footballers in Years 3,4 and 5 wanted!
As you may or may not be aware, Southwark Jaguars launched their first ever girls football team in August 2023. Since that first sunny day they have grown from strength to strength and currently have 60 girls registered across our U9’s, U10’s, U11’s & U12’s teams. We can guarantee that most of you will have at least one girl at our school that is a Southwark Jaguar. With that in mind they are keen to offer the opportunity of playing competitive weekend football to more girls. Unlike most football teams they do not offer trials. If you are girl and want to play, then this is the club for you. Please note they are looking for girls that are currently in year three, four and five.
Parents/carers will need to follow the link below or scan the QR CODE on the attached flyer to register their interest.
Southwark Jaguars Register of Interest – The PE & School Sports Network (lpessn.org.uk)
The SEND Saturday Sports Club returns!
This amazing opportunity reopens again on Saturday 21st September! Please see the below info or find our more from the LPESSN website.
