Dear Families,
We can’t quite believe it’s already the end of the first half term—the weeks have flown by! A huge thank you to all families who attended TLC appointments last week. We hope you found the conversations helpful, informative, and a great opportunity to reflect on how your child is settling into their new year group and the progress they’re making.
This Thursday we’re gearing up for one of the highlights of the SSQ calendar: The P Factor! This very special event brings together our identity work from across the term, with every class performing a poem that reflects who they are. It’s been wonderful hearing the rehearsals around the school, and we’re so grateful for your support in helping children practise and learn their words at home.
Although this event isn’t open to parents and carers – simply because we don’t have enough room in the hall for everyone to attend – we’ll make sure to share videos of the performances afterwards so you can enjoy them too. We’re also excited to welcome some special guest judges who will help us crown this year’s P Factor champions!
This week has also been Foundation Subject Week at SSQ. Each day, children in Years 1- 6 have been immersing themselves in one of the foundation subjects – really taking the time to develop and refine specific skills and knowledge in each area.
Across the week, children have become:
🎨 Artists (Art)
🌍 Geographers (Geography)
🧠 Philosophers (RE – Religious Education)
💻 Digital Creators (Computing)
It’s been fantastic to see such high levels of engagement, focus and curiosity as the children dive deeper into these important areas of the curriculum.
A quick reminder that school finishes at the usual time of 3:30pm this Friday.
We hope you have a restful and enjoyable half term break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 4th November.
Don’t forget, we are now on Facebook – give us a like or a follow in Instagram!
Matt
Stay up to date with news, events and important dates here!
NEWS – Perera Class in Westminster!
It was Perera class' turn to visit Westminster Cathedral last week. Breeda and Jen took us on an animal hujnt in the Cathedral, and we discovered there are 503 animals on the walls, ceilings and floors. We also learned about the symbolism of the animals and their meaning. Perera class were especially excited to spot birds and are keen to tell Nadeem Perera!
NEWS – Year 3 show their artistic streak!
Last Thursday, Year 3 went on an Art trip to sketch the different landmarks along the River Thames. They started the walk in Parliament Square sketching Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament. They walked past Big Ben and walked across Westminster Bridge and down the steps to walk along the Northbank. Along the way they sketched the London Eye, several bridges and finally ending on Waterloo Bridge to sketch St Paul’s Cathedral and the Shard! A BIG thank you to the adults who came on the trip.
NEWS – Year 1 enjoy Foundation Week!
Year 1 went on a trip to Burgess park to look for signs of autumn (their science topic is seasonal changes) and to notice human and physical features (for geography). They used clipboards to make a note of what they found and collected leaves, acorns and pine cones to use in their science lessons and ended the trip with some time in the playground.
In RE they learned about the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan, where siblings gift bracelets to represent protection and love. They designed bracelets and thought about who they would give one to. They then made their own bracelets using colourful wooden beads.
NEWS – The Hive enjoy buzz of sports trip to Bacons College!
The children and adults of The Hive had great fun on our festival of sport trip at Bacons college this week. We are grateful to the PESSN for inviting us and putting on activities such as football and trampolining.
The children showed all the core values but the adults were particularly pleased with their levels of perseverance. Well done everyone involved!
NEWS – Year 4 take in the Tate!
Year 4 enjoyed a recent trip to The Tate Modern in preparation for their still-life art work in foundation week. The children looked at a variety of artists and then had a chance to do some sketching. They took this inspiration back to school to produce some amazing work during their art day as part of foundation week.
NEWS – Early Reading Workshop – coming soon!
On Thursday November 6th there will be an Early Reading parent workshop in the bottom hall at 9.00am. Here you will be shown how your child is learning to read through phonics so you can support your child at home. It is aimed at parents and carers of children in Nursery – Year 1 or 2.
NEWS – Year 4 needs YOU!
As part of their community project, Year 4 need to collect some ideas and information from the SSq community around fitness activities in the area. Please take their short survey here.
NEWS – MUSIC AWARD FOR SCHOOL
We are delighted to be recognised by Southwark Music with the Music Mark of Recognition! We are proud of our music offer here at SSq and look forward to more musical opportunities this year.
NEWS – HALF TERM MUSIC CHALLENGE!
Check out Chris’s challenges below.
Do one, two or all of the activities and share with your teacher after the half term holiday.
Enjoy!
Keep sharing the word!
Open Sessions for Prospective Reception Families!
Do you know a family member or friend who is looking for a primary school place for September 2026? Let them know about our upcoming open mornings for prospective pupils this term. Please share this link with them.
Leave to Remain: You may have heard the recent discussions from politicians about changing the rules around Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). We are aware that many of our families might have ILR and are hoping to apply for naturalisation/citizenship in the future. Please contact me on fcarrick-davies@ssq.org.uk if you want to discuss this with me, as I’m looking for advice on how to best support people with the process.
Health Care Sponsorship: I’ve also been made aware that some Health Care companies are revoking their licenses to sponsor overseas workers, which means that people in the care sector might lose their jobs and then their work visas might be withdrawn. If this applies to you, please see this website and let me know if you’d like to discuss this further. The government also has this website for support
Live on the Aylesbury Estate? Please can you let me know if you currently live on the Aylesbury Estate? We know that conditions in some of these blocks are very poor right now, and we would like to support you if possible.
Temporary Accommodation: Please do remember to let me know if you are in Temporary Accommodation and would like support with this. We have a great partnership with a housing advocacy organisation called Kineara, who can support our parents with questions they might have about living in TA. Please come and collect a referral form from me if you would like to book an appointment.
THIS THURSDAY! Don’t forget to sign up for the Better Together Community Expo, a one-stop space that brings together a wide variety of support services under one roof.
The event is open to residents of Southwark and Lambeth
Sign up for the event here: https://tinyurl.com/bettertogetherlambeth
Year 7 Transition Information – DEADLINE SOON! Please let me know if you have any questions about the process. The deadline is DURING HALF TERM so do let me know before the end of next week if you have any questions.
I am available in school from Monday to Wednesday – do get in touch (fcarrick-davies@ssq.org.uk) if you have any questions in the meantime.
Keep an eye on my information page outlining advice from me about various issues that may concern you plus many opportunities that are available to you and your family here in Southwark, also check out the numerous opportunities in and around our area at the bottom of this page!
Fi
Attendance Last Week
Well done to Rosen PM and Woolf PM who had 100% attendance last week. Keep it up into next half term folks!
Please contact us daily if your child is off ill or for another reason.
Email attendance@ssq.org.uk or phone 0207 7033049 (option 1)
Menu Update
Here are this week’s and after half term’s menus:
Music Lessons – Spaces Available!
Years 3 – 6. We still have space for Drum and Guitar lessons so do get in touch if you would like your child to take part! Email Maxx: mwalker@ssq.org.uk if you are keen.
Key Dates for this academic year
Please check out the information below – please note addition of individual and sibling photo day on Weds 12th November!
A Message from The Walworth Living Room!
THIS WEEK:
HALF TERM @Walworth Living Room
The Walworth Living Room Team welcomes you and your family in for the October half Term ! We have lots of fun activities to kick off the new season. Keep an eye out for details about our Halloween Party . Click here for a taste of what you can expect starting next week and keep up with our schedule over the coming weeks .
Old Kent Road: A Neighbourhood Portrait
24-26 October 2025
The Bottle Factory, 12 Ossory Rd, London SE1 5AN
Opening Night: Friday 24 Oct 6-8PM
Talking Circle gathering: Saturday 25 Oct 4-6PM
Open: Saturday & Sunday 11AM-6PM
This summer, artists and residents from Old Kent Road came together to make a ‘Neighbourhood Portrait’; a multi-layered artwork that explores what life is like in our area. Inspired by Kate Raworth’s theory of Doughnut Economics, we wanted to look closely at our neighbourhood and collectively think about how it could be a place where people and planet could thrive.
A team of local artists and organisations worked together to host a series of social events, where local people could take part in creative activities that fed into the ‘Neighbourhood Portrait’. These activities ranged from collective documentary filmmaking, neighbourhood mapping, a photogrammetry walk, plant room building and a 'Talking Circle'.
For this exhibition, Valeria Salinas Toro, Jordan Minga, Nebiu Samuel, Ibiye Camp and Rachel Sale have collaged together snippets from these events, creating films and installations that shine a light on the varied perspectives and stories that people have shared. But the portraiture never ends! Through interactive elements and a Talking Circle on Saturday, the show invites you to put yourself on the map and join the conversation about life on OKR.
This project has been about getting to know our neighbours a little better, feeling connected and inspired by what is going on locally and learning to cherish the rich complexity of the Old Kent Road ecosystem. Most importantly, the project has encouraged new friendships, which give us hope for a thriving neighbourhood. We have deep gratitude for everyone who took part in this project and for everyone and everything living on Old Kent Road.
Place2Be Parenting Course – COMING SOON – ONLINE
We all want the best for our children, but parenting can be really tough sometimes. That’s why our school works in collaboration with children’s mental health charity Place2Be.If you are finding your child’s behaviour a challenge and would like some support and advice, please sign up for a free parenting course by 3rd Nov via the link below:
Www.place2be.org.uk/family
Southwark Council Want Your Feedback!
Southwark Council is seeking your valuable input regarding the Surrey Square Primary School Superzone and its impact on the health, safety, and well-being of children within your community. Your feedback will be instrumental in creating a safer and healthier environment for all children who reside, study, and enjoy activities in the area.
While we regularly engage with the schools in the Superzone, we are now eager to gather perspectives from Southwark residents, parents, and individuals who work and live within the area.
To share your important and valued perspective, kindly click on the link provided below.
FUN FOOTBALL FOR EVERY GIRL!
Click here for all the ongoing community events in and around our area!
