SSQ Newsletter: Winterfest Highlights and Year-End Updates

Dear families,

I can’t quite believe that we’ve reached the final week of this term and the final week of school in 2024. As always, there has been a lot of exciting things happening at SSQ.

Last week, young BAFTA came to school to see Years 3,4,5 and 6. Shanequa Paris (Newsround presenter) and Inel Tomlinson (actor) presented an assembly to the children before leading both games and presenting workshops with year 5 and 6. They had a roundtable session with our JLT where they discussed aspirations and their journey to what they do now. They were blown away by the wonderful children here at SSQ and the children enjoyed hearing about their work in the entertainment industry.

This week all the children have been performing in their Winterfest concerts. Thank you for coming to EYFS on Monday and Years 4,5 and 6 on Tuesday. What great shows and performers! Thank you for supporting the children with learning their lyrics! We hope you have enjoyed seeing the performances so far! Good luck to Years 1,2 and 3 today – I can’t wait to see you perform!

Wiltshire Class thrilling the audience at Winterfest 2024

We’ve shared previously that Sue Lia will be retiring at the end of this term after 35 years of dedicated service to SSQ. On Tuesday we had a special farewell assembly for Sue to celebrate her and thank her for all she has done. We will all miss Sue a great deal and I’m sure you will all join us to wish Sue a happy and healthy retirement.

Have a very happy Christmas to those of you celebrating. For those of you who aren’t celebrating Christmas, we hope you have an enjoyable break with your families. Enjoy!

We will see you back at school on Wednesday 8th January 2025.

Matt

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.

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.

Please note, if you have a Biometric Residence Permit Card, they are being phased out so it is necessary to apply for an eVisa by 31st December by registering with https://www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa Please let me know if you have any questions about this – we have a parent who may be able to support your with taking a digital photo.

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 mwalker@ssq.org.uk if this applies to you.

If you have No Recourse to Public Funds and I don’t already know about it, please do let me know asap by emailing fcarrick-davies@ssq.org.uk

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/

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. They will probably have a new range of courses starting in January as well, so keep an eye on their website https://www.southwark.gov.uk/education-and-training/adult-learning/southwark-adult-learning-service

Please keep an eye on my information page outlining advice from me about various issues that may concern you.

Fi

Core Value Champions for last week:

Last week all the adults at SSq were on the look out for children who showed this half term’s Core Value: Perseverance. Using Percy Perseverance as their inspiration, let’s see which children have been standing out.

NEWS – Reception and Year 1 take in the Theatre!

Reception Classes visited the Blue Elephant theatre to watch 'Mrs Claus' List' and had a wonderful time. All of the children showed responsibility by travelling sensibly on the bus and by sitting and listening during the performance, their teachers are very proud of them. Reception children said it was "relaxing", "It was very very nice" and "I liked it".

Year 1 went to the Albany Theatre last week to watch a performance of the book 'Well Done Mummy Penguin'. They were treated to acrobats and a signed performance. All of the children enjoyed the audience participation and had a wonderful time!

NEWS – FREE SSq/Celia Pym Exhibition NOW OPEN!

Socks: the Art of Care and Repair is now open at the Now Gallery. The whole school took part in this wonderful piece of art repairing and stitching over 400 pairs of socks! Matt D and some of the children (whose portraits were also on show) went for a day of workshops last Wednesday before the launch on Thursday which was attended by some members of staff. Check out the images below to see some of the amazing art work on show. We encourage you all to visit!

The excellent and FREE Celia Pym Exhibition

To book FREE tickets to see this wonderful exhibition at the Now Gallery in North Greenwich (near the 02 Arena) then click here. We also hope to arrange trips for all the children throughout the exhibition which runs from December until March 2025.

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.

NEW PHOTO PERMISSION FORM – THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted this information via our online form.

We are looking to update our records for photo permissions. At SSq we use media in a variety of ways to promote our values, our practices and our excellence in and out of the classroom. This may include images of your child here at school or on trips therefore we would like the most up-to-date permissions from our families so please take your time to read this form and respond accordingly if you haven’t already done so.

We will need one response for each of the children you have here at SSq.

After School Club News – Spring Sign Up!

Autumn Term 430pm clubs finish this Thursday 19th December. Burgess Sports Reading club is on as usual this week too.

Spring Term 430pm clubs start on the 1st day of next term (Wed 8th Jan). Sign your child up here (if you haven’t already) to ensure that they get a place & don’t have to go on the waiting list.

The following clubs are already full:-

Monday Y1-Y3 gardening
Tuesday R-Y1 gymnastics
Friday R – Y2 multisports

The following clubs have limited spaces left:-

Wednesday R – Y1 drummercise
Thursday R – Y1 arts & crafts
Thursday Y2-Y6 drummercise

If you owe any money to the school, this will need to be paid off before they are given a place in Spring term clubs.

Any questions about 430pm clubs, please email Maxx mwalker@ssq.org.uk

Music Lessons – Spring Sign Up!

Well done to all the musicians who performed at WinterFest this week!

Children in Years 3-6 have the opportunity to learn instruments (Guitar, Violin, Drums and Keyboards) in small groups.

Please sign your child up using this form. Lesson will start ASAP in the Spring Term.

Do email Maxx (mwalker@ssq.org.uk) or Chris (canderson@ssq.org.uk) if you have any question or queries.

Attendance Last Week – well done Mellah Class!

Well done to Year 3 Mellah Class who had 98.5% 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 attendance@ssq.org.uk 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 office@ssq.org.uk

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 – please note that EYFS Winterfest (Nursery and Reception Classes will now be on Monday 16th December at 10.30am and 2.30pm

Time Out for Parents – The Teenage Years:

This course consists of six sessions designed to help parents stay connected with their teenagers through understanding their world and developing good communication skills. We look at a variety of subjects including handling conflict, parenting styles and supporting our teenagers with their emotional needs.The workshops are informative and fun and there are lots of opportunities to chat with other parents experiencing similar joys and challenges! We learn from each other. Parents that attend, receive a certificate and workbook.

When– Thursday mornings 9.30am- 11.30am from 14th November- 12th December

Where– Tigers Clubhouse- next to 1st Place SE50RN

Contact clare@burgesssports.org with name and mobile number for more details or to register.

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 (fcarrick-davies@ssq.org.uk)

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)