Dear Families,
We’re into a sunny, busy and purposeful week here at Surrey Square! As temperatures rise, please remember to send your child in with a water bottle and a sun hat and apply suncream before school.
We’ve noticed more jewellery is being worn to school as well as some jumpers/hoodies that are not part of our uniform. For health and safety reasons, only small stud earrings are allowed—no other jewellery should be worn. Jumpers or cardigans should be either plain black or SSQ-branded. Please avoid jumpers with stripes, logos or other patterns. You can read our full uniform policy here. Thank you so much for your support with this.
This Friday will be a non-uniform day. Children can come to school in their own clothes in exchange for bringing in a bottle or can of soft drink. This could be anything from flavoured water, juice, or fizzy drinks.
These donations will be used to create a fun and refreshing stall at the SSq Festival next week, helping us live out our value of Community as we all pitch in to make it a success! Please ask your children to leave the donations with their class teacher.
Class photos will take place this Thursday. Please ensure your child is in correct uniform: a coloured SSQ-branded t-shirt or a plain white polo shirt. Photos will be available to purchase afterwards as usual.
This week we’re also marking Refugee Awareness Week, following on from last week’s assembly where we introduced the theme Community is a Superpower. We’ve been exploring what it means to make others feel welcome and how we can show kindness in our everyday actions. A big thank you for all the toiletry donations you’ve sent in to support Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers—your compassion has really shone through. Donations such as shower gel, soap, toothpaste and deodorant can be brought in until this Friday.
We’re also proud to share that we have been successfully re-accredited as a School of Sanctuary. The assessors were incredibly impressed by everything they saw—from curriculum work to family support—and said it was the easiest decision they’ve had to make. A huge thank you to Fi, who has led this work so brilliantly. The award is a reflection not only of her leadership, but of the values, ethos and commitment of our whole school community.
It was fantastic to welcome so many of you to our final Visit Your Child in Class Morning last week. Steve gave a brilliant overview of our Summer STEAM projects, and it was wonderful to see families exploring classroom learning in action. Some of your feedback included:
“I liked the STEAM element – and the individuality of creating something unique; developing curious questions.”
“I like how quickly and calmly the children transition around the classroom.”
“I love how the children’s responses are celebrated and valued —developing self-esteem with a ‘whoosh’!”
You can read more about why we do our STEAM projects here on our website.
Don’t forget that wristbands are still on sale for the SSQ Festival on 25th June. Please see members of the Junior Leadership Team on the playground at the end of the day to get yours or order online via Arbor. Fingers crossed the sunshine stays with us for this fantastic event!
Enjoy the sunshine!
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.
If you are having difficulties with managing debt of any kind, such as council tax or rent arrears, or any other sort of debt, please see this website for a charity called Step Change, where you can get free advice and support: https://www.stepchange.org/ They are very helpful either over the phone to start off with, (0800 138 1111, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 2pm) or if you need more in-depth advice, you can complete a self-referral. They will give you advice about how to start repaying your debt, and how to deal with bailiffs who might be involved with reclaiming your debt, which can be a very worrying and frightening experience. Please get in touch if you would like to talk about this.
This week is Refugee Awareness Week and we are still taking donations for Southwark Day Care for Asylum Seekers.
The kind of items needed are: shower gel, shampoo, deodorant etc. If you can donate any items like this then please leave them in the box in the main office (pictured below).
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
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR CORE VALUE CHAMPIONS FROM LAST WEEK!
FESTIVAL SPECIAL – WRISTBANDS SELLING FAST!
Thank you to everyone who has purchased a wristband either via Arbor or from the JLT after school. Those who purchased online will receive their wristbands next week; they will be distributed to your children’s classes.
Don’t forget a wristband entitles some free food/drink and games but please bring extra coins for other stalls. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
DONATIONS NEEDED FOR A TOMBOLA STALL – we need your bottles of soft drinks, non-alcoholic fizz, flavoured water – bring your donations THIS FRIDAY for non-uniform day.
** 4.30pm AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS WILL RUN AS USUAL ON THE FESTIVAL DAY! Kindly collect your children from the Nursery gate at 4:30pm. **
If you know anyone who would be keen to sponsor part of this event or provide a prize for our raffle then please email Chris (canderson@ssq.org.uk)
NEWS – Parent Governor Wanted!
We are still on the hunt for a parent governor to join our school board team. This is a really valuable role that will help the SLT here at SSq so if you are interested in giving up a small amount of time next year then please get in touch with Kelly (krowles@ssq.org.uk) to register your interest.
NEWS – Wednesday’s Word on the Gate!
Get ready for this week's linguistic challenge! This week's word, displayed on the EYFS gate, will be FLOWER. Let's see if we can get even more languages represented this time!
Thank you to everyone who contributed to last week’s Word on the Gate which was ‘Welcome’.
NEWS – SEND Festival of Sport Success
On Monday June 16th, we took a group of children to the Damilola Taylor Centre for a brilliant morning of activities! They had the chance to try out capoeira, volleyball, and football, learning new skills and having loads of fun in the process. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and enjoyment throughout the day!
NEWS – SPORTS WEEK IS COMING!
Sports week will begin on Monday 7th July here at SSq. More information about exact dates and times will be in next week’s newsletter. Quentin, Michael and Nick look forward to welcoming you for a festival of fun as well as sport!
News – Year 6 had a Wicked trip!
Last week the Year 6 team took the children to watch the west-end show Wicked at the Apollo Theatre. The children were wowed by the story, scenery and special effects. They were all so isnpired by what they saw and can’t wait to show you their own production on Thursday 18th July – more information about this will be coming soon.
Thank you to all the Year 6 team and volunteers who gave up their time to make this wonderful experience happen.
News – Multilingual Story Books – keep them coming!
Philippa is still looking to build up our collection of multilingual story books. Do you have any books at home in your own language that you would be willing to donate to the school? If so please leave them in the office. Thank you!
NEWS – OKRFZ Street Party Coming Soon!
Don’t forget THIS Saturday 21st June, The Old Kent Road Family Zone will be closing the road and collaborating with a few local organisations such as Pembroke House, The Almshouse, Fat Studios, and many more to celebrate Walworth and shine a spotlight on the wonderful Old Kent Road community. ALL FREE and on our doorstep – share the word!
Summer Term Homework – UPDATE FROM MARCIA!
Thank you so much to those children who have sent in pictures and videos of your Science Experiments there has been such a range from bath bombs to apples and magnets to name a few.
Keep them coming! Please see the poster below for more information and what you need to do.
Science News – A message from Marcia
Thank you to everyone who took part in the recent plant competition. The judge was really impressed with everyone’s efforts. Look out for my next Science newsletter for more information about the winners.
STILL WANTED – Multilingual Story Books
We are still looking to build up our collection of multilingual story books. Do you have any books at home in your own language that you would be willing to donate to the school? If so please leave them in the office. Thank you!
Key Dates including next academic year
Please see our updated Key Dates summary for the rest of 2025 PLUS next academic year.
Attendance Last Week
Well done to Year 4 Soanes Class who had 98.9% attendance last week. Keep it up 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 for next week:
Week beginning Monday 23rd June (Scroll to week 3 Menu)
THIS WEEK @The Walworth Living Room!
Follow @pembrokehouse on Instagram to stay up to date with everything happening at The Walworth Living Room – just over the road from us at SSq! Also, discover more from Pembroke House and the Walworth Living Room here!
