Dear families,
It’s certainly started to turn colder. Please do ensure that your child comes to school in a warm coat that has their name clearly written on it.
Last Friday was Children In Need. Thank you for sending in your donations – we were able to raise £156.86 which will go towards excellent causes and will support organisations like Burgess Sport (who hold regular holiday camps at SSQ) and Future Men (who work with some of our Year 6 children). Thank you for helping to model our values of community and compassion through this.
We also loved seeing the children coming to school dressed as their future aspiration last Thursday – we had doctors, vets, astronauts, teachers, ice cream sellers and even a wildlife photographer. It was a lovely way to end our Aspiration Fortnight which has been a huge success. We’ve welcomed numerous speakers over the 2 weeks including west end stars, lawyers, kung fu masters, graphic designers to name just a few! It’s so important that the children can hear and be inspired by all of these people – after all, you can’t be what you can’t see! A huge thank you to Megan and Chris for organising such a powerful 2 weeks.
A couple of reminders:
It is Visit Your Child in Class Morning on Wednesday – please come to the bottom hall at 9am.
School is closed to all children this Friday.
Have a great week ahead – stay warm!
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 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
Southwark 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.
A couple of weeks ago I met the Programme Manager for Children and Young People from an organisation that supports families with a Latin-American background, IRMO (Indoamerican Refugee and Migrant Organisation). They run several services for children and young people – I’ve included the flyers in the ‘Community Notices’ section later in the newsletter.
If you replied to the survey I sent out in the summer term about the offer of freshly-cooked meals for our families to collect once a week, please look out for further information as we hope to have the meals available very soon.
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
Don’t forget the Citizens Day of Action on 5th December – all the information is in the ‘Community Notices’ section of the newsletter below.
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 last week.
NEWS – Job Opportunity at SSq
Following last week’s sad news that Sue is leaving us after 35 years of devoted service, we are looking for a new Receptionist/Administrator here at SSq. Please follow this link to apply yourself or please do share with anyone who you think would be interested. Closing date for applications is Monday 25th November. If you have any further questions about the role then email krowles@ssq.org.uk
NEWS – SSq get spotty for BBC Children in Need
It was great to see the core value of compassion on show last Friday as SSq wore something spotty and colourful for BBC Children in Need. As Matt wrote earlier, many of our local organisations benefit from this charity so it was fantastic to see so many get involved – even Teddy in the office. We raised almost £200 so well done everyone!
NEWS – Dress As Your Aspiration Success!
Aspiration Fortnight ended officially last week (although keep your eyes peeled for some surprise visitors over the next few weeks!) culminating in Thursday’s ‘Dress As Your Aspiration’ Day. It was great to see so much creativity and thought go into the costumes. We saw: nurses, doctors, astronauts, YouTubers, sports stars, hairdressers, designers, lawyers to name but a few.
The second half of Aspiration Fortnight saw even more visitors from a variety of backgrounds and industries. Local councillors, BBC Floor Managers, Actors, Finance Managers, Engineers, Entrepreneurs and even Kung Fu Masters all visited us last week. We are grateful to all our visitors for giving up their time -if you or anybody you know is interested in being part of our Aspiration work next year then do get in touch with Chris (email: canderson@ssq.org.uk).
NEWS – We wore odd socks for Anti-Bullying Week
We were so proud to see everyone show copy Ri Ri Respect and wear odd socks last week as part of Anti Bullying Week. This reminded us that we are all unique and should celebrate our differences. A very important message for us all!
NEWS – Cinema Trips inspire years 1, 3 and 4!
Year 1, 3 and 4 enjoyed free trips to the cinema this week with the IntoFilm festival. Year 4 learnt about different types of animation before watching a beautiful movie about belonging, family and acceptance.
Year 2 Get A Pizza The Action!
Lansiquot Class recently visited Pizza Express, where they met a skilled pizza chef and learned how to make pizzas. Afterwards, they enjoyed eating their creations.
Tams' class will get the chance to become pizza chefs in January!
Year 1 Visit Gurdwara
Breen class went to Woolwich Gurdwara last week. Everyone was respectful while learning about the Sikh faith. They also found out that it was Guru Nanak's birthday last week!
SSq Get On Their Bikes
Year 2 have been enjoying their cycling sessions with Cycle Confident.
Cycle Confident is an organisation that helps children to acquire the practical skills to cycle safely and with confidence on today’s roads. It also helps children who cannot ride a bike and gives them the opportunity to learn this great skill. It promotes physical activity, development of co-ordination and eco-friendly! Watch this space for more updates on the project!
NEWS – WINTERFEST IS COMING!
Please take a look at this year’s Winterfest schedule. We look forward to seeing you at your child’s performance(s).
NEWS – Book FREE tickets to see SSq Exhibition in North Greenwich!
We are all excited and looking forward to the launch of Socks: The Art Of Care And Repair at The Now Gallery in December.
This exciting exhibition will celebrate the everyday act of mending through darning. Central to the exhibition will be a vibrant, colourful installation of 488 socks, each stitched and darned by our own school community using industry ‘warehouse’ waste socks.
Children, staff and families of Ssq, learnt and practised their darning and stitching skills on socks, during a series of 26 workshops facilitated by one of our aspirational class names – artist Celia Pym – last year.
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. The exhibition runs from December until March 2025.
NEWS – Inspirational Class Names Focus – Year 6!
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.
Throughout this term, we are going to find out a little more about why teachers chose these inspirational people. This week, we find out why Netra and Megan in Year 6 chose Ashley John-Baptise and Stephen Wiltshire as their aspirational class names in Year 6. Watch their videos below!
NEWS – Have you filled in the NEW PHOTO PERMISSION FORM YET?
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.
We will need one response for each of the children you have here at SSq.
We will also resend this out by Parentmail. If you have any questions then please email office@surreysquare.co.uk
After School Club News
The Thought Press Project (collective of 100 printmakers donating their art for sale) recently donated £1,500 to both Place2be and Edible Rotherhithe. We are grateful to Christina and her team who work tirelessly to give the children a wealth of opportunities as a result of these donations.
Music Lessons Update
Please ask your child to check the daily timetables that come around to classes each day.
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 AGAIN Pym Class!
Well done to Year 4 Pym Class who had 99.6 % 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 – WINTERFEST CHANGE
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 the flyers that Fi mentioned earlier 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.
