Dear Families,
It’s another busy and brilliant week at Surrey Square!
It was great to see so many families at today’s Visit Your Child in Class Morning. We hope you enjoyed seeing your children’s learning in action. The atmosphere across the school was brilliant and we can’t wait to share your feedback with our staff.
Don’t forget to also join us next week for our Community Evening on Wednesday 26th November, 5:00–6:30pm. The theme is "Be the Change" with Years 1 – 6 sharing their ‘Changemaker Projects’. EYFS families are, of course, warmly invited too. As always, we’ll finish with a shared meal – we hope to see many of you there!
This week is also our Donation Drive Week, led by Year 2 as part of their Changemaker project. In assembly yesterday, we talked about how this is a powerful example of our value of community in action – caring for and supporting others.
Year 2 began their project by writing letters to FoodCycle Peckham to find out what donations were most needed. As a result, they are collecting vegetarian, non-perishable food items such as tinned tomatoes, baked beans, pasta sauce, rice and cereal. In a fantastic show of leadership and compassion, they’ve now extended their project to also support the Jamaica Hurricane Appeal on behalf of the whole school – by collecting essential toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and shower gel.
It’s been brilliant to see donations already coming in. Thank you so much for your support. Year 2 have even made badges for everyone who donates, and they’re running a friendly competition to see which class can bring in the most!
And finally, thank you for your generous donations to Children in Need last Friday – we raised over £300. A brilliant example of the incredible value of community in action.
Enjoy the rest of the week!
Matt
NEWS – OKRFZ Marketplace – THIS SATURDAY!
NEWS – Year 2 Still Needs You!
Don’t forget Year 2 are collecting vegetarian, non-perishable food items such as tinned tomatoes, baked beans, pasta sauce, rice and cereal. In a fantastic show of leadership and compassion, they’ve now extended their project to also support the Jamaica Hurricane Appeal on behalf of the whole school – by collecting essential toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and shower gel. Please ask your children to leave any items with their teacher.
NEWS – COMING SOON – WINTERFEST!
Save the dates and times – Winterfest is coming – it’s time to See the Stars of SSq on stage singing a variety of songs to bring us cheer this festive season!
NEWS – That’s just cricket!
Year 4, along with other classes across the school, have been enjoying expert coaching from Surrey Cricket Club’s Simon who is introducing the children to fielding, batting and bowling schools. It is great to have such world-class coaching on our doorstep – we hope to see some of our children one day take the field at The Oval.
Keep sharing the word!
Our FINAL 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 morning for prospective pupils this term. Please share this link with them.
Dear Parents and Carers,
The government has just passed a new housing act called “Awaab’s Law”. Awaab's Law is a new rule for social landlords (like the council or housing associations). It was created after the tragic death of a two-year-old boy, Awaab Ishak, who died because of severe mould in his home that his landlord ignored. The main point of the law is to force landlords to fix serious problems in your home very quickly and stop them from ignoring dangerous issues like persistent damp and mould. If you report an emergency, like a leak, the landlord has 24 hours to investigate and start fixing the issue. If you report a significant hazard like severe damp and mould, they have to begin the repair within 5 working days and investigate within 10 working days. If you are experiencing any of these issues, please email [email protected] or [email protected] mentioning Awaab’s Law – feel free to copy me in [email protected]
Certain families in Southwark with a child who is under 5 years of age until August 2026 can apply for Rose Vouchers, giving them access to free fruit and veg. You have to be on certain benefits, or have No Recourse to Public Funds or if you are seeking asylum. Please use this link to register https://www.1stplace.uk.com/rosevouchers
More information here https://www.1stplace.uk.com/rosevouchers
I’ve been made aware that some Health Care companies are having their licenses to sponsor overseas workers revoked, which means that people in the care sector on sponsorships might lose their jobs. If this applies to you, please see this website https://hub.goodworkselondon.co.uk/international-recruitment and let me know if you’d like to discuss this further. The government also has this website for support https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-offer-to-international-asc-workers-whose-employers-sponsor-licence-has-been-revoked/support-offer-to-international-asc-workers-whose-employers-sponsor-licence-has-been-revoked
London South Bank University (LSBU) provides a free legal advice service for a range of issues. Please see this website for more information about how to access support https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/our-colleges/law-and-education/study/subjects/law/legal-advice-clinic
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.
Please do remember to let me know if you are in Temporary Accommodation or are renting privately, and would like support with any housing problems. 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 or in the private-rented sector. Please come and collect a referral form from me if you would like to book an appointment.
I am available in school from Monday to Wednesday – do get in touch ([email protected]) 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 Woolf am and Rosen PM who had 100% attendance last week. Keep it up folks!
Please contact us daily if your child is off ill or for another reason.
Email [email protected] or phone 0207 7033049 (option 1)
Clubs Update
Important: Deadline for Outstanding ParentMail/Arbor Payments (28th November)
Dear Parent/Carers,
This is a reminder to clear any outstanding balances on your ParentMail/Arbor account(s).
The deadline for these payments is Friday 28th November 2025.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Maxx in the office.
Menu Update
This week’s menu is Week 2. Next week is Week 3.
Key Dates for this academic year
A Message from The Walworth Living Room!
THIS WEEK:
As the days get shorter and the weather a little colder, we want to remind parents/carers that the Walworth Living Room is a welcoming space just across the street for dropping in after AM drop offs and PM pickups .
We can’t wait to welcome you.
*The Walworth Living Room Team*.
Health & Wellbeing Fair – NEXT WEEK!
Click here for all the ongoing community events in and around our area!
