Community Events, World Book Day & Year 6 PGL Highlights

Dear Families,

Welcome back! We hope you had a lovely holiday and that those of you who celebrated Easter enjoyed special time with family and friends. We’re really excited to kick off the summer term—there’s so much to look forward to!

The final week before the break was full of special moments. A huge well done to Year 5 for their brilliant drumming performance. The children demonstrated such impressive musicianship and rhythmic technique, and it was a joy to watch them perform with so much energy and confidence. Thank you to all the parents and carers who came to support, and a big shout out to Pauline and Sandra from Southwark Music Services for leading the 10-week programme. Thanks also to Chris for ensuring our music provision continues to offer such rich and exciting opportunities—we are incredibly lucky at SSQ to have such high-quality music education.

Another highlight was our annual Night at the Museum—thank you to everyone who came along. This is one of our unique interdisciplinary projects, where children apply their history learning through a final outcome in art, design, DT or oracy. The quality of work on display across the school was outstanding, with classrooms transformed into museum-style exhibitions. It was also brilliant to see children developing real-world skills such as presenting, guiding visitors, and even selling baked goods to raise funds for future learning opportunities. You can read more about this and our other projects on our Projects page.

We welcomed the children back yesterday, and it was lovely to see so many big smiles as they came through the gate! This term is packed full of exciting opportunities, including our SSQ Festival, STEAM projects, sports days, and even more trips and experiences. Teachers are already busy planning the STEAM projects for Years 1–6, along with lots of other creative and engaging learning.

We’re also feeling inspired by the London Marathon, taking place this weekend. A group of children from Breen Class and Year 3 have the amazing opportunity to race in the TCS Mini London Marathon on Saturday—we wish them lots of luck! To celebrate, we’ll be holding our own mini marathon on Friday, giving all children a chance to get active and enjoy the benefits of physical exercise. Supporting physical health is a big part of our approach to wellbeing, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone take part.

Year group newsletters will be coming home over the next couple of weeks to give you a closer look at what your child will be learning this term.

A reminder that TLC Day (for all year groups except Year 6) is on Tuesday 6th May (with an evening offer on Thursday 8th May). A sign-up link will be shared this week. Ahead of this, staff and leaders will be carrying out provision mapping, carefully reviewing each child’s academic and personal development, and planning how we can support them to make even more progress. These insights will be shared with you as part of your TLC meeting.

Here’s to a fantastic start to the summer term!

Matt

I am available in school from Monday to Wednesday – do get in touch ([email protected]) if you have any questions in the meantime.

We are running a Know Your Rights Coffee Morning on Wednesday April 30th, here at school for those in Temporary Accommodation. We will send a flyer out with more information so you can book your place using the Eventbrite link.

We have a housing expert coming in once a month, specialising in supporting people in Temporary Accommodation or facing other housing challenges. If you would like an appointment for the next drop-in session in May, please let me know asap, so I can give you the self-referral form to complete – [email protected]

If you have No Recourse to Public Funds and I don’t already know about it, please let me know by emailing [email protected] as there may be some additional support we can help you with.

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.

Trips and Experiences

On the Monday before Easter holidays, Year 4 visited the London Archives for an informative and fun history trip which was a great end to our history learning this term. They read information from a book that was over 100 years old and explored different archival documents. We learnt about the importance of preserving these vital primary sources and all about what they can teach us today.

NEWS – Good Luck Year 5!

Year 5 Launch car winners will be taking part in the next challenge, next week on 2nd May at Reeds School. Lets wish them luck and look out for some photos next week!

NEWS – OKRFZ Marketplace Returns

Join us THIS SATURDAY – HERE AT SSq! All Free – please share the word.

NEWS – Summer Term 1 Homework Challenge

NEWS – Wellbeing Ambassadors Launch Competition

Fiona and the Wellbeing Ambassadors have launched a poster competition with the winning designs being used in our Calming Areas around the school. For more information click on this link. The final day to get the posters to Fiona (Year 2 Tams Class) is Friday the 2nd of May.

After School Clubs – Update

Summer term’s 4:30pm clubs started on Tuesday 22nd April.

The sign up link is now closed to sign up. Please contact Maxx if you have yet to sign up and want your child to attend. She will be able to let you know what spaces are available in which clubs.

The cost of first half term of the club needs to be paid by 18th April 2025 i.e. before your child starts a new club.

Any questions about clubs do speak to or email Maxx [email protected]

Please remember that if you have an outstanding balance for a club or trip for example, your child will not be given a place until the balance has been paid.

Music Update – Instrumental Lessons

Thank you to those who have already registered their interest for this term’s music instrumental lessons. If you’re child is in Year 3 or above and is keen to learn an instrument then please sign up using this form by Friday. We hope to start lessons next week.