Dear Families,
We hope you all had a lovely half-term break. It’s been wonderful to return to school with the sun shining – it really feels like spring is on its way!
During the half term break, many in our community celebrated Lunar New Year (17th February). On Monday, we held an assembly to learn more about where and how it is celebrated around the world, and we heard from children in our community about their own family traditions. It was a lovely moment to see our values of community and respect shining through as children shared their stories and learned from one another.
On Tuesday, we marked Lunar New Year in school with a special themed lunch – the pancakes were definitely a hit! Children had the chance to try using chopsticks, take part in a chopstick challenge, and write kind messages to one another in symbolic red envelopes. There was such a joyful buzz across the school. A huge thank you to Megan for organising such a special experience for everyone.
We also welcomed staff from School 360 on Monday, who came to see some of our practices in action – including the phenomenal provision in The Hive and our high-quality OPAL playtime experience. They left full of ideas and inspiration.
Teachers have been busy this week planning the exciting exhibitions for Night at the Museum. The projects are well underway and we can’t wait to see them showcased on Tuesday 24th March – it’s always such a highlight of the year.
On Monday Year 6 headed off to PGL, full of excitement and ready for their week away. We’re already seeing our values in action – perseverance in trying new activities, responsibility in developing independence, and of course lots of enjoyment! We can’t wait to hear all about their adventures when they return on Friday.
A reminder that next Tuesday 3rd March is our special Lent / Iftar Community Evening – more details will be shared shortly. We’re really looking forward to bringing everyone together again, as we did last year.
And finally, don’t forget that World Book Day is next Thursday 5th March – there’ll be author visits, book signings AND of course dressing up as a character or book! See the poster below for more information!
Enjoy the rest of the week.
Matt
You may have heard about the government’s consultation to change the immigration system and bring in a new “Earned Settlement” scheme. If you are on a 5 or 10 year route to settlement, or are in the UK on a work or student visa, this might affect the length of time you will need to wait until gaining settlement. You can read more about this here.
As members of Citizens UK, we are hoping to take part in an Action outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 18th March to protest about how unfair we think these proposals are.
I’d like to invite anyone who is interested in supporting this campaign to come along with us on the day, whether you are personally affected by the proposals or would like to show your support for those who are.
There is also a separate event to lobby MPs about this issue in Westminster Hall, at the Houses of Parliament, on Wednesday 11th March. Please email me fcarrick-davies@ssq.org.uk if you would like to find out more.
Please keep an eye on this information page outlining information from me about various other issues that I can help with.
FI
NEXT WEEK!
NEWS – Lend Year 4 Your Ears!
Some members of Year 4 are working hard in preparation for their performance next week as part of the Coram Schools Shakespeare Festival. They will be performing their version of Julius Caesar at The Albany Theatre next Wednesday 4th March. Tickets can be purchased via this link if you haven’t already ordered them.
NEWS – Year 2 Go Mad About Birds!
Perera class have become keen bird enthusiasts this year, inspired by their class name Nadeem Perera. They completed the RSPB Bird Watch before half term, and were delighted to spot parakeets, pigeons, carrion crows, starlings and even a robin in the playground.
NEWS – OKRFZ Marketplace – THIS SATURDAY!
The wonderful OKRFZ Marketplace is this Saturday here at SSq from 10am-1pm. All FREE – please share the word.
This month, we have Community Cycleworks, NHS and other visiting services as well as as a refurbished bike sale – see the poster below.
NEWS – Burgess Sports Holiday Club Success
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Afruja and her team at Burgess Sports for the successful sports camp hosted here at SSQ over the February half term.
The sports camp is usually delivered as part of Southwark’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
The HAF programme provides free activities during some of the school Easter, summer, and winter holidays, for school aged children in Reception to year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals (FSM). Burgess Sports also funds some of the days.
We aim to send the sign-up link out approximately 1 month before the sports camp starts. Children eligible for benefits-related FSM are prioritised being sent the link 1st, then it’s sent out to everybody a couple of days later. Places are on a 1st come 1st served basis.
Upcoming Sports Camps:
Easter Sports Camp
Monday 30th March – Thursday 2nd April and Tuesday 7th – Friday 10th April
(Sign up link will be sent out week beginning 2nd March)
May half term Sports Camp
Tuesday 26th – Friday 29th May
(Sign up link will be sent out week beginning 27th April)
Summer Sports Camp
*Monday 27th July – Friday 28th August
(Sign up link will be sent out week beginning 22nd June)
* Dates to be confirmed as Burgess Sports are waiting to find out how many days HAF is funding
NEWS – Marcia Launches Big Plastic Count @SSq!
The Big Plastic Count is the UK's biggest investigation into household plastic waste.
From 9-15 March, thousands of people, schools and communities will be counting the plastic packaging they throw away – SSq included! Our results will be used to call on the government and companies to reduce plastic waste and create a better future for young people. Please help your children at home if they are asked to count the amount of plastic thrown away from 9-15th March.
NEWS – Get Your Seeds For Marcia’s Competition!
Check out these images for more information and speak to Marcia if you have any further questions.
NEWS – PUBLIC CONSULTATION – LAST CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY
BIG EDUCATION TRUST – PROPOSAL TO MERGE WITH OASIS COMMUNITY LEARNING
Last few days to share share your views. Please read more about this here. Your feedback is important to us. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and share your thoughts on the proposed merger: please fill in this form to do so.
Ramadan is here and we know this is a special time for many people in our community! While fasting is not obligatory for children, we recognise that many of our students choose to participate, and we are committed to supporting them during this special time.
To ensure the wellbeing of our fasting students, the following options are available:
- PE & Activities: Students may choose to opt out of physical education (PE) lessons.
- Singing Assembly: Following student feedback, children may opt out of singing assemblies if they have permission from their parent/carers.
- Emergency Snacks: We ask that all fasting students carry an emergency snack in their bag. If a child feels unwell or finds the fast too difficult, they will be encouraged to break their fast for their safety.
- An area will be provided at lunch time for prayer.
- On request, fasting children can be provided with a packed lunch to take home. Please collect from the Pavilion at home time.
Permission Slips
Please complete a paper copy of the Ramadan permission slip (sent via Arbor) stating exactly when they will be fasting. This only needs returning if your child is going to be fasting or not participating in a singing assembly during Ramadan or not participating in a singing assembly during Ramadan.
- Years 5 and 6: Permission slips are available directly from class teachers upon request.
- Younger Students: We encourage "part-day" fasting for younger children. Slips for these year groups can be collected from the School Office.
- Please ensure you include when your child will be fasting, if they require a pack lunch* and whether they will be participating in Singing Assembly.
Parents with children on School Journey at PGL, please consider that they are doing full days of physical activity.
We wish all our students and families a peaceful and rewarding month.
During the month of February (to join in with the national celebrations of LGBTQ history), we will be sharing and celebrating some inspirational contemporary and historical LGBTQ figures.
This week we shine a light on Renee Nicole Good
Born in 1989, Renee Nicole Good was a 37 year-old American lesbian writer and poet who lived in Minneapolis with her partner and family. In 2010, under the name Renée Nicole Macklin, she won a prestigious poetry prize. In 2020 she studied Creative Writing at the Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. She was a mother of three who, on January 7th, 2026, who was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis.
Attendance from before Half Term!
Well done to Year 2 Otedola 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 @SSq
Check out what’s on the menu – this week is week1!
Key Dates for the rest of the academic year
Look out for our Night At The Museum – NEW DATE – Tuesday 24th March.
These are subject to change and we will endeavour to inform you of this as soon as possible.
Upcoming FREE events for children and young people at Una Marson Library:
FREE CONCERT NEXT WEEK!
Chatterbooks – Children’s Book Club
Tuesday 10th March (Poster date is incorrect)
Ages 7–11 | Free (limited places)
Our friendly Chatterbooks group helps children build a lifelong reading habit through book discussion and fun craft activities.
For our first session of 2026, we’ll be reading A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket. Copies of the book are available to be borrowed from the library front desk.
To sign up, families can visit “Chatterbooks Book Club 2026 – Una Marson Library – Free!” or ask library staff for a paper form.
Give Gaelic Football A Go – THIS SATURDAY – PECKHAM RYE!
CINEMA OFFERS IN COVENT GARDEN
A short ride on the 172 tales you to the wonderul Garden Cinema – see their latest offers for families and young children:
The Garden Cinema recently launched its Bring Your Baby screenings – a chance for parents of babies aged 12 months and under to see the latest releases in a relaxed environment, with raised lighting, reduced volume levels, and subtitles where possible. Parents can feel free to get up and walk around during the screening, and babies can cry and coo without bothering other cinema-goers. Recently screened films include No Other Choice, Hamnet and Marty Supreme.
Check out all the ongoing Community Notices here.
