SSq Newsletter - 2nd October 2025

Dear Families,

As we move into October, we’re marking the start of Black History Month – a key moment in the national calendar, but one that we believe should be embedded in our curriculum all year round.

At SSQ, we’ve worked hard to ensure that our curriculum offer is diverse and reflective of the community we serve. Our staff team have developed this further over the past few years, making sure that all children can truly see themselves in the learning – through the history we teach, the books we share, and the people we celebrate and look up to.

We are proud to have our own SSQ Identity Curriculum, which places children’s sense of self at the centre. We believe that focusing on who you are is key to developing confidence, self-esteem and positive wellbeing.

To coincide with the national celebration of Black History Month, children across the school will be taking part in special workshops on Thursday and Friday this week:

Years 1 – 6 will focus on the Windrush Generation
Nursery and Reception will explore the story Handa’s Surprise

In assembly this week, we linked this to our value of Respect, talking about the importance of listening to the stories of others – especially those whose voices and experiences may not have been valued or recognised at the time.

Last week, we also said an official goodbye to Nazma, one of our longest-serving Learning Facilitators. Nazma has been part of the Surrey Square family since 2001, and over the years has supported countless children with dedication, warmth and relentless positivity. She is well known across the school for her wholehearted endorsement of our values and her commitment to our community. We are so lucky to have had her as part of the team for all these years, and we look forward to continuing to see her around in the community.

A reminder that next Wednesday is TLC Day. School will be closed to children, but we strongly encourage children to come along with you to your appointment. These meetings are such an important opportunity to discuss how your child has settled into their new year group, the progress they’re making – both personally and academically – and how we can continue to support them moving forward. We hope you find the conversations helpful and informative.

We look forward to seeing you then! All other key dates are at the bottom of the page so make sure you note them down.

Enjoy the rest of the week!

Matt

NEXT WEEK!

NEWS – We are now on Facebook

Stay up to date with news, events and important dates via https://www.facebook.com/surreysqschool

NEWS – Meet Edwards Class

Find out why Philippa, Chris and her class chose Anthonia Edwards as their inspiring class name this year!

Each year our class teachers think carefully about who to name their class after. This year we have some continuations from last year plus many new faces including DJs, philanthropists, ornithologists and authors to name just a few. Stay tuned to future newsletters to discover the choices behind class names this year.

NEWS – Languages Day A Great Success!

Tɛnki ধন্যবাদ Grazie Cảm ơn Gracias дякую Jërëjëf 谢谢 Спасибо شکریہ Obrigado አመሰግናለሁ

Dziękuję Mahadsanid متشکرم Oyiwaladɔŋŋ Merci!

A big thank you to all the parents who visited classes last Wednesday for our first ever SSQ Languages Day. It was a huge success! Over 25 parents shared their languages with the classes – this included songs, numbers, dance and stories. The children were so engaged and proud of the languages that they or their friends speak.

We are looking at more ways to value and celebrate languages at SSQ, so please get in touch if you have any suggestions and would like to be involved.

Best wishes

NEWS – Woolf Class Love Languages!

What a fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable day we had in Woolf Class celebrating so many different languages. We learned to say Hello and Good Morning in Krio, Twi, Kurdish, Spanish, Banga and Sign Language. Big Up to our parents and family members who took part.

NEWS – Award for Christina

Congratulations to Christina who has been awarded The Activator award from the Ministry of Eco Education. This was awarded in recognition of her commitment to eco education and to celebrate the achievement in sustainability in the school and community.

We are extremely grateful to Christina who, as well as working in the nursery, is also instrumental in our successful after school clubs run by Edible Rotherhithe.

NEWS – Year 2 out and about for learning!

Last Friday, Year 2 had an exciting day out at the Science Museum. They explored the activities in the Pattern Pod. Then they completed a scavenger hunt in 'Flight' and 'Making the Modern World' which links nicely to our work on materials in Science. We also saw the London sights when crossing Westminster Bridge.

Year 2 also visited Une Marson library on Monday for a Southwark Heritage workshop entitled 'Black History in The Borough'. They learned about the stories of four important black people who lived in Southwark including Reasonable Blackman, Ira Aldridge, a Roman soldier and Una Marson herself! Then children were excited to handle artefacts from the past.

NEWS – Piano still needs a home!

We have an old, upright piano that we no longer need. If anyone would like to collect please contact the school office. Collection needs to be made before half term.

Photographer: Andrik Langfield | Source: UnsplashPhotographer: Andrik Langfield | Source: Unsplash

Share the word – Open Sessions for Prospective Reception Families!

Do you know a family member or friend who are looking for a primary school place for September 2026? Let them know about our upcoming open mornings for prospective pupils this term:

Don’t forget to sign up for the Better Together Community Expo, a one-stop space that brings together a wide variety of support services under one roof.

The event is open to residents of Southwark and Lambeth

Year 7 Transition Information – Please let me know if you have any questions about the process.

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.

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!

Attendance Last Week

Well done to Woolf Class AM who had 100% attendance last week. Keep it up into next year 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 Update

Here are this week’s and next week’s menus:

Music Lessons – Years 3-6 up and running!

Lessons have now begun. Please ask your child to check the daily timetables that will be displayed in their classrooms.

Mon – Violin

Weds – Drums (Next week Thurs)

Thurs – Keyboard (Next week Tues)

Fri – Guitar

We still have space for Drum lessons so do get in touch if you would like your child to take part.

Email: mwalker@ssq.org.uk

A Message from The Walworth Living Room!

THIS WEEK:

Discover more from Pembroke House and the Walworth Living Room here and see below for all the upcoming activities and projects!

Give Kids A Smile Event in Half Term

A message from Amelia St Dental Practice:

We are excited to be holding a Children’s Event Day on Tuesday 28th October at our practice, We will be partnering with Give Kids A Smile.

We are currently reaching out to local schools to help spread the word to parents that we are now welcoming new patients and encouraging them to book appointments for this special day. Existing patients are of course, also very welcome.

We want to help make oral health support more accessible for every child in our community.

The day will be entirely dedicated to children, with goody bags and plenty of educational resources to help young patients feel comfortable and confident about visiting the dentist. Our aim is to highlight the importance of regular dental visits from an early age and to make the experience as positive and enjoyable as possible.

We would be extremely grateful if you could share this information and spread the word with your school’s parents and carers and encourage them to book appointments for their children.

If this could be added to your school newsletters this would be great.

Please feel free to pass on our contact details, and do not hesitate to get in touch if you need any further information ahead of the event.

Our Details:

Email reception.ameliastreet@colosseumdental.co.uk

Contact Number: 02077035601

Address- 22 Amelia St, London SE17 3BY

They can also go on to our website to register directly and book appointments, they can also fill out our enquiry form where we can then contact them to make a booking.

This day will be held between 09:00am and 17:00pm.