SSq Newsletter - Thursday 2nd July 2026

Dear Families,

What a relief to have a much cooler week! Thank you again for all of your support during last week's extreme temperatures. We were keen to strike the right balance between supporting our working families and ensuring that children and staff remained safe and comfortable during the hottest parts of the day. We really appreciated everyone's understanding as we adapted our routines to respond to the weather.

This week, our assemblies focused on Pride Month. We talked about what the word pride means and why June is a time to celebrate the LGBT+ community. Children learned that families can look different, but what matters most is that they are rooted in love and care for one another. We also discussed the importance of treating everyone with kindness and respect, standing up to unkind language or bullying, and helping everyone feel that they belong. These messages link closely to our values of respect and community, reminding us that everyone has the right to be themselves and to feel welcome at SSQ.

Thank you for continuing to support the Cabinet's ICESQ – Stay Cool, Support School! initiative. The ice cream stall will be open again this Thursday and Friday after school.

Our Pupil Parliament Cabinet have also been working hard on their Anti-Idling Campaign. You will now see their banners around the school entrance and at the bottom of SSQ Park carrying the slogan "Stop Idling, Start Caring." The campaign encourages drivers to switch off their engines while waiting outside school, helping to reduce unnecessary air pollution around our children. We know that poor air quality is a particular challenge in our local area, and this is one way we can all make a difference. As part of their research, Cabinet members counted 16 cars idling outside school during one afternoon pick-up. Their goal is to reduce this number, so please do help by turning off your engine if you are waiting outside school. Every small action makes a difference.

A reminder that TOMORROW – FRIDAY 3rd JULY is an INSET Day, so school will be closed to all children. Staff from all three Big Education schools will be coming together for a joint professional development day and we look forward to welcoming the children back the following week.

Finally, as the Summer Holidays approach, I urge you to take a look at some of the many FREE activities on offer to families in the area – check out the ‘Community Notices’ at the bottom of this page.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Matt

Please keep an eye on the community noticeboard below and this information page outlining information from me about various other issues that I can help with.

FI

SUMMER FESTIVAL – Tokens On Sale Now!

We’re SO excited to collaborate with the Old Kent Road Family Zone to create the inaugural SE17 Summer Jam. No tickets needed this year but we will be selling tokens to use on stalls from Monday 29th June via Arbor and on the playground.

Thank you for all the soft drink donations for our bottle tombola. You can still donate and leave them in the office. Thank you!

Do you know any potential sponsors for upcoming community festival in collaboration with the Old Kent Road Family Zone? Please email Kelly ([email protected]) or Lea ([email protected]) if you have any ideas or contacts who could help! Thank you!

NEWS – SSq World Cup – Adult Players Still Needed!

Years 4-6 are enjoying their world cup tournament during their lunchtimes. Their tournament – organised by Nick, Quentin and Michael – culminates on Friday 17th July with a match between staff and parents also taking place.

If you would like to take part then please email coach Nick: [email protected].

NEXT WEEK IS SPORTS WEEK!

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE TO NURSERY SPORTS DAY WHICH WILL NOW BE ON TUESDAY 14th JULY.

We’re looking forward to celebrating Sports Week 2026 in July. Please note the dates and times below. Each session (N-Y3) will run from 9.15-10.30 in the playground. Families up to Year 3 are welcome to come and watch.

Monday 6th July: Year 3

Tuesday 7th July: Year 2

Wednesday 8th July: Reeds for yrs 4-6*

Thursday 9th July: Year 1

Friday 10th July: Reception

Tuesday 14th July: Nursery

* Years 4-6 will be attending Reeds School so families are unable to attend.

Well done to all our Responsibility Core Value champions from last week

Due to the extreme heat, some classes didn’t manage to hand out certificates last week. They will ensure next week these are given out.

Attendance from last week:

Well done to Year 4 Edwards Class who had 94% 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)

MENU @SSq

Check out what’s on the menu – this week is week 1!

Key Dates for the rest of the academic year

Please note the new date for the SSq Festival which will be in collaboration with the Old Kent Road Family Zone’s Marketplace on Saturday 11th July 2026.

These are subject to change and we will endeavour to inform you of this as soon as possible.

FREE FILMS this summer!

The Garden Cinema (Covent Garden – Bus 188/172) hosts family film screenings every Saturday & Sunday morning, and on weekdays during the school holidays. The screenings are 'Pay What You Can', which means you’re free to pay as much or as little as you can afford. On Sundays the films are followed by free fun and creative activities for children. Upcoming films include 'James and the Giant Peach', 'The Lion King', 'Bugsy Malone' and 'Muppet Treasure Island'.

Full Details: https://www.thegardencinema.co.uk/season/films-for-the-family