Welcome back to SSQ: New beginnings and updates

Dear Families,

Welcome back! We hope you had a fantastic summer break with your families and loved ones. It’s been a brilliant start to the new academic year at SSQ and it’s been so lovely to see the children return with such enthusiasm and energy!

A very warm welcome to all the new families who have joined us across the school, and especially to our new Reception and Nursery families. The Reception children have had an incredibly calm and settled start – we’re so proud of them already!

This week, we’re sadly saying farewell to Jade Rhoden, who has been part of the SSQ family since 2018. Jade has worked as a class teacher, and more recently as our SENDCo, having completed her SENDCo qualification. She has supported so many children and families with care and dedication. Jade is moving on to a school closer to home and to her family. We know you’ll join us in wishing her all the very best for this next chapter, and in thanking her for everything she’s given to the school.

In her place, we’re delighted to be welcoming Hannah Joyce and Sharlene Calliste, who will be job-sharing the SENDCo role this year.

Hannah will be SENDCo for Years 2–6, and is in school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Sharlene will be SENDCo for EYFS and Year 1, and is in school on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Both will be out on the gates regularly, so do say hello and make them feel welcome!

Hannah: 'Come and say hello to me on the gate. I am looking forward to meeting you all.'

Sharlene: 'Looking forward to being part of the SSQ family.'

In our start-of-year assemblies, we reflected on the different emotions we all experience at the beginning of a new term. Some of us feel excited, some nervous, some unsure – and all of these feelings are completely OK. We’ve also introduced our theme for the term: Be the Change.

This links perfectly to our Democracy Week, which is now underway. Every child from Year 1 to 6 has been split into one of five parties, with Members of Class (MCs) representing each one. The MCs have met with others from their party to co-create manifestos, sharing what changes they would make at school, in the local community, and in the wider world if their party were elected.

Each party has also chosen a Leader and Deputy Leader, and these candidates are now in a race to become Surrey Square’s first ever Prime Minister and Deputy!

On Wednesday, there will be a press conference.
On Thursday, the five leaders will give their speeches in front of the school at the Hustings. Following this, every child from Year 1 to 6 will vote.
On Friday, we’ll announce the winning party and Prime Minister in a special assembly.

It’s been amazing to see the excitement and thoughtfulness the children are bringing to this already.

See below for some of the photos from this week already!

Our value of the half term is Respect. Democracy is a great way to talk about this – listening to others, being open to different points of view, and treating others with kindness and dignity, even when we disagree.

Look out for our Meet The Teacher sessions this term. All the information is below and don’t forget to subscribe to our Instagram channel to stay up to date with news and events.

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Matt

Meet our new class names for 2025-26!

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. Do you recognise any faces?

Look out for updates and more information about this year’s class names in future newsletters.

Key Dates for this academic year

Please check out the information below – we will update this page if any changes are made.

Do get in touch if you have any questions.

Coming Soon:

Welcome back – I hope you had a great holiday!

We are holding a coffee morning on Wednesday 24th September, 9-10am, along with Kineara Housing organisation. Kineara will be offering advice and support for people living in Temporary Accommodation. Please come and join us in the pavilion on 24th.

The coffee morning will be followed by our usual monthly drop-in with our housing case worker from Kineara, which will be on Thursday 25th. If you are in Temporary Accommodation and would like an appointment with the case worker, please let me know as soon as possible so I can give you a referral form to complete and send back. My email is fcarrick-davies@ssq.org.uk

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 Reception Eze Class 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)

After School Clubs Update:

430pm clubs have started now.

Remember for sports club they should be in a school PE kit:-

plain black or grey shorts, leggings or jogging bottoms
white, round necked t-shirt (or as it’s club & not PE lesson they can wear their coloured SSQ t-shirt)
trainers (exception is gymnastics where they will be in their bare feet)

Other clubs (e.g. drama, arts & crafts) they can be in whatever they are wearing for school that day.

If you are sending your child into school with a snack to eat before the club starts, it should only be fruit.

Any questions about clubs, email Maxx mwalker@ssq.org.uk

Music Lessons Update Years 3-6:

A message has gone out from Maxx regarding this year’s music lessons. Please respond accordingly and we will get lessons up and running as soon as possible. Any questions email: mwalker@ssq.org.uk

Drumming and guitars at 2025’s SSq Festival

OKRFZ UPDATE:

Surrey Square School Community Superzone Survey

School Superzones are public health interventions around schools (typically 400m) that look to make local improvements in relation to air quality, food and drink environment, community safety and access to green space etc.

Southwark Council regularly consult with the school around the Superzone, but we are keen now to hear from residents and the school community.

Your views and local knowledge matter to us and will inform future work. Please complete this short survey on what improvements could be made locally to support the health, safety, and wellbeing of children in the Surrey Square School Superzone area.

A Message from The Walworth Living Room!

Hello Everyone! September is going to be an exciting month in the Living Room. We have lots of new activities to kick off the new season. Here’s a taste of what you can expect starting next week: https://www.pembrokehouse.org.uk/5152-2/