A Message from Matt
It was lovely to welcome the children back to school last week. There was certainly lots of excitement at the school gate on Wednesday morning as the children were seeing their friends again and moving to new classes. We also welcomed our new Reception cohort on Friday who settled brilliantly and had a fantastic first day with us.
What’s new?
In assembly on Friday we talked about what is different/new for the children now that they are back. We talked about all the different feelings that come with the return to school – excitement for seeing friends, nervousness about new teachers/year groups, sadness that the holiday has ended – and how all of these feelings are ok to feel. We also shared the new class names and the reasons that the teachers had chosen to name their classes after these people. We will share more about these inspirational figures over the next few weeks. We welcomed Emily (Reception lead teacher), Sarah (Learning facilitator) and Kam (Learning facilitator) to SSQ last week and we are really excited about them all joining the team
Outside additions!
Whilst we were enjoying the summer break, Kelly Rowles and her premises team were working extremely hard improving the school environment even more. The school was deep cleaned, parts repainted and new signage has gone up. Debbie also gave a lot of her time to continue developing play opportunities in the playground too – creating a gravel pit, music area and lego wall for the children to enjoy. Christina and her team of volunteers have also spent time planting along the borders at the back of the playground and preparing the polytunnel for this year’s gardening. We want to thank them for all of their hard work and commitment to SSq and ensuring that we see excellence all around us so that the whole community can be proud of the school.
Looking forward to a fantastic year ahead! Matt
Key Dates for this year!
We know that some of you like to plan ahead for the year. Please see our summary of key dates for 2024-25. Please note that some dates may change so keep checking this website or our social media channels (X formally Twitter and Instagram).
A message from Fi (Family Well-Being Lead)
Hello and welcome to the new school year to all our parents and carers from me, whether you’ve been at Surrey Square for years or you’re new to the school! My role is to work alongside families to address issues that affect their wellbeing, which might include family relationships, immigration status, housing, parenting, employment and training opportunities, mental and physical health etc. We have positive partnerships with a variety of great organisations, both locally and London-wide, which I can signpost you to if necessary, to find solutions and access support.
I’m in school Mondays to Wednesdays and you can email me on [email protected]
As well as supporting families with difficult situations, we are active in the borough and across London in challenging injustice and ensuring that people’s voices are heard. We are one of 24 organisations who are members of Southwark Citizens, see https://www.citizensuk.org/ If you're interested in getting involved in our campaigning, please let me know!
For more information about Housing, Cost of Living and Benefits then please click on my information page here.
Meet The Teacher Meetings – COMING SOON!
As ever, we encourage you to attend these meetings where you can: meet your child’s new teacher, the year group team and ask any questions you may have. Please check Parentmail or next week’s Buzz to find out when your meeting is. Meetings will be after school.
Core Value Character for this term: Rafa Responsibility
This half term’s Core Value Character is Rafa Responsibility. Each week, adults will be on the lookout for children who demonstrate Responsibility. Rafa Responsibility is a value you can rely on. He understands the importance of taking care of his own belongings and others' when he uses them, ensuring everyone can enjoy them too. Notice how tightly he hugs his special jar! Inside are all his actions, words, and choices. He values them and uses them carefully. He knows his actions, words, and choices affect those around him and help keep him safe both in and out of school.
Rafa Responsibility also takes care of his shiny clock. This helps him be on time for school each day and ready to learn in class promptly. He doesn’t like disappointing people by being late! Rafa has very sensitive ears that listen carefully to instructions so he can follow them or ask politely for help. They also help him hear an important word — “sorry.” It hurts if people don’t say it when they make a mistake; look at his droopy ear! “Sorry” helps make people feel better, so Rafa always uses it and learns from what he has done.
Rafa Responsibility is such a mature value.
New Class Names for this Year!
Each year our teachers think carefully about an inspiring person to name their class after. We will be looking at each class name in more depth over the coming weeks; this year we have artists, activists, athletes, paralympians, musicians, mathematicians and TV presenters. See if you recognise any of the faces below and be sure to ask your child about the significance of their class name this week.
Attendance Last Week
Well done to Year 4 Soanes Class for having the highest attendance last week – 98.2%!
Please ensure that you never send your child in with any foods that may contain nuts. Click here for more details.
COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
Southwark Food Action Alliance Food Map
Southwark Food Action Alliance have launched their new food map which you can access using this link. This map shows food banks and pantries, community fridges, community meals and more. They have also produced a leaflet that is split into four sections: Places to go for free food, Places to go for low-cost food, Places to go for meals, cafes and takeaways, and Foodbanks where you need a referral or voucher from an agency. You can view and download the leaflet here.
Footballers in Years 3,4 and 5 wanted!
As you may or may not be aware, Southwark Jaguars launched their first ever girls football team in August 2023. Since that first sunny day they have grown from strength to strength and currently have 60 girls registered across our U9’s, U10’s, U11’s & U12’s teams. We can guarantee that most of you will have at least one girl at our school that is a Southwark Jaguar. With that in mind they are keen to offer the opportunity of playing competitive weekend football to more girls. Unlike most football teams they do not offer trials. If you are girl and want to play, then this is the club for you. Please note they are looking for girls that are currently in year three, four and five.
Parents/carers will need to follow the link below or scan the QR CODE on the attached flyer to register their interest.
Southwark Jaguars Register of Interest – The PE & School Sports Network (lpessn.org.uk)
The SEND Saturday Sports Club returns!
This amazing opportunity reopens again on Saturday 21st September! Please see the below info or find our more from the LPESSN website.
