Friday 15th March 2024

Dear Parents/Carers,

We have had many exciting trips over the past two weeks. Last weekend, our Year 13 Spanish students visited Malaga. Students had an exciting time exploring the culture, food and lifestyle. This week our Year 8 students attended a show at the Globe Theatre and our Year 9 students visited Kew Gardens.

Yesterday, our Fives under 14 Team travelled to Tonbridge to participate in the Under 14s match. I am very proud to announce that our students won the Doubles competition. Well done to all the students involved.

School Closure for Moderation Day – Friday 22nd March 2024

A reminder that we will be holding a Moderation Day on Friday 22nd March where the school will be closed to students. This time will allow teachers to moderate work in readiness for the upcoming external exams. Work for students will be uploaded on Class Charts. Thank you for your understanding.

Celebrating St Patrick's Day & Irish History and Culture

Starting from Monday 18th March every lunchtime, students are welcome to visit the library to find out more about Irish History, Culture and traditions with dedicated displays and creative workshops will be taking place. Events include creating traditional straw dolls, ‘Brideogs’, Saint Brigid’s love token, poetry writing, or making a Saint Brigid's cross. During lunchtime on Monday 18th March, the canteen will be serving dishes to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, with Irish instrumental music.

Save the Children Gaza Fundraiser – Morning of Tuesday 19th March 2024

We will be raising money for the Save The Children Gaza Fund on the morning of Tuesday 19th March with collections on the entrance gates. We ask if students can please bring cash donations for the collection.

Year 9 Parents’ Evening – Wednesday 20th March 2024

Our Year 9 Parents’ evening will take place on site on Wednesday 20th March. Further information was sent to parent/carers earlier in the week, with a section including how to book appointments with your child’s teachers. If you have any difficulties in doing so, please contact your child’s form tutor in the first instance.

Supporting Your Child during their Examinations

We recognise that exams can be stressful and overwhelming for our students and their parents/carers. Our Educational Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) designed a booklet to help you and your child understand stress and find some healthy ways to get through the exam season. The booklet and further support around exam stress can be found on our website using this link.

British Science Event – Tuesday 26th March from 4.30pm

To celebrate British Science Week, we will be holding two events on Tuesday 26th March 2024, starting with a science fair (no tickets required), which will take place in the Sixth Form Common Room from 4.30pm – 5.30pm. The fair will showcase all the creative and innovative projects our students have prepared for Science competitions. Following the showcase, we will be hosting a Science Show, presented by Tiktok’s Scientist ‘Big Manny’. Tickets for this event sold out in record time so if you were lucky to get a ticket, please ensure you arrive promptly, with doors opening from 5.00pm ready for the event to start at 5.30pm!

Community Iftar – Wednesday 27th March 2024 from 6.00pm

At SNS we always celebrate the diversity of our community and every group and individual makes an essential part of our identity. As we are in the month of Ramadan, we will be holding an Interfaith Iftar on the evening of the 27th of March at the Blue Bird Cafe. This is an opportunity for all our communities to come together and share our beliefs and traditions. Everyone is welcome to come and spend an evening of commemoration and celebration of our Muslim community. You can book free tickets for the event using this link.

Easter Enrichment Programme for Lower School Students – Tuesday 2nd April – Friday 5th April 2024

This Easter holiday, we will be holding a free enrichment programme for Year 7 and 8 students. The day begins at 10.00am and runs until 2.30pm and will include a mix of sports sessions, visual arts, dance and a trip to the Shakespeare Adventure Playground. A free lunch will be provided each day for all students, regardless of Free School Meal status. If you would like your child to attend, please complete this short form by Friday 22nd March 2024.

Year 11 Parent/Carer Virtual Forum – Tuesday 16th April 2024 6.00pm – 7.00pm

The virtual forum for Year 11 parent/carers will be taking place through Microsoft Teams. The forum will provide an opportunity for parents to raise any final questions ahead of written exams starting on 9th May. This will include reminders on exam preparation, exam board rules and regulations, key dates, prom and post-16 enrolment. A reminder that students have been provided with a paper copy of their individual exam timetables. All exam dates have also been shared via an announcement on Class Charts.

Year 7 Parent/Carer Virtual Forum – Thursday 18th April 2024 5.30pm – 6.30pm

On Thursday 18th April we will be holding the Year 7 parent/carer virtual forum. Topics on the agenda include preparing for Parents’ Evening, student expectations and reminders and end of year arrangements such as trips and Sports Day. Further information, including the joining link, will be sent

Young Hackney Substance Misuse Team Webinar on Dangers of Vaping – Tuesday 26th March 6.30pm

The Young Hackney Substance Misuse Team (YHSMT) have recently received a briefing about dangerous vapes that contain spice and THC. We are aware that many young people in the borough are using vapes and may not be familiar with the harms associated with vaping. The forum is a non-judgemental space, and the perfect place for the Team to share their insights around dangerous substances, and evidence-based practise. You can book tickets for the webinar using this link.

Year 11 and Year 13 Prom Committee Volunteers

We are looking to recruit volunteers to help with our Year 11 and Year 13 Prom, taking place on Wednesday 26th June and Thursday 27th June. We will need volunteers to help organise decoration, be available on the evening with setting up and help to prepare food and drinks. If you would like to volunteer for the committee, please email Ms Rachel Townsend Rac.Tow@sns.hackney.sch.uk or Ms Kulsuma Akhtar Kul.Akh@sns.hackney.sch.uk.

Key dates, Cultural Events, Opportunities in the Community and Access to Support Services

Please see a link to our key dates here for this term on our school calendar that include Information Evenings, Forums, and Parents’ Evenings.

You can also find information on local cultural events here and opportunities in the community here.

Alongside this, you can find services available to support you and young person’s mental health and wellbeing using this link.

For our Year 10 students starting their work experience placements next week, we wish you the best of success, and our Year 13 students who begin their mock exams, we wish you the best of luck.

With best wishes,

Zehra Jaffer