Friday 24th February 2023

Dear Parent/Carer,

Headteacher’s Letter - Week 22

Following my message regarding the industrial action last half term, a reminder of the dates are below:

  • Thursday 2 March
  • Wednesday 15 March
  • Thursday 16 March

The National Education Union (NEU) has demanded a pay increase from the government which is at least in line with inflation, and which is fully-funded (meaning that this does not need to come out of a school’s existing budget). The industrial action is not just about pay, it is also about school funding and the future educational provision. Please note that “sister unions” had also balloted for industrial action.

The school will be closed to students, except for select students in Year 11 and 13 who will be invited to school to complete work. For students not invited to attend or in Years 7 – 10 and 12, missed work will not be provided for students for the day, as was the case in the first strike.

Students are expected to conduct independent studies and can do so using the curriculum pages on our school website. For students in Year 11 and 13, I recognise that this closure presents particular challenges for students, and they should use the day to revise for upcoming assessments.

If your child is entitled to Free School Meals and would like a packed lunch to be provided for the day, please email admin@sns.hackney.sch.uk with your child’s full name and year group by Tuesday 28 February 3.00pm. Any orders for packed lunches will then need to be collected on Thursday 2 February 2023 at 12.30pm – 1.00pm.

I will write with a further update on future strike days. Please note, learning may be disrupted on these days, and I would advise that you make provisional alternative arrangements for your child.

Year 11 and 13 Online Revision Resources – Mr Sebastian Ventura, Assistant Headteacher

We have updated our website to now include a whole section dedicated to revision materials. There is a wealth of information, resources and videos to help students gain skills in the right way to revise. Please have a look with your child using this link.

If you have any questions regarding this content, please contact me via seb.ven@sns.hackney.sch.uk

Year 11 Parent/Carer Forum On Site – Thursday 9th March 5.30pm – 6.30pm

Our next Year 11 Parent/Carer forum will take place on Thursday 9th March from 5.30pm – 6.30pm. This is an important forum to share strategies on how best to support your child with revision. An email with further information and agenda points will be communicated to parent/carers shortly. We look forward to meeting you on the day.

Maths Homework Trial – Mr William Rayner, Head of Mathematics

From this half-term, we will be trialling Sparx Homework for all of our Year 8 and Year 10 students. Sparx is a weekly, retrieval based online homework designed to be both challenging and achievable for all. We have mapped homework to our schemes of learning and questions generated will be adapted to each student as they complete their homework.

To support your child with their maths homework, and us with this trial please can you:

  • Ensure that someone isn’t answering questions for them - if this happens then the system will give them work that isn’t appropriate which could in turn will take longer for them to complete.
  • Make sure they are focused and not watching TV or using other devices at the same time.
  • Encourage the student to talk to their maths teacher if they are worried.

Students have access to computers in homework club after school until 5pm each day if this is helpful.

Sixth Form Music Concert – Tuesday 28th February 7.00pm – The Old Church – Ms Amy Foden, Head of Music

We are excited to announce our next music concert: the Sixth Form Concert at the Old Church (just across the road from Stoke Newington School), on Tuesday 28th February at 7pm. This will be a lovely evening of musical entertainment provided by our talented sixth formers as they showcase what they have been working on this year. Tickets are free and on the door and there will be complementary cake and wine available (donations to the department are welcome and encouraged!). Thanks and hope to see you there, any questions feel free to contact amy.fod@sns.hackney.sch.uk.

Year 8 Options Evening On Site – Wednesday 1st March 4.30pm – 6.00pm

A reminder that the Year 8 Options Evening being held on Wednesday 1st March. Representatives from options subjects will be available in the Theatre to discuss curriculum content. There will be three support sessions in the library which can be booked using this link.

All GCSE and Level 2 options information can be found on the school website using this link.

Year 7 Parent/Care Forum On Site – Change of Date – Thursday 23rd March 5.00pm – 6.00pm

Due to Industrial Action on Thursday 2nd March, the Year 7 Parent/Carer forum will now take place on Thursday 23rd March at the same time of 5.00pm – 6.00pm. Further information will be sent shortly.

Year 8 Parents’ Evening Virtual – Wednesday 8th March 4.00pm – 6.30pm

On Wednesday 8th March, we will be holding Parents’ Evening virtually for Year 8 parent/carers. Subject teachers from all departments will be available for appointments. A link to book appointments with teachers will be sent shortly.

Friends of SNS PTFA Gardening Session – Saturday 25th February 10.00am – 12.00pm

A reminder of the gardening session organised by the Friends of SNS PTFA this Saturday morning from 10.00am in the Reflective Garden - no green fingers are required! If you have garden equipment, such as hand-fork or sec-ateurs, it would be great to bring them along. There will be tea, coffee and biscuits, and is a nice opportunity to meet other parent/carers.

Year 13 History Trip to Dublin

Just before half term, Year 13 History students had a very successful trip to Dublin. They toured the General Post Office (GPO), Glasnevin Cemetery and were able to explore the streets of Dublin city. The students were fantastic ambassadors for Stoke Newington Sixth Form, and were highly praised by tour operators for being engaged, bright and polite.

Key dates and Local Cultural Events

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 our webpage which is regularly updated, promoting local cultural events for February using this link.

Wishing you a restful weekend.

Zehra Jaffer