Friday 24th November 2023

Dear Parents/Carers,

Last week, five of our amazing Year 8 students took part in the Junior Entrepreneur Challenge at Middlesex University. The team competed against other London schools to develop a product that will enhance recycling in the home. I am pleased to share that as a result of their hard work, creativity, excellent communication and organisational skills, the SNS team won the competition! The judging panel, who were made up of industry experts, were amazed at the innovative work of our students. Congratulations to all the students who were involved.

A further congratulations to our Jack Petchey Achievement Award winning-students for their commitment and resilience towards their learning and their contributions to the school community. Students are Channia Year 11, Liv and Callum from Year 9. Well done!

Think Tank Update

This year saw the opening of the SNS Think Tank in the playground for Year 11 students only to support the lead up to their examinations. The Think Tank provides a dedicated revision and workspace for Year 11 students at lunchtime and after school until 4.30pm, and is fully equipped with thirty computers and a wider range of revision resources.

It has proved a resounding success with 40% of students using the space for homework completion, online revision through platforms like Seneca or to make revision resources such as flashcards on a daily basis. It continues to be a great way for them to spend their lunchtime focused on their learning, using the time to improve their knowledge.

Last week we also showcased 5 subject masterclasses, in English, Maths, Science, Geography and History. Teachers gave up their lunch break to deliver a ‘Ted Talk’ style lesson aimed at stretching and challenging their thinking and prepare them for their Mocks. The showcases were well attended by Year 11 students and showed their willingness and enthusiasm to get the most of out their teachers’ expertise, even at lunch!

Despite the success so far, we would still want more students to take advantage of this resource, so if you feel your child is falling behind in a certain subject or wants to improve their overall grades through revision, please encourage them to use the Think Tank.

SNS Annie Performance - Wednesday 13th – Friday 15th December – Tickets now available!

Featuring over 100 of our fabulous students, the long-awaited whole school production of ‘Annie’ is fast approaching!

Annie is the adorable orphan living her ‘Hard Knock Life’ during the Great Depression in 1930s in the USA. She manages to flee the misery of life at Miss Hannigan’s Orphanage and find a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire Oliver Warbucks. It looks like Annie and America’s luck is changing for the better, but will Miss Hannigan and her sneaky brother ruin a happier ‘Tomorrow’?

Buy your tickets via ParentPay - £12 standard and £6 concessions (Under 18s, students, staff and over 65s). The fun begins at 7.00pm, with doors opening at 6.45pm. We hope to see many of you there, full of festive cheer and remember; You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile!

If you would like to donate funds towards supporting the production, you can do so on your child’s Parent Pay account under ‘SNS Production Donations’.

SNS Christmas Market and Winter Showcase – Thursday 7th December 5.00pm – 7.00pm

We will be holding our annual Christmas Market and Winter Showcase. The event will celebrate essential values such as love, generosity, family, and community. Market stalls will offer ethical and sustainable food, beverages and craft items manufactured by students. The outdoor event will begin at 5pm and finish at 7pm with music ensembles throughout the evening. To attend, please reserve your free tickets using this link.

Donations for Winter Showcase Raffle

We are looking for prizes to be donated for a raffle to raise money for the Year 11 Prom. We will be holding the raffle at the Winter Showcase. If you wish to support and provide any donations please contact Ms Rachel Townsend, Co-Head of Year 11 via Rac.Tow@sns.hackney.sch.uk

Progress Review Day – Wednesday 17th January 2024

This is an opportunity for you to meet with Form Tutors to review your child’s progress so far in the academic year. It is a time to celebrate what has gone well, and set targets to make further strides in their learning. The school will be closed to students for the day to allow meetings to take place. Further information will be sent shortly confirming information such as how to book meeting times.

SNS Partnership with The Felix Project Charity

The Felix Project Charity is a remarkable organisation dedicated to the alleviation of food poverty among vulnerable individuals and families within our community. They work tirelessly to rescue surplus food that would otherwise go to waste and redistribute it to those in need. This not only helps combat food waste, but also supports families who are struggling to make ends meet due to the current state of inflation.

The school will be starting a partnership with The Felix Project in which parent/carers will be invited to come into collect some food essentials that can help make the holiday season a little brighter and more joyous event.

Scholastic Book Fair – Friday 1st December – Wednesday 6th December and Thursday 7th December

The Library will be holding the bookfair from Friday 1st December at lunchtime and afterschool until Wednesday 6th December. The bookfair will also be available during the Christmas Market on Thursday 7th December. This provides opportunity for students to purchase discounted books, stationery and other items such as tote bags. Cash, debit card and Parent Pay (under ‘Library Book Fair’) are all accepted. Students will not be able to use their ID Cards to pay for items. You can find a link to some of the items available using this link, and also this link.

The Scholastic Book Fair also offer a reward system for schools, in which the more items that are sold during the Book Fair, the School is provided with a wide range of free books which will be made available in the Library.

Pines and Needles Discount Code

This week we were kindly donated a Christmas tree by Pines and Needles. They would love to offer parent/carers a discount using code ‘NEWINGTON10’ at their pop up store located at St Mary’s Church on Stoke Newington Church Street. Alternatively, you can find other locations using this link.

Request for empty plastic containers

The food department urgently needs your empty containers- yoghurt pots, takeaway boxes, unwanted sandwich boxes. Please give to your child and ask them to bring them into reception. It is much better than throwing them into the recycling!

SNS Diwali Week – Diya Light Making Workshop and Diwali Lunch

Students across year groups took part in this well-received activity supervised by peers in Year 13, Izdihar, Jemaya and Frida. Beautifully designed Diya lights were part of the week-long mesmerising display in the Library by Ms Loy and Ms Dehon. Some students even had the opportunity to taste traditional Indian desert, gulab jamun.

Our Diwali celebratory lunch took place on Wednesday last week, with our Catering Team cooked a delicious traditional meal. The Blue Bird Café was full of colourful light shows and music recommended by students was also played, courtesy of Mr David Bunce, Drama Technician.

Safe Internet Use for Young People

Keeping young people safe online can be difficult, especially with new apps and ever advancing technology. It is important that parent/carers are just as aware as our young people are and support them to keep safe online. Here are a few online safety top tips:

  1. Monitor viewing habits
  2. Set privacy and screentime limits or turn features off like the like count and comments
  3. Check the age ratings of games and apps
  4. Follow your young person's account
  5. Spend time exploring apps yourself and with your young person
  6. Encourage the use of the report and block features
  7. Discuss the importance of not posting identifiable or personal information, like location or full names
  8. Always have open and honest conversations

The links below provide further information and advice for parents and carers regarding online safety.

Schools Admissions Consultation

Hackney Education is running a consultation on behalf of several authority schools that are proposing changes to their admission arrangements for 2025/26. The proposed changes will apply to children starting Reception or Year 7 in September 2025 and any other applications submitted during that academic year. You can find out more on Hackney Education's website using this link.

Key dates, Cultural Events and Opportunities in the Community

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 local cultural events taking place this month using this link as well as opportunities in the community that your child may want to sign up to using this link.

The Year 11 and 13 students started their mock exams this week, showing resilience and determination. I wish them the very best as they continue.

Wishing you a restful weekend and a positive week ahead.

With best wishes,

Zehra Jaffer