Headteacher’s letter to parents and carers - Week 18

Dear Parent/Carer,

Headteacher’s Letter - Week 18

This week’s letter contains information on several upcoming events and key dates.

Covid-19 Protocols

Next week, we will be reintroducing face-to-face assemblies for students in the Theatre. Whilst assemblies have been occurring online, coming together in one place supports consistency of communication and helps build a strong sense of community, reinforcing our ethos and values.

Regular Student Testing

Students should continue home testing twice a week, Wednesday, and Sunday mornings. If you require a test kit, these can be collected from Reception. If your child is presenting with Covid-19 symptoms, please do not send them into school and book a PCR test as soon as possible via this link: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

Tickets for ‘Road to FAME’ Concert – Thursday 10^th February 7.00pm – 9.30pm

Tickets to ‘The Road to FAME’ are now available on ParentPay via the following link (scroll down past science and maths to the ticket section). This outdoor fundraising concert will feature our show leads performing a series of solos and duets to give you a taste of what we worked on last term and get you excited for the main event in July. Tickets are £5 and must be purchased on ParentPay beforehand. Students in Years 7 – 9, must be accompanied by an adult. Any questions, feel free to get in touch with the music and drama department, and we hope to see you there!

Parent/Carers of GEM Students Forum

Welcome to the forum for parent/carers of Global Majority children (formerly the BAME Forum). After much thought we have decided to change the forum name to reflect a more accurate picture of where Black, Asian, Dual/ Mixed Heritage and Indigenous People of Colour fit in the Globe. Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (also called BIPOC) represent 80% of the World’s Population. The word BAME is mostly used in the UK but focuses on the word “minority” when in fact it’s more empowering for everyone to know we may be in fact a minority in the UK, we are in fact a majority in the globe. There is a whole world out there and we are proud to be a significant part of it.

The next forum taking place virtually Wednesday 9^th February 7.00pm – 8.00pm. If you wish to join the forum group, please email Sophie Preedy on sop.pre@sns.hackney.sch.uk

Parent/Carers of SEND Students On-Site Coffee Morning – Tuesday 1^st February

Unfortunately the above forum will need to be postponed. We will update you in next week’s letter of the new date.

Year 11 Virtual Parent/Carer Evening – Wednesday 2^nd February 4.00pm – 6.30pm

On Wednesday 2^nd February, we will be holding Parents’ Evening for Year 11 parent/carers. Subject teachers from all departments will be available for appointments. Please see a reminder of the link to book appointments with your child’s subject teachers here

Year 10 Parent/Carer Forum – Thursday 3^rd February 5.30pm – 6.00pm

Please see the agenda for the meeting on Thursday 3^rd February for all parent/carers to attend.

• Year 10 Work Experience Update – Ms Juliet Alexander
• Supporting your child through their GCSE- May/June 2023 – Mr Francis Enebeli
• Any Other Business
• Questions and Answers

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Parent/Carer Forum – Monday 7^th February 6.00pm – 7.00pm

On Monday 7^th February, we will be hosting a forum to discuss mental health & wellbeing issues and support available from the School and community agencies. There will be a talk focused on eating disorders from Duygu Bozkurt, a Systemic Family Therapist from Hackney CAMHS. The forum will take place on-site in the school Theatre from 6.00pm – 7.00pm.

Year 11 Parent/Carer Forum – Tuesday 8^th February 6.00pm – 7.00pm

Please see the agenda for the Year 11 Parent/carer forum led by Ms Awojobi, Head of Year 11.

• College/Sixth Form applications
• Year 11 Interventions
• Revision Expectations
• Summer Exams 2022

Creative Day - Friday 11^th February – Year 11 Workshop Sign-up

On Creative Day, Year 11 students will participate in a series of workshop delivered by industry professionals/teachers covering a range of different topics, such as Law, Gaming and Media. Each workshop will last 3 periods and provide students with insight to potentials career opportunities and the ever-growing job roles. Using the link found here, all students must login and complete the survey by selecting what sessions they would like to attend, ranking them by preference. As numbers for each session is limited, your son/daughter will need to select a minimum of 5 session in their preferred order. The deadline to complete the form is Wednesday 2^nd February 2022. For any queries, please contact Mr Bailey Ama.bai@sns.hackney.sch.uk

Parent Governor Election

Parent/carers will have received an email from parentalballot@sns.hackney.sch.uk this week, requesting that you cast your vote for your chosen Parent Governor candidate. The deadline to vote is Friday 11^th February midday. Please send any enquiries regarding the election to Linda Perkola on lin.per@sns.hackney.sch.uk

Parent/Carer Survey Reminder

A reminder to please complete the parent/carer survey by going to https://survey.gl-assessment.co.uk/s/08IVJK/ and logging on using the password provided in the latest email communications from the school.

Your answers will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be identifiable to you. Your input is key to identifying areas of strength and development and will be used to help shape further plans. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday 11^th February 2022.

EAL and Community Languages - Language of the month

Thank you to all students and parents who supported their children in completing extensive research for posters and presentations about Spanish speaking countries marking the School’s January language of the month. It was quite tremendous seeing students' enthusiasm in researching Spanish speaking countries such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia and more. Student’s work was displayed and presentations shared with tutor groups. Film club by Ms Lawton projected 'Nacho Libre' in Spanish for Year 8 students and 'The Road to El-Dorado' for Year 7 students with English subtitles. Please encourage your children to visit the SNS library to explore many Spanish titles available to keen readers.

Language of February selected by 8I is Finnish! So far, SNS Drawing and Art Clubs will be looking for projects inspired by Finnish speaking countries. If you would like to donate any books or suggest any titles in Finnish that you would suggest students read please let us know. Please also encourage your children to send us posters and presentations related to the language of the next month. All suggestions from students and parent/carers to promote the language are most welcome. Please email us on community.languages@sns.hackney.sch.uk.

Royal Academy – Young Artists’ Summer Showcase 2022

Taking inspiration from the annual Summer Exhibition, the Young Artists’ Summer Show is an opportunity for young artists aged 4 – 19 years old to exhibit their work online and on-site at the Royal Academy.

Our school is now registered, allowing students to submit their artwork. The deadline is Sunday 20^th March 2022. For students aged 12 years or under, a parent/carer will need to enter on their behalf and if students are 13 years or older, they can submit their work themselves. Please see the website for any additional information https://youngartists.royalacademy.org.uk

Jubilee Bank Holiday – School Closure– Friday 29^th April 2022

In light of the Queen’s Jubilee Bank holiday taking place within the half-term break, we will be closed on Friday 29^th April 2022 as a day in lieu of the bank holiday.

Year Group Forums

Please see below the upcoming Year Group Forums for this term:

With today being Holocaust Memorial Day, I end this week’s letter with the following quote:

“Education and remembrance are the only cures for hatred and bigotry” Miriam Oster, 1940

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

With best wishes,

Zehra Jaffer