Headteacher's letter to parents and carers - Week 19

Thursday 3^rd February 2022

Dear Parent/Carer,

Headteacher’s Letter - Week 19

This week we have resumed face to face assemblies in the Theatre, and it has been wonderful to see students connect with one another, resuming to a sense of normality and setting our community expectations.

Covid-19 Protocols | 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. The event will now be held indoors in the Theatre with a limited number of tickets available. The 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. Doors open at 6.30pm. We hope to see you there!

Parent/Carers of GEM Students Forum – Wednesday 9^th February 7.00pm – 8.00pm

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

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. The agenda includes: wellbeing support at SNS; managing life online; understanding stress and anxiety; eating disorders. If you would like to attend, please complete this quick online form. Please note that although the theatre is fully ventilated, attendees will be required to wear a face mask.

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

You can find the joining link at the bottom of the letter.

Children’s Mental Health Week – Monday 7^th February – Sunday 13^th February

Olive Dining, our catering team, will be promoting next week’s Children’s Mental Health Week with a specialised menu. Please also see a link to their newsletter here.

Rugby Fives Club

Stoke Newington School welcomes Rugby Fives and pupils of all experience, including complete beginners to join our newest enrichment club. Best described as squash with your hands, Rugby Fives is a fun, fast-paced game that provides an intense full-body workout and develops coordination and ambidexterity. For more information, please watch the short video found here. The lunchtime and after school club will begin Thursday 10^th February run every week on Thursdays and Fridays. To sign up, please complete the form found here.

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 your email 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.

February Half-Term – Monday 14^th February – Friday 18^th February

A reminder that the School is closed for half-term from Monday 14^th February until Friday 18^th February.

Students are expected to return on Monday 21 February.

Free School Meals

All parents eligible for free school meals will receive their free school meal voucher at the start of the half-term break. If you need further advice or support, please email len.lab@sns.hackney.sch.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.

Parent/Carer Forums

Please see below the upcoming forums for this term:

With February being LGBTQ+ month, I end this week’s letter with the following quote from Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, former Icelandic Prime Minister and first openly gay Head of State.

“It is absolutely imperative that every human being’s freedom and human rights are respected, all over the world”

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

With best wishes,

Zehra Jaffer