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SUSTAINABLE SCHOOL

As I am sure you are already aware, Miss Hann (Textiles teacher) has been working hard with a group of pupils to raise awareness of environmental issues and to work towards achieving the Eco School Gold Award. We have already got off to a flying start and I hope that you enjoyed reading last week's special insert on our progress to date.

	We hope that during the course of the year we will be able to make a significant difference in reducing our carbon footprint, and we are now going to be one of the first schools to take delivery of dedicated recycling bins, which we hope pupils will make excellent use of.
ADDITIONAL INSET DAY
As you may have read in the media recently, the Government have just announced that all secondary schools have been directed to identify an additional INSET (Staff Training) day, for this year only, in order to prepare for changes to the Key Stage Three curriculum in 2008. Clearly this was an unexpected development. We have decided to set our INSET Day for Thursday 20th March, the day before the long Easter weekend, in order to give as much notice as possible to parents, but also to ensure that there is enough time in the summer term for us to work on any changes required. We always want to be well-organised in terms of publishing our INSET days early to parents and indeed shortly after half-term we will finalise all the dates for 2008/09 year. However, I apologise for any inconvenience caused but must reiterate that no schools were made aware of the extra INSET day until this term.

AND FINALLY …

I would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable half-term holiday. School will resume on Monday, 29th October at the normal time of 8.40 a.m.

This was a very good match against Brentwood Ursuline and all players played extremely well. Thanks to Mrs Harris and Miss Brazier for their help and support. Good luck in the next round of the cup, girls.

Next round v Southend High School away - on 30th October.

Georgia, Hayley, Sophie & Bethany reporting

We played against Brentwood Ursuline for our first match. All the girls played very well. Thanks to Abby Green's dad for running the line.

Marian Williamson reporting

On our arrival at Kisarika School, we were warmly welcomed by the new Headteacher, Mr Macha, and his Deputy. We arrived at the same time as the money donated in memory of Kate Spiller, former Head of Sweyne Park School. Work on the science labs started while we were there, and an order was placed for equipment. External advisers were brought in to assist with the planning of the new physics lab. We are sure that the science labs will soon be set up for the benefit of the students and in Mrs Spiller's memory. We were very moved when the head teacher, in assembly, asked for a minute of silence so that all the students could remember Mrs Spiller, her generosity and her vision in developing such firm links with their School in Tanzania.

(Further report in our `One World Week' edition after half term)

Marian is an educational consultant who regularly works with pupils and staff at Sweyne Park School.

Planning the completion of the lab.

Charlotte being presented with her ball by Medi Ablimba

Simon Cox reporting

On Thursday 18th October, Southend United Football Club players came into Sweyne Park School for a football coaching afternoon.

Over 60 pupils took part and they raised a minimum of £10 each. A total of £800 was raised which we will be sending to the Kisarika School, our link school in Tanzania. Charlotte Holmes 7CNa raised a grand total of £48 and was presented with a football which was signed by all of the players.

The Southend players, who attend SEEC college, coached our pupils and gave them some excellent advice. Everyone had an fantastic afternoon. Even the weather was kind!

Amongst the players were Fred Lijingstrom, who is a recent signing from Sweden , and Medi Ablimba who is a Manchester United transfer target.

Simon Field reporting

The Year 11 football team have made a good start to the season. The boys started by playing a friendly against SEEC as part of post-16 relations. Unfortunately we lost, but the experience of playing on a huge pitch with excellent facilities was superb. The team have had 2 league games so far, beating King Edmund 3-2 in a game that can only be described as football on water due to the torrential down- pour half way through. The second game was a 4-0 win over Cornelius. The team have made it through to the quarter finals of the South East Essex Cup, beating Thorpe Bay 8-0. Wishing the team all the best after half term - keep up the good work!

Nicola Brazier reporting

Well done to the Year 9 Netball team, who have worked very hard this year, playing 3 matches with great team spirit. They have lost one, drawn one and won against Futherwick 17-4. We have many matches to play after half term, so good luck girls: keep up the good work!!

Team - Sarah, Annice, Rebecca, Lauren, Oakley, Alex, Hannah, Sophie, Rachel and Emma.

BORN TO RUN

By Michael Morpurgo

For Best Mate, being rescued from drowning as a young puppy is only the start of his adventures, and this remarkable greyhound proves that it's not just cats who have nine lives!

This is the latest by the ever popular storyteller, Michael Morpurgo, author of Private Peaceful, which will delight animal lovers!

This week's clues:

Where in the world am I?

Answers to Pupil Services by Wednesday lunchtime. The first two correct answers picked out of the hat each win a prize.