Issue 1062: 08th November 2024

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Survey of Parents and Carers

As part of our ongoing self-evaluation we are always keen to receive feedback from parents and carers.  This feedback is used to inform our subsequent planning towards meeting our whole school priorities.

I would be very grateful if you could spare just a few minutes to complete a short survey which can be accessed by clicking here

Many thanks, in advance, for your time and support.

 

 

 

Fake News

We are all aware of the power of social media in the modern-day world.  Whilst there are many associated positives, there are also many negatives.  As a school we are regularly contacted and find ourselves in the position where we need to dispel rumours which have originated through posts on social media platforms.

As a school we pride ourselves on our communications with parents and carers and will, always, inform you of any issues via our own Facebook page and/or this weekly newsletter.

If ever there is anything urgent to communicate we endeavour to cover all bases by also sending emails and text messages.

Online safety - Chatbots

Chatbots are computer programmes that simulate human conversation.  The rapid recent development in AI has meant that they are increasingly sophisticated and realistic.

These are increasingly widely used among children as young as Year 3.

The most common is Snap MyAI, which is part of Snapchat, but there is a new chatbot in which characters have been created based on people from real life. These range from Vladimir Putin to Beyoncé, but also include the teenagers Brianna Ghey and Molly Russell.

Brianna Ghey was murdered by two teenagers in 2023 and Molly Russell took her own life in 2017 after watching suicide promoting material online.

Updating Personal Details

If you have recently changed any personal contact details including your phone numbers, postal address and/or your email, please can you let Pupil Services have this information.

This will allow us to guarantee that we have the most up-to-date details on our database, which in turn will mean that we can ensure effective communication with you on whole school matters, on an individual basis and in the case of emergency.

Please email any new contact information to us via pupilservices@sweynepark.com.

Remembrance Day

As we approach Remembrance Day, it’s important to remember all those affected by war and conflict, both in the past and present.

We can help remember through reading, both fiction and non-fiction. You can explore these books and more in the Library.

The Number Twenty

 

Adam F (sixth form) became part of a band back in summer 2022.

A few of his friends, Nathan B, Luca B and Harry A asked if he would join them and learn the guitar to play in the Christmas school concert.

He took on this challenge and subsequently the band became known as The Number Twenty.

They have been going from strength to strength, this week being record of the week on a local Radio station (City Sounds- based in Chelmsford),and being asked to be interviewed next week Wednesday on one of the DJ’s shows (Paul Dupree).

They have played numerous open mic nights, gigs and are playing at Chinnery’s tomorrow night for the 4th time.

They have been in the recording studio and their new single is out next Friday on Spotify called False Confidence. It would be great to get the support of the school and pupils.

What do you do when you're not in school?

We would love to hear about your hobbies, interests and achievements...

If you have any stories and/or photos that you would like to share, please contact us at pupilservices@sweynepark.com

Hopeworx

 

The Hopeworx Food Hub is a local charity which runs a food bank to provide emergency food parcels to help those who find themselves in a crisis. They also collect daily surplus food from supermarkets and other outlets and coordinate collection by other charities which, in turn, provide support to families in need.

Hopeworx have often helped a number of families within our school community and are always looking for donations, especially at this time of year. In particular, they provide approximately 100 Christmas Hampers to local families, please see the list of items below they would like to collect.

If you would like to make a donation, you can either take items directly to their centre at 33 Brook Road, Rayleigh, SS6 7XJ or Pupil Services, by the 5th of December.
Thank you

WOOL4SCHOOL

Wool4School is an annual student design competition encouraging budding fashion and textile designers to showcase their creativity and innovation using wool. Students create a unique design made from wool, taking inspiration from the Wool4School brief. From fashion design to architecture, visual arts, and beyond – there’s no limits to their area of design.

Rayleigh Town Council

Christmas Lights Switch On event

Create Your Own Fairy Tale

Chelmsford Library

Join Our Club

East Essex Triathlon Club

Rochford District Youth Council

Rochford Hundred - Girls Rugby

Players Wanted

Contact details and personal preferences:

As you are aware we keep confidential records on our systems with parents/carers contact details, ie. addresses, phone numbers, emergency contacts and email addresses. If you have recently made any changes could you contact Pupil Services on: pupilservices@sweynepark.com so we can update our systems please.
We also hold information re your preference for use of pupils’ biometric data and school photos both inside and outside of school. If your preferences have changed, could you make us aware of the change by also emailing Pupil Services.
Thank you in advance.

Next week, the Caterlink menu will be ‘Lunch Week 3’.

Click here to see the menu.