Issue 1078: 21st March 2025

  • HEADLINES

Uniform

It has been lovely to have been blessed with some Spring sunshine and some warmer weather this week.  It does therefore seem an appropriate time to remind you that pupils must continue to wear full school uniform in and around the school building.

After the May half-term, pupils will be permitted to wear “summer uniform” whereby they are not expected to wear their jumper.  Until this time, jumpers must be worn everywhere.

Should classrooms be particularly warm, any pupil can, of course, request to remove their jumper during that lesson.

Generative AI

As Generative AI (GenAI) is increasingly embedded in the lives of everyone, and particularly children, London Grid for Learning have produced a video which provides information on the possible harms from Gen AI.

Please find the video below:

Gen AI: The Harms Landscape (for parents, teachers, safeguarders) – YouTube

Wearable Technology

As increasing numbers of children have access to wearable technology, there are of course numerous benefits but also risks that may be less apparent.  Internet Matters has produced an article that explores wearable technology for children and gives advice on:

  • The different types of wearable technology, e.g., smart watches, glasses, VR headsets and fitness trackers.
  • Whether wearable technology is safe and what some of the concerns are, e.g., privacy and data collection, impact on body images.
  • How wearable technology can support wellbeing.

The article can be found here: Tech and Kids: What is wearable technology? Is it safe? | Internet Matters

End of Term

It is hard to believe that we are just two weeks away from the end of the Spring Term and so I wanted to remind you about the arrangements for the last day of term.

Unlike in previous years, the last day of term, Friday 4th April, will be a normal school day and will finish at the usual time of 3.05pm. It will not be a non-school uniform day.  With the exams so close now, for Year 11 and Year 13, every second counts!

Science Week Competition

Last week, the Library celebrated British Science week with a focus on science and the ‘Which element am I/” competition.

Congratulations to Henry (9GWa) & Luca (8STe) who both got the correct answer.
Positive points to everyone who had a go – it was a tricky quiz!

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

Rayleigh Parish Centre

The Rayleigh parish centre are offering a quiet revision space on Saturday afternoons for the next few weeks during term time.

Sessions will be 2:30 to 4:30pm in Rayleigh Parish Centre, Rectory Garth, SS6 8BB

Simple refreshments will be provided and spare stationery will be available if required.

The Greatest Showman at Rayleigh Mill Hall
– Sunday, 23rd March 2025 – completely free of charge!

I hope you’re well. I’m reaching out to offer your students a fantastic opportunity to attend a Sing-Along Cinema Screening of The Greatest Showman at Rayleigh Mill Hall on Sunday, 23rd March 2025 – completely free of charge!

Thanks to funding from the UK Government and Rochford District Council, The Design Cabin Community are able to provide complimentary tickets for students to enjoy this uplifting and interactive experience.

If you’re interested, please use the discount Eventbrite link here to claim your free tickets.

Year 8 & 9 Netball Team

Both teams played exceptionally well, with a lot of close games.

They pushed through and had amazing defensive and attacking move to ensure them the win.

Teams played with confidence, improving the flow of play. Even when mistakes were made, they were able to turn it around!

Great effort by all of the girls, the countdown begins for their Netball Tournament in Spain!

 

Year 8 & 9 – Cheerleading Competition

What a weekend! Our year 8/9 Royal Sapphire cheerleading team had their first ever cheerleading competition at the Future Cheer Spotlight Showdown Competition!

After months of hard work and dedication they won their division and scored an excellent result of 37/42! They also hit ‘zero’ in cheerleading terms is absolutely amazing, and very hard to achieve.

They put on an amazing performance, they got so excited they finished their routine early as they were making their routine harder themselves. Each and every girl on the team smashed it this weekend!

A big thank you also, to parents, careers, friends and family who have supported them through this journey

The girls were:

Year 9: Macey.L, Darecy.C, Lily.P ,Anabelle. DT, Mya.P , Jess.H , Kaitlyn. C

Year 8: Tiana.C , Daisy. G , Lois .C , Chloe.S , Zara.E , Flo W , Rosie .A , Gemma. G, Maisie.S

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 ‘Week 2’.

Click here to see the menu.

We have a thriving Youth section at the club which takes children from 11 to 16 years old. We are an England Athletics affiliated club with all of the appropriate safeguarding procedures and policies in place. You can see some basic details regarding our Youth section at BRC Youths – Benfleet Running Club.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW)
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