Recent national changes mean that the Government’s Household Support Fund has now ended, so the holiday food voucher scheme that many families previously received finished in December 2025. We understand this may be worrying for some families, but support is still available.
From 1 April 2026, Essex County Council will introduce a new Crisis and Resilience Fund, which will provide help for households experiencing financial pressures, including crisis payments, support with housing costs and financial guidance.
Families can find further information and apply for support through the Essex County Council website. In addition, eligible children can access free holiday activities and nutritious meals through the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme – Essex Activate. If families need support before April, they can also seek help through the Essential Living Fund via Essex County Council.
We are very proud of our school uniform, and value the sense of belonging and identity that pupils and students get from wearing it.
However, we are aware that with the rising costs of living, it can be difficult for families to always buy brand new items of uniform.
With this in mind, we are committed to ensuring access to the correct uniform is never a barrier to learning.
We have always supported families via lost property items and/or kind donations of second-hand school uniform. However, in order to continue to support as many families as possible, we would be grateful for donations of any items of uniform that are in good condition.
These will be then available for sale at a discounted rate to anyone who may need to make use of the facility. The proceeds of any sales will go to the PTA.
If you do have any problems obtaining any items of school uniform, please do contact us, in the strictest of confidence, at pupilservices@sweynepark.com.
Last week we celebrated World Book Day in a variety of exciting ways across the school.
Staff carried around either their favourite book or a book they are currently reading, sparking some fantastic discussions and recommendations with pupils. Classroom doors also displayed posters showing what staff are currently reading.
The Library hosted a “Guess the Book Title” picture quiz, which pupils also enjoyed completing during tutor time. World Book Day £1 tokens were distributed to KS3 tutor groups, allowing pupils to exchange them for one of the special World Book Day books.
The highlight of the day, however, was the Book Badge Competition. An impressive 75 members of staff wore badges featuring book titles that were cleverly linked to their subject or role in school. (Special thanks go to Mr Edwards, who wore The Demon Headteacher Takes Over all day!)
Pupils were challenged to track down as many badges as possible, and they certainly gave it their best effort. From first thing in the morning, they were exploring all around the school in search of badges right up until the 4pm deadline.
Huge congratulations to Hallie in Year 7, who found an incredible 57 badges! In joint second place were Suki and May (both Year 7), with Aurora (Year 7) close behind.
The winning pupils received certificates and prizes during a prize presentation in the Library on Tuesday.
There was a fantastic buzz around school on World Book Day — but of course, every day is an opportunity to celebrate books and reading!
If you have any stories and/or photos that you would like to share, please contact us at pupilservices@sweynepark.com
Grace (year 7) smashed her first ever competition at the British Ice Skating (BIS) Open in Sheffield, setting a brilliant personal best!
All the hard work paid off and she absolutely loved the experience. She’s already excited and can’t wait to compete again!
Huge well done, Grace, great dedication to a sport you love !
Mollie P and her team Billericay Town (Blues) Football team are winners of the U15 Essex Girls County Cup, being winners for the second year running.
The game was played at Aveley Stadium, against Ongar Juniors.
Mollie scored a crucial penalty after being bought down in the 57th minute in the box, this being the only goal of the match.
Next week, the Caterlink menu will be ‘Week 2’.
Click here to see the menu.
