Issue 1064: 21st November 2024

HEADLINES

Feedback

Once again, many thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to our recent Parent Survey.听 The submission deadline has now passed and we are currently reviewing the results.

The purpose of such surveys is clearly to seek your views on what you feel we do well and where we need to improve as a school.

Whilst there are some areas which we will look to address, the overall results were very pleasing and reflective of the positive partnerships we endeavour to foster with parents and carers.

Many thanks for your ongoing support.

Snow Closure

It has certainly felt like winter over the last few days and I am conscious that some parts of the country have seen the first snowfall of the season.

It seems pertinent to remind you of our arrangements in the unlikely event of snow falling leading to any necessary school closure.

We will always make every effort to keep the school open but do have to consider the safety of both pupils and staff, many of whom travel from a distance away.

Should there be a need to close, we will aim to post this on the school website by 7.45am, at the latest (remember to click the 鈥榬efresh鈥� button to ensure accessing the latest information).

Local radio stations no longer broadcast this information, but this will also be published on the Essex County website: or simply just search for Essex County Council Emergency School Closures.

One of the positive takeaways from COVID is that teachers are used to providing remote learning and so in the event of a snow closure, pupil will still continue to receive their education via either MS Teams, Satchel One or a combination of the two.

As always, if you do experience any difficulties accessing online platforms, please do contact our IT Team at support@sweynepark.com who will be happy to help.

Lockdown Practice

As you will be aware, today we practised our planned lockdown.

I have to say that the vast majority of pupils and students responded with great maturity and showed a real understanding of what would be required in the unlikely event that it became necessary to invoke the procedure.

In respect of the small number of pupils who did not meet our expectations and follow instructions, and in the interest of everyone鈥檚 safety, sanctions will be imposed in accordance with our Behaviour Policy.

Moving forward, and in line with Health & Safety, we will continue to routinely practise both this and our evacuation procedure.

Driving and Parking Around the School Site

I regret to have to write, once again about this issue, but we are still witnessing some potentially very dangerous situations caused by unsafe parking and movement around the school site, particularly in the bus bay area at the end of the school day.

In this week alone, our staff have reported some very 鈥渘ear misses鈥� and clearly none of us want any of our pupils to be injured in any way.听 Therefore, please can I ask you again to drive and park responsibly when dropping off/collecting your children from school.

Furthermore, we听 place great value on our relationship with our neighbours and ask that you show care and consideration towards them when parking in the surrounding roads and avoid causing an obstruction and/or blocking their driveways. Thank you, in advance, for your ongoing support.

And Finally鈥�..

I hope that the pupils and students will enjoy the long weekend and we look forward to seeing them at the normal time of 8.35am on Monday 25^th November.

The Rayleigh light switch on

Miah in Year 11 will be selling hand made crochet items at the Rayleigh lights switch on event.

Details below

Rayleigh Town Council -
Christmas Lights Switch On event

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

U16s netball team

On Sunday the U16s netball team played at the East Essex National schools competition at New Hall School.

The year 10-11 girls did us so proud playing some of the most prestigious schools in our county.

Fantastic achievement to even qualify.

We won two games, drew one game and lost two, placing 3rd overall.

The girls were truly a credit to Sweyne Park and myself.

I have to thank a past pupil Kiera D who also assisted me as a coach for the day.

I think we may have some very tired girls ( and teacher) tomorrow who literally gave it everything!

Mrs Harris

听

Swimming Regionals in Haverfordwest

Tom had an amazing weekend at the swimming regionals in Haverfordwest.

Results across 7 events, including 6 personal bests.
3rd 馃 in 50m breaststroke
3rd 馃 in 200m breaststroke
2nd 馃 in 200m freestyle
1st 馃 in 100m breaststroke

15/16 year old regional champion in 100m breaststroke

What an amazing achievement, we are very proud of Tom.

Rochford District Council Clements Hall Skatepark consultation 2024

Rochford District Council is looking to upgrade Clements Hall skatepark and would like to seek your views on the design features.
The redesign of Clements Hall Skatepark is part of Rochford District Council鈥檚 ongoing Play Space Improvement Programme, which recently transformed two local skateparks into state-of-the-art concrete facilities.

To help us with the final stage of this programme, we would like residents and users of the current Clements Hall skatepark to help us by commenting on the design features to influence our future tendering process.

Please participate in this survey for the opportunity to shape your new local skatepark.
The potential redevelopment of the Clements Hall Skatepark will be managed by Rochford District Council and influenced by our wheeled sports community.

Rayleigh Town Council -
Christmas Lights Switch On event

Christmas Bazaar

Essex Fire Museum

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW)
e-Bug

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 鈥� there鈥檚 no limits to their area of design.

Pupil Services

Lost Property

Could parents/carers please ensure your child鈥檚 full name is labelled on all items of uniform, especially coats. We have a number of black coats that will be disposed of by Friday next week (29th November) if not claimed.

If a pupil loses a personal item please try to backtrack previous lessons.

Most lost items, are usually left in a classroom, changing room or canteen.

We do everything we can to return items to pupils if they are labelled.

听

SCOPAY – Caterlink

If at all possible, could parents/carers top up their 鈥楥ashless catering 鈥� CaterLink鈥� balance the day before.

This is due to a great deal of lunch slips having to be issued, due to low balances.

Join Our Club

East Essex Triathlon Club

Rochford Hundred - Girls Rugby

Players Wanted

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鈥� 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 鈥�Lunch Week 2鈥�.

Click听here听to see the menu.