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Issue 1074: 14th February 2025

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Year 12 Aspirations Day

On Wednesday we hosted our annual Year 12 Aspirations Day.

It was lovely to welcome back so many of our former Sixth Form students and to hear about their lives after Ҵý and all the exciting opportunities they are embracing.

The day also included presentations from Kent and Essex University and our students were able to gain an insight into a wide range of careers including healthcare, education, construction and architecture, finance, dentistry and doctoral research and the Arts.

All in all the day was a huge success.

Coming Soon……

It is hard to believe that when we return we will be over halfway through this academic year. The next half-term is a particularly busy one, especially for our Year 9 pupils who will be making their Options choices for Key Stage 4.

Please see below for a few key dates for your diary!

27th February Year 9 Parents’ Evening

5th March Year 9 Aspirations Day

6th March Year 9 Options Evening

11th – 12th March Shrek the Musical!

13th March Year 12 Parents’ Evening

19th – 20th March Year 9 DTP/Men Vaccinations

25th March Year 11 Examination Preparation Meeting

26th March EPQ Poster Conference

As always, we will provide further details for each event nearer the time.

Parking in the School Bus Bay

Just as a reminder, and in order to ensure the safety of our pupils and students we have taken the decision to politely request that parents/carersdo not park in the bus bay area between 8.15 am – 8.45 am and 2.45pm – 3.15pm. Shortly after the half-term break we will be erecting signs and patrolling the area.

By keeping the area free of cars, it will be a much safer environment for our school community and neighbouring residents.

Many thanks for your cooperation in this regard.

And Finally

Have a lovely half-term holiday and we will look forward to welcoming all our pupils and students back to school at the usual time of 8.35am on 24th February.

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

Online Safety

Kick Streaming

Kick is a platform that is similar to Twitch, which many parents will be aware of. It allows users to watch live streams or to live stream themselves.

Users should be 13+ and, like Twitch, live streamers can make money. However, much of the content on Kick is adult in nature.

Internet Matters has a good article about this which is linked below:

Manipulative Marketing in Mobile Games

Many games online are apparently free to play but, for many games, while it is free to download the app, most of the gameplay is locked. Online gaming companies use the term “free” to draw in players. They use other tactics such as bright colours and distracting music to gain players’ attention. Better Internet for Kids has produced a learning module designed to cover digital marketing tactics. It covered why companies use these tactics and how they can impact children, and their rights. It also covers how you can support your child to spot and avoid these issues, as well as where to seek help and support. Please find the link below:

ESCB Online Safety Campaign

Essex Safeguarding Children Board

Concerns about child exploitation can be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555111.

There is also a dedicated Essex Police Child Exploitation hotline – for parents, carers and members of the public to seek advice around concerns they may have about their own or other children with regards to criminal and sexual exploitation: 01245 452058.

Library News

Love was in the air this week in the Library, pupils were invited to go on a Blind Date with a Book!

There’s been a buzz of excitement as pupils chose their blind dates and rated them on a special mini book review form to receive a sweet surprise!

In the Library during main Break on Thursday, we had a live webinar with three YA romance authors; Laura Wood, Sophie Jo & Sue Cunningham.

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.

Important e-scooter information for schools and parents

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW)
e-Bug

Home Energy Advice

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Kids Cycling Coaching

Southend Wheelers

Sessions will be suitable for children with BMX’s, road bikes or mountain bikes. There will be a variety of skills delivered by the coaches, with a progression pathway either to cycling with Southend Wheelers, or which starts in April.There are other superb cycling facilities available in Essex and the Southeast. Parents can download this “” document to plan a progression pathway.

The parental consent is contained within the booking process as part of the T’s & C’s.