Dear Parents/Carers,

This week our Year 11 and Year 13 began their official external exams – GCSE and A Levels. This important milestone marks a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance but also a testament to the exceptional guidance and support provided by both educators and families alike.

As a school, we stand alongside our students, offering encouragement and reassurance as they navigate this pivotal moment in their educational journey. We have every confidence in their abilities, and are certain that they will approach these exams with the same determination, and resilience that they have demonstrated throughout their time with us. On behalf of all the SNS community, we wish students the very best in their exams. With your continued partnership, we look forward to celebrating their successes and accomplishments this summer.

Warmer Weather

As temperatures increase, a reminder for students to bring in a non-metal water bottles to school. Students can re-fill water bottles from various locations around playgrounds and the Blue Bird Café and this must be done during breaktime and lunchtime only.

A reminder that although students are permitted to wear shorts in the warmer months, they must be tailored fitted shorts. Students are not permitted to wear PE shorts, except in their PE lesson.

Summer Term Parent/Carer Virtual Forums

Year 10 - Monday 20th May 2024 5.00pm – 6.00pm

Year 10 parent/carer virtual forum will take place Monday 20th May from 5.00pm and will cover information on upcoming mock exams and revision support, the Duke of Edinburgh programme, and introduction to Sixth Form and college admission process. Further information, including the joining link, will be sent shortly.

Year 9 – Tuesday 21st May 2024 6.00pm – 7.00pm

Our virtual forum for Parent/carers of Year 9 students will take place on Tuesday 21st May. Topics discussed at the forum will include Year 9 PPP Drop Down Day, updates on the partnership intervention programmes, year group successes and Summer Term key dates. Further information, including the joining link, will be sent shortly.

Parent/Carer Support for the History Department

The History department is currently planning a scheme of work on the Ottoman Empire. They would love to get parental guidance or suggestions from our TKTC parents and community, please email Ms Hannah Preedy, Head of History via Han.Pre@sns.hackney.sch.uk if you would like to support.

Community Evening – Thursday 23rd May from 5.00pm

Our annual SNS Community Evening is fast approaching and, as every year, this is an incredible opportunity for all our community to come together, celebrate and share the diverse and vibrant spirit that characterises us. The event will take place on Thursday 23rd May starting from 5.00pm and there is no entrance fee.

The event is free to attend and tickets can be booked using this link.

We invite you to take part in this evening as we would love to have a representation of every community that is part of our school. We are currently looking for people that can either:

  • Cook/bring food from different countries/backgrounds
  • Have a stall for selling arts/crafts or showcase the work of organisations or fundraise for any cause
  • Play some live music (all kind of music are welcome)
  • Deliver creative workshops i.e. dancing, traditional dances, cooking, arts and crafts, sports
  • Show case of any form of art

If you are interested in taking part, such as providing food, workshops or events for the evening, please complete this form.

Community Evening Music Concert – Thursday 23rd May 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Straight after the fantastic celebration of Community Evening, there will be a Music Concert happening in the theatre between 7.00pm, with doors opening at 6.50pm. The concert will feature our ensembles showing what they have been working on this year, including our Show Choir, Band Club, Singing Club, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band, as well as some GCSE and A Level performance. This event is free to attend and can be booked using this link.

Friends of SNS PTFA

The Friends of SNS, the PTFA, will be holding a drinks stall at Community Evening and would love to hear from parent/carers about suggestions for future projects and opportunities and what you could offer the group.

If you would like to contact Friends of SNS but unable to attend Community Evening, you can email the Chair, Jo Edwards, via friendsofsns@gmail.com

SNS Library Scholastic Book Fair – Friday 17th May – Friday 24th May

The Bookfair is coming to SNS! 200 of the newest and best books from 60 publishers - priced from £2.99 and an amazing range of stationery all available to buy. Cash, debit card and ParentPay (Library Book Fair) will be accepted. Please use this link to see some of the many fantastic titles available. Items sold will provide the School with funding for books for the Library, so this is a great way to support our school! The Book Fair will also be open during the Community Evening on Thursday 23rd May.

Year 11 and Year 13 Prom Committee Volunteers

We are looking to recruit volunteers to help with our Year 11 and Year 13 Prom, taking place on Wednesday 26th June and Thursday 27th June. We will need volunteers to help organise decoration, be available on the evening with setting up and help to prepare food and drinks. If you would like to volunteer for the committee, please email Ms Rachel Townsend Rac.Tow@sns.hackney.sch.uk or Ms Kulsuma Akhtar Kul.Akh@sns.hackney.sch.uk.

Uniform Donation Request

We are running low on spare skirts and trousers for students to access. If your child does have any outgrown items, please do send them into the main office.

Key dates, Cultural Events, Opportunities in the Community and Access to Support Services

Please see a link to our key dates here for this term on our school calendar that include Information Evenings, Forums, and Parents’ Evenings.

You can also find information on local cultural events here and opportunities in the community here.

Alongside this, you can find services available to support you and young person’s mental health and wellbeing using this link.

In the lead up to our annual Community Evening, I share a quote from our Thought of the Day last week read by students in 9O, originally from Jean Vanier, Canadian philosopher and theologian.

“One of the marvellous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn't as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing.”

Have a good weekend and enjoy the sun.

With best wishes

Zehra Jaffer