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Wellbeing Week: 23rd - 27th January

Next week is our annual school Wellbeing Week. Students will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities that are designed around our school Wellbeing themes – Getting Active, Having Fun, Trying Something New, Giving to Others and Being Mindful. There has been a lot of research which confirms that practising these themes can help us to feel better able to adapt to new situations, be content and develop resilience.

The activities are provided by a mix of external providers and teachers and students in school. For example, this year we are welcoming back Dinosaur, Wildlife & Education Center and Kaya Drumming. The Prefect team have also organised a range of optional lunchtime activities including cake decorating, Yoga and Clay Craft. Across the week, there will be something for everybody.

Strike action announced

As you may have seen in the news, the National Education Union (NEU) has announced strike action for dates during the Spring term.

The dates are: Wednesday 1st February, Wednesday 1st March, Wednesday 15th March and Thursday 16th March.

Other teaching and support staff unions are not affected by this at the moment and negotiations are continuing between unions and the DfE.

We are currently planning how to manage this and will update you via the bulletin next week.

Evening of Dance
- Wednesday 8th February 2023

The Evening of Dance is an opportunity for our students to showcase their skills and creativity through dance. This will be the first Evening of Dance where we have invited an audience since February 2020 and so we are really looking forward to what historically has been a wonderful evening!

Tickets are available to purchase here. We really hope that you can join us.

Issues regarding parking in the school community

We have received a complaint from a resident who lives in flats opposite the School of Parents using private car parking bays. They were not able to park their car on returning home one day this week. Parking in these bays is for flat residents only, so we ask that parents do not park there.

The School also continues to receive regular complaints in the wider area about parking on adjacent roads to the School site. We referenced this in the newsletter last week and the problem continues to persist. The picture above shows parking from another evening this week, with numerous vehicles parked on double yellow lines, both sides of the Goldieslie Road. This is a safety risk to our students and members of the local community, significantly disrupts the flow of traffic and damages the relations between the School and our neighbours.

Please can parents ensure they are parking considerately and in compliance with the Highway Code. There are double yellow lines and zig-zag lines identifying areas where vehicles should not park or drop off passengers.

There are numerous car parks located within walking distance of the school site (Holland Road, Duke Street and Upper Holland Road are the closest) so please use these if possible. Your support in this matter is much appreciated.

Students travelling from the Walsall area: A parent from the Walsall area is looking to arrange a regular minibus to take students to the School from a local collection point in Walsall. If you like to be part of this please contact Amira via email amira_uk@hotmail.co.uk or phone 07803464962. Please note the School sees this as a private arrangement between parents and carers.

Notices from the Parents’ Association

PA Year 7 & 8 Disco
As mentioned last week, Friday, February 3rd from 7:30 till 9:30pm will be our inter-school disco with Bishop Vesey. We had a massive uptake when tickets went on sale on Wednesday and sold 163 tickets. Tickets will go on sale today at BV too. However, if you missed getting a ticket this week, spare tickets are still available from the School Business Office. Make sure your daughter takes her permission slip and £5 cash.

Again, if you can help on the day please drop us an email to: pa@suttcold.bham.sch.uk

Other events
Our PA meeting took place on Wednesday evening, and we’ll soon have some more dates for your diaries, so watch this space!

Spending
We’re looking forward to being able to share with you some of the products of everyone’s efforts. We’re working closely with departments across the school to see where the funds we have raised can be put to good use. More info as soon as we have it!

Facebook
Please remember to follow us on Facebook as this gives us the chance to update you between newsletters. Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls Parents Association | Sutton Coldfield | Facebook

EasyFundraising
Please take a look at this as it’s such an easy way to raise funds for the school without moving from your armchair!

Many of us are planning trips and holidays at the moment and you can raise substantial amounts at no cost to you as you book, for example:

TUI - up to a 2% donation
First Choice - up to 2%
Booking.Com - up to 4%Travelodge - up to 2%
TravelZoo - up to 5% and many many more

All you need to do is follow this link and register for our ‘cause’ you can also add a reminder pop-up so every time you visit a site that participates in this scheme it reminds you.

Many thanks and happy shopping!

From Birmingham with Love

The following organisations have partnered to provide services and support, which might make life a little bit easier...

Online parenting course. We’ve pre-paid for every parent in Birmingham to access a parenting course . Just enter the access code “COMMUNITY” at the top of the page to claim. There are courses for parents, carers and grandparents of children from bump to 19. Learn about how your child develops and get tips to manage their behaviour.

Mental health support. In these difficult times we have to look after our mental health. For young people aged 11-25 there are forums, guides and counselling available completely free at Kooth . If your child 0-25 needs support, get in touch with Pause by calling 0207 841 4470 or email. Adults can get support from MIND by calling 0121 262 3555. Or for urgent help call Forward Thinking Birmingham on 0300 300 0099. And remember to stay active .

Financial help. If you’ve lost your job or are struggling for food or rent, there are services that can help. Local welfare provision can make a big difference if you are in a crisis and need food, fuel or basic white goods. Discretionary Housing Payments may be able to help with rent. And there are food banks across Birmingham that are here to help.

Domestic abuse. For women and children affected by domestic abuse please see guidance or confidentially contact Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid . For Men, please contact Re spect . Also Ask for ANI and the Safe Spaces scheme where victims can access help through pharmacies.

Problems with drugs or alcohol. A new, discrete app called Staying Free is available on Android or Apple. Use the code “birmingham11” for pre-paid access. To speak to someone call Change Grow Live .

Bereavement support. It’s a terrible time to lose a loved one — you can get help by calling 0121 687 8010 or from Cruse .

Early help for families. If anyone in your family needs more help, from public services or community groups, then please contact our voluntary sector local leads . We have ten areas which can connect you to support across the city.

Please click here to view the information above in a different language.

If you are worried about a child, please call Birmingham’s Children's Advice and Support Service on 0121 303 1888. In an emergency, including child abuse, contact the Police on 999. You can also chat to the Police.

For any other help, from public services or community groups, then please contact our voluntary sector local team . There are ten area hubs across the city which can connect you to support.

Public Transport advice

We want to make sure that our students remain safe on public transport. If anyone experiences issues with crime or anti-social behaviour, we recommend the following:

On the Train: Report crime or incidents on your train or at your station discreetly by texting the British Transport Police on 61016

On the Bus: If you experience anti-social behaviour on your bus journey, text “SeeSay” and details of the incident to 81018.

SEND Information: Communication and Autism Team Birmingham

Please find below a link to CAT TV. This is a TV channel run by the Communication and Autism Team (CAT) in Birmingham and it contains some video clips that may be useful to parents supporting children with an autism diagnosis or exhibiting autistic traits.

If you have any further questions around the area of autism or other special educational needs, do please contact the school Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) Mrs McTear.

Reminder of Absence Procedures

Request for leave of absence

To request a planned absence from school for your child (e.g. medical appointment), please complete the Request for Absence form, which is available in the Parents Section on the school website. There is now a single form for all requests for planned absences.

Unplanned absence (e.g. illness)

Please inform the school of the reasons for any unplanned absence by 9.30 am. Please email attendance@suttcold.bham.sch.uk or call the school on 0121 354 1479.

Please note that emails sent to the "info@suttcold" address are not regularly monitored and may be missed.

Staff Vacancies

Head of Economics and Business

Contract: Permanent, Full-time (part-time expressions of interest considered)
Salary: Teachers’ Main Pay Range or Upper Pay Range plus TLR 2A (£3,017)
Application Closing Date: 9.30 am on Friday 3^rd February 2023
Interview: Wednesday 8^th February 2023
Start date: September 2023

For more information, please visit our website.

Letters to Parents

Please click here to access all letters issued to parents/carers this term.

Recent Letters

Dates for your Diary

More details of school events for each half term can be found on our website here.

Tuesday 31st January
- Year 10 Progress Evening

Wednesday 8th February
- Evening of Dance

Tuesday 14th February
- Year 10 Progress Evening

Friday 17th February
- End of Spring 1 Half Term

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Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls · Jockey Road · Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B73 5PT · United Kingdom