Headteacher's Letter 17.11.2025

Dear families,

I hope you and your families had a restful half-term break. Since returning, the school has been a hive of activity, with students settling quickly back into their routines and engaging with enthusiasm across all aspects of school life. Our Year 11 students, in particular, have been working with great focus as they prepare for their upcoming mock examinations — an important milestone in their journey towards the summer GCSEs. I would like to thank families for the support you continue to give at home; it makes a real difference to students’ confidence and readiness.

Our school values in action

Earlier this week, students and staff gathered for a moment of silence to mark Remembrance Day, honouring all those who have served and sacrificed. This act of reflection was a powerful reminder of the importance of peace, unity, and gratitude — values at the heart of our school community.

We are also marking Interfaith Week, World Kindness Day (13 November), and Anti-Bullying Week. At Stepney All Saints, we take great pride in being a richly diverse community where faith, culture, and belief coexist with mutual respect. Through assemblies and tutor sessions, students have been exploring what kindness looks like in everyday life — from simple acts of kindness to the courage of standing up for others.

The theme of Anti-Bullying Week this year is “Power for Good” and the week began with Odd Socks Day on Monday 10 November, when many in our community wore odd socks to celebrate what makes each of us unique. Through discussions, displays, and activities, students have been reflecting on how they can use their individual power — their words, their actions, and their influence — to make a positive difference in the lives of others. These messages of kindness, inclusion, and responsibility align strongly with our school values and Christian ethos. I would like to thank all the students and staff involved for helping to make these events so meaningful for our whole community.

Hurricane Melissa Fundraiser

We have all been deeply shocked by the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean. As a school community, we are committed to offering our support to those affected. We will be holding a fundraising event on Thursday 20 November 2025, from 5–7pm in the Great Hall (entry and exit via Stepney Way).
Attendance can be confirmed via the Google Form on the school website, and there will be a £2 donation for entry, payable by cash or card.

A donation box will also be available in the Great Hall for physical contributions, including blankets, sanitary products, and non-perishable food items. A card machine will be set up for additional donations on the night. Refreshments will be available, and the evening’s programme will include performances from our steel pan ensemble, a vocalist, Year 7 poetry and drama students, and the school choir.
We hope as many members of our community as possible will join us to stand in solidarity and contribute to this important cause.

Enrichment activities

The importance of activities beyond academic work is well established. They help students to learn about themselves, to use their skills and knowledge in different contexts and to develop as well-rounded individuals. It is important to recognise that employers and universities frequently give preference to those who can demonstrate that they have acquired the key employability skills that participation in enrichment activities develop. Consequently, showing that you have regularly taken part in enrichment activities can give you an edge over others.

The sessions offered at Stepney All Saints provide students with opportunities that they would not encounter in their normal day-to-day experience in school and it is our expectation that all students in Years 7, 8 and 9 take part in enrichment activities for all of the reasons outlined. We are monitoring attendance and this will be reflected in students’ reports. We want our students to excel in all aspects of their school life and attendance at enrichment activities is a key element.  An updated list of afterschool and lunchtime clubs is available to view HERE.

Residential trips

Our annual programme of residential trips to Wales for Year 9 began earlier this term. Year 9 students have enjoyed visits to the Argoed Lwyd Outdoor Education Centre in Wales, developing teamwork, independence, and resilience. These visits will continue throughout the coming months, ensuring that every student in the year group has the opportunity to participate in a residential experience.

In addition, students in Years 9 and 10 have the exciting opportunity to take part in our Turing Scheme visit to The Gambia, while Year 12 students will participate in a Turing Scheme trip to Denmark. Both programmes aim to broaden students’ horizons and deepen their understanding of global issues such as cultural identity and community collaboration. Students have been invited to register their interest, and letters with further details will be issued in the coming days. Those meeting the Turing eligibility criteria will be invited to participate.

We are also pleased to confirm that our annual visit to southern Spain will take place later in the year. This popular trip combines cultural exploration, language immersion, and creative learning activities, allowing students to apply their classroom learning in an authentic context.

All of these experiences are an integral part of the Stepney All Saints curriculum and reflect our commitment to developing confident, outward-looking young people who are ready to contribute positively to the world around them.

Attendance - reminder

Our school has high levels of attendance and this is vital to help children achieve and get the best possible start in life.  Children who frequently miss school fall behind and there is a strong link between good school attendance and achieving good results. In order to maintain high levels of attendance, if your child presents themselves to you as ‘unwell’ please send them to school regardless. At school our medical needs coordinator will be able to assess students. We will, of course, contact you if your child continues to feel unwell and cannot stay for the full day. Please note that colds, coughs, runny noses and sore throats are common and do not require that children stay home from school.

In anticipation of Advent

As we look ahead to Advent, our theme will turn to hope and light — values that unite people of all backgrounds. We have a wonderful series of festive events planned to bring our community together in celebration:

Key Events for this Academic Year

A number of key events take place during the coming weeks as follows:

• Thurs 20 Nov – Hurricane Melissa Fundraiser 5-7pm.
• Wed 10 Dec – Year 11 Parents’ Evening (Virtual)
• Thu 11 Dec – Year 11 Parents’ Evening (Virtual)
• Fri 19 Dec – End of Term – Early Finish

The full set of dates for the academic year are available on our website, https://www.stepneyallsaints.school/Term-Dates/.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Our school benefits greatly from the strong relationships between students, staff, and families, and I am grateful for the part you play in our community. Together, we are helping our young people to grow into confident, thoughtful individuals who make a positive contribution to those around them.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Siaw

Headteacher