Dear Parents,

As the academic year draws to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support throughout the year.  Family engagement is crucial to the success of our school, and we appreciate the support you have shown throughout the year. Our students possess remarkable character, talents, and skills that have been cultivated over the years by their families. We hope that our school has played a positive role in the ongoing education of your children.

Looking forward to the new academic year, please note the following. 

Return to School Arrangements 
Please see below the days and times we welcome your children back into school:- 
 
Tuesday 3rd September  
8.55 am Year 7 to arrive  
9.15am Year 12 to arrive  
2pm Year 12 to leave 
3.15pm Year 7 to leave 
 
Wednesday 4th September 
8.55 am Year 7, Year 8 & Year 9 to arrive 
10.00 am Year 13 to arrive 
10.05 am Year 10 & Year 11 to arrive  
3.15 pm All students to leave 
 
Thursday 5th & Friday 6th September 
Normal school day (9.00am – 3.15pm) for all year groups except Year 12 

Monday 9th September 
Normal school day (9.00am – 3.15pm) for all year groups 

Uniform 
Please support your child’s positive start to the new term by ensuring they are wearing correct uniform
and are fully equipped to learn.   
If you have any good quality uniform items (including trousers and shoes) that are no longer needed,
please donate them to school via school reception.
   
Dates for your diary 

Year 7	24.09.24 – Year 7 Settling in Evening   22.05.25 – Year 7 Parents' Evening
Year 8	25.11.24 – Year 8 Parent Information Evening  30.04.25 – Year 8 Parents' Evening
Year 9	25.11.24 – Year 9 Parent Information Evening  11.12.24 – Year 9 Parents' Evening 22.01.25 – Year 9 Options Evening
Year 10	16.10.24 – Welcome to KS4  26.03.25 - Year 10 Parents' Evening
Year 11	12.11.24 – KS4 Revision Support Evening  14.01.25 – Year 11 Parents' Evening
Year 12	19.09.24 – Year 12 Parents Welcome Evening  15.04.25 - Year 12 Parents' Evening  19.05.25 Post-18 Information Evening for Year 12 into Year 13 Parents
Year 13	06.03.25 -Year 13 Parents' Evening

 
Safeguarding over the summer holidays
We advise that you continue to be vigilant over the summer, particularly about online safety and vaping. Further information and links to useful sources can be found on our website.
For urgent enquiries, school safeguarding staff are available 09:00 – 14:00 every day in the holidays,
except 26th August 2024, the bank holiday.
They can be contacted via:
Direct Line: 0114 5515391
Safeguarding Mobile 1: 07375388831
Safeguarding Mobile 2: 07375388885
Please try each number if you do not get an answer between 09:00 and 14:00.
If you call outside these hours, please leave a message and you will be called back the following
working day.

 

Vaping Research Project
Initial findings from a research project undertaken by Bath University in collaboration with Sheffield City Council has shown there is a likelihood that vapes bought by children are illegal and contain
cannabinoid derivations such as THC and Spice.

We urge children, parents and staff to be vigilant about the use of vapes. We want to encourage
children not to use vapes and to inform you about the risks of using adulterated vapes, which includes the possibility of becoming seriously ill and may require hospital treatment.

Spice and THC are psychoactive substances that can lead to serious physical and mental health
illnesses. Spice, or SCRA (Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists) is a collection of drugs called
synthetic cannabinoids. The signs of use are similar to those associated with cannabis. However, it is much more potent and produces greater side effects such as nausea, vomiting, seizures and, in some cases,  cardiovascular issues.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol (the psychoactive substance found in cannabis) can lead to anxiety,
paranoia, drowsiness, mood swings, and can impair learning and memory function.

Further resources are available online including:
Synthetic cannabinoids | Effects and Risks | FRANK (talktofrank.com)
Cannabis | Weed | Effects of Cannabis | FRANK (talktofrank.com)
Honest information about drugs | FRANK (talktofrank.com)
Signs of Drug Use in Teens - Partnership to End Addiction (drugfree.org)

In an emergency situation, contact 999 and inform the paramedics of suspected Spice or THC
consumption so that the child receives the correct care.
On a more general note, nicotine vapes are proven as an effective method for adults to quit smoking and are significantly less harmful than smoking tobacco. However, vapes are not recommended for use by children and young people, or anyone who has never smoked, as vaping is not risk-free.
If you want more information about providing support to your child to stop smoking and/or vaping, please visit www.smokefreesheffield.org. You can also access educational resources via the following link: https://smokefreesheffield.org/get-involved/campaigns/vaping-the-facts. The service can offer onsite training to parents.
Contact number - 07833 048200 (free from mobiles) or a referral can be made via the website
https://www.sheffield.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk

‘The Corner’ is Sheffield’s young people’s substance misuse service. If you have any questions or concerns about a young person using contaminated vaping products (or any other substance) please reach out to The Corner. They also offer advice and training for professionals and support for parents.
Website: https://www.changegrowlive.org/the-corner-sheffield/info
E-mail: thecorner.sheffield@cgl.org.uk Telephone: 0114 2752051

Free School Holiday Activities
Families in receipt of free school meals can access a wide range of fun school holiday activities. Please visit sheffieldhealthyholidays.org  for further information.

Message from Ms Verney, Assistant Headteacher
I am moving onto a new job with Tapton Trust after seventeen years at Silverdale. In my time here, I have met many members of students' families through my work with the PTA, running a homework club in Sharrow, hosting coffee mornings in school, running this year's Information Evenings, in SEND
meetings and as an English teacher at Parents' Evenings.
I want to thank you for all your support over the years. It has been a privilege to be part of your children's journey through Silverdale, and to watch them grow up into wonderful young people.
With very best wishes
Ms Verney
 
Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable summer, 
Sarah Sims
Head of Silverdale School