Swan-Bites is a twice-weekly college bulletin for parents/carers. If you have any difficulties viewing Swan-Bites on a mobile device, please try a desktop/PC. We welcome any feedback or concerns via enquiries@swanmore-sec.hants.sch.uk 

All Pupils

Chromebook Users

We are seeing an increased number of Chromebooks being returned to us scratched and damaged. We provide cases for the Chromebooks and ask all pupils to use these daily. If your child uses one of the Chromebooks issued by the college, please remind them to take care with it as any damage will be investigated and a change may occur.

TikTok

Among children – and especially teenagers – TikTok boasts approximately 220 million users, providing a near-endless reel of short clips intended to entertain, educate and more. However, along with its enormous userbase comes a significant number of possible risks: Ofcom have dubbed it the most likely app on which teen users would potentially suffer harm.

With the platform reaching astronomical levels of success among the younger generation, it’s vitally important to understand the risks it poses. The attached guide from The National College lets you know about the most prominent potential dangers associated with TikTok and offers expert advice on how to safeguard youngsters who are navigating the site.

JusTalk Kids

JusTalk Kids is an alternative version of the JusTalk app, aimed at an audience aged 13 and under. As that upper age limit suggests, this social networking platform is intended to be suitable for youngsters, providing them with a space of their own to interact with a community their own age.

Unfortunately, there are still risks associated with JusTalk Kids, so it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers for those who use the app. The attached guide from The National College delves into the most prominent online safety concerns of JusTalk Kids, while also letting you know how to ensure that children can be protected, should they wish to create an account.

Parent Support - Winchester Youth Counselling

Winchester Youth Counselling will be facilitating a NEW, FREE Parent Support Group in Swanmore every month, starting from 29 January 2025. Sessions will be facilitated by a BACP registered counsellor and will be free of charge to parents/carers of 11-25yr olds. It will be a peaceful, safe space to come and share experiences and support other parents/carers of 11-25yr olds on this journey of raising young people, for which there is no training or handbook. Resources will be provided on challenges which may be facing young people and their families. Please see further information below:

Start date: Wednesday 29 January, continuing on the last Wednesday of every month (please note that the February session will be held on Wednesday 5 March instead)

Time: 10am - 11am

Location: Swanmore Methodist Church Hall

To join: Please email Katy – psp@winchyc.org

More information: Parent Support Group Information

British Cycling Talent ID Programme 2025

Please see attached details of a Talent Identification Programme for Female Track Cycling (Endurance) that is running this year. This Talent ID Programme will be looking to identify riders born in 2010/2011/2012 from across England with those successful going on to join British Cycling’s Talent Development and Performance Pathways. Anyone interested in applying will need to complete the online application by Sunday 30 March 2025: https://forms.office.com/e/98A9RmYfPf

Year 7

There are no specific items for Year 7 only.

Year 8

There are no specific items for Year 8 only.

Year 9

Reminder that we are holding a Year 9 Options Evening on Monday, 20 January 2025 from 5.00pm - 7.00pm. There will be a presentation in the main hall at 5pm (repeated at 6pm) and then plenty of time to talk to subject leaders. Option choices must be made online using the SIMs Parent App or SIMs Parent Website. The options selection process will open on Monday, 20 January 2025 and close on Friday 21 March 2025. Further information is available here: https://www.swanmore-school.co.uk/pupils/year-9-options

Year 10

There are no specific items for Year 10 only.

Year 11

There are no specific items for Year 11 only.

 

Please note that any external clubs / events that are advertised here are not endorsed by or directly affiliated with Swanmore College in any way.