Swan Bites is a twice-weekly college bulletin for parents/carers. If you have any difficulties viewing the email version of Swan Bites, please view it on our website: https://www.swanmore-school.co.uk/news-and-events/swan-bites. We welcome any feedback or concerns via enquiries@swanmore-sec.hants.sch.uk 

All Pupils

Fire Alarm – Tuesday 01 April 2025

Today the fire alarms went off for a non-emergency issue. All pupils and staff were evacuated within our recommended time. The buildings were checked and deemed safe, and pupils were back in lessons within 10 minutes.

End of Term Early Closure – Friday 04 April 2025

The college will close early on the last day of term, Friday 4 April, with pupils leaving site at 12:40pm. Our transport operators have been informed and will be on site to collect pupils at this time. Please note that any pupils who travel on the 649 Stagecoach public bus service will need to make alternative arrangements for getting home early, as Stagecoach are unable to amend the collection time from 3.00 pm to 12.40 pm.

Professional Day – Tuesday 22 April 2025

Please note that the college will be closed on Tuesday 22 April as this is a professional day. We will re-open to pupils on Wednesday 23 April, after the Easter break.

VE Day Celebrations – Wednesday 07 May 2025

On 7 May 2025, as part of the Connect curriculum, our Year 7 pupils will be taking part in the national commemorations of the 80th anniversary of VE Day.  Pupils will be celebrating this event with their very own "field" party, with lots of fun activities planned to help them learn about VE Day. 

If you have any resources that you would be willing to lend/donate to help us decorate the picnic with, or have any family testimonies of VE Day that you would not mind sharing with the school and our pupils, then please email enquiries@swanmore-sec.hants.sch.uk with the heading ‘VE Day celebrations’.

Free Rowing Taster Sessions

British Rowing are running free rowing taster sessions in association with local rowing clubs along the South Coast this Easter. These are taking place as follows:

• Tuesday 08 April: Southampton Coalporters Amateur Rowing Club
• Wednesday 09 April: Lymington Amateur Rowing Club
• Friday 18 April: Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club
• Saturday 03 May: Poole Amateur Rowing Club

The free sessions last 60 minutes. They will measure your height and arm span and run some strength tests on your arm pull and leg push to see how good you could be at rowing, then you get to try rowing for yourself and get a feel for the sport. To apply, email ben.reed@britishrowing.org

Year 7

This Spring Term, Year 7 pupils have been starting their English lessons with Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R), bringing in a book of their choice to enjoy at the beginning of each class. This simple habit not only supports the development of strong literacy skills, but also nurtures empathy, broadens their understanding of the world, and contributes positively to their mental well-being.

Last month, pupils participated in the annual National Literacy Trust survey. Encouragingly, the results showed that around one-third of our Year 7s read regularly for pleasure, and two-thirds said their parents or carers actively encourage them to read.

Building on this, we are now asking all Year 7 pupils to bring a reading book to school every day. In addition to English lessons, we’ll be encouraging reading during morning Tutor Time, supporting students in getting organised and helping them understand the lifelong value of reading for pleasure.

Even if a pupil doesn’t read at home, the time spent reading at Swanmore College during English and Tutor Time alone could add up to 40 minutes a week – a meaningful amount that can have a real impact.

Mrs Bushnell, Literacy Lead/Assistant Head of English

Year 8

There are no specific items for Year 8 only.

Year 9

There are no specific items for Year 9 only.

Year 10

Work Experience Opportunity

We have been approached by a local company, M Group, who are willing to accept a young person from our work experience programme. If your child is yet to secure a work experience placement for July and is seriously interested in this type of work, then please encourage them to apply. There is only one place, and they will consider the most suitable applicant as they would do for any job application. Please see attached for further details.

Year 10 & 11

Sparsholt Open Event

Registrations are open for Sparsholt College’s next open event on Wednesday 30 April 2025. To attend, pupils will need to register for the event by visiting Experience Sparsholt - Sparsholt College Hampshire ASAP as events do fill up quickly! Pupils will have a tour of the subject area they are interested in at a specific time, which they must book in advance.

It is not too late for Year 11s to apply to Sparsholt College as applications are still open. Information on how to apply for a place in September 2025 can be found here: How to Apply - Sparsholt College and University Centre Sparsholt.

 

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