Latest News - 28th November 2025
Partial School Closure Update
This week we have experienced an unusually high level of staff illness, leaving us without the number of qualified teachers required to operate safely and legally. Schools must meet strict staffing and supervision ratios, and we cannot open to pupils if we are unable to guarantee appropriate cover.
The school employs cover supervisors to manage day-to-day staff absence, and we are in contact with supply agencies from 6:30am each morning to do everything possible to avoid any partial closures. Despite these measures, on Thursday we had 44 classes requiring cover, and the agencies were unable to provide additional staff. Like many schools, our budget allows for the staffing needed for normal operation, but it does not stretch to a large reserve of extra staff. When unexpected levels of illness occur, the impact can be significant and options become extremely limited.
We have recently seen a rise in winter illnesses among both pupils and staff, and we know many families will be experiencing the same pressures at home. Unfortunately, the combination of high illness levels and the unavailability of agency staff left us with no responsible or lawful alternative but to close to one year group for the day. Decisions of this nature are never taken lightly and are always an absolute last resort.
We appreciate the inconvenience this causes and thank you for your understanding. We will continue to plan and prepare as much as possible to minimise disruption, but there are times when circumstances beyond our control make closures unavoidable.
Teacher recruitment and retention remains a national issue affecting schools across the country. Parents who wish to raise this matter at a wider level may choose to contact their local MP.
Thank you for your continued support of the school.
Christmas Lunch Booking Now Open
Aspens, our catering team, are looking forward to serving a delicious Christmas Lunch on Thursday 18th December.
To help the team plan accurately, all students must pre-book a meal, including those entitled to free school meals.
How to book your child’s Christmas Lunch
Log into your Arbor app
Select School Shop
Choose one of the three main meal options
Select the quantity, click Buy Product, and follow the payment prompt
Dessert will be chosen by students on the day
Once a meal has been booked, students will receive a ticket on the day of the Christmas Lunch, which they should hand to the catering team before collecting their meal.
Booking closes on Friday 5th December, so please ensure you make your selection before this date.
Uniform & Cold Weather Guidance
We would like to remind families of our uniform expectations - especially as we move into the colder months.
At STFS, our uniform is more than a set of rules. It encourages students to take pride in their appearance, arrive ready to learn, and develop key values such as self-respect, integrity, and responsibility. These habits contribute not only to academic success but also to the confidence and resilience students need beyond school.
A consistent approach to uniform helps create a sense of belonging and equality across the school, reducing distractions and allowing students to concentrate on their studies.
Cold Weather Guidance
With temperatures dropping, students may wear a plain white T-shirt under their school shirt for extra warmth. Coats may be worn outside only and should be removed once inside the building. Hoodies remain prohibited and will be confiscated if worn on site.
Uniform Expectations
Blazers: Must be worn at all times.
Shirts and Ties: White shirts should be tucked in, with ties fastened correctly.
Trousers and Skirts:
Boys: grey trousers
Girls: grey trousers or school skirt of an appropriate length
Jumpers: Optional V-neck design with no logo (other than the school badge).
Footwear: Black shoes only. Trainers or casual footwear, including Nike Air Forces, are not permitted.
Socks: White socks are not permitted with the school uniform, including over tights.
PE Kit: Students must wear the official school PE kit for lessons.
Hoodies: Not allowed anywhere on the school site and will be confiscated.
We recognise that uniform costs can place pressure on families. If you are experiencing any difficulties, please contact the school. Pre-loved uniform items are available through our website.
Thank you for your continued support in helping students uphold these standards and take pride in our school community. For any questions or clarification, please get in touch with the school office.
2026 Leavers Hoodies - Now Available To Order!
These special hoodies are a great way for our Year 11 students to celebrate their time at Sir Thomas Fremantle School and create a lasting keepsake of their secondary school journey.
Each hoodie will feature the school logo embroidered on the front and a large leavers design on the back, including the names of all students in the year group.
Following feedback from students, there will be two opportunities to order this year:
Order 1: Place your order by Saturday 15 November 2025 for delivery week beginning Monday 15 December 2025.
Order 2: Place your order by Monday 26 January 2026 for delivery week beginning Monday 23 February 2026.
How to order: Click here to visit the online shop - choose your size and colour, and pay securely online. Optional personalisation is also available.
Nut Free School Reminder
A reminder that our school is a nut-free environment. We have several students with severe nut allergies, and even small traces of nuts can cause a serious reaction. Please ensure that no nuts or nut products are brought into school in packed lunches, snacks, or home-baked items.
Please reinforce this message with your child and remind them to be considerate when buying snacks on the way to school.
Thank you for your continued support in keeping all our students safe.
Support Our Future Football Stars!
At STFS we’re passionate about giving our students every opportunity to shine — both in the classroom and on the pitch. But right now, our football teams are facing a big challenge: we need football goals and team kits.
Our pupils show much determination and love for the game. They are currently training without full size football goals and without the pride of pulling on a school kit. We don’t want this to be a barrier to enjoying the sport they love, developing their skills, and building the confidence that comes from being part of a team. That’s where you come in. We are reaching out to our wonderful local community for sponsorships and donations to help us purchase:
Full-size football goals
A set of school football kits for both our boys and girls teams
How you can help:
Make a donation (no matter how small, every bit helps!)
Become a sponsor and have your business logo proudly displayed on our kits
Spread the word to others who may be able to support
To get involved, please contact abi.haynes@sirthomasfremantle.org or visit our gofundme page to make a donation
Thank you for helping us invest in the next generation — both on and off the pitch!
Contacting the Right Person – Help Us Help You Faster!
We know how important it is for parents and carers to get timely responses to queries and concerns. While our main office inbox is always monitored and messages will be passed on, contacting the relevant staff member directly can often lead to a quicker response.
To make things easier:
🔹 Check our guide on who to contact depending on your concern:
👉 Who to Talk to If You Have a Concern
🔹 Find staff email addresses in our Staff Directory:
👉 Staff Directory
🔹 Reporting a Student Absence?
Please email absence@sirthomasfremantle.org directly.
We recommend saving this address in your contacts to make reporting quick and easy.
A quick reminder: our teaching staff spend their days in the classroom with students, so they may not be able to respond to emails immediately. We have a 48-hour response policy and aim to reply to all enquiries within this timeframe - though it’s often much quicker.
Thank you for helping us streamline communication — it really does make a difference.
Uniform Donations Required
Stock levels in our Preloved Uniform Shop is a little bit low at the moment, so please think of us if you’re having a clear out and have items of uniform that your child has outgrown.
Any donations will be gratefully received at the school reception.
All proceeds go directly to the students via the Student Council.
Canteen Menu for week beginning 1st December
All the menus are available to view at sirthomasfremantle.org/school-meals
Lunchtime Clubs in the Butterfly Room
These sessions offer a calm, welcoming space for pupils to relax, socialise and take part in a range of creative and wellbeing activities. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to unwind or want to try something new with friends, there’s something for everyone. Please see the timetable below for details of what’s on each day.
PE Clubs
You can view all of our after-school clubs and book a place for your child through the Arbor Parent App. Please note that students cannot attend after-school clubs unless permission has been given via Arbor.
For lunch clubs, students should sign up directly with the club lead.
EmpowerU: Building a Healthy Mind and Future is a life skills programme supporting young people’s mental health through self-care, resilience, inclusivity, digital safety, and healthier habits.
The EmpowerU programme takes a holistic approach to youth mental health, fostering emotional intelligence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. It provides tools for well-being and healthier life choices in a safe, supportive space.
The services and events advertised in this newsletter are not all endorsed by the school. We are simply passing on information that may be of interest to our school community. Parents and guardians are encouraged to exercise their own discretion when considering these opportunities.