Latest News - 30th January 2026
Mobile phones, reporting illness and following school procedures
We are seeing an increase in students using their mobile phones during the school day to contact parents directly to say they are feeling unwell and need to be collected. We would appreciate your support in discussing this with your child.
If a student feels unwell during the day, they must report to reception, where a trained first aider will assess their symptoms and monitor them appropriately. Parents will be contacted by the school if collection is required. If it is felt that the student is well enough, they will be supported to return to lessons.
It is important that this procedure is followed. It ensures students receive appropriate care and supervision, allows staff to keep accurate records, and supports the school’s safeguarding, health and safety responsibilities.
Students are not permitted to use mobile phones during the school day. As set out in our Behaviour Policy, mobile electronic devices must be switched off and kept out of sight at all times. Any phone seen or used without permission may be confiscated, and a sanction will be issued in line with the Behaviour Policy, regardless of the reason for use.
We ask that parents please reinforce with their child that they should not use their phone to contact home during the school day and that speaking to a member of staff at reception is always the correct first step if they are feeling unwell.
PE kit, safety and expectations
As a reminder, students are expected to wear the full STFS PE kit for all PE lessons. A detailed description of the required kit is available on the school website.
For safety reasons, jewellery must be removed and long hair must be tied back for PE lessons. We have had a number of students not following these expectations, which can cause injury to themselves and others. Long nails or false nails should also not be worn in school, as they present a risk during contact sports.
The safety of students at STFS is a priority. When students are taking part in field-based activities such as rugby and football, it is essential they have the correct footwear (football boots) and protective equipment (shin pads and a gumshield), particularly at this time of year when the field is wet and muddy.
Students should not wear coats during PE lessons for safety reasons. Wearing appropriate layers, such as a t-shirt, jumper or lightweight rain jacket, is suitable to keep warm while still allowing students to be fully active. Please ensure your child comes to school fully prepared for PE lessons during the colder months.
Please note that black leggings and Lycra running shorts are not part of the STFS PE kit and should not be worn.
Girls may wear a skort, STFS leggings, STFS shorts or navy tracksuit bottoms.
Boys may wear STFS shorts or plain navy tracksuit bottoms.
We also ask parents to ensure that students with asthma bring their inhaler to school if one is not already held on site. PE lessons may take place offsite on the field, and students may also attend fixtures after school, so it is essential inhalers are always available when needed.
Students who are unable to meet PE kit and safety expectations will receive a warning this week, followed by a consequence in line with the Behaviour Policy if expectations are not met.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us keep students safe and learning effectively.
Homework Support
Homework plays an important role in supporting students’ learning and progress. Regular, purposeful homework helps pupils build self-discipline, time management and resilience, while reinforcing learning from the classroom.
To support students in developing effective study habits, a range of homework support sessions are available each week. These sessions offer a quiet, structured space with subject staff available to support students where needed. Parents and carers are encouraged to support their child in attending these sessions if they feel additional help or structure would be beneficial.
Homework Support Sessions
Maths in Fibonacci - Monday after school, Thursday lunchtime
English, Film Studies & Classics (KS3) in Duffy - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtime
Science in Feynman - Tuesday lunchtime
French & Spanish in Truffaut - Monday after school
Art & DT in Westwood - Wednesday lunchtime
Humanities in Attenborough - Thursday after school
Parents and carers can view and track homework through the Arbor Parent App, including tasks set, due dates and submission status. Support with accessing Arbor is available via the school office.
Thank you for your continued support in encouraging students to complete homework to a high standard and on time.
GCSE Revision Support
We are running a programme of GCSE revision and intervention sessions to provide additional support for students as they prepare for assessments and examinations. These sessions focus on consolidating subject knowledge, revisiting key topics and supporting students who would benefit from extra guidance or catch-up time.
Parents and carers are encouraged to speak with their child about attending relevant sessions, particularly where they feel additional revision or subject-specific support would be helpful.
Music (Year 11) in Hendrix - Monday lunchtime
Drama (GCSE) in Bussell - Thursday after school, starting Thursday 26th February
Psychology (GCSE) in Hurst - Wednesday lunchtime
PE (Year 11) in Hurst - Monday after school, starting Monday 2nd February
Maths (GCSE) in Fibonacci - Thursday lunchtime and Monday after school
English, Film Studies & Classics (KS4) in Shakespeare - Wednesday lunchtime
English (GCSE exam practice) in Boudica - Wednesday lunchtime
Art and Photography (GCSE) in Westwood - Wednesday lunchtime
Geography (Year 11 primarily but Year 10 welcome for completed topics) in Marx Tuesday lunchtime and on Teams Wednesday evening at 6.30pm
History (Year 11) on Teams - Sunday at 10.00am
Spanish (GCSE Foundation Writing) in Lang - Tuesday lunchtime
Spanish (GCSE Higher Writing) in Notari - Tuesday lunchtime
Spanish (GCSE Speaking) in Notari - Thursday after school
French (GCSE Writing) in Truffaut - Monday after school
French (GCSE Speaking) in Truffaut - Friday lunchtime
Further details will be shared directly with students by subject teachers where appropriate.
Theme day in the canteen
On Thursday 12th February, the canteen will be holding a Pan-Asian Street Food theme day to celebrate Chinese New Year – the Year of the Horse.
Students can look forward to a special menu inspired by flavours from across Asia, giving them the opportunity to try something a little different while enjoying a fun and culturally themed lunchtime.
As always, our catering team will ensure a range of options are available, including suitable choices for different dietary needs.
We Are A Nut-Free School
We are reminding families that nuts and nut-containing products must not be brought into school. This includes peanuts, tree nuts, spreads (such as peanut butter), nut-based snacks and products that contain nuts as an ingredient.
For some children, even tiny traces of nuts can cause a serious and life-threatening allergic reaction. Keeping nuts out of school helps us create a safer environment for everyone.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us keep all pupils safe.
School Closures
We’ve updated our website with important information about school closures due to severe weather.
Unless notified via email, parents and students should assume the school is open.
Updates will also be shared on our Facebook page and Buckinghamshire Council’s website. Decisions will be made by 7:15am in all but exceptional circumstances.
If closures are necessary, we’ll set remote work via Arbor, and students can also access resources through Sparx, Seneca, and Educake, or explore additional materials via Oak National Academy and BBC Bitesize. For full guidance, please visit our website.
“What I wish my parents knew…”
The ‘What I wish my parents or carers knew…’ guide from the Children’s Commissioner is a thoughtful and practical resource designed to help families navigate children’s digital lives with confidence. Shaped by the real experiences and views of young people, it offers clear, accessible advice on topics such as social media, gaming, screen time and online safety.
Rather than focusing on restrictions alone, the guide encourages open, honest conversations between parents, carers and children about online habits, risks and boundaries. It helps adults understand what being online means to young people today and how to create a supportive environment where children feel listened to and able to ask for help if something goes wrong.
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.
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.