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27 November 2025

Swan Bites is our weekly college bulletin for parents/carers – it is published every Thursday. 
We welcome any feedback or comments via: enquiries@swanmore-sec.hants.sch.uk

College Notices

Enrichment Programme

A message was sent to all parents and carers about the Enrichment programme on Friday, 21 November 2025 as it's time to select the activities for the Spring Term.

Please can either you or your child/ren make their selection choices for the next term's enrichment programme by 09:00 on Tuesday, 02 December 2025.

Careers: 

📊 Explore the Future of Finance: ACCA Twilight Webinar Series

ACCA invites Year 10/11 students, parents, and carers to our "Redefining the Accountant" webinar series.

Get practical, honest insights into the evolving world of finance and discover the many rewarding, flexible, and globally recognised career paths in accountancy. To attend these free webinars please register on the below links.

Upcoming sessions:

Years 9-11: Insights and virtual work experience

Image shows the Medic Mentor logoMedic Mentor

Calling all aspiring Doctors, Dentists, and healthcare workers. Medic Mentor are offering Get into conferences to give you an insight into the worlds of Medicine and Dentistry. For pupils aged 14+ years. This is a free live virtual conference.

Medicine:

  • Saturday 29 November 2025 09:00 – 13:30
  • Sunday 07 December 2025    09:00 – 13:30
  • Saturday 13 December 2025 09:00 – 13:30

Register for free: Get Into Medicine Conference Sign Up - Medic Mentor

Dentistry:

  • Sunday 30 November 2025 09:00 – 13:30

Register for free: Get Into Dentistry Conference Sign Up – Dental Mentor

NHS Virtual Allied Healthcare Work Experience

This is a valuable opportunity for pupils to explore healthcare careers, gaining real-world insights and strengthen university and apprenticeship applications. The next session will be on Sunday 07 December from 08:30 to 17:00. It will focus on the Paediatric Pathway. Cost of virtual work experience day is £10 per person.

To book a place: Interactive Virtual NHS Healthcare Careers Work Experience Programme - Allied Healthcare Mentor

⚖️ Legal Apprenticeships at Pinsent Masons: Virtual Event - Years 10 and 11

Pinsent Masons invites pupils and parents to a Virtual Insight Event on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm GMT. Learn about their Paralegal and Solicitor Apprenticeship programs, get recruitment advice, and participate in a live Q&A with current apprentices and the Early Talent Team.

Spaces are limited, so please register early to secure your place! Find more details and the registration link here: Pinsent Masons Legal Apprenticeships Virtual Insight Event Tickets, Tue, Dec 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM | Eventbrite

Christmas Toy Drive

Image shows a festive background with details of the event - this is similar to the article above

 

Next week, we are collecting donations for our Christmas Toy Drive to help support local children. 🎁

The College is asking for donations of clean, exceptional quality, no longer needed toys.

The Details: Pupils can bring their donations to Room W11 during Tutor time each morning, from Monday, 01 December to Friday, 05 December.

We are collecting on behalf of Scratch - Southampton City and Region to help fight local poverty. If you do not have toys to donate but would like to help, you can visit the Scratch 'Christmas Complete' page here: https://www.scratchcharity.co.uk/projects/christmas-complete.htm

Poster designed by Lilly, Y9, Swan Life Press.

Unlock Thousands of Free Books with Sora: Our School's Digital Reading App!

We are excited to encourage the use of Sora, our school's free digital reading app, which is available to all students.

Sora provides instant, 24/7 access to our library’s vast collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines—all on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. It is a fantastic tool to support reading for pleasure and academic success both inside and outside the classroom.

Why Sora is a Great Tool for Your Child

Sora is designed to meet every student's reading needs and interests:

  • 24/7 Access on Any Device: Students can borrow and read books instantly, anytime, anywhere. They never have to wait for the library to open or worry about a lost book.
  • Audiobooks for Everyone: Audiobooks are a powerful tool for literacy, helping to improve fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. They are also perfect for busy students on the go.
  • Never Pay a Late Fee: Digital titles are automatically returned at the end of the lending period, eliminating the stress of overdue books.
  • Supports All Readers: The app includes customisable features like dyslexia-friendly fonts, adjustable text sizes, and high-contrast modes, making reading accessible and comfortable for every learner.
  • Motivation: Students can earn fun achievements and track their reading statistics, encouraging them to set goals and read more often.
  • Reading In School: In the Reading Room we have Chromebooks and iPads which can be used to read using the Sora App

How to Get Started in 3 Simple Steps

Getting started with Sora is free and easy. All your child needs is their school login information-the school email and password.

  1. Get the App: Download the free Sora app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or visit soraapp.com on any web browser. Look for the little plane!
  2. Find Our School: Search for Hampshire School Library Service then scroll down to find Swanmore College.
  3. Sign In: Your child can sign in using their school username e.g.: 25minajn@swanmore-school.co.uk and password. You may need to add the school email to your device.

Once logged in, they can immediately start exploring our digital library and borrowing titles with a single tap.

We strongly encourage you to download the app today and help your child discover their next favorite book!

If you have any questions about logging in, please contact Mrs Payne: library-help@swanmore-sec.hants.sch.uk

Happy Reading!

Year 7

There are no specific items for Year 7 only.

Year 8

There are no specific items for Year 8 only.

Year 9

There are no specific items for Year 9 only.

Year 10

There are no specific items for Year 10 only.

Year 11

Deadline Reminder: Peter Symonds Applications

All Peter Symonds College applications must be submitted by midnight on Monday, 08 December 2025.

Next Week’s Events

Monday, 01 December 2025

  • Y10 Mock Exams
  • U14 Girls' Football Hants Cup vs. Springfield (H)

Tuesday, 02 December 2025

  • Y10 Mock Exams
  • Y7 Quantum Theatre - A Christmas Carol
  • Y10 Sports Leaders Event - Primary Basketball - 15:30-17:00
  • Y8 Boys' Football vs. Wyvern (H)
  • Y7 Boys' Footballs vs. Salesians (A)
  • U12 and U13 Netball vs. Toynbee (H)

Wednesday, 03 December 2025

  • Y10 Mock Exams
  • U14 Basketball vs. Sholing (H)
  • Y7 Girls' Football vs. Henry Beaufort (H)

Thursday, 04 December 2025

  • Y10 Mock Exams
  • U12 Netball vs. The Petersfield School (H)
  • U14 and U16 Netball vs. Toynbee (A)
  • U16 Boys' Handball at Romsey

Friday, 05 December 2025

No events are taking place today.

Community Notices

Meon Valley Food Bank Donations

If you would like to donate to Meon Valley Food Bank ahead of the festive season, they will be open next Monday between 10 and 12 to receive food donations.

Food can also be dropped off at the following places: 

  • Bishops Waltham - Sainsbury's, Coop,  St Peters Church and the Jubilee Hall in Little Shore Lane
  • Curdridge - St Peter's Church
  • Upham - Blessed Mary Church
  • Wickham - the Coop and the Community Centre.
  • Park Gate - Robinson Reade Estate Agents

The items required for the coming week are:

  • Tinned Baked Beans
  • Tinned meatballs
  • Tinned Vegetables
  • Tinned Fruit
  • Toilet Rolls

Thank You

The Meon Valley Food Bank Team

 

 

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

 

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