04 December 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 Options – Spring 2026
Please be reminded that you must select your child’s enrichment options for next term via the School Buddy app by 12:00 on Monday, 08 December 2025. The list and descriptions of next term's activities can be found here: Swanmore School - Enrichment.
Once you have submitted your choices, you will receive a selection confirmation email. If you have any problems or queries, please contact: enrichment-help@swanmore-sec.hants.sch.uk
Unifrog - Year 8-11 Parent Accounts
Thank you to all parents and carers who completed the Google Form to add your email address to Unifrog, enabling access to your children's accounts. Due to the interest we received, we are working through the applications and anticipate all accounts being set up by mid-January (or sooner). We appreciate your patience and will contact you directly if there are any issues with your application.
Discretionary Fund
The DWP's Household Support Fund has been extended for the 2025-26 financial year. Swanmore College has received a small discretionary grant to support families within our community who are in immediate need due to the rising cost of living.
What support is available? Due to high demand, we are focusing this support on specific essentials:
- Food costs
- A contribution towards a child’s winter coat
Who can apply? This fund is open to families in urgent need. Even if you have received support from previous discretionary funds, you are eligible to claim again (one claim per term).
How to apply Please complete the online application form: Discretionary Fund Application Form
Important Deadline: To ensure we can distribute vouchers before the Christmas holidays, the deadline for applications is 09:00 on Tuesday, 09 December 2025. The form will close to new submissions after this time.
Year 7
There are no specific items for Year 7 only.
Year 8
There are no specific items for Year 8 only.
Year 9
Photographs
Please look out for your child's school photographs. They will be handed out during Tutor time on Friday, 05 December 2025, and brought home by pupils.
Year 10
There are no specific items for Year 10 only.
Year 11
New Post-16 Opportunity: Football and Education Academy
We are excited to share details of a new Post-16 pathway launching in September 2026, which may be of interest to our current Year 11 pupils who are passionate about sport.
Winchester City Football Club, in partnership with Juniper Training and the University of Winchester, is launching a new Post-16 Football and Education Academy. This unique programme allows pupils to pursue a full-time education while training in a professional football environment.
What the Academy Offers:
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Academic Pathway: Pupils will study for an NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity. This is equivalent to 3 A-levels, opening doors to university and employment. The curriculum covers sports nutrition, coaching, and development, alongside work experience and employability guidance.
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Football Pathway: This includes UEFA-qualified coaching, weekly training, competitive matches, strength & conditioning support, and access to professional-level facilities.
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University Partnership: Uniquely, this academy is endorsed by the University of Winchester. Students will have access to university staff, facilities, and academic sessions to help them progress into higher education areas such as Sport Coaching, Sport Therapy, Sport Psychology, Performance Analysis, and Sport Science.
Next Steps
The organisers are keen to visit the College to present this opportunity to interested Year 11 pupils.
If you or your child would be interested in learning more about this academy, please contact the PE Department directly. We will then ask the organisers to provide further information.
PE Department
Unifrog's Y11 Virtual Apprenticeship Fair
Don't miss Unifrog’s Virtual Apprenticeship Fair on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm for a unique opportunity to explore your career options and achieve your dream apprenticeship. You'll gain a clear understanding of different apprenticeships and industries, learn how to ace your applications and interviews, and speak directly with representatives from over 29 featured companies and organisations from across the UK.
🎤 Live Session Schedule
The event features three blocks of interactive sessions:
4:30 pm – 4:50 pm
- Degree Apprenticeships
- Using AI Successfully in Applications
- Everything you need to know about apprenticeships
- How to Ace your Written Application
5:00 pm – 5:20 pm
- Acing Interviews and Assessment Centres
- How to Showcase your Skills in Applications
- Understanding the Different Levels of Apprenticeships
- SEND and Apprenticeships
5:30 pm – 5:50 pm
- Parents and Carers Session (What are apprenticeships?)
- Life of an Apprentice: What to Expect
- How to Find and Ace your Work Experience
- What to Expect from the Application Process
How to Apply
To apply for a place, please use this link: Apprenticeship Fair
Next Week’s Events
Monday, 08 December 2025
- Year 11 Boys' Football vs. Toynbee (A)
Tuesday, 09 December 2025
- Year 10 GCSE Religious Studies Trip to the Al Madhi Centre, Fareham
- U16 Boys' Basketball vs. St George's (A)
- Year 11 Boys' GCSE PE Badminton vs. Perins (H)
- Year 8 Boys' Football vs. Mayville (Tournament) (H)
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
- Year 7 Poetry Festival
- Year 10 Boys' Football vs. Toynbee (H)
Thursday, 11 December 2025
- Boys Dance Youth Platform 2025
- Year 8 and 9 Girls' Football vs. Thornden (H)
- Year 11 Boys' GCSE PE Table Tennis vs. Perins (H)
- Year 8 Boys' Football vs. Perins (A)
- Evening with the Arts
Friday, 12 December 2025
- U16 Girls' Handball vs. The Petersfield School and Toynbee (H)
Community Notices
Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (HCAMHS) Events 2026
HCAMHS is holding events next year covering specific topics that may be of interest to you. You can find more information below, on this website: hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk/events or as an attachment at the bottom of this page. Please visit their website to book your session spaces.
Trauma
Understanding the impact of trauma on a young person's brain, body and behaviour and how we can guide them from surviving to thriving:
- 04 June - Basingstoke
- 07 October - Havant
Anxiety
Understanding and strategies to support young people:
- 28 January - Basingstoke
- 11 November - Havant
Children's and Young People's Mental Health Information and Advice Sessions
The first Wednesday of every month. 10 am to 2 pm at The Arc, Jewry Street, Winchester SO23 8SB.
You can book an appointment on their website, or just drop in and see them.
PACE Parent and Carer Events 2026
Free health and wellbeing events for all parents and carers who support or work with young people:
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 26 February | Basingstoke |
| 16 April | Eastleigh |
| 08 May | Lyndhurst |
| 25 June | Andover |
| 05 October | Havant |
| 23 October | Waterlooville |
To view the itinerary for the day, please scan the QR code in the attachment at the bottom of the page, or click this link: CAMHS PACE 2026 Itinerary PDF
Embracing Autism
3 days that focus on skills and strategies for parents, carers and professionals supporting a child with Autism.
- 04 February - Havant
- 09 July - Eastleigh
- 17 November - Andover
Understanding ADHD
3 days that focus on skills and strategies for parents, carers and professionals supporting a child with ADHD.
- 05 March - Eastleigh
- 16 September - Havant
- 03 November - Andover
Stopping Avoidable Suicides Initiative (SASI)
Hampshire CAMHS are offering a 1-day training event on suicide prevention across 3 different locations in Hampshire:
- 27 February - Andover
- 11 June - Waterlooville
- 02 October - Eastleigh
Note: We are sharing this as a resource for our community. We know this is a sensitive topic. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential support, 24/7.
How to Cope When Your Child Can't
3 1-day events focused on parents/carers understanding their own needs, and learning strategies to look after themselves as they support a young person with their own mental health needs:
- 22 January - Winchester
- 15 May - Eastleigh
- 30 September - Basingstoke
Please note that any external clubs / events that are advertised here are not endorsed by or directly affiliated with Swanmore College in any way.