Parent/Carer Notices for all Year Groups
5th December 2025
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers
Parent/Carer Notices Update
Due to a change in our service provider (SchoolZine is ceasing its UK operation), we have had to change the way these Notices are sent to you. To avoid parents with children in more than one year group scrolling through repeated messages in separate notices, we are now sending out a single notice. This will start with information that applies to everyone, followed by clear bookmarks to year-group specific sections.
Habits of Champions: Kindness
This term, we are focusing on Kindness in our Habits of Champions curriculum. Year Teams have been talking about what kindness looks and sounds like in the College. Each Year Group has been racing to get to 1,000 Kindness Achievement Points and already both Year 8 and Year 9 have made it across the line. They are now aiming for 1,500 Kindness Achievement Points by Christmas. We are watching closely to see who will come in bronze position!
Parent/Carer Survey
We are genuinely very interested in feedback from parents/carers. The College is full of extremely hardworking, committed staff, and it is important that they receive positive recognition where it is due. Equally, we are always interested in improvement and development, and in understanding your perspective to help us do this. If you would like to participate, here is a very short survey regarding Uckfield College.
Very best wishes
Sara Marshallsay
Consultation Advice Line and Team Around the Family
Family First is changing how they support children and families in East Sussex; helping earlier, before problems escalate.
What’s new?
- Consultation Advice Line (01323 464655): For early help and professional guidance, before issues become safeguarding concerns.
- If more joined-up support is needed, a Team Around the Family Coordinator will bring the right professionals together.
Opening hours:
- Mon–Thu: 8:30am–5:00pm
- Fri: 8:30am–4:30pm
Further information can be found in the Family First briefing.
Lost Property
We have a large amount of unnamed lost property that has accumulated.
If your child has lost an item, they should come to Reception to search through lost property.
Items remaining with us after Friday 19th December will be donated to charity or disposed of.
Please ensure that all items of uniform and equipment are clearly named to prevent this volume of lost property. Owners of named lost property will be emailed, so should check their inbox for any messages.
Winter Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) available for children receiving FSM
The winter holiday is approaching and Holiday food and fun! will be back!
Eligible families can find out what’s available and book a place on the HAF booking website.
This DfE funded programme offers a range of exciting activities for young people who receive benefits-related free school meals. Parents/carers can check if they qualify by reading the East Sussex County Council website Free school meals page.
All sessions include a healthy meal and are free to eligible young people. There is a great range of clubs spread across multiple venues in East Sussex. Activities include sport, art, theatre, forest school, animation, music, dance and circus skills.
Price and Buckland stock take will take place from Thursday 4th to Friday 12th December.
Price and Buckland, our uniform supplier, will be holding their annual stock take from Thursday 4th to Friday 12th December. This means a temporary 8-day closure of their warehouse.
During this period, they will continue to accept orders, but they will not be processed or dispatched until after the stock take is complete. If you’d like to place any orders in advance, feel free to do so, and they will do their very best to dispatch them before the closure.
Introducing Lily Stevanovic - Parent and Carer Practitioner from Me & My Mind: Reminder
Lily from ‘Me and My Mind’ team (part of East Sussex Mental Health Support Teams), would like to set up free sessions for parents & carers to support their child’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Lily offers workshops, themed coffee mornings, 1:1 drop-in sessions, online and recorded webinars and at times short courses on specific subjects. Firstly, she would like to know what would be most valuable for you and your child right now.
Workshops/coffee mornings could include things such as, “Taming the Worries”, “Tricky Mornings”, “Thriving Through Change” or getting advice and support on Children’s Wellbeing – workshop that covers 5 ways to wellbeing, sleep, food, digital media and much more. In Secondary schools, she also supports parents/carers around exam stress with the Stress Less – Exam Workshop.
Please click: https://forms.office.com/e/RYKeXQLUmC or scan QR code below to complete 1-minute survey to find out what is on offer and to express your current support needs. You will find the same QR code on many school platforms. For further information or to find out more speak to Johnny Pearson, at the school.
Christmas Hamper Raffle
Save the Date: The Uckfield College Carol Service - Tuesday December 16th, 2025 - reminder
As the festive season approaches, we invite you to reserve the evening of Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 for our annual Carol Service.
Doors open: 5:45pm | Service starts: 6:00pm
We look forward to welcoming you to this festive event!
Art of the Week
This week, our talented Year 9 students are putting their perspective skills to the test! They've been hard at work sketching the stunning views around our College site, turning our beautiful grounds into their current work in progress pieces. It's fantastic to see the focus and detail going into Freya's drawings as she captures the depth and dimension of our environment. We can't wait to see the finished results!
Photo of the Week
Well done to Grace H in Year 11, using double exposure to combine an emotive shot with a powerful message.
Festival of Christmas Trees 2025
At Uckfield College we are thrilled to be part of the Holy Cross Church Festival of Trees.
Did You Know?
Year 7 Notices
Key Dates
Friday 5th December – Choir Christmas Shopping Event, Uckfield High Street – 7.30pm to 7.50pm
Tuesday 16th December – The Carol Service at Holy Cross Church – from 6pm
Wednesday 17th December – Year 7 Christmas Lunch day
Friday 19th December – Last Day of Term. Early closure for all students – 1.20pm
Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th January – INSET days. College closed to all students
Wednesday 7th January – Start of term for all students
Year 7 Christmas Lunch - Wednesday 17th December - reminder
Year 8 Notices
Key Dates
Friday 5th December – Choir Christmas Shopping Event, Uckfield High Street – 7.30pm to 7.50pm
Tuesday 16th December – The Carol Service at Holy Cross Church – from 6pm
Friday 19th December – Last Day of Term. Early closure for all students – 1.20pm
Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th January – INSET days. College closed to all students
Wednesday 7th January – Start of term for all students
Be Kind to Yourself
The Daily Challenge from the Be Active Changemaker committee:
One Mile. Every Day. For YOU.
Walk, run or cycle for one mile per day for the rest of term 2.
Year 9 Notices
Key Dates
Friday 5th December – Choir Christmas Shopping Event, Uckfield High Street – 7.30pm to 7.50pm
Tuesday 16th December – The Carol Service at Holy Cross Church – from 6pm
Friday 19th December – Last Day of Term. Early closure for all students – 1.20pm
Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th January – INSET days. College closed to all students
Wednesday 7th January – Start of term for all students
Year 9 Workshop 'Calling it Out'
This week, Year 9 took part in the interactive theatre workshop ‘Calling it Out’ delivered by the respected Loudmouth Theatre Group. Building on work in Life Learning lessons, the show ‘Calling It Out’ reinforced to students the vital message of non-tolerance of harmful sexual behaviour. The performance and discussion-based workshop explored where these behaviours come from, and alternative positive behaviours. The programme raised the group’s awareness of the huge impacts these everyday incidences of sexual harassment and assault can have on others, and how we all have a role in safely challenging and reporting these behaviours.
Year 10 Notices
Key Dates
Friday 5th December – Choir Christmas Shopping Event, Uckfield High Street – 7.30pm to 7.50pm
Tuesday 16th December – The Carol Service at Holy Cross Church – from 6pm
Friday 19th December – Last Day of Term. Early closure for all students – 1.20pm
Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th January – INSET days. College closed to all students
Wednesday 7th January – Start of term for all students
A Christmas Carol Reminder
‘Really fun to watch and helped me memorise the quotes faster. So worth it!’
‘An excellent reminder of the plot before our exam! It was a fun and interactive event with our year which was a core memory to look back upon finishing our last year!’
‘It was really fun and interactive and helped me remember certain specific details as we had acted them out.’
How to find Great Work Experience Opportunities
Students – How To Find Great Work Experience Opportunities!
If you’re trying to find a work experience opportunity this is the webinar for you!
60 minutes of really practical advice to help young people connect with employers and find GREAT work experience opportunities.
TUESDAY 9TH DECEMBER – 6.30PM
We will be covering:
- How to use social media to find work experience
- What your parents / relatives can do to help you
- Why your ‘adult network’ is key…and who is in it?
- How to demonstrate to an employer that you’re serious about their work
- An email template you can use to contact employers
- Why developing ‘relationships’ is your key to getting people to help you
- How to prepare to get the most from your work experience
- What you need to do after your work experience
At the end of the session, you’ll have a list of things that you can do that will really help you find a great placement……and you’ll be able to get straight to work!
Click the link below to book your FREE ticket:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/
Year 11 Notices
Key Dates
Friday 5th December – College Voices Choir at Christmas Shopping Event, Uckfield High Street – 7.30pm to 7.50pm
Friday 12th December – Deadline for Year 11 applications to 6th Form
Tuesday 16th December – The Carol Service at Holy Cross Church – from 6pm
Friday 19th December – Last Day of Term. Early closure for all students – 1.20pm
Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th January – INSET days. College closed to all students
Wednesday 7th January – Start of term for all students
Year 11 students applying to an FE college at the end of Year 11
Students who are applying to an FE college rather than joining Uckfield College 6th Form will usually need to apply through the East Sussex e-prospectus and they will need a log in for this.
The log in details for each student have been shared with Mr Prichard and Mr Stonebanks and students can get their log in details from them if they need these to access their application.
A Christmas Carol Reminder
‘Really fun to watch and helped me memorise the quotes faster. So worth it!’
‘An excellent reminder of the plot before our exam! It was a fun and interactive event with our year which was a core memory to look back upon finishing our last year!’
‘It was really fun and interactive and helped me remember certain specific details as we had acted them out.’
Sixth Form Notices
Key Dates
Friday 5th December – Choir Christmas Shopping Event, Uckfield High Street – 7.30pm to 7.50pm
Monday 1st December to Tuesday 9th December – Year 13 Trial Exams
Thursday 11th December – 6th Form Bluewater Winter Wonderland Trip, 4-10.30pm
Tuesday 16th December – The Carol Service at Holy Cross Church – from 6pm
Friday 19th December – Last Day of Term. Early Closure for all students – 1.20pm
Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th January – INSET days. College closed to all students
Wednesday 7th January – Start of term for all students
Year 13 Trial Exams and Study Leave - important dates
How to find Great Work Experience Opportunities
Students – How To Find Great Work Experience Opportunities!
If you’re trying to find a work experience opportunity this is the webinar for you!
60 minutes of really practical advice to help young people connect with employers and find GREAT work experience opportunities.
TUESDAY 9TH DECEMBER – 6.30PM
We will be covering:
- How to use social media to find work experience
- What your parents / relatives can do to help you
- Why your ‘adult network’ is key…and who is in it?
- How to demonstrate to an employer that you’re serious about their work
- An email template you can use to contact employers
- Why developing ‘relationships’ is your key to getting people to help you
- How to prepare to get the most from your work experience
- What you need to do after your work experience
At the end of the session, you’ll have a list of things that you can do that will really help you find a great placement……and you’ll be able to get straight to work!
Click the link below to book your FREE ticket:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/