A privilege to be a part of this God-inspired organisation!

What a fantastic year. 2025-2026 will be long remembered at SSW for a number  of reasons, with the most important being that young people and children have  heard the gospel, and have been invited to find out more about our  risen Saviour. That’s no different to previous years, but it’s still the most  important part of what we do, and this year we have even more evidence to  prove that His voice has been heard and His word has gone into homes that have  not even considered Him before. 

I will provide lots of numbers, but I am acutely aware that behind each one is a  person who is loved by God, and we never want to lose sight of the fact that He  wants each individual we encounter to be encouraged to respond personally,  and to know Him like we do. SSW only exists so that the schools of  Sutton continue to be places where the name of Jesus is spoken boldly, with  clarity and purpose, and every interaction we have must enable each and every  person in the room to know that Jesus is alive, relevant and available. We pray  that we have done that this year! 

Before the numbers, I want to thank all of our supporters once again. As  Christians we know the power of prayer, and both staff and volunteers have felt  an overwhelming awareness of that prayer powerhouse as we have asked you  to petition God, and He has responded. We have so many stories of moments  where we just knew He was in the room, and we tell everybody we meet! Please  continue to get on your knees regularly (even if it’s only figuratively!)

And please pray!!!! 

THANK YOU 

Simon

Maisie and Abby have worked wonders. They have brought a new dimension of  professionalism to our work, created a real sense of team, and have enhanced  our already strong relationships with our schools. Several schools have  increased their engagement with us, and we have even added some new ones  to the family. 

Here’s the facts… 

16500 children from 37 schools have enjoyed at least 1 (usually 5) assemblies

880 from 14 schools had Y1 Creation Treasure Hunters 

720 from 12 schools had Y2 Discover Christmas 

1075 from 16 schools had Y2 CSI Easter 

910 from 14 schools had Y3 Bible Explorers 

2295 from 31 schools had Y4 Easter Experience 

935 from 14 schools had Y5 Ordinary Extraordinary Christmas

1415 from 22 schools had Y6 Transit 

In total we ran workshops at 26 of the 45 schools, and a record 31 attended  Easter Experience. Next year looks incredibly exciting, as we already  think we’ll pass the above numbers in every category, and  Easter Experience should reach 33 schools! 

Our team of volunteers never ceases to amaze me. Many of them are retired,  and can provide their time, but we have some who also work, and so enjoy  engaging with children that they’re prepared to work around their  commitments to work alongside us. Thank you! 

We’re always on the look out for new faces though, especially if our workload  continues to increase as it has this year. Please consider approaching us to see  if there’s any area of our work you can help with.

Although the relationship between us and Secondary schools can never be the  same as that found in Primary, we have continued to forge close links with a key  number of them, and have even managed to increase engagement. A  few schools still remain closed to us, and it is always our prayer that God will  open doors up to allow us to tell more young pupils about Jesus. Our new  relationship with Good News For Everyone has changed the game massively,  and the fact that we have been able to provide New Testaments to almost a  thousand pupils and staff tells us that there is an interest and curiosity about  our faith that needs to be encouraged, and flourish into personal faith. 

The facts… 

940 New Testaments distributed to pupils and staff who asked for one

167 lessons delivered in 5 schools (Pilgrimage, Abraham, Science and Faith)

15 assemblies delivered in 3 schools 

CUs either run or supported in 6 schools 

In total, we delivered workshops to nearly 5000 pupils across the borough  during the school year 

A particular highlight was the launching of our first ever joint venture with  Christians Against Poverty, delivered to the entire Year 10 cohort at Cheam High.  This was a real exercise in faith, in that we needed to find sufficiently skilled and  knowledgeable facilitators to enable us to run the programme to over 330  students, but God found a way! We’re really excited to report  that they’ve already booked it back in for next year, as well as Oaks Park asking  to have it for the first time.

Throughout all of these workshops, we seek to encourage pupils to consider  Jesus, and to be inquisitive about Him. Evidence that this has occurred can be  seen in the fact that Simon has been spontaneously asked for Bibles by pupils,  and having supplied them, they‘ve later confirmed they’re reading  them. We’ve also been made aware of young people attending their local  church in a bid to discover more. Let next year be one where we see even more  seeking to find a life of faith, rooted in God’s word, and established in a church. As we end this year, we’ve already secured bookings for our regular schools who  simply can’t get enough of us. And, wonderfully, Nonsuch Girls have suddenly  contacted us, and after a short meeting booked us in for years 7-9  when they’ve realised what we can bring to their school. Looks like we’ll be  incredibly busy next year!

And our relationship with our supporting churches continues to deepen and  grow. Simon and Maisie have spoken at 12 fellowships over the last year,  bringing the wonderful news that God is working in our schools, telling many of  the stories of our impact, and how individuals are seeking answers to questions  of life and faith. We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received,  with many joining up to pray for us, and we’ve had so many positive messages  come into our office encouraging us. 

If we haven’t been to your church recently, and you’d love to hear even more  about what God is doing, then please mention us to your leadership. We never 

tire of talking about Jesus, and would love to do so in your services in some  capacity. 

And we have launched our ‘Giving of the 5000’ appeal. We are facing, as many  charities are, a funding shortfall, and we need to find the resources to enable us  to continue to enter all these schools and talk Jesus. We have had so many  supporters commit to giving us extra funding and we are so grateful for this  increase in support. However, we are in urgent need of more, and we would  encourage you all to spread the word to all your friends, and, if you feel that  your church would be in a position to respond, maybe you could prompt your  leaders? 

However, God is good, and He has continued to supply our needs. He has  provided us with so much, and we passionately believe He will carry on, as long  as SSW remains in His plans. 

Please pray for SSW and all our volunteers. We need His Spirit to enable us to  function properly, and without Him we’re going to be so ineffective. However,  this last year continues to convince us that He is undoubtedly filling every  element of what we are doing, and we are eternally grateful to Him for His  provision and power. 

Thank you for being part of the family! 

Simon Ellingham 

SSW Director