News

 

Monday 30th January

 

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Welcome to our newsletter for the fifth  week of the Spring Term 2023. It’s Week A, so whole school assemblies are taking place focusing on tackling misogyny. This is being followed up in tutor periods this week and aims to address negative masculinity promoted by Andrew Tate and others.  Our character theme continues to be this week one of our school’s core values - integrity. 

As per the letter issued on Friday, school will be closed to students in all years groups on Wednesday 1st February due the the national strike action being undertaken by members of the NEU. Some lessons on that day will be delivered online by non-striking staff. Please see below and your child’s Google page for specific information. I will update you separately about the further, planned, strike days in March once we have completed our due diligence exercise for each of these days.

This week sees the many hours of rehearsal and preparation come to fruition for this year’s school production of Mary Poppins. We are pleased to be welcoming pupils from both Alexandra and Westbrook primary schools for the dress rehearsal matinee performance on Thursday with the main shows at 7pm on Thursday and Friday this week. Tickets are available on Parent Pay. I look forward to seeing you there!

As we approach the half-term break, for Y11 and Y13 the reality of the summer examinations is beginning to set in. Y13 have their progress evening online on Thursday 9th February and after the break it’s the second round of PPEs for Y11. I can confirm that the latter will not be disrupted by planned strike action and we have finalised the timetable today which will be posted on the website.

Also, as half-term approaches we are all waiting with eager anticipation for the commencement of our new catering service from Cucina and there is more information about this below as well as how you can access free school meals for your child if you are eligible to do so.

We would be very grateful if you could complete the very short parental engagement survey below as we review how we work with families moving forwards.

With best wishes for the week ahead.

Stephen Davis

 

Online Lessons - guidance for students

In tutor time today and tomorrow students have been instructed on how to access lessons online on Wednesday. For more information, please see this presentation. Please note that where teachers are striking, there will be no online lesson. 

 

Parental Engagement Survey

We are in the process of reviewing how effectively we engage parents in your child’s journey through school. Please take 5 minutes to complete this survey to give us your feedback!

 

Help support both your child and the school - apply for Free School Meals!

With the launch of our new catering service following the February half term, we are keen to ensure that all students who are eligible for free school meals claim their entitlement. By claiming free school meals for your child, not only are you helping to ensure they receive a nutritious hot meal each day, but the school also receives more funding from the government - and your child may be entitled to further support in school as a result. Applications for free school meals are processed by Hounslow council, please follow this link. If you need further support with completing the forms, including any language barriers, please speak to Sonia Dhadli in Student Services or contact via email sdhadli@lampton.org.uk.   

 

What can students expect to eat in the Dining Hall after February half term?

Our aim is to match our fantastic Dining Hall with a high-quality, healthy and varied catering service that will make students excited about eating at school, whether it be for breakfast, a snack at breaktime or for their main lunch meal. Cucina are recruiting a new Executive Chef who will enhance the skills of our current catering team and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from school and commercial kitchens. 

The new menus are packed with healthy ingredients, full of variety with tasty food that students are familiar with alongside a fresh injection of new flavours and concepts. Ingredients will be fresh, seasonal and responsible sourced, and there will be a range of portion sizes to suit every appetite. For hot meals students can choose between several main meals (with halal, non-halal and vegetarian options every day), served on a plate with cutlery, or they can pick a grab-and-go meal from the constantly-changing global Street Vibes menu. Paninis, baguettes, burritos, sandwiches and soup will provide even more choice, with a meal deal option to create a great value, nutritionally-balanced meal. 

There will be a salad bar packed full of fresh vegetables, grains, proteins and dressings for those looking to create their own healthy lunch, plus a range of fruit, fresh cakes and hot puddings for a little treat. Finally there will be several themed days per term to celebrate cultures around the world and tie in with key events. Please take a look at Cucina’s sample menus with your child and talk about the food they might choose when Cucina launch their new service after half-term.

 

Cost of living help

One of our local MPs, Seema Malhotra, has assembled some practical information to help with the cost of living. Please access via this link.

 

Safeguarding briefing: Understanding Grooming - Victim Support

Like bullying, ‘grooming’ has been a part of societies throughout the ages. In the past this occurred face-to-face, through the manipulation of underaged individuals by persons of majority age. This occurred mainly in schools, religious institutions and within the family. The internet has proved to be a disruptive technology for those who had always been interested in manipulating and exploiting young people. Throughout the internet revolution over the past three decades, online relationships between individuals have become normalised. Young people and increasingly children, get to know people they’ve never met through video games, Instagram and snapchat. But this has gone hand in hand with an increase in child-grooming using these devices. The rise of face changer apps, voice changer apps and loopholes in sectors like the dating app market have made it easier than ever before to groom children. 

Victim Support have put together a page which focuses on this issue. On it you’ll find a guide to what grooming is, and how young people can help themselves be aware of the issue. It’s essential reading for parents to help keep children safe online.