Dear parents & carers,
This week has been all about staying safe and being respectful online. I was fortunate enough to teach a Year 5 class this week and their understanding of safe behaviour in the online world was excellent.
As many of you will be aware, there are some alarming statistics regarding young people and the unregulated use of social media. I was pleased that messages from school and parents are resonating with children.
We can be lulled into a false sense of security that many of the concerns around online activities are for children in their teens. This is not true. Any child that has access to a device, however young, is vulnerable.
Areas that we teach:
- Respect online
- The reliability of the internet
- Online identity
- Understanding consent in a digital world
- Digital friendships and wellbeing
- The power of image
The key to safety online is good communication and monitoring. This website provides some excellent advice regarding parental controls: KIDSONLIINEWORLD
We have had far fewer cases of children being irresponsible on apps such as WhatsApp. I am hopeful that children are learning the impact of their choice of language and that kindness is important.
We also expect the same from parent groups. If you have a concern, please speak to the school for clarification before posting. You cannot retrieve those words once they are out in the community.
In other news, I am delighted that the Old Bedford Road entrance has opened today. Our new path is finished ahead of schedule, and other pathways around the school have been repaired. This should make your journey to and from school easier. As always, we thank all in our community who drive safely and park responsibly.
Drop off and pick up, including after clubs and Twilight Club needs to be prompt. If you have an issue collecting please call and let us know. Children do get worried even if it is a few minutes and it wastes hours of staff time per week, which is frustrating.
Thank you to Mrs Boag for organising the School Photos this week, as you can imagine organising 800 children and staff, looking their best, is no mean feat.
Thank you to those who have offered to be a part of the RSHE parent panel. There are a few more available places so please do let me know if you would like to be involved. Please contact the school office.
Flying Start is launching its new Luton Family Hubs initiative next week, with an event at the Bushmead Hub next Thursday. Please see the attached flyer. Flying Start is aimed at families with children of pre-school age.
Thank you to all those who attended the Year 3 Science Learning Workshop and the KS2 Reading Workshop this week. We love to keep parents involved in the learning process so your attendance is much appreciated.
The Year 4 Science Learning Workshop take place next week and the Year 1 Maths Workshop will take place the week after half term.
Have a lovely weekend.
Joanne Travi
Headteacher
