WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT SCHOOL?
YEAR 7 GRADUATION EVENING
The Transition Graduation was a glorious occasion to seal and celebrate Year 7's understanding of the school ethos. We have really been impressed with their level of engagement and quality of these tasks, as groups of students have had great input into the creation of them. They have also been doing some extra work during tutor time to really embed these values.
We hosted a lovely event for our students to be proud of their big milestone as they shift into a new phase of their lives as young adults.
Thank you to Esme (Y10) who is taking GCSE Photography, for taking the photos.
LOOK OUT IN THE NEXT EDITION FOR PHOTOS OF ALL OUR Y7 GRADUATES!
ART
Check out these amazing displays featuring the work of all our creative and talented artists along the art corridor! Simply WOW!
YEAR 11
SOME INFORMATION FOR YOU AND YOUR PARENTS/CARERS BEFORE YOU GO - FROM MS NEMBHARD
Any questions? Contact Ms Nembhard by email: cnembhard@deptfordgreen.co.uk or call her direct: 0208 469 4896
SPOTLIGHT ON Y10 WORK EXPERIENCE
We are incredibly proud of Laurence in Year 10 who performed with the London Symphony Orchestra in Trafalgar Square last weekend and will be playing at The Barbican next week.
Laurence is enjoying and embracing opportunities to learn and develop his skills, interests and passions. He also recently completed his work experience at The Horniman Museum where he undertook some research tasks and supported the primary school visits with the learning team who commented that he had been brilliant all week.
Laurence is a credit to himself and his family and truly embodies Deptford Green GREAT Values.
My name is Laurence, I am a Year 10 student and on Saturday 10th June I performed at Trafalgar square with the London Symphony Orchestra and members of Guildhall as part of an LSO concert.
I was playing third trumpet in a new piece called 'Light Dancing' by Elouise Gynn. Before this, I went to three rehearsals with other people my age where we all learnt this piece and were taught by professional LSO musicians.
On the day, the piece was conducted by Sir Simon Rattle who is a world-famous conductor. He commented on my playing during the rehearsal on the performance day. After the performance I got a thumbs up from the professional LSO player and was complimented by the Guildhall player. I really enjoyed playing with and learning from all these people. I am lucky to get this opportunity from Lewisham Music and have a second performance on Monday 19th June at the Barbican.
If you want to watch the concert the link to the video is HERE
The song I performed in is at 48:10 with a video explaining the piece in more detail at 43:30
Well done Laurence - you are amazing!
JUNIOR MATHS CHALLENGE WINNERS!
The Junior Maths Challenge presented participants with numerous tricky problem-solving questions, challenging their critical thinking and mathematical prowess. The students exhibited great resilience as they tackled these complex problems, demonstrating their determination to succeed.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Ndebele, who organised and facilitated this remarkable competition. His dedication to promoting mathematics and creating opportunities for our students to excel is truly commendable.
The Gold award recipients from Deptford Green were celebrated with a well-deserved hot chocolate morning with Mrs Thurston (see above). This special occasion provides an opportunity for these exceptional students to share their experiences and celebrate their success alongside our school community.
Congratulations once again to all the participants of the 2023 Junior Maths Challenge, and a special acknowledgement to our Gold award recipients from Deptford Green. Your achievements inspire us all and serve as a testament to your hard work, dedication, and passion for learning.
Thank you Mr George
JACK PETCHEY AWARD WINNERS
We are very pleased to announce our very own DG achievement winners. Click HERE to find out more:
SECONDWAVE
Again! What a great experience our students had at Second Wave on Thursday 25th of May. This was the second part of two sessions for students who attended the previous workshop. However the original year 10's who took part were on Work Experience so some of our year 9's filled their places and all enjoyed themselves and learnt several skills on how to conduct oneself in the community in legislative situations.
There were fun activities designed to create togetherness. Two plain clothes police officers took part in this workshop. They were honest and open with the students. One was an experienced officer, and the other was a new recruit. Both officers embedded themselves amongst our students and debated key scenarios perceived differently by secondary pupils and young adults. What is right or wrong? This was the key takeaway message during the informal debates. Are views of the police the same or different from young people and why? This was the rhetorical question left trapped inside the heads of our students.
Thank you Mr Ramsay
GUT GIRLS PROJECT WITH MR CALLAGHAN
Year 9 began the 'Gut Girls' project this week, a local arts and history project exploring the lives of workers from the Deptford dockyards and slaughterhouses. The project began with some mudlarking on the Thames foreshore in the hunt for historical artefacts. Museum of London experts confirmed that one find - the bowl of a tobacco pipe - to be around 400 years old! Next week the project continues with students making zines. Click HERE for more photos.
Thank you Mr Callaghan...
PRIDE MONTH @ DEPTFORD GREEN
This month our students were given assemblies to celebrate Pride Month. Below is some selected information and slides from that presentation:
Across the globe, various events are held during June to recognise the influence LGBTQIA+ people have had around the world and raise awareness of the current issues facing the community.
In New York City, 1969, homosexuality was a crime. Men were arrested for wearing women’s clothes, and women could be detained for wearing less than three items of “feminine” clothing. However, when police arrived at The Stonewall Inn on 28th June, those at the bar decided enough was enough, and chose to resist and riot to draw attention this inequality & prejudice
The Stonewall Riots are widely considered the beginning of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and every year around the world, Pride events take place in June to commemorate this2. So, while the rainbow colours and celebratory aspect of Pride is important, it’s also necessary to remember the historical struggle behind it.
Over the past 50 years, Pride has grown to support a spectrum of different identities and struggles that can come with it.
Pride is an opportunity for people to join together and celebrate who they are! Despite Pride’s historical attempts to encourage unity, studies have shown that many LGBTQIA+ still feel unaccepted by members of their families and communities.
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54% of LGBTQ+ people feel they can’t be open about their identity to everyone in their family
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32% of lesbian, gay and bi people of faith aren’t open with anyone in their faith community about their identity
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20% of LGBTQ+ people have experienced a hate crime in the last 12 months because of their identity
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32% of LGBTQ+ people have experienced some form of discrimination from others in their local LGBTQ+ community
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61% of black LGBTQ+ people have experienced discrimination because of their ethnicity in their local LGBTQ+ community
BE BRAVE AT DEPTFORD GREEN....
Be comfortable with being uncomfortable!
Be open to challenge
Be ready to learn
Click HERE for an interactive list of our LGBTQI+ books available in our library:
ISSUES TO TALK THROUGH WITH YOUR CHILD/CHILDREN:
From Ms Stanghon: Safeguarding Lead
WHY CARRY A KNIFE?
Knife crime was increasing, year-on-year in London until 2019 when it dropped significantly, mainly because of COVID-19 and lockdown. Unfortunately, the figures are increasing again.
Listed below are some of the potential outcomes from carrying and/or using a knife or bladed weapon:
- The average prison term has increased from around five months to over eight months over the last 10 years.
- Offenders under 18 are still more likely to be cautioned than sent to prison.
- The maximum sentence for illegally carrying a knife is 4 years in prison and an unlimited fine.
- If you are convicted of murder, the minimum sentence is 10 years.
Watch the video 'A Victim's Perspective' Click HERE: Trigger warning - this contains images of a stabbing.
Here are three examples of knife crime in our local community:
Image #1: Deptford stabbing - Drill rapper Bis killed in a 'merciless' attack
Image #2: New Cross stabbing: A DG student rapper Myron Yarde, 17, killed during a fight in south London
Image #3: New Cross stabbing: Teon Campbell-Pitter
Watch the video - click HERE - about the death of Myron Yarde. Why was he killed? Why were all the people convicted of his death given roughly the same sentence, even though only one of them caused the fatal blow?
Myron Yarde a.k.a. ‘M-Dot’ was a pupil at Deptford Green. He wasn’t a gang member but was stabbed to death over a dispute over a bike. He was an aspiring artist, whom many believed, had a bright future in Music. Three people were convicted of his death – the youngest was 15 years old. They were all convicted for the same crime because of something called ‘Joint Enterprise’.
If somebody has been fatally stabbed you can be found guilty of that person’s murder even if you were not the person who actually stabbed them. If you were part of the situation that could have encouraged the incident, or were part of it without trying to stop it from happening you are seen as guilty of that person's death.
Examples of how you could be charged for murder under ‘joint enterprise’ are if:
- You were part of a group and someone in that group kills someone with a knife. This is the same for any other weapon or physical attack.
- You were supporting the attacker’s actions in some way. This could be verbally by encouraging them or physically if you acted as a supportive presence
- You knew that the person who made the attack was going to start violence against the victim, and you did nothing to stop it.
Watch this video: Knife crime: Restrictions on stop and search permanently lifted. Click HERE
Watch this video: The 'knife angel' removing weapons from British streets. Click HERE
Many initiatives have been set up by governments and charities around the world to try to reduce knife crime. Here are two of them:
- Stop and Search – police using powers to stop and search people for weapons.
- The Knife Angel – ex-offenders providing a knife amnesty
For Further help:
Childline: To find support and advice for young people about a range of issues. Click HERE or call 0800 1111
Fearless (crime stoppers): For advice and a way to anonymously report crime. Click HERE
Victim support: For support for anyone who has been a victim of crime. Click HERE
TALKING TEENS PROGRAMME
Family Thrive are running a free course for parents or carers of teenagers and pre-teens who are looking to better understand and communicate with their child. This course offers an opportunity to understand what’s going on in the adolescent brain and how to understand your teens feelings and behaviours using an authoritative parenting style. Sessions will focus on relationships within the family, communication, negotiation, decision-making and strategies to reduce conflict.
The group aims to develop:
- 2 hours per session (10.30am-12.30pm on Tuesdays – Dates/Venue will be confirmed once registered)
For more information or to register your interest, please email our duty box:
EHCFamilyThrive@lewisham.gov.uk
TOP TIPS FOR KEEPING SAFE ON YOUR JOURNEY TO SCHOOL TO AND FROM HOME
You will have had an email home about recent phone muggings in the local community. Here is a reminder of our safety advice for your child/children:
- Where possible try to travel with friends.
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Go straight home after school. Staff are on duty until 3.30 to keep you safe. You shouldn’t be hanging around the local area after this time.
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If you plan on going somewhere after, make sure you inform friends/family members.
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Stick to well-lit and busy roads and avoid dark tunnels or alleyways.
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Stay alert and vigilant - keep music off or at a very low volume so you can hear what is going on around you.
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Keep your mobile phone and other valuable personal belongings out of sight.
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If you think someone is following you, cross the road and find the nearest and busiest place such as a shop or a bus stop. Whilst there try to contact a family member.
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If someone tries to rob you or take something from you, give it to them and DO NOT try to fight.
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NEVER carry a weapon for protection; it is illegal and it is more likely to be used against you. If you carry a knife you also risk permanent exclusion from school.
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If you are worried about any specific areas on your journey to or from school, inform a member of staff in school - Ms Stanghon/Ms Coffey/Ms Ascott (Safeguarding team) or your tutor, Pastoral Leader or Head of Year.
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If you are in immediate danger RING THE POLICE.
DEPTFORD GREEN SCHOOL SAFEGUARDING TEAM INFORMATION
If you are worried about your safety and wellbeing or the safety and wellbeing of another student please tell a trusted adult. The safeguarding team promise to:
ALWAYS listen, NEVER judge and ALWAYS help and support you.
Contact us by:
THE SAFEGUARDING TEAM ARE: (left to right)
Ms Stanghon: estanghon@deptfordgreen.co.uk
Ms Coffey: acoffey@deptfordgreen.co.uk
Ms Ascott: lascott@deptfordgreen.co.uk
WHO ELSE CAN I TELL/TALK TO?
You can also tell your Head of Year, your Pastoral team, your tutor or any other member of staff you feel comfortable speaking to.
PLACE2BE & THE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TEAM
Place2Be have fully trained counsellors on site and available everyday at lunchtime and for 1:1 sessions if required. We can also refer you to the Mental Health Support Team for support.
SUPPORT SERVICES DURING TERM TIME & STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH DIFFICULT FEELINGS
Remember Deptford Green Safeguarding team are always available to support you DURING TERM TIME.
If you don’t want to do this in person you can email us at estanghon@deptfordgreen.co.uk, acoffe@deptfordgreen.co.uk or lascott@deptfordgreen.co.uk if you are worried about yourself or a friend. You can also speak to your Head of Year, Pastoral Leader, Pastoral Assistant or your Form Tutor. All staff are trained to support you and help you.
STRATEGIES TO MANAGE DIFFICULT FEELINGS
Young people can also use a series of strategies to help manage how they are feeling:
- TALK TO A FRIEND/PARENTS/SOMEONE YOU TRUST about how you feel. Expressing how you feel can take a weight off your mind
- WRITING DOWN HOW YOU ARE FEELING (even if you rip it up afterwards). Drawing or painting how you feel can be equally beneficial
- USE DISTRACTION TECHNIQUES - Watch something funny, read something you enjoy, listen to music, use a colouring book, complete puzzles.
- CREATE A SPECIAL BOX – put in here photos or items which are important to you or that have good memories attached. You can also include things that comfort you like your favourite food or add in a stress ball. During times you are feeling a little better, you could write yourself a letter about all the strengths you have in your life at the moment to remind you during times when things are more difficult
- TRY NOT TO ISOLATE YOURSELF, even if you feel like being on your own in your room; push yourself to be around other people.
- LOOK AFTER YOURSELF: Sleep well and keep up a steady diet. These things can help provide a little boost to your mood. The internet can be a helpful resource for sleep hygiene and balanced diet advice
- KEEP SOME STRUCTURE AND ROUTINE, challenge yourself to do activities around the house
REMEMBER IN AN EMERGENCY:
If you or your family have concerns that you are no longer able to keep yourself safe, go to your local A&E or call an ambulance in an emergency.
Thanks Ms Stanghon
SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES IN PLACE2BE SCHOOLS
If your child attends a school supported by Place2Be, you can access free resources and services as part of our mental health support for the whole school.
Place2Be is an AMAZING service that we are lucky to have in our school.
Check out all these resources that you can access. Click HERE
