HEADTEACHER'S KEY MESSAGES

A warm welcome to our wonderful DG community and the first newsletter of the new school year.

Whilst we have only been back for 2½ weeks, we already have so much to celebrate and share with you all.

Our new Year 7’s have made an excellent start to their DG journey. There have been many smiling faces, many excited learners and large numbers attending after school clubs which is fabulous to see.

We began the year by insisting our teachers deliver lessons which would light fires of curiosity amongst our learners. I do hope that your children have been talking to you about their learning, including ‘What type of egg am I?’ in food lessons and the use of Lego to create Gothic settings in English alongside Geography fieldwork in the local area. Don’t forget to check out our school social media for more learning highlights each week.

September is Open Season, and it has made me exceptionally proud to welcome huge crowds of visitors at each event. There certainly is a buzz about Deptford Green school and we are fast becoming the school of choice in Lewisham and our neighbouring boroughs.

The recently appointed School Captains have already been busy leading assemblies and organising sports activities for students during social time, Leyla’s interview is particularly heart-warming and I, for one, am excited to see her ideas on improving the school environment come to fruition later this year. You will notice an article about our food offer delivered by Chartwells and our amazing Head Chef Abby. The Meat Free Monday’s are a total success and part of our ambition to become an Eco-School by the end of the year.

This newsletter contains many other snippets of useful information alongside some key links to additional further support for families in the local area and beyond. As ever, attendance is still a key focus for every child. The link between low attendance and poor outcome is profound. Please encourage your child to attend school every day and do not take holidays within school time as key curriculum content will be missed, resulting in your child being at a disadvantage during assessment periods.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish our Class of 2023 the very best during the next stage of their learning journey. They achieved excellent outcomes, including Dot who achieved 10 x Grade 9’s which is an incredible feat! We look forward to welcoming them all back in November for our Awards evening.

Thank you for your ongoing and much appreciated support - we always enjoy receiving your feedback. This week I received the email below from a Year 7 parent which warmed all of our hearts.

Have a GREAT week!

Emma Thurston

INTERVIEW WITH LEYLA, ONE OF OUR AMAZING SCHOOL CAPTAINS!

WITH YUSSUF AND KHYRN Y11

Khyrn: This is in an interview conducted by Yussuf and myself, with newly appointed school captain Leyla whose primary focus is Environment.

Yussuf: What motivated you to apply for School Captain?

Leyla: Throughout my entire school career at Deptford Green, I have only just felt as if I have finally moved out of my comfort zone, but not just for my own gain, but for the sake of the school. Miss Joavuel, my fantastic form tutor, gave me the courage to move forward and sign up. There are numerous concepts that I believe the school could execute with the assistance of my presence and delivery.

Khyrn: What is your role as School Captain and what does it entail?

Leyla: My focus as a School Captain is the environment and everything that revolves around it such as the importance of sustainability and the general well-being of our environment. As a school, we can make changes that make our school and the local area more eco-friendly. These ‘green' practices can teach us all valuable lessons about sustainability and caring for our planet. Not only must we take care of the planet around us but also our school's surroundings as it plays a significant role in the well-being of us all.

Yussuf: What were some of the challenges you faced while applying?

Leyla: The campaign aspect of things overwhelmed me the most. Again, outside of my comfort zone, encouraging students and teachers to vote for me and creating inspiring videos so that everyone knows why I am the best candidate for the School Captain role.

Khyrn: What ideas do you have for your campaign?

Leyla: Myself and my team have brainstormed a range of different ideas we could try to implement. For example, A Walk to School Week, where we would push as many students as possible to walk to school and ultimately lower our carbon footprint. Other concepts have been discussed such as planting a tree, a beach clean up school trip and a ZERO waste day.

Yussuf: Finally, this is for the library. What book would you recommend to other students?

Leyla: The book I would recommend to students is 'Hyper Focus' by Chris Bailey. This would mostly be suitable for Key Stage 4. This has really helped me with my focus and as I have applied its concepts to my life, it has resulted in some really positive effects.

Yussuf & Khyrn: Thank you for taking some time to talk to us today and good luck with your Environmental Campaign.

Leyla: Thank you too!

Here is a bit about the book Leyla recommends and Ms Walker is going to order a copy for the library:

Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey helps readers unlock both, so they can concentrate more deeply, think more clearly, and work and live more deliberately. Diving deep into the science and theories about how and why we bring our attention to bear on life's big goals and everyday tasks, Chris Bailey takes his unique approach to productivity to the next level in Hyperfocus, while retaining the approachable voice and perspective that made him a fast favourite.

Students in an English lesson

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT SCHOOL?

(Includes items from last term)

ART

Check out the amazing new displays in the Art Corridor, brilliantly displaying the talent and creativity our students have!

(Forgive the light bouncing off the glass - unavoidable sorry)

GOLDSMITHS DEGREE SHOW

Last term, some of our lucky DG year 10 (now y11) artists got a special tour of the Goldsmiths degree show by some of the BA Art students. We had a lot of fun looking at the huge variety of artwork on display and even meeting some of the artists and getting to ask lots of questions about them and their work! Totally inspiring!! Here is a small selection of the amazing artwork we saw... Enjoy!

Thank you Ms Wakelin-Stotten

DT : UPDATE FROM LAST TERM

Y7 DT (now Y8)

Last term the Y7 students completed their animal snapper projects which involved learning about mechanisms and levers. They used these to design and make their animal snappers. The students used coping saws, files and the pillar drill to make their work. This was a fun project and lots of cross-curricular learning took place.

Year 7 Mr Chana’s class baked lovely lemon drizzle cupcakes!

Y8 (now Y9) students used a range of skills to make their Bloc Bot project including… marking out, using planes to smooth the surface, using a brace and bit to make holes for the eyes, using a tenon saw to cut the mouth shape and a chisel to chop out the waste.

Some Y8's did Food and this group made some delicious apple crumble with Ms Phillip

Y9 Students worked on the Gadget Tidy Project using plywood, which has been recycled. Environmental issues are a real focus for DT and most of the wood based materials that we use are from sustainable sources or have been recycled and saved from landfill. The brief for this project was to design and make a gadget tidy which can be self-assembled. The students used Computer aided design and the laser cutter to customise their work.

Y10 NCFE Food

Students were cooking food from their heritage. Mr Djordjevic’s classes have been doing a combination of theory knowledge and practical skills and producing some really tasty dishes in the process!

Y10 (now Y11) students worked hard last year and were involved in both practical work and theory. Their latest practical has been the ‘Close the Box project’ in which they used traditional woodworking skills and CAD in the form of the laser cutter and vinyl cutter to create the letters and design work. They have also learnt drawing techniques such as 1 & 2 point perspective and orthographic projection. Y10 just started their NEA and have chosen one of the three contexts from the AQA exam board and will take this into Y11 this year. They also have a trip to New Designers exhibition planned.

CAREERS

Y10 ENVISION

Starting on Wednesday 11^th October (sign up asap -see Ms Nembhard)

Envision is a 12-week project management programme that aims to empower young people to make a difference in their community, connect them to an employer and develop key transferable skills such as creativity, communication, leadership, and resilience.

The weekly sessions include team building games and project design, management and delivery. Sessions are after school and students will work with their Envision coach, except for the business mentoring sessions which will take place at the offices of Glenmont Partners/ Nuveen in The City (during the school day).

Y9 FORESIGHT PROGRAMME

Starting on Friday 6^th October with a parents meeting (sign up asap -see Ms Nembhard)

Foresight is a six-week mentoring programme that aims to empower black-heritage pupils to successfully plan for their future and connect high potential black-heritage pupils with fully trained, DBS checked black heritage mentors from top universities such as Warwick, Exeter, Bristol, UCL ….

96% of young people who have participated reported that upon completion of the programme, they felt more comfortable about studying at a top ranked university and better equipped to make informed decisions.

The weekly sessions will be after school and will include:

Providing pupils with an understanding of the grades and super-curricular activities needed to successfully apply to a top third ranked university.
Ensuring that they understand the flow from GCSE to post-16 options and the implications for entry into certain careers.
Laying the foundation for effective study practice so that pupils can attain the necessary grades.

Just a reminder to log into and use our Careers Platform...

WILL YOU BE GREAT THIS TERM? #BEGREAT AND RECORD ONE OF YOUR EXPERIENCES ON XELLO

All students at Deptford Green have an account and have access to Xello.

We challenge all students to upload at least one experience to their Xello portfolio!

Remember when you attend an after-school club or other enrichment activity this 1/2 term - load it up to Xello!

Whatever you accomplish this year, PLEASE GET INVOLVED! We want to see the incredible variety of interests and achievements of all our Deptford Green students; we can’t wait to celebrate this with you! Don’t be shy, BE GREAT AND BE PROUD!

What we are looking for:

Evidence of what you have done uploaded to your portfolio. It could be a picture, a photo, a certificate, a video, a link to a website or a paragraph you have written about your experience. Your choice, but we need to see clearly what you have got involved in.
A reflection (a sentence) on one thing you enjoyed, one thing you learned and one thing you found challenging. Link it to LORIC Skills and our GREAT values.

Watch this video on how to access Xello from home - click HERE

Watch this video on how to showcase your work with Xello portfolios - click HERE

ENRICHMENT @DG

CLICK HERE

If you can't read this information - try this link. Click HERE

Bismark – Street Dance

Bismark is a Dancer/Choreographer from East London with over 20 years experience in teaching. As a dancer his credits include the Queens Jubilee, Brit Awards, Wireless, Giggs, Lethal B, Boy Blue Ent. and many more. As an educator of dance Bismark has worked with ELD, Saddlers Wells, Movement Factory, Kingston University, Rich Mix, and Red Bridge Drama Centre. He has also performed at the Brit Awards in 2002 for Blue and George Michael

IDO UK Male Solo Champion 2010 and IDO UK and World Champion 2008
Performed @ the Queens Jubilee
The Lord Mayors Show
GWI Street Dance Weekend Champions 2008
Music Video's
Aleshia Dixion
Giggs
Word on Road TV
Adidas
Mtv: Making The Commercial
Nike Campaigns

Will you be trying our Tuesday Dance Club? See you in the Drama studio! How about Tennis Club on Fridays? All welcome, no experience required.

Enrichment Stars

Well done to the following Year 7 students who attended 2 or more after school club in 1 week. You are GREAT!

Ezra in 7ND

Simone in 7HI

Charlie and Ernest in 7ED

George, Amaury, Pearl and Sol in 7WO

Well done to Y7 students Sol 7WO, Simone 7HI and Luca 7LO and Y8 students Xavier 8BE and Dylan 8DA for demonstrating Deptford Green GREAT Values and being the first members of Deptford Green Tennis Club and taking accountability for setting up and putting away the club’s nets- GREAT job!

SKATEBOARDING CLUB

Check out this link to have a look! Click HERE

CONTACT MR CONWAY OR MR WALKER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN COMING ALONG

CHARTWELLS' FOOD FOR YOUR CHILDREN

AN EXAMPLE OF A CHARTWELLS MENU PROVIDED FOR OUR STUDENTS

At Deptford Green we are dedicated to promoting a sustainable and healthy lifestyle amongst our students. One significant step towards achieving this goal has been the introduction of meat-free days in partnership with Chartwells, our school's food service provider. This innovative initiative has garnered attention not only for its environmental benefits but also for its potential to encourage healthier eating habits.

In this article, we will explore Chartwells' food service at Deptford Green School and the impact of meat-free days on students and the environment.

The Menu: Diversity and Nutritional Excellence

One of the standout features of Chartwells' food service at Deptford Green is its diverse menu that caters to various tastes and dietary preferences. The menu includes a wide range of options, from traditional favourites to international cuisine, ensuring that students have access to nutritious and delicious meals every day.

Meat-Free Days: A Sustainable Approach

A noteworthy aspect of Chartwells' partnership with Deptford Green is the introduction of meat-free days on Monday and Thursday. On these designated days, the cafeteria serves plant-based meals exclusively. This initiative aims to achieve several important goals:

1. **Environmental Sustainability**: The meat industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. By reducing meat consumption, the school is taking a positive step towards reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices.

2. **Health Benefits**: A diet rich in plant-based foods has been linked to numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. By offering meat-free options, Deptford Green is encouraging students to make healthier food choices.

3. **Cultural Inclusivity**: Offering a variety of plant-based options allows students from diverse cultural backgrounds to enjoy meals that align with their dietary restrictions and preferences.

Student Feedback: A Positive Response

The introduction of meat-free days has been met with enthusiasm and positivity from students at Deptford Green. Many have embraced the opportunity to try new and exciting plant-based dishes, expanding their palates and discovering the deliciousness of meatless cuisine. This initiative has also sparked important conversations about the environmental impact of food choices and the role of diet in personal health.

Chartwells and Deptford Green School are actively involving students in the decision-making process, allowing them to provide input on menu choices and food-related initiatives. This collaborative approach empowers students to take ownership of their dining experience and promotes a sense of responsibility towards their own health and the planet.

Conclusion

Chartwells' food service at Deptford Green School is a shining example of how innovative approaches to school dining can have a positive impact on students, their health, and the environment. The introduction of meat-free days not only promotes sustainability but also encourages healthier eating habits amongst students. By partnering with a forward-thinking food service provider like Chartwells, Deptford Green School is setting a powerful example for schools nationwide, proving that delicious, nutritious, and sustainable meals can be accessible to all.

Through initiatives like these, we can hope to see a brighter, greener, and healthier future for our students and our planet.

WHAT'S COMING UP?

'Be the Dream' Film Screenings

Celebrating a variety of Black stories and real life and fictional Black figures and inspirational change-makers. While many films highlight the injustices and trauma experienced by generations of Black people, we will also showcase films that demonstrate Black experiences of joy, celebration, success and love. These facets of the Black experience are just as important to acknowledge and celebrate and cinema can transform how we learn and think about these issues.

Family Thrive Early Help Co-ordinators are running a free course for parents or carers of teenagers and pre-teens who are looking to better understand and communicate with them. It offers an opportunity to understand what’s going on in the adolescent brain and how to understand their 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:

relationships between teenagers and parents/carers
a calmer home life
confidence when talking about difficult issues
an understanding of teenage needs and development

Who would be eligible to attend this course?

Parents and carers of pre-teens and teenagers who are currently in years 6 & 7 but there may be availability for years 5 & 8
There is no physical or extremely challenging behaviour present in or outside of the family home. This course focuses on the importance of empathy and positive discipline
Family must reside in Lewisham borough

How long is the course?

Each group is 4 sessions over the course of 4 weeks
2 hours per session (10.00am-12.00pm on Wednesdays)

For more information or to register your interest, please email our duty box: EHCFamilyThrive@lewisham.gov.uk

Thank you Ms Coffey

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

Place2Be's Parenting Smart website

This website offers a variety of resources to help you support your child's well-being. It is designed for parents of primary aged children but can still be helpful for parents of secondary school students.

You can access it by clicking HERE

Check out these helpful articles - click HERE

EVERYDAY DIGITAL SCREENTIME FROM PARENTZONE LOCAL: LEWISHAM

Check out this video giving advice on how to best approach your child's/childrens use of digital media. Click HERE

Check out this wonderful website from the NHS with top tips for being active for your mental health and a sign-up for anxiety easing emails... click HERE for a wealth of help!

Dear Parents and Carers... Check out the latest newsletter from LPCF - click HERE

Also please check this out - information on the transition to employment with your parents/carers of children with additional needs and disabilities.

Dear Parents and Carers

The Public Services Committee has launched a new call for evidence for its new inquiry, The transition from education to employment for young disabled people.

The Committee will be scrutinising how disabled young people transition into work from higher or further education and what challenges and barriers they face in doing so.

The Committee would like to hear from young disabled people, carers, public services employers and businesses.

You can read the full call for evidence here.

Best wishes
LPCF

Newsletters

DEPTFORD GREEN NEWSLETTER

ISSUE: 25th SEPTEMBER 2023

HEADTEACHER'S KEY MESSAGES

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

TWITTER BITES

DEPTFORD GREEN - LIGHTING FIRES OF CURIOSITY IN OUR STUDENTS AS WE START A NEW YEAR

WHAT A FANTASTIC START TO THE TERM WE HAVE HAD!

EXPLORE DREAM DISCOVER