Newsletters

DEPTFORD GREEN NEWSLETTER

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ISSUE: 19th March 2024

HEADTEACHER'S KEY MESSAGES

Image of the headteacher Ms Thurston
HEADTEACHER: MS THURSTON

This term has been one for deep reflection and review, not only as we are officially halfway through the academic year, but also because we are approaching the two-year anniversary of our last visit from Ofsted. 

Two years ago Deptford Green was a ‘Requires Improvement’ school with low numbers on entry in Y7.

Two years on and I am delighted that not only are we an Ofsted ‘Good’ school, but also that Deptford Green will be full for first choices alone in September 2024 and we look forward to meeting our new families at this week’s Friendship Afternoon on Thursday. This is amazing news and testament to the hard work and commitment from all stakeholders, including you, our families.

Whilst we are facing one of the most problematic periods the teaching profession has seen for many years as I am sure you have read in the media, as a school we are steadfast about our vision and have clearly made progress on our journey from ‘Good’ to ‘Great’.  

As ever, there are many staff to thank for going above and beyond to offer such amazing opportunities for our students.

The Y10 Employability Day led by Miss Nembhard, saw over 18 colleagues from KPMG to LSBU lead exciting and interesting workshops and interviews with our students.

A huge thank you to Ms Calvert and the team of staff who led the Barcelona residential. The photos (see our X feed) demonstrated the fun and informative trip had by all and there were some very weary students in lessons on Tuesday last week! Ms Calvert is an absolute legend as she is leading a trip to Paris early next term in conjunction with the Art Department, so watch this space and our X feed for more fun photos!

Many of our students and staff have been observing fasting during the month of Ramadan. They have shown true grit and determination and have tackled their learning  & teaching with the same gusto as usual. A huge well done to them and Ramadan Mubarek to all of our Muslim families! Please see the article that Amira in Y7 has written below explaining it beautifully.

It may be the end of term but learning NEVER stops!  Y7’s have a busy week of revision to lead into their formal assessments after the Easter break. Please support them by ensuring they have a quiet study space and read carefully the topic list sent by Mr Callaghan in order to offer you guidance where necessary.

As usual for the end of a term, we have a half-day on Thursday. Attendance is still a priority and our teachers deliver high quality learning until the last day, so please ensure your child is attending school each day on time. I shall write to you later next week with a reminder of the final day plans.

It was a pleasure to meet a small group of parents during this term's ‘Craft & Coffee’ morning last week. We made beautiful paper daffodils whilst we chatted informally about school life. The parent group 'Friends of Deptford Green', are recruiting for volunteers for the upcoming Parent fundraiser ‘May Dayz Festival ’ on Saturday May 18th. Please contact Paula at friendsofdeptfordgreen@gmail.com if you are interested in running a stall or else just supporting them on the day. It would be great to see many families there enjoying the fun and festivities!

The final day of term will be a non-uniform day. Each student should make a contribution to the fundraiser to purchase kits for our sports teams who have been enjoying many wins this term. Huge congratulations to them all and to the staff who work hard to organise the fixtures and run the visits.

Have a wonderful week ahead and enjoy the holiday!

Emma Thurston


DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: 

  • Wednesday 20th March - The Laban Dance Students 3rd Year Undergraduates will be performing to Y7 p5 & p6
  • Wednesday 20th March - Red Pitch Theatre Trip with Mr Heelbeck 6.15pm
  • Thursday 21st March - Friendship Afternoon with incoming Y7's 
  • Thursday 21st March - National Poetry Day (see competition below)
  • Friday 22nd March - Y8 HPV Vaccination
  • Monday 25th March - Y7 Revision Week Begins
  • Monday 25th March - Autism Acceptance Week
  • Tuesday 26th March - Y7 Parents Residential Meeting online 5pm
  • Wednesday 27th March - Easter Showcase
  • Wednesday 27th March - Y11 Art Trip with Ms Wakelin-Stotten
  • Thursday 28th March - Last day of term - 1/2 day only with Rewards Assemblies
  • Monday 15th April - Summer Term Begins - normal school times

DG X FEED

Click HERE to see our AMAZING X account that truly gives you a broad perspective of things going on all across our school!

Thank you Ms Heiser


WHAT'S COMING UP @ DG

FRIENDSHIP AFTERNOON THURSDAY 21ST MARCH 

On Thursday 21st March our Friendship afternoon will offer all prospective parents and students the opportunity to get to know key members of our community straight away. If your child has been offered a place at Deptford Green for September 2024 then please book your place on our Friendship Afternoon on our website. The event is from 3.50 - 5pm


FRIENDS OF DEPTFORD GREEN PRESENT...

'MAYDAYZ FESTIVAL' 

SATURDAY 18TH MAY

Calling all Parents/Carers....

From Paula, our chair:

Parents/Carers - do you have a fun idea for a stall at this event? Can you build a fun game for us for the day?  We already have 'stocks' but maybe you could make/create a fun carnival-style game that teenagers would enjoy?  Please email Paula on friendsofdeptfordgreen@gmail.com  with any ideas/suggestions you may have. THANK YOU!

WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!

Here is a link to sign up to our PTA: Click HERE  - we look forward to working with you!


Students in an English lesson

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT SCHOOL?

 

WHY LSEG WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE - by Arlo and Felix Y11

Arlo and Felix had taken part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme in Y10 and were therefore eligible to apply for this work experience at LSEG.

Upon hearing the news that we were selected to attend a week’s work experience at London Stock Exchange Group, we had no idea of the number of opportunities that would be presented to us.

We originally thought of a large room, with lots of people shouting on the phone and lots of chaos. To our surprise, the environment was relaxed, and all staff were kind and friendly. 

We both completed different placements at LSEG, alongside young people from other London schools who had also taken part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme.

We had the opportunity to investigate customer success, corporate group technology, repo clear and business management sales team. 

Some key things we learnt were that LSEG is not all about stocks and shares, in fact it equates for only 3% of the business’s revenue. Most of what they do consists of selling financial products such as data. As well as this, they help customers utilise the data they receive to improve their business.

Throughout our week we learnt that having multiple skills such as communication and leadership is vital in the workplace. 

We developed our public speaking skills talking to an audience of LSEG employees at the end of the week about our expectations VS reality of the LSEG experience.

Overall, it was a fantastic week, making long-term partnerships between the group and gaining life-long skills that will be used in the world of work.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LETTING US COME!

Thank you Arlo and Felix for your write up!

YOUNG ENTERPRISE

The Y10 team that is currently taking part in YE Company programme took their products to market last week. They had a stall at Greenwich Market, along with teams from 15 other schools across London.

The day provided the opportunity to reflect on important enterprise skills and develop teamwork, resilience, leadership and communication skills. They also had to consider their marketing and pricing strategies and how to interact with their customers and target market.

Well done team and looking forward to the next stage of the competition! Good luck!

Y10 EMPLOYABILITY DAY

Over 30 guests from Employers and Post 16 Education visited Year 10 on Tuesday 12th March.

Y10 students worked with Young Enterprise and volunteers from KPMG and JP Morgan to learn about and practice their interview techniques and improve their CV. They also met with representatives from a range of colleges and apprenticeship providers to learn about Post-16 and Post 18 options. Well done Y10!

Special thank you to ADA, LSBU and LSA

See more here: LSA: Click HERE   ADA: Click HERE   LSBU: Click HERE

Thanks Ms Nembhard!

Are you passionate about protecting the environment? Become a Creekside Green Ambassador!

This is a STEM after-school club where you will learn more about nature, environmental careers, and how to influence others to recognise and protect the environment around us. 

Dates:

April 17th, 25th

May 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd. 

Time: 15:45-17:00

Location Creekside Discovery Centre, 14 Creekside, SE8 4SA

For students in Y7,8 and 9. PLEASE NOTE THAT STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ACCOMPANIED BY SCHOOL STAFF but will have to make their own way there. They will be supervised by Creekside staff at the venue

See more information and book HERE  

For more information about Creekside click HERE

COMPETITION TIME

We’ve got a Big Question for you! Should cars be banned in your region? 

This is the 2024 Oxplore Video Competition for students across the UK. 

Students in Year 7-8-9?- submit a 3-MINUTE VIDEO RESPONSE

Students in Year 10 submit a?5-MINUTE VIDEO RESPONSE?to?the question: 

Bring in Science, Law, Economics, Politics, Philosophy, Geography or any other subject you are interested in but just remember to answer the question! 

All submissions should be emailed to cnembhard@deptfordgreen.co.uk by May 1st. If you need help, see Ms Nembhard in the Careers Hub

Your competition entry should be in MP4 file format, though if we can access the video then it will be considered for marking! You must include your?name, the?name of your school?and your?school year. 

Entries will be reviewed by an expert judging panel.  

THE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE £100 AND THE RUNNERS UP WILL RECEIVE £50 IN AMAZON VOUCHERS!!! 

Late entries will not be reviewed. 

We are looking forward to many Deptford Green entries - GOOD LUCK! ??

 

Time to Inspire: A Swatch and Into Film Storyboard Competition: Do you have a story to tell that could inspire others?

The competition is open to GROUPS of students aged 13+.

Films are about working as a team, so you need to enter as a group– minimum 5 and maximum 10 in a group.

Into Film will support one winning group to bring their inspirational storyboard to life as a completed short film.

If you’re shortlisted, your group will need to attend an in-person workshop on Saturday 18th May (reasonable expenses covered), and if you win, take part in about 20 hours of filmmaking workshops in June.

The storyboard should:

  • be detailed for a film no longer than 2 minutes and 30 seconds
  • respond to the theme ‘Time to Inspire
  • be for a live action film (not animation)

The judges will be looking for:

  • creativity
  • a clearly communicated idea
  • a storyboard that captures the theme and how it will translate onto the screen.

See Ms Nembhard in Careers Hub for more information and for the forms to enter.

Deadline is 17 April.


GRAHAM WITH SOME OF OUR Y8'S

On Monday the 4th March, to celebrate reading week at our school, Graham Whitlock the author of 'The Crystal Palace Chronicle's, came to our school and we had a magical experience! It was amazing to see that writers are regular people with ordinary lives just like us, but with extraordinary imaginations.  His ideas were incredible and the inspiration for his books, taken from local history.  He was funny, smart, good with us kids and an amazing story teller… We had a fantastic workshop – thank you Graham. Harley Y8

... AND WITH SOME OF OUR Y7'S

If you want to purchase Graham's imaginative and exciting books that are based in fascinating local history, they are available to buy on ParentPay - Books are £8.99, or you can get the trilogy for the discount price of £25

If you do purchase any of his books, Graham will be coming in for a book signing on Friday 22nd March so get your orders in asap and he will personalise messages for you... any questions contact: twalker@deptfordgreen.co.uk

NATIONAL POETRY DAY: THURSDAY 21ST MARCH 2024

The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2024 is open for entries!

The biggest poetry competition for young writers is once again looking for the best poems by young people aged 11-17. This year’s fantastic poet judges, Vanessa Kisuule and Jack Underwood, cannot wait to read your work. 

The Foyle Young Poets Award is one of the most prestigious writing competitions for young people: with a reputation for finding and nurturing the best emerging writers, this is a life-changing opportunity. Prizes include talent development support from The Poetry Society, such as publication, performance and mentoring.

The competition is open to poets aged 11-17 on the deadline of 31 July 2024. It is free to enter, and poems can be on any subject as long as they are not longer than forty lines. Please see our website, foyleyoungpoets.org, for full rules.

Your students can enter individually, or you can enter your class’s poems using our online submission form, or send them by post. Each entrant will receive an e-certificate of participation, which they can print and display with pride. 

Inspirational Resources

To inspire your students, a new anthology of last year’s winning poems, The Roots Belong to You¸ is available to read online.


Mr Paish's Y8 class have produced this article as part of a project they are working on to try and raise funds and awareness for Second Wave. 

SECOND WAVE - ITS FAMILY

First Give is an organisation that aims to ignite a spark of social conscience in young people. They work in partnership with schools to get young people to work towards making a positive difference to a charity that they care about.

My Year 8 class chose to support Second Wave Youth Arts, an excellent theatre company for young people based in the Mission Building at the end of Deptford High Street. They offer a wide range of activities for young people that are all performing arts based and they are wonderful ambassadors for our local community.

As part of the First Give programme, students have to perform a social action, so my class decided that they wanted to interview some company members from Second Wave who are also Deptford Green students. They interviewed Micha in Y9 and Eathan in Y10.

WHAT MADE YOU JOIN SECOND WAVE?

Eathan  – I joined Second Wave when I was in Y9. They had come into school handing out leaflets and I thought it looked interesting. I was choosing Drama for my GCSE options, and I thought it would help me develop my skills.

Micha – I joined about the same time, but I was in Y7. Second Wave had come into school and done some work with my Drama class and I had really enjoyed it and liked meeting new people, so I thought I would go along and join.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?

Eathan – What isn’t there to like?! The people are welcoming and make you feel right at home and the activities that we do are really fun.

Micha – There is lots of music and lyric writing to do and you get to work on your speech. It's great! There are lots of good things.

WHAT DO YOU LEARN AT SECOND WAVE?

Micha – We have learned how to articulate ourselves and how to have a strong voice.

Eathan – Speaking. Some people aren’t heard in society, they can be ignored just because of who they are and Second Wave gives them a voice. They make sure that your voice is heard. They bring in the important people from the Police and the Council and we have symposiums, and we are listened to.

HAVE YOU MADE NEW FRIENDS WHILE YOU'VE BEEN THERE?

Eathan – loads.

Micha – Lots of new friends. Second Wave has given me a really strong network of people.

HOW HAS SECOND WAVE HELPED YOU WITH YOUR DRAMA AT SCHOOL?

Eathan – it has helped me to learn different techniques and styles. I really like adding flashbacks into my work and Second Wave has taught me how to do this really effectively.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO FEEL SETTLED?

Micha – For me I settled in straight away. My sister goes there too.

Eathan – it was the same with me, straight away. Maybe you have friends that already go there and maybe you don’t, but the people welcome you in and you find your own place.

WHAT PLAYS HAVE YOU MADE?

Micha – We have just been doing some work about refugees and their stories and that has been really interesting and has made us all think about other people and how life is.

Eathan – Not long ago we did a symposium about young people and their safety. I did a performance about how you can reach for your goals in life. Another group did a piece about the relationship between a father and a son, and they explored masculinity. It was good for us to look at the different types of masculinity and to think about a different way of doing things, especially with all the stuff about Andrew Tate in the news.

Micha - There is a young women’s group, which I wasn’t in, but they did a photography and film project about safe spaces for young women in Deptford. There had been a rape a couple of years ago in a local park and girls said they still felt unsafe there. The film was about making that space theirs again, making it feel safe. The film is on Second Wave’s website, you should watch it.

WHAT DO THE PEOPLE THERE DO TO MAKE YOU FEEL SAFE?

Eathan – The staff are all young themselves so you can have a close connection with them. They understand what it’s like to be a young person from Deptford or New Cross.

Micha – They make you feel like you belong.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SECOND WAVE?

Micha – Second Wave is family.

Eathan – Yeah I agree, family.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE THREE THINGS ABOUT SECOND WAVE?

Eathan – Performances

Micha – Games

Eathan & Micha – Family.

 

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT SECOND WAVE OR TO GET INVOLVED - CLICK HERE

Thank you to Mr Paish, Eathan and Micha and the Y8 class.  Fantastic!

WHAT IS RAMADAN AND WHY DOES IT HOLD SO MUCH VALUE?

Muslims observe Ramadan because this is the month that the holy Quran was sent down from Allah (SWT). During this holy month Muslims from all around the world all take part in fasting. Muslims wake up early in the morning to eat- this is called suhoor - then they fast the whole day until sunset -  this is called iftar. Also, in this unique month Muslims especially need to keep up with their 5 daily prayers, Fajir, Duhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha. Many Muslims also take the blessed month to read the Quran. Food that you are initially supposed to break your fast with is dates and water then you can eat other food. Ramadan is also the ninth month on the Islamic calendar. 

During Ramadan, many Muslims take part in a special night prayer called Taraweeh. Ramadan is also about strengthening your relationship with Allah (SWT). The last 10 nights of Ramadan holds great power as one of those nights are Laylatul Qadr which is translated to the night of power. Laylatul Qadr is a very special night. It is said that you receive a thousand months’ worth of reward in one night. Muslims take this night to repent for their sins and ask for support within their lives, trusting that Allah (SWT) will listen and answer their prayers. At the end of this holy month Muslims celebrate Eid-ul- Fitr because it marks the end of fasting. Muslims take time off work and school to celebrate with their family or friends.  To tell when Eid falls, it is by the sighting of a crescent moon.

Thank you for this wonderful piece Amira Y7


Parents/Carers: Please check out these latest Top Tips For Supporting Children Who Are Experiencing Bullying on our website. Click HERE

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http://lewishamparentcarer.org.uk/news/

As we approach the Easter holidays, we would like to remind you that Kooth will be available for your students to access throughout the Easter period.

Kooth is a free online mental health and wellbeing service available to all young people in Lewisham aged 10-25.

At Kooth, we offer free support with no waiting lists. Kooth is a safe and anonymous space for young people to talk about their wellbeing without the fear of judgement. We have clinical practitioners on hand to offer one-to-one support through text-based counselling, operating after school hours, on weekends, and during school holidays. Students can access the immediate help they need without a formal referral. Click HERE for their website


FOR THE HOLIDAYS...

Dear Parents/carers

The HAF programme is for families who receive benefit related free school meals, ages 4-16 years, eligible families should live or go to school within the Borough of Lewisham.

I am contacting you from Lewisham Council regarding the Holiday Activity and Food Programme. As the programme lead my aim is to reduce holiday hunger and to support as many families as we can.

The HAF Programme: The Holiday Activity Food and Fun programme (HAF) will be taking place again this year, delivery will take place during Easter, Summer, and Winter school holidays.

Families will receive 4 hours a day 4 days a week free activity from arts, crafts, sports, and trips. Young people will also receive a free meal and have plenty of fun.

Delivery takes place during the following holidays:

Easter

4 Days

Delivered from 2nd April

Summer

4 Weeks

TBC

Winter (Christmas)

4 Days

TBC

Booking System

To ensure we meet the requirements of the funding and engage families who are eligible, we will use the Holiday Activities centralised booking system via Wonde.

This is to ensure we target and engage families on benefit related free school meals, who need support during the holiday period.

How it works?

  • Those who receive benefit related free school meals will receive a HAF code via email.
  • The code can be redeemed to book with a community provider that offers a range of activities within Lewisham.
  • Families will receive one code per child.
  • Places are booked on a first come first serve basis.
  • For any family that needs support the HAF team will be on hand to help with the process.
  • We are working with a range of providers to deliver inclusive and adapted provision, however with complex needs there may be a waiting list.
  • The booking system will go live with All Providers from the 7th March 2024.

For further information - click HERE

THINGS TO DO AT EASTER IN THE LOCAL AREA AND IN LONDON

Visit London - Click HERE

20 Best things to do in Lewisham - click HERE

Go Ape - Click HERE

Horniman Museum - Click HERE

Big Nature's Explorers - Click HERE

Things to do in Greenwich - click HERE

Time Out Easter Activities - click HERE

Crystal Palace Park - Click HERE

Money Saving Expert Activities for boring days! Click HERE

HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY EVERYONE!