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DEPTFORD GREEN NEWSLETTER

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ISSUE: 2ND DECEMBER 2022

HEADTEACHER'S KEY MESSAGES

Image of the headteacher Ms Thurston
HEADTEACHER: MS THURSTON

As we near the end of another busy term, we look ahead to many events that showcase our wonderful student talent. I look forward to seeing many of you at our Christmas Showcase event 'Deck The Halls' on the 13th December from 5.30pm, with an Open Mic this Monday at 3:15 followed by the highly anticipated Portrait of the Year competition and exhibition followed by the staff pantomime shown to students later in the week. We really do have a lot to look forward to!

I was delighted to see the year 11's open up their PPE results this morning. We have been so proud of their efforts this term; their commitment and focus during the exams was commendable. They were rewarded with a year group breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed chatting with their peers and discussing their progress. We look forward to seeing many year 11 families at next week's Parents Evening on Wednesday. 

We have had many successes with sports fixtures this week too. Our Year 8 Girls football team did amazingly well, making it to the finals in the Lewisham schools competition. Sadly they were pipped to the post by a 2:1 win. Future Lionesses right there! Our Year 10 boys stormed to victory with a 4:1 win over St Mary Magdalenes and Yr 11 boys scored 5 goals against Bacon's College. Huge congratulations to all those students. Who needs the World cup?

I hope your children have their Christmas Jumpers ready for next Thursday! Alongside the Tutor Room Christmas Decorating Competition, there is much need for sparkles and baubles all round. 

Thank you to the parents/carers who attended this weeks 'Crafternoon Tea'. It was great to hear your ideas on how parents can become more involved in school life and we look forward to the refreshments being sold at upcoming events! Thanks as ever for your support. 

I will be writing to you next week with detailed end and beginning of term details. 
As always, attendance is always a priority. We are still receiving large numbers of requests for holidays within term time. These will be unauthorised except in exceptional circumstances. Please do support us with ensuring your child/ren are in school every day right up until the last day of term. 

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!


Emma Thurston

LATEST NEWS

10 Nov 2022
Contacting The DG Safeguarding Team
If you are concerned about the safety and wellbeing of a student during school hours and term time, please contact the safeguarding team using the details below. Please use the following contact details in term time and school holidays Designated Safeguarding...
Read more
09 Dec 2022
County Lines Workshop
On Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd December, Pupils in year 8 took part in workshops on County Lines and grooming
Read more
01 Dec 2022
Y11 Visit to National Theatre, The Boy With Two Hearts
The Year 11 Drama students and I went to watch Boy with Two Hearts at the National Theatre, just  before it's run ended. The story begins in Herat, Afghanistan, in 2000.
Read more

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

  • Monday 5.12.22: Open Mic and Monologue Slam
  • Wednesday 7.12.22: Y11 Parent's Evening
  • Thursday 8.12.22: Christmas Jumper Day
  • Tuesday 13.12.22: Drama & Music Christmas Showcase 6.30pm
  • Thursday 15.12.22: End of Term Reward Trips
  • Friday 16.12.22: Early Closure

 

TWITTER BITES...

Deptford Green
Some of our Y7 DT students have been learning about mechanisms and levers. "Look, I've made a first class lever with my pens". Good learning point Oli! #DT #ExploreDreamDiscover #Lewisham #Deptford #OfstedGood https://t.co/bisxtWapzm
13 minutes ago
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Deptford Green
XLP Christmas Events for young people https://t.co/p4Is71FBzv
23 hours ago
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Y10&11 have been dismissed due to staff shortages today at school due to the weather. Y7,8&9 will leave after lunch at 12.40. Pls check the website for updates. https://t.co/MPgDtCATAj
1 day ago
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Fun in the snow! #winter #deptford #lewisham https://t.co/xskFWRo8PS
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So proud and delighted to read such lovely comments read from a Y7 DG parent. Thank you. #ExploreDreamDiscover #Deptford #DGCommunity #Lewisham https://t.co/obLS9uCoOh
3 days ago
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HOT CHOCOLATE FRIDAY

The following students have been recognised as outstanding by their Head of Year and have had Hot Chocolate with Ms Thurston this morning in recognition of that. They are:

Year 7: Josh for brilliant participation in the Mental Health Workshop 

Year 8: Raluca for being one of our top students and consistently displaying our values. She is also a very talented artist.

Year 9: Lisa for she has been exemplary in meeting GREAT values in the last week. She is an inspiration to her peers and a source of pride to her parents, I'm sure!

Year 10: Mohamed for consistently being an amazing student and demonstrating GREAT values. He also has an amazing passion for reading, he may even read whilst he’s there!

Year 11: Oliver always doing the right thing and working very hard

 


CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY: THURSDAY 8TH DECEMBER

 


WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT SCHOOL?

TAKE A LOOK HERE

 

PLENTY OF EXCELLENT DG CANDIDATES APPLYING FOR YOUNG MAYOR!

Well done to Isabel (Y9), Lucia, Hibaaq, Julia, Ella, Arturs, Michael, Felix in this photo (and J'Adore & Toky - all Y10 - who unfortunately, were not available to photograph).

A huge well done to our students in their engagement with the process of this year's Young Mayor applications. They will need to attend a session on either Saturday 3rd December OR Saturday 7th January 2023 at Lewisham Local. Lewisham Local is a community centre on Lewisham High street. (Unit C, Place/Ladywell, 261 Lewisham High St, London SE13 6NJ). The session will be 10am-4pm and in this session students will find out more about the campaign and get their official candidate photos taken.

We've had a large number of students complete their applications and we've sent them off so they can all take part in the Young Mayor voting stage of the election. We're extremely proud of all of our applicants who have managed to collect 50 signatures each from peers both in our school and outside of it. Going forward we are hopeful that our candidates will be successful. It is an election for young people who live or go to school in Lewisham aged 13 or over with the Young Mayor being given a budget to tackle issues within the local community. We have at least 10 Y9 and Y10 students (that we know of) that have applied in school; there may be some more that we are unaware of but watch this space to see how they do.  It is a big role to take on but they have already proven themselves resourceful getting their signatures together and writing their individual statements of what they would like to do if chosen. Congratulations to all of them for their efforts so far.

ALL THINGS LANGUAGES

Y10 students refreshed their geography skills in their Spanish lesson, labelling all the Spanish-speaking countries in South America. #hispanohablante #español #geography

Mia, Hubert, Uma, Jabiel, Juan and Alex

Y7 languages students created posters using a variety of materials to show what they have been learning so far. #creative #spanish

Well done to Tobi, Zain, Rhia, Isaiah, Martha, Huxley, Charlie, Noeme, Brooke, Anna, Tabitha, Zofia, Tegan, Carlos

MFL GAMING CLUB:

Students in gaming club loved playing Super Mario on our vintage Nintendo system. #throwbackthursday #gaming

Juliette Y9, Igor Y9, Ruwaida Y9, Taylor Y9, Junior Y11

Mr Aniagwu asked Y9 to share and celebrate the diversity we have at DG - 9CA are so lucky to have a diverse cultural make-up! #diversity #year9 #dg

DRAMA

Mr Jones took some photos in his year 7 drama class where they were looking at slow motion and physical control. Looks like they were having a lot of fun that's for sure!

ART:

Y10 Art workshop with Local Artist Steve Burden

Year 10 artists have been doing a project under the theme of 'Structures' to kickstart their GCSE coursework. They have been exploring structures in architecture, science, society etc. They are currently looking into the gentrification of Deptford, so we invited artist Steve Burden who grew up on the Pepys Road estate in for a workshop.

Burden creates exciting paintings that explore themes of gentrification, working class culture and housing estates. They spent the day experimenting with acrylic and palette knives over photographs to create stunning artwork exploring the built environment and their own identities. It was an incredible opportunity for students to meet an artist who has grown up in Deptford and the outcomes will be a valuable addition to their GCSE coursework! 

Take a look at their work and more by this wonderful and talented artist. Click HERE

1 CLUB: RECOGNISING STUDENT EFFORT & OUTCOMES

 

At Deptford Green School we recognise the link between effort and strong outcomes. We know that if our students are trying their very best in all lessons at all times, they will make strong personal and academic progress. We also value student voice, through meetings with students we decided to create a ‘1’ club; this is a club for students who achieved a ‘1’ grade for effort across all subjects. We all agreed that these students deserved special privileges.

This term we have over 50 of these students across all 5 year groups. They were rewarded with a certificate, a badge, a lunch queue jump every day, a special lunch and our year 10 students get the opportunity to leave the school site to go out at lunchtime once a week.

SPORT

The under 13 girls played their first fixture yesterday away against Thomas Tallis yesterday. Eliza scored twice in a great game where the score doesn’t really reflect how close it actually was. Although they lost 7-2 they demonstrated resilience, togetherness and great leadership skills. We could not be more proud of them! 

Our boys also played against Thomas Tallis.

We couldn’t be prouder of Abdulahi in year 11 who after years and years of hard work and training has been offered a two year YTS at @millwallfc

PARK LIFE PROJECT 

Take a look at all the wonderful work Ms Player and the Park Life Project team are doing click HERE

ALL THINGS READING

Our 4 Week online bookclub ended tonight with a virtual visit from the author.  We have been reading One of Us is Lying by Karen M McManus.  Sadly a few of our students weren't here for the photo tonight but thank you to: Arturs (Y10) Harley (Y7) Zena (Y10) and Ella (Y10) - pictured.  Also Martha (Y7) and Esme & Loredana (Y10) who were unavailable for the photo. This is an amazing book full of twists and turns and Karen has recently brought out 'Nothing More To Tell which is my book of the week!

Well done to the amazing students who stay after school and take part in all the extracurricular activities we put on for them at the end of a busy school day!

Ms Player with her book of the week - Bitter by Akwaeke Emzi. From the critically acclaimed author of Pet and The Death of Vivek Oji, Bitter, takes a timely and provocative look at the power of youth, protest and art. Ms Player says: "Bitter is the kind of book I wish been around when I was growing up... This book by Akwaeke Emezi explores the power of youth, protest and art. You should read it if you have ever thought about fighting for a version of the world you would want to live in."

A REMINDER FOR Y7 & Y8 - THE 4 WEEK READING CHALLENGE IS WELL UNDERWAY!  GET READING AND GET LORICS!

Students have been sent our new READING NEWS to their school emails and on Classcharts.  Getting our students to love reading is a huge challenge but we know that once they get into reading, the impact it has on their learning, their vocabulary and their mental health to name but a few, is HUGE and so positive.  Please encourage your child/children to get reading if you can.  We are SO PROUD of those who do read and for their regular attendance in our library and to Ms Player's 401 Library 

Our library, although we are proud of the books we have in it, is relatively still small.  Over the past week and for the next couple of weeks, we have Andrew Mohammed from Lewisham libraries in to talk to our year 7's as we try to get them into reading and set up good reading habits for the rest of their DG journey and for life!  They have been given Library Membership applications where they wanted one. (More available from Ms Walker). The amount of books available through the Lewisham Library is fantastic!  Click HERE to join Lewisham Library

CAN YOU DONATE ANY UNWANTED TEENAGE/YOUNG ADULT BOOKS PLEASE?

If you have any of your children's books just sitting around at home and they're not wanted anymore and they're in good condition and appropriate for our age students, they would be very gratefully received!  email: library@deptfordgreen.co.uk

GET READING DEPTFORD GREEN!

CAREERS NEWS

“I think I might have found my career”

“I did not know work could be so fun!”

After a warm welcome and introduction to the industry by CEO Neil Henderson, Year 10 students enjoyed a fast-paced and informative day with the wonderful people at St Luke’s Advertising Agency, including Crumpet the dog who was not working from home.  

Students discovered the process of creating an advert, from client brief to going live. They particularly enjoyed meeting an account manager, senior planner, a creative duo, the head of moving image and a creative producer to learn about the life of each job and the part they play in the process, the different skills they use and work out which role would suit them best.

Year 10s were then set a Creative brief and worked on a creative socials concept for one of St Luke’s brands. Their ideas and presentations were fantastic, and I was so proud of their creativity and engagement.

Thank you to all involved and looking forward to working with St Luke’s again in the future.

SPOTLIGHT ON...

FREE LOCAL ACTIVITIES FOR CREATIVE YOUNG PEOPLE

Lewisham Youth Theatre, 142-144 Lewisham Way, SE13 6JG

See below some activities going on next week and how to book. Find out more about all the wonderful things you can get involved in beyond next week, click HERE

For more information about Trinity Laban, click HERE for more information

Monday, 5th December: 4.30- 6pm for Primary School years 4-6 (ages 8-11) To sign up click HERE 

Monday 5th December : 6.15pm - 7:45pm for Secondary School years 7-12 (ages 11-17) To sign up click HERE

You can expect to learn choreography and work creatively in an accessible, relaxed session and find out more about opportunities to dance with Trinity Laban at their studios in Deptford.

Open to all levels and experience. Let’s Get Hyped and Dance!


Do you want to write, direct or design for theatre? Want to learn about producing your own creative work?

Thursday 8th December 5:00-8:00 for Young People aged 15+ book your ticket click HERE

Kick-start your career and meet professional creatives in this masterclass and Q&A event at Lewisham Youth Theatre‘s Creative Hub!
You’ll meet a professional director, designer, writer and producer – all roles who work together to get a show onstage long before actors are cast.

You’ll also take part in a practical taster of one of these roles, then hear from these professionals about what it’s like to collaborate to see their dream realised onstage.


CRAFTERNOON TEA

On Thursday 1st December we had a fantastic get together with parents & carers where we made Christmas Decorations while having tea and cakes and having a catch up.  It was a lovely atmosphere and there was lots of laughter and Christmas music to put us in the festive mood.

After we made our decorations, we talked about practical ways parents can get involved immediately and it was agreed that parents would support school by selling refreshments at all events starting with the Y11 Parents Evening next week!  Different parents will then be at upcoming events on a rota basis to be arranged between parents using the Whatsapp group chat. We also talked about more ways to fundraise, Match Fund and network with local businesses and the community.

Malcolm gave us an update on his ongoing efforts talking to the council about getting a Pedestrian Crossing installed on Pagnall Street where there is a link between the underpass and Fordham Park.  Watch out in the next edition of the newsletter for a way in which you can join us by signing the petition.  One of our students was knocked down a couple of weeks ago but not badly hurt thankfully and so we want to get something done before another accident occurs. Thank you Malcolm for all your efforts on our students behalf.

PARENT/CARER SKILLS AUDIT

We are conducting a Skills Audit to find out what skills and professions exist within our school community and what time parents and carers are willing and able to share to support our young people.

There is a wealth and breadth of experience within our community which could be utilised to enhance our students’ experience.

Could you support an Art workshop or after-school Club?

Could you run a networking and fundraising event?

Could your employer match fund?

Could you and your employer host young people on work experience?

Could you come and talk about your career?

Sharing our expertise and resources and cooperating for the good of our students will develop positive links and excellence in our enrichment. 

Please complete the form on this link

Please note: We are particularly looking for creative people to help us achieve our aims of becoming the best Arts school in the borough, but we are NOT asking for people to teach.  Parents/carers will be able to work with Art teachers who would co-ordinate this with you.

We appreciate your support and are grateful for your time.

 

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS & CARERS

Take a look here...

 

Parents of Deptford Green students 

There is an exciting opportunity for Lewisham Residents. This would be an independent activity for families and not school/teacher led. Please see the info below.

LIT! LIGHT BEARERS

The LIT! Finale event will be a choreographed flash mob with up to 300 people from across Lewisham moving together across Beckenham Place Park as part of an illuminated parade. It will be a beautiful closing moment of mass participation created with some really exciting artists, underscored by a ​large choir and specially commissioned music – and they would love you take part as a Light Bearer.

Important to know:

  • No previous performance experience is needed. You will be taught a very simple set of movements to perform with a light we will give you. You do not need to be a performer! 
  • There are a limited number of places.
  • There will be some limited rehearsal which we are still working on scheduling (we will likely need only a couple of hours of your time) so we would love to know your availability on the following days. :
    • Saturday 17 December – 10am to 2pm
      Saturday 17 December – 2 to 6pm
    • Sunday 18 December – 10am to 2pm
      Sunday 18 December – 2 to 6pm
    • Performance: 21 December, 4 to 8pm
  • You may be asked to provide your own costume. It will be very simple e.g, ‘Please wear dark colours’

Want to get involved? Please click HERE and complete the form and The Albany & London Borough of Culture 2022 - Lewisham will be in touch shortly.

THE LIT! CHORUS

As part of the LIT! Finale event a special community choir of up to 70 people will be formed to sing alongside the illuminated parade detailed above. The choir will rehearse and sing a selection of specially chosen and orchestrated songs as well as a new LIT! Anthem in Beckenham Place Park on 21 December. The choir will be led by composer and vocal animateur Kirsty Martin who led our Sun & Sea choir earlier in the year

 UPDATE: Rehearsals for this have started.  We might still be able to take new people do if you are interested click HERE and email matthew.schmolle@thealbany.org.uk

Advice for supporting your child’s mental health

Ms Coffey has found this website which contains material to help you support your child if they are struggling or if you are concerned about them in these areas.  Click HERE to find out more...

 

This winter, with funding from the Department of Education, Lewisham Council is providing a varied holiday programme, with free activities and lunches for school aged children and young people (aged 5–16 years–up to 19 for children/young people with SEND) eligible for and in receipt of benefit related Free School Meals. A wide range of providers in Lewisham are supporting the delivery of this programme, offering a various fun packed sessions, including art & crafts, multi sports, singing, dancing, drama and games. To learn more, click HERE

Using social media has plenty of potential benefits for young people: it helps them stay connected to their friends, hear contrasting views on the world, find reassurance or support, and ease social anxiety. It also brings, however, a corresponding number of negative possibilities – including compulsive use, unhealthy comparisons with others online and exposure to harmful content.

Ironically – for a medium designed to enable engagement with other people – social platforms can actually lead to children feeling increasingly isolated and lonely, taking an obvious toll on their mental wellbeing. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide has our top tips on how trusted adults can support healthier social media habits in young people.

Click HERE to access your free guide and catch up on the latest online safety news...

Talk Cancer live online workshop: Cancer Awareness Training

Date: Thursday 1 December 2022

Time: 10am-12pm

Venue: Online (laptop or desktop)

WHAT IS TALK CANCER?

Delivered by Cancer Research Uk, trainers with nursing and pharmacy backgrounds, our workshops equip and empower you to raise cancer awareness in your community by:

  • Increasing your knowledge of key messages around cancer prevention, screening and early diagnosis
  • Building your confidence to talk to the public about cancer
  • Helping you to encourage people to make healthy changes, access local services and visit their GP promptly with any concerns

WHO IS IT FOR?

Anyone who can promote health and wellbeing in their community

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

For more information or to sign up contact: healthimprovement@lewisham.gov.uk

Together we will beat cancer

 

COST OF LIVING SUPPORT

Following on from the item in the last newsletter, kindly posted by Ms Stanghon, we have added some more links. 

Please do take a close look to see if there is anything that can help you here and if you are struggling at all, please do contact your child's year team or the Safeguarding Team. Click HERE for more information.

We will be holding a Deptford Assembly Cost of Living/Well-being event for residents and on Saturday 10th 2.00-5.00pm at the Mulberry Centre, 15 Amersham Vale. We will have children’s crafts and a winter warming soup! Do join us if you can.

 


PARENTS/CARERS...

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!

 

The Christmas show "Deck The Halls" will be taking place Tuesday 13th December 5.30pm-8.30pm. We want to hold a raffle and we are in the process of trying to get prizes donated from local businesses, however, this is proving difficult with most of us being so busy.

Parents/Carers CAN YOU HELP PLEASE? Can you either source something we could potentially raffle off on the evening, no matter how small or extravagant of course! If you can, please could you contact Jamie Heelbeck (Drama) jheelbeck@deptfordgreen.co.uk or Paul Curran (DT) pcurran@deptfordgreen.co.uk  if you have anything you can donate or know any businesses that can contribute. Thank you so much!