Latest News - 19th January 2024
Online Safety
It has come to our attention over the last few weeks that there are a number of group chats both using WhatsApp and Snapchat from within our school community which have included some harmful comments.
The vast majority of these incidents happen outside of school, but the resulting pupil anxiety and social conflict manifests in school, affecting both relationships and learning in the school setting. Of course, we will always offer support where student welfare is at stake, whether the issue started within or outside school.
We do understand that this is a national issue and is fairly widespread, however we will do absolutely all that we can to ensure that we support our young people, through educating our students about the use of these platforms and through referrals to other agencies who have the appropriate powers of investigation.
How Can You Support Your Child?
We advise, in line with NSPCC advice, that you regularly monitor the activity of your child online and regularly engage in ‘safety online’ discussions. We advise that you spend time sitting with your child and looking at which apps they have on their phone and deleting inappropriate ones. At this age, we would also advise regular supervision, and removal of the phone at an appropriate time in the evening.
Students should be aware that online harassment is a criminal offence and is taken very seriously by the authorities. Examples of online harassment could include posting mean, offensive, or embarrassing comments or photos on social networking websites, sending threatening or abusive emails, or creating fake online profiles to embarrass or belittle another person.
Should your child be a victim of cyberbullying or online harassment, please encourage them to screenshot the post, report the post on the social media platform and inform the school so that we can help to provide necessary support. Any reports that students need to make to school can be done via their Form Tutor, Head of Year or any other member of staff.
Please visit the Keeping Safe Online page of our website for more information and useful website links to help you support your child.
Trips
We have launched three exciting trips this week - all details have been sent via email so please check your inbox.
Paris Day Trip
Monday 25th March
Year 11 GCSE French
Milton Keynes Theatre - The Woman in Black
Tuesday 2nd April
Year 10 & 11 GCSE Drama
St Omer & Lille Christmas Market
Wednesday 4th to Friday 6th December 2024
Year 8 - Whole Year Group
(Current Y8 who will be in Y9 when the trip takes place.)
Routine Data Check
Thank you to everyone who has already updated their details in response to our Routine Data Check email. If you have not yet checked and updated your details via My Child At School, please do so as soon as you can.
Family Learning Courses
Buckinghamshire Family Learning still have spaces available of their FREE online courses and in-person workshops to help childrent and young people manage their wellbeing.
