It is nice to be concluding a week of rainy and cold weather with some good news about our school’s outside spaces. Despite much of the site being given over to the building work our Green Team, a club of eco-inspired students, continue to make the most of our limited natural environment. I am delighted to say that when I look out of my office window this afternoon I was greeted by a tree hanging with bird feeders.

Even better than just supplying nutrition, the feeders are made out of recycled materials. They are used drinks bottles from the dining hall, punctured by broken pencils that offer support to the birds. In these cold wintery months, before spring has sprung, thank you to the students of The Green Team for your kindness.

Mobile phones 

You may have been aware of a government announcement this week about mobile phones in schools. This had little impact on us, as at Greenshaw we have operated a ‘gate to gate’ policy for many years. We do not ask students to use phones as calculators in lessons (an example given by the Department for Education) and entirely agree that phones should not be used at break or any other time during the school day.

We await further detail on the expectations for schools on their Sixth Form students. At present, our students in Years 12 and 13 are permitted to use their mobile phones in the Sixth Form Centre, and not have them out around the wider site. I am happy with this arrangement, as it acknowledges the greater age of Sixth Form students. It also takes into account that our oldest students should self-regulate effectively, especially as they transition to university or full employment. If there are any changes required, I will let families know, but at present I am clear that we have appropriate policies, and more importantly practice, in place.

Holocaust Memorial Day

On 27th January, Mr Kearns, one of our history teachers, delivered a very important assembly to all year groups recognising the Holocaust Remembrance Day. He explained the activities that happened, along with maps and accounts of what happened. These assemblies all contained the same messages about the awfulness of the events, and the importance of why this historical activity continues to be important in the present day. The examples given were adjusted for different year groups to ensure they were suitable for their ages.

Mr Kearns ended with the words of Elie Wiesel: “For the living and the dead we must bear witness”. He encouraged all of our community, staff and students, of the risks of present and future acts of persecution and discrimination. On behalf of the school community, I would like to thank Mr Kearns for his informed and considered messages.

Year 7 students send letters to Parliament

As part of Year 7’s computer science curriculum, our students have been developing their word-processing skills. They have also been learning how to produce written communication to engage constructively with their elected representatives. Students chose an issue that they felt strongly about and wished to bring to the attention of their local Member of Parliament, each writing to Luke Taylor, the MP for Sutton and Cheam.

By reply, each student has now received an individualised letter of response, on House of Commons letterheaded paper.  If you are curious to know the topics, three of our students wrote to Mr Taylor about road safety, three more about parks and green spaces, sixteen about litter, and one apiece on graffiti, robbery/theft and shops in Sutton High Street. Three also wrote about pollution, with three more writing discussing public transport. This has been an excellent lesson in democracy, as our pupils now know that their voices have been heard by their Member of Parliament, which will be a valuable and motivating experience for them. 

Students of the week

Congratulations goes to our stars of the week listed below for maintaining their commitment, focus and sense of drive. Well done to one and all!

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	6th Form
Charlie	Ava Mai	Katie	Divyaa	Mariam	Shantae / Lana

Wishing you all a great (and hopefully dry!) weekend.

Mr N House, Headteacher