Headlines By James Saunders 8th March 2019
World Book Day
International Women’s Day Today is International Women’s day and my Twitter stream has been filled with inspirational stories of talented women from across the globe. As a young boy I can only remember a few inspirational male role models. Ok, there was my father. And screen icons Rambo and The Terminator. However, it was female musicians, and in particular, Rap music that had the greatest influence on me and helped me develop my love for music: Salt ‘n’ Pepa; Monie Love; The Cookie Crew; Queen Latifah; Nenah Cherry and Lauren Hill to name a few. These women managed to express themselves and the art form without the misogyny and violence that plagues today’s male dominated world of rap. Does this make me a feminist? Surely the very nature of our jobs as teachers must make us all feminists. You should surely never favour one learner over another. You should treat them all equally. And that is what being a feminist is. For me it is simply about equality. All our learners deserve an equal opportunity to receive the same high quality teaching and support that enables them to achieve great outcomes and a happy life. International Women’s day reminds us that equality still needs to be on our radar and as a society we must still strive to achieve parity for all every single day. There is a excellent series of children’s books (little dreams, big people) that highlight the great accomplishments of women. Figures such as Rosa Parks, Emmeline Pankhurst, Ada Lovelace, Frida Kahlo, Maria Montessori and Ella Fitzgerald are all represented. Days like International Women’s Day help us to spotlight the great accomplishments of role models such as these and open up an equality of aspiration for all our learners. Which neatly segues me into World Book Day.
It was so great to see everyone embrace World Book Day yesterday. Those that came to school as a character from their favourite book really looked the part. This we extended to staff and I am pleased that so many embraced the event. We had Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland, The BFG, Where’s Wally, Harry Potter and many more books represented. Coupled with our book fair, this was our most successful World Book Day yet and I would like to extend my thanks to everyone that supported it. The aim of the day is raise the profile of books and reading. The evidence is quite clear on this - regular reading makes a difference to academic performance. Funding demands This week I have included a letter that outlines some of the current challenges that all schools, including ours, are facing due to funding cuts. As a group of Headteachers across Essex, we have all agreed to inform our communities of the increasing challenges that exist. Whilst at Honywood we feel proud that we have managed with the resources given, it is clear that this is not enough and going forward we are concerned about the level of funding. We thank you for your continuing support on this matter. Consultation Meeting Following the publication of the joint letter from Honywood and Saffron Academy, we have now arranged for an additional meeting, following the meeting on the 22nd March at 11:15am, for parent/carers on the 28th March at 5pm—6pm. This will take place in the main hall. The consultation period has been extended until after the Easter Break. Wishing you a restful weekend.
Dates for the diary Wednesday 13th March
C8 Guided Choices evening 6:00pm
Thursday 14th March
Primary Learning Day (Year 5 Expressive Arts) Enrichment week
W/c 18th March
Thursday 28th March
Consultation meeting 11:15am— 12:15 Spirit of Honywood evening event tbc Consultation meeting 5pm-6pm
Tuesday 2nd April
Ambassador assembly
Monday 8th April to 22nd April
Easter holidays
Tuesday 23rd March
End of consultation period
April 20th/21st
Duke of Edinburgh practice walk
Tuesday 23rd April to Friday 10th May
C10 exams
Sunday 12th May
Feel Good Fayre
Monday 13th May
C11 GCSE examinations commence
Thursday 23rd May
C11 Last Day celebrations, last day in school
Monday 27th May to Friday 31st May
Half term
Monday 3rd June
Start of Summer Term C11 on Study Leave
Sunday 9th June
Feel Good Fayre
Friday 22nd March
C8 Guided Choices Evening for parent/carers 13th March 6:00pm Families will have received the Guided Choices booklet along with a letter inviting you to attend a series of talks on option subjects. Please return the selection form to the school office with your choice of up to six talks that evening as soon as possible. You will then receive a confirmation letter with times and rooms. Thankyou
Information regarding catering: Our menus are published each week on our website and guidance regarding food allergens etc can be found at https://parent.honywoodschool.com/information/ about-the-school/canteen/
Daisy Thomas Luca Shuffield Josie Dale Isabel Corbett Harry Jones Rosie Waine
Thankyou to our Cohort 8 Duty Receptionists
Pets as Therapy Intervention
Well done to our C7 Netball team who finished runners up in the District Tournament this week being beaten
Last week, a group of learners who access our Hub facility worked together as they are learning how to work with pets as part of Pets as Therapy intervention. They will be visited by a dog called Ruby next week. Caring for animals, learning how to feed, care and work with animals develops valuable skills. The learners worked together as a team to plan the care programme and are very excited about the visit.
3-2 in the final!
Parents’ Time Members of the Leadership Team will be available to see parents without appointment:
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Monday
7:15am—8:00am
Wednesday
3.00pm—3.45pm
Friday
7.15am—8.00am
Tours for current and prospective parents are available on Wednesdays , 9:15am—10:15am.