Headlines - 3 March 2023

3rd March 2023

HEADLINES

By James Saunders

SAFER INTERNET AND MISOGYNY

February was an important month for technology as it featured Safer Internet Day - A day designed to help inspire a national conversation about using technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively. In school I have been tackling this theme within my recent assemblies. However, internet safety is not just something we should focus on for one day; it should be of constant interest to us all. The national website for this event contains some useful resources for parents to engage in:

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/ safer-internet-day-2019/education-packs/activitiesparents-and-carers

You can find further information and links in our monthly safeguarding newsletter.

The internet is wonderful. It has transformed the way we live, work and interact forever. However, for all the good technology does for us there remains many risks. Understanding how to use parental-controls is one way families can keep their children safe. Another way to protect children is to engage in the conversation. Some key advice includes the following:

• not using phones and mobile devices at the dinner table - talking as a family is very important for development.

• keeping screens out of the bedroom at bedtime

• talking as a family about keeping safe online and about cyberbullying and what children should do if they are worried.

• not using phones when crossing a road or doing any other activity that requires a person’s full attention.

• making sure children take regular breaks from screens by getting up and being active.

SOCIAL MEDIA, MISOGYNY AND THE POWER OF THE ALGORITHM

Schools across the country are constantly dealing with situations in school that began outside of school. Situations such as these would not happen if social media had not been misused by children operating out of earshot late at night. Whilst we do our best to educate everyone about how to behave online and through social media it is our collective responsibility to ensure our learners are safe in their use of technology in and out of school. Parents, do you know how your children are using their technology in the evenings? In my assemblies I have used the backdrop of Safer Internet Day to discuss how Social Media ‘influencers’ are encouraging misogynistic behaviour. Central to the way misogyny spreads is the algorithm.

On social media algorithms can be used to determine the content we see. Used positively, they can provide us with a more personalised and enjoyable social media experience based on our likes and dislikes. The darker side of algorithms is that they can be used negatively to try and manipulate someone’s views, beliefs or even their behaviour. Algorithms dictate our online experience and all too often place us in an echo chamber that distorts what is real. In assemblies the following story was shared to illustrate the power of algorithms:

I signed up for a TikTok account when I was 13. I liked the funny videos and the ones about some of my favourite sports teams. At first, I only got suggestions for sport and amusing videos but soon I was getting more and more videos from influencers. These had extreme views that were rude about women. I watched a couple but didn’t like them, however, that didn’t stop more and more weird stuff being recommended to me. I found out how to block some of the content, but other things that were

similar still got through. I know that most boys and men don’t believe this stuff but it feels like we’re being bombarded with misogyny and encouraged to join in.

REDUCING THE INFLUENCE OF ONLINE MISOGYNY

Report anything you find upsetting to a trusted adult and ask for help if you need it.

• Follow more positive accounts and unfollow accounts or people that you find offensive.

• Don’t take things at face-value or believe everything you read and see on social media.

• Avoid sharing, forwarding, liking or commenting on misogynistic content even if you think it’s a joke.

• THINK before you post, share, like or comment on misogynistic or other potentially offensive content.

• Remember that women and girls are equals and standing up for them is a strength and a positive male quality.

It is worth reflecting on the impact our use of technology can have - adults as well as children. As a school that embraces technology it has always been our belief that educating about the risks is better than just taking action that can drive the behaviour associated with such risks underground and I would recommend that we all engage in the conversation.

Have a lovely weekend

THANK YOU TO JILL WARD

James Saunders

We would like to recognise the enormous contribution that Jill Ward, one of our school governors and local Coggeshall resident, has made to the Honywood community as she makes the decision to retire. Jill has dedicated 40 years of her life to supporting and guiding the learners, staff, and community of the school.

Jill’s commitment to her role as a school governor is truly admirable. Over the course of 10 terms of office, she has worked alongside several headteachers and has seen countless learners come and go. She has watched as the school has grown and evolved, and helped shape its future. Her dedication and passion for education have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals.

Throughout her four decades of service, Jill has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to ensuring

that the school provides the best possible educational experience for its learners. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that the school’s policies and practices are in line with best practices, and has always been a strong advocate for the needs of both learners and staff.

Jill’s wisdom, guidance, and support have been invaluable to the school’s leadership team, and her insights and perspectives have helped inform the school’s direction over the years. Her thoughtful, measured approach to decision-making has earned her much respect, and her dedication to the school’s mission has been an inspiration to all who know her.

As Jill completes her 10th term of office as a school governor, we are filled with gratitude and appreciation for all that she has done for the school community. Her legacy will continue to live on in the many learners and staff members whose lives she has touched over the years, and we are confident that her impact will be felt for many years to come.

Jill, we thank you for your 40 years of dedicated service as a school governor, and for your unwavering commitment to ensuring that the learners and staff of this school have the best possible educational experience. You leave the school in a great position, with a new wave of supportive governors to continue your great work. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Thank you to the team of learners who supported the History Subject leader interviews this week:

Rose Collier 10CWA, Amelie Cooper 11CHO, Logan Evans 9RMU, Malachi Lane 7EST, Amelia Mclean 8JDY, Theodore McQuillan 10ATO, Theo Snowling 11HGO, Kaylee Tredgett 9RHU

C9 TEAM:

Faye Longstaff, Emma Jullien, Emily Henrici-Fernandez, Sophia Cooper, Olivia Walby, Phoebe Hazell-Young, Jessica Welch and Scarlett Evans

On Tuesday 21st February, our C9 netballers played Gosfield School. They won 31-1 by playing exceptionally well and dominating the game with great passing and shooting. Faye Longstaff received the player of the match from the opposition.

Mrs Jones

On Thursday 2nd March, we travelled over to Ramsey School to play our netball district league games against Ramsey. Both teams played really well and showed their strength and teamwork throughout the games, culminating in convincing wins for the C9s (19-3) and C11s (14-4). Well done girls!

C9 TEAM: Emma Julian, Sophia Cooper, Olivia Walby, Faye Longstaff, Poppy Webster, Diana Twardosz, Jessica Welch

C11 TEAM Amber Chard, Amelie Cooper, Eloise Duffy, Fern Mascot, Joanne Neary, Gloria Nyc, Nadia Twardosz, Esme Webster

Mrs Borella

Well done to all our learners and staff who embraced World Book Day by dressing as their favourite book character. Honywood actively promotes reading for pleasure, encouraging learners to engage with their choice of reading material in their free time.

Dates for the Diary

Wed 8th March C9 Computer Science visit to Braintree Campus Digital Media

Wed 8th March C8 Guided Choices Evening for families

Thurs 9th March Dance Trip - Royal Opera House

Thurs 9th March KS3 Food Workshop

Thurs 9th March C11 Art Day

Fri 17th March Red Nose Day

Mon 20th - 24th March Honywood Enrichment Week - Spring Term

Mon 20th March C11 Science Focus Day

Tues 21st March C11 Maths Focus Day

Wed 22nd March C11 English Focus Day

Fri 31st March Last day of term

Mon 17th April Learners return to school

Mon 17th April C10 Mock Exams commence