The Lister Weekly Update #19

Dear Parents and Carers,

We look forward to warmly welcoming you to the year 7 parents to the parents' evening today and year 8 one next week. Please note that following parents' evenings, we start the next school day slightly later, at 8.45. School gates open from 8.30.

• Year 8 Parents' Evening: Wednesday, 5th February, 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Why Attend?

These events provide valuable opportunities for parents to:

• Discuss your child's progress: Receive updates on your child's academic performance, social and emotional development, and areas for improvement.
• Build relationships: Connect with your child's teachers and form positive partnerships to support their learning.
• Gain insights: Learn about key information regarding upcoming exams, coursework, and future pathways.
• Ask questions: Address any concerns you may have and gain clarity on specific issues.

We strongly encourage all parents to attend these important events. Your active involvement in your child's education plays a crucial role in their success.

Last week, our deaf students took part in an important and eye opening workshop on sexting, delivered by SignHealth as part of their SRE (Sex and Relationships Education) learning. The session was designed to help students understand the risks of sharing explicit images online and give them the knowledge they need to make safe choices.

The workshop was engaging and interactive, with real-life scenarios that got students thinking about issues like consent, peer pressure, and online safety. SignHealth made sure the session was fully accessible, ensuring our students could have open and honest discussions in a safe space.

It was great to see students asking thoughtful questions and reflecting on the impact that sexting can have, both legally and emotionally. The session also reinforced the importance of speaking up if they ever feel pressured or uncomfortable online.

Workshops like this are crucial in today’s digital world, and we’re really pleased that our students had the chance to take part.

Keeping Children Safe from Internet Violence: A Guide for Parents

Lister Community School emphasizes the importance of online safety for children and provides practical advice for parents to help protect their kids from internet violence. The Guardian recently published an article which highlighted the following key points:

1. Open Communication: Encourage open and honest conversations with your children about their online activities. Ask them about the websites they visit and the people they interact with online.

2. Set Boundaries: Establish clear rules for internet use, including time limits and appropriate websites. Use parental controls and privacy settings to restrict access to harmful content.

3. Educate About Risks: Teach your children about the potential dangers of the internet, such as cyberbullying, online predators, and exposure to violent content. Make sure they understand the importance of not sharing personal information online.

4. Monitor Online Activity: Regularly check your child's online activity and review their social media profiles. Be aware of the apps and games they are using and ensure they are age-appropriate.

5. Report and Block: Teach your children how to report inappropriate behaviour and block users who make them feel uncomfortable. Encourage them to come to you if they encounter anything disturbing online.

6. Model Safe Behaviour: Set a good example by practicing safe internet habits yourself. Show your children how to use the internet responsibly and respectfully.

By following these guidelines, parents can help create a safer online environment for their children and reduce the risk of exposure to internet violence.

If you would like to read the article in more detail, please follow this link:

Read the news story: Talking about extreme online violence with young people: advice for parents

Last week, at the Lister News desk, we were thrilled to announce the forthcoming Lister School production of 'Matilda Jnr' the musical. Following last years amazing, 'Oliver!' we will be continuing to aim for excellence, and break (Lister) box office records with the new show.

Please add the dates and times to your diary! The event will be open, without the need to book tickets - so please arrive on time to be sure of a seat!

12th-13th February. 4.30. Lister Community School.

Designed for local residents of Newham. This is a fantastic opportunity to share your experiences and contribute to shaping the future of family hub services in our community. Your voice matters, and they would love to hear your thoughts. As a thank you for your time, each attendee will receive a £20 voucher.

Family Hubs offer a single location for face-to-face support and information from a range of services, catering to families from pregnancy up to 18 years of age (or up to 25 years if the young person has additional needs).

Family Navigators are based in key community settings, such as East Ham Library (1st floor) and Shipman Youth and Family Hubs in Canning Town. They connect families to the most appropriate support and signpost them to services, opportunities, and other relevant offers.

There are Family Hub volunteering opportunities for parents living in Newham. These roles provide valuable experience in volunteering, as well as opportunities to support the Hubs and participate in community events around Newham.

Additionally, there are various parenting programmes designed to help parents and caregivers develop practical communication skills for everyday life and to raise confident, happy, and cooperative children. These programmes are available both digitally and face-to-face and are suitable for any family.

Here we highlight year groups' success and the particular form groups and individuals in year groups who are earning the most praises. Keep an eye out for your child's name here and see whether their form group have had particular success through the week!

A New Year resolution for many is to be healthier, or take more exercise. This is as important for our students as it is for adults at Lister and in our school community. If you click on the link below, you will find a list of clubs offered in the Spring term. All students are welcome, regardless of their previous experience or abilities. We love to see students attending PE clubs on a regular basis and we know they will love it too, with all the rewards that come from taking exercise.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18dVbzaxRfTNJ2k6oJM8zyL_ct6Q8JSSZ/view?usp=drive_link

The Thought for the Week next week is focused on mental health. Please discuss the thought with your child who will be looking at the thought in assembly and discussing the idea with peers and the year team.