The Lister Weekly Update #33

At the Lister News Desk, we are thrilled to announce that Lister Community School's annual Sports Day will be taking place on Tuesday, 2nd July 2024, at the Newham Leisure Centre, 281 Prince Regent Lane, London E13 8SD! It was one of the highlights of the year last year and this event promises to be a fantastic day of healthy competition, teamwork, and athletic achievement for our students.

To ensure a smooth and efficient event, students will be expected to make their own way to and from the Newham Leisure Centre. This allows us to maximize the time spent on activities and provides our students with valuable independence in navigating their journey. Please ensure your child is aware of how to get there safely and on time. We recommend planning their route in advance to avoid any delays on the day.

Events will be running throughout the morning, with a wide array of athletic competitions designed to cater to all abilities and interests. Students will have the opportunity to participate in track and field events, showcasing their talents and earning points for their respective houses. We anticipate that all events will be concluded by early afternoon, at which point students will be dismissed directly from the Leisure Centre. Please make arrangements for their collection or onward journey from this location.

Sports Day is a highlight of our school calendar, promoting physical fitness, school spirit, and healthy competition. We encourage all students to participate enthusiastically and represent Lister Community School with pride. Further details regarding specific timings for dismissal and any required equipment will be shared closer to the date.

We look forward to a successful and enjoyable Sports Day for everyone involved!

Dawn Henry, Service Manager at Newham Children & Young People’s Services, has commissioned a single licence giving all parents and carers in Newham free access to SFSC: Stronger Relationships. This free six-week online course, delivered by the Race Equality Foundation, supports co-parents to reduce conflict, improve communication, and create more emotionally secure home environments.

This is a valuable resource for families who may be under added pressure ahead of the school holidays.

What the course offers:

• Six weekly self-paced online modules
  
• Six live Zoom group sessions led by trained facilitators
  
• Flexible scheduling, including evening options
  
• Inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive content
  
• Designed for co-parents (together or apart), including those experiencing stress, SEND challenges or separation
  
• No referral needed, parents register themselves
  

Parents can register now here or at: https://strengthening-families.net/stronger-relationships-courses

Contact for questions: sfscparent@racefound.org.uk

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are excited to announce a significant and positive evolution to the Lister Community School uniform policy, effective from now, and looking to the next academic year. Following extensive consultation with our students, parents, and staff, we will now be permitting plain black trainers as part of the everyday school uniform. Here at the Lister News Desk, we think it is important to emphasise the 'plain' part of the new uniform policy - do not let your children convince you that some colour will be ok when you buy new trainers. Any colour, other than black, will mean that they do not meet the uniform standard and you will be asked to buy new trainers which are completely black.

This change has been carefully considered with your children's well-being and practical comfort at its heart. We recognise that traditional school shoes can sometimes be uncomfortable, restrictive, and less supportive, particularly during a long school day that includes movement between lessons, break times, and extra-curricular activities. Plain black trainers, chosen for their supportive design and comfortable fit, offer significant health benefits. They provide better cushioning for growing feet, reduce the risk of blisters and discomfort, and offer superior shock absorption, which is particularly beneficial for active students and those participating in sports or walking to school. This practical footwear choice will contribute to greater comfort throughout the day, enabling students to focus more effectively on their learning without the distraction of uncomfortable shoes.

The decision to introduce black trainers was not taken lightly and involved a comprehensive consultation process. We actively sought and valued the input from both our student body and you, our parents and carers. Your feedback highlighted the desire for more comfortable and practical footwear, and we have listened carefully to these voices. We believe this update strikes a vital balance between maintaining our high standards of smartness and ensuring the comfort and well-being of our students. This collaborative approach ensures that our uniform policy continues to be one that truly serves our school community.

Furthermore, this updated uniform policy also reflects the changing landscape of the modern workplace. In many professional environments today, particularly those focused on innovation, technology, and dynamic roles, smart, plain trainers are a common and accepted form of footwear. By allowing plain black trainers, we are also subtly preparing our students for a contemporary professional world where comfort, practicality, and a modern approach to attire are increasingly valued. We believe this change helps bridge the gap between school expectations and the realities of modern professional life, ensuring our students feel confident and appropriately dressed for both.

We are confident that this positive change will be well-received and contribute to an even more comfortable and productive learning environment for all our students. Further details regarding the specific requirements for "plain black trainers" (e.g., minimal branding, no coloured soles) will be included in all Lister uniform communications.

Sincerely,

The Lister Community School Team

We are incredibly proud to announce a wonderful celebration of creativity and hard work from our talented Year 11 students! Our 3D Design and Hospitality and Catering departments have been busy curating an impressive exhibition showcasing the culmination of their GCSE coursework. This collection represents countless hours of dedication, and the development of exceptional skills across a diverse range of media. This exhibition will take place between the 16th-20th June.

While we understand you would love to see your children's fantastic creations in person, we have made the difficult decision not to invite parents to view the exhibition on this occasion due to space and logistical constraints. However, please be assured that the work will be prominently displayed for all other Lister students to admire. This provides an invaluable opportunity for younger students to be inspired by the high standards and innovative approaches of their older peers, fostering a vibrant artistic culture throughout the school.

Here at the Lister News Desk, we understand how eager you are to see the outstanding achievements of our Year 11 artists and designers. Therefore, we promise to provide a comprehensive review of the exhibition, complete with plenty of photographs. We will capture the essence of their incredible work, ensuring that all our stakeholders – you, our valued parents and carers, as well as the wider community – can witness the exceptional talent flourishing within Lister Community School. Keep an eye on our next newsletter for a full pictorial and written showcase of this inspiring display!

Normally we highlight year groups' success and the particular form groups and individuals in year groups who are earning the most praises. However, with the move over to Arbor, praises and concerns are not currently being recorded. For now, keep an eye out and quite soon your child's name might appear here and you will be able to see whether their form group have had particular success through the week!

The Thought for the Week next week is focused on immigration. 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.