The Lister Weekly Update #4

Bonfire Night is a time for magical, memorable moments with the family, full of dazzling lights and wonderful smells. To ensure the evening remains a warm and joyful memory, here is a detailed, descriptive summary of the safe steps parents can take.

Bonfire Night offers a wonderful spectacle, but safety is the most important ingredient for a happy evening. For Lister Community School parents, keeping these guidelines in mind will ensure a night of safe and glowing fun for your children.

The Golden Rule: Supervision & Organisation:

• Choose Professional Magic: The safest option is to attend an organised public display. These events are managed by professionals who have strict safety protocols, leaving you free to simply hold your child's hand, point to the sky, and enjoy the oohs and aahs of the show together!

• Constant Presence: Whether you are at home or a public event, your children need your full attention. Excited children can easily wander towards the light and noise. Keep your little ones close, within arm's reach, and ensure they always have a responsible adult watching over them.

• A Family Safety Chat: Before you even step outside, have a quick, simple talk about the rules. Emphasise that fireworks and bonfires are for looking at, not touching. This sets a calm, safe tone for the evening's adventure.

If you choose a small home display, remember that the lighting is strictly an adult-only activity—it's your time to be the magical light-bringer!

• Creating a Safe Zone: Designate a clear, safe viewing area and keep everyone well back from where the fireworks are lit—at least 8 meters, or the length of a small car. Use glow sticks or cones to mark this boundary, making it a visible and fun 'safe-spot'.

• The Taper and Torch: Only light fireworks using a long taper, and remember to light them at arm's length, turning your face away quickly. Use a torch, not a lighter, to read the instructions, ensuring every step is followed perfectly.

• Never, Ever Return: Teach children this vital lesson: never go near a firework once it's been lit, even if it seems to have fizzled out. It could still explode unexpectedly. Once your firework has performed its dazzling dance, gently cool the remnants with water before disposal.

In the Autumn term, 9 year 11 girls took part in a maths competition - the UKMT - specifically aimed at girls in KS4. The UK Maths Trust is the leading charity that advances the education of young people in maths. For over 20 years they have been inspiring a love of problem solving through maths challenges and enrichment activities, delivered by hundreds of volunteers. Although our Lister students found it challenging they persevered and their hard work paid off. Five students achieved a merit award and one student Nilanai achieved a distinction.

Quotes from two students

I took part in the Girls' UKMT challenge and I felt like I gave it my best effort. It was a great opportunity to test my problem-solving skills and think creatively under time pressure. Some questions were definitely challenging, but I enjoyed working through them and felt proud of how I approached each one. I am also proud of how I got distinction in the test. I also will try to look over the markscheme in my own time to see how to go about these questions. Overall, it was a valuable experience that helped me grow in confidence and improve my mathematical thinking.

Doing the Girls’ UKMT was so stressful that I honestly felt like giving up. Every question seemed impossible, and I just wanted to escape from how hard it felt. It really pushed me to my limit, but I’m proud that I stuck through it.

The recent Year 6 Parent Open Evening at Lister Community School was widely regarded as a significant success, achieving its goal of allaying transition anxieties and warmly introducing prospective families to the school's 'Always Aiming for Excellence' ethos. The evening saw a high turnout of parents and carers, demonstrating a strong community interest in the secondary school's offering. Key features that contributed to its positive reception included the comprehensive presentation by the Headteacher, Ms. Alice Clay, which clearly articulated the school's vision for academic rigor and inclusive support, particularly highlighting their successful two-week Year 7 Induction Fortnight and inclusive outlook at Lister which aids pupil integration.

Furthermore, parents appreciated the opportunity to tour the purpose-built, modern facilities, interact directly with passionate subject teachers and Year 10 student leaders, and gain clarity on practical transition aspects, such as the Newham admissions process and the extensive range of extracurricular activities, collectively instilling confidence that Lister provides a calm, safe, and academically ambitious environment for their child’s next educational chapter.

As a school which is always aiming for excellence, Lister Community School and its headteacher, Ms Clay took the decision last year to make phones a banned item in school. We consulted on this policy in Summer 2024, and received only supportive comments. Ms Clay recently wrote to you to remind you of the principles related to this ban. Below are some of the keys points she raised in her letter:

Our policy may be summarised as follows:

Any phone seen, heard or used for any reason during the school day will be confiscated until the last day of that half-term - unless the offence is less than two weeks before the end of the half-term, in which case it will be returned the following half-term;

If you choose to send a child in with a mobile phone it must be off (not just silent) and kept in the bag (not a pocket);

Any mobile phones brought onto site are at your own risk;

If there is an exceptional reason, such as safeguarding, why a child needs a phone, daily storage can be arranged with the headteacher.

Reminder of the rationale for our ban

Use of mobile phones on site poses a safeguarding risk because pupils are in uniform. Therefore they can be easily identified from any photos taken and shared.

In addition, pupils are much better able to concentrate when they do not have their phone with them.

Last year we had a number of incidents that were recorded on mobile phones, causing upset and concern to pupils. Our ban has greatly reduced negative incidents of this kind, leading to a more positive learning environment.

Reasons that the school might confiscate a phone

The school would confiscate a phone if it was kept in any place other than a bag, used during the school day, or if there was reason to suspect that the owner had used it in any way to threaten or upset another pupil. All confiscated phones are searched to check there are no images containing other pupils and to check it has not been used in school.

Does the school have the right to confiscate and search phones?

Schools do have this right, detailed in this guidance from the Department for Education, which is included in our policy. The section related to mobile phones may be seen in sections 72 to 79. Searches are carried out by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Headteacher together.

Further advice for families

To judge by a few recent incidents, some parents and carers are not checking their children's phones. This has allowed some children to engage in negative online activity. If you are allowing your child to have a phone, especially one with internet access, you should be checking it regularly. The school will run some advice seminars about this this year.

We’re excited to share the November Workshop Programme at Time for Young People Newham!

This month, they're offering a dynamic mix of creative, educational, and wellbeing-focused workshops designed for young people aged 8 to 25. Whether it's building new skills, making friends, or simply having fun in a safe and welcoming space — there’s something for everyone!

The workshops aim to:

• Boost confidence
• Build resilience
• Spark creativity
• Encourage connection
• Support mental wellbeing

Please see the attached flyer for more information

The new Family Hub brochure is here! Explore the refreshed, Best Start in Life–branded brochure, packed with free services and activities for families across Newham. From pregnancy to teenage years, the Family Hubs are open to everyone- no matter where you live in the borough. Drop in to any venue, join an activity, or get tailored support to help your family thrive.

Click here to view the brochure

The Thought for the Week this week is focused on courage. 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.