Black Lives Matter at Trinity and across Lewisham

A message form Pinaki Ghoshal, Lewisham’s Executive Director for Children and Young People and Angela Scattergood, Director of Education. The Mayor of Lewisham, Damien Egan has published a statement on behalf of Lewisham Council in response to the killing of George Floyd in the United States. You can read the full statement here: https://lewisham.gov.uk/articles/news/black-lives-matter-in-lewisham We believe that our schools and settings are key to tackling racism and other forms of discrimination. We will support all Lewisham schools and settings in their commitment to standing against racism and injustice, alongside and in solidarity with the local and global Black community

Trinity statement:

On Monday 25th May an unlawful murder of George Floyd took place in Minneapolis in the USA. We condemn this unlawful killing of a black man. The Trinity family stand united in our commitment to tackle and challenge racism, address inequality and call out discrimination.  Everyone must be treated equally. 

I have been working with all Lewisham leaders this week and we all stand together on this.  As educators of a school population which is 76% Black and ethnic minority we cannot remain silent.

What is racism?

Believing that people of a different race are less valuable and treating them differently. 

At Trinity our Ethos is to Learn, Love and Live. Our curriculum is built upon the standpoint that we need to be courageous advocates - to fight injustices, to love one another and to live good lives. Our equalities statement is clear ...  The School actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and where all staff and pupils are encouraged to fulfil their full potential.

We ensure that everything we do helps to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
• Advance the equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those that do not

There are two very good resources that I wish to share.   Jelani Memory - A kids book about racism and Let's talk about Race by Julius Lester.  Please watch the youtube clips of the authors reading their work by clicking the titles.  They are child centred and would form a great discussion tool for you and your family.  Our school chaplains assembly this week is also on Racism, with questions to make you think and reflect.  Please do use these resources at home.  Another online resources can be found here:  https://live.firstnews.co.uk/i-dont-get-it/bfi/racism-why-is-it-still-a-big-issue/​

The key messages in these books are around valuing differences, and understanding that ultimately we are all the same.  Beneath our clothes and skin we are all the same. No matter what our skin colour, gender or sexuality is - we are all the same. Being different is good. It brings so many ideas, different strengths, creativity, wisdom, insight and originality. Trinity’s diversity therefore makes our environment a rich experience for all and an amazing place to be. 

The murder of George Floyd must  prompt careful reflection about racism in Britain today, and the extent to which it shapes our values, politics and economic life.

Our community needs and deserves to feel safe in the belief that its leaders condemn all acts of racism and violence and moreover that they believe racism is an abhorrence that we as a school leaders across Lewisham reject.

Lewisham Leaders have a duty to address systemic racism in our society and we uphold this in our united condemnation of the unlawful murder of a black man George Floyd.

Learning loving living - at Trinity we are always fighting injustices and standing together. 

Stay safe, strong and united. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) / Homelearning

The school will be closing at the end of Friday as per the government guidance announced at 1700 on Wednesday 18th March 2020.  Please click on the message at the top of this page for further detail.

Home learning will kick in from Monday - we have a tab already set up for this.  Click here to go directly to this home learning page.

Here are some of the websites that we use to support learning (click on the following to take you to the relevant page):

• Matheletics
• DrFrost (maths)
• Maths watch
• Corbett Maths (primary and secondary)
• PIXL Maths App (TS304, LOGIN: Surname and first initial, PASSWORD: first name)
• Seneca Learning
• BBC Bitesize KS1
• BBC Bitesize KS2
• BBC Bitesize KS3
• BBC Bitesize GCSE
• CommonLit - reading used for year 7 and 8
• TrueTube Videos (RE and Citizenship support)

 

Thank you for your continued support at this time.

David Lucas

Welcome by David Lucas - Executive Headteacher

I am very proud to address you as Executive Headteacher of this unique ‘all-through’  school.  Trinity is a warm, welcoming, friendly school where all pupils are happy learners.  Your child is the most important person to you and to us.  Every child deserves the best possible start in life and nothing is more important than a good education.  Please click HERE to see more.

    

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Uniform consultation feedback

Further to the consultation on uniform that recently took place the governors and Executive Headteacher have considered all the responses, and have decided to make minor amendments and clarify our uniform policy without making any substantive changes. We had under 5% of the school population respond to the consultation, and of those that responded we had points raised equally from opposite
perspectives. We did consider all the points raised and feel that as the response was low, we can conclude that on the whole parents are happy with the uniform we have. As several parents pointed out, any major changes would have cost implications and many felt the uniform was both smart and flexible. Our uniform allows us to be seen as a collective community, gives our pupils a clear identity, and is one of our unique selling points. It can also promote a sense of inclusiveness, non-discrimination and equal opportunity.

We have had several people question supplier and quality, and the governing body had asked the school to investigate this earlier this year, a process that occurs at regular intervals. The school reviewed the quality, standards and reviews on line of all providers and came to the conclusion that our current provider was the most appropriate option considering quality, cost and service. We have subsequently
passed on to our supplier all feedback from the survey to help them develop and improve their products and service. We thank all the parents, guardians, teachers and pupils who fed back on the consultation. We agree with feedback that in the past the standards have not always been easy to apply, as there were several unclear aspects of the uniform policy. We have therefore taken this as an opportunity to
clarify our uniform in the grid below and will expect these standards across the school from September 2020. The PE sweatshirts in the primary are optional, and will be phased out over time in favour of the PE hoody currently worn in the secondary. Spare uniform will be kept at the school to ensure pupils without the correct uniform can be dressed appropriately. Please do read the information in the grid carefully and check your son / daughters uniform does comply with this policy. Thank you once again for your support.

School App

Please click on the heading above to take you to the log in for our new school App.  We launched it just this week . . . All secondary parents and pupils have a log in and should be able to access the site.  You can download the WeDuc App on your phone or any tablet as well as look on any Internet browser.  This information was emailed to all parents - so please do check out your inbox / junk box in case it is hidden.  Parents and pupils have their own separate account - and therefore separate log in.  Do contact the school office if you are unsure / having difficulties.  This will become the main method of communication with parents.  It will show parents curriculum information / timetable; attendance; home learning and academic reports.  You will be able to contact the office, and in the secondary phase email direct to each teacher.  Do not worry if you are a primary parent -this will be launched with  you before Christmas . . . watch this space.

Proud of our Year 11 Pupils

Well done to Trinity Yr 11 class of 2019 on their tremendous achievements this year. Pupils were delighted with their results and are now ready to move onto the next step of their academic journey and as a truly comprehensive school we are extremely pleased with the achievements we have seen all pupils make regardless of prior attainment and background. A wide range of subjects from Chinese to Computer Science achieved a pass rate of 100% grade 8 and above and many pupils of the cohort were moving onto today to complete their enrolment at a wide range of Post 16 provision including grammar schools and scholarships at Independent schools (the highest number we have ever had this year). All pupils are carrying on with studying and have achieved their target grades for A level courses and we have also have pupils going onto apprenticeships, Level 3 vocational qualifications and combined A Level with vocational courses.

We would like to especially commend pupils who have done particularly well today in their achievement of a range of top grades – Abdulmalek with 2 grade 9’s and 3 grade 8’s amongst other excellent results, Solomon with 2 grade 9’s and 4 grade 8’s, Taliq with 4 grade 9’s and 3 grade 8’s and our Head Girl Janielle with 1 grade 9, 3 grade 8’s and 3 grade 7’s.  Janielle leaves to take up her scholarship place at Lancing College along with Cindy-Ann who achieved 3 grade 8’s and 5 grade 7’s. Well done girls on these amazing results and it is no surprise that Lancing this year gave Trinity two full scholarships with boarding as they were so impressed with you at interview. We also send congratulations to the many ex-Trinitarians who have completed their 6^th form time and are now heading off to university, amongst them Jamie Cuthbert who with 4 A* is a terrific example of the success that hard work and dedication can bring you – we count you amongst our successes as well!

MUSIC LESSONS 

Trinity music department offers a unique opportunity for its pupils to learn a musical instrument at an extremely attractive cost.  Click on buttons below for me information.

 

 

 

Cold weather

As we move now into autumn we move away from summer and need to remember to dress appropriately.  All pupils should be wearing school shoes, the jumper in primary and a blazer (and a jumper if they wish) in secondary.  School coats should be worn as well.  Please label all coats to ensure they do not get lost.  If we do get adverse weather please assume the school is open.  If it is not we will get a message onto the school website / send texts (please make sure we have your most up to date  mobile number) / send a message on the school App.  If you do not hear anything assume it is open as usual.

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Internet Safety - London Grid for Learning 

Keep yourself safe when online! There are many documents to help parents manage online activity through the London Grid for Learning website. Click HERE for more information.

  

For additional information from National On-line Safety can also be found on their facebook page  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalOnlineSafety/photos/a.1681508315488685/1914184988887682/?type=3&theater