Petchey News

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you and your families enjoyed the half term despite being in lockdown again - having said that, walking around Dalston it barely feels like we are in another lockdown as so many businesses are open. The prospect of a Covid vaccine on the horizon has brought some much needed optimism, although it may be a while yet before we are able to return to any sort of pre-pandemic normal. In the mean time, please help us to keep all staff and students safe by ensuring that your child understands the importance of wearing a mask and washing or sanitising their hands regularly.

In the current uncertainty we are noticing that some of our students are experiencing higher than usual levels of anxiety and stress, and more students than usual have been asking for support from our pastoral team. However there are also plenty of students who won't ask for help, but may benefit from extra support either at home or at school. Our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Practitioner and Student Wellbeing Manager will be hosting a series of meetings for parents and carers over the next few months to help you to spot the signs of anxiety and stress in your teenager and provide you with advice and support to help you to help them. The first one is next Thursday via Zoom. We will email the link next week so please watch out for it. You can also find some useful links to support groups for all ages at the bottom of this newsletter,

The pandemic has also accelerated the move to a blended learning model that enables students to access lessons and learn effectively wherever they are. The academy is using Google Classroom to create online lessons, share resources and collect assignments, and we have created a dedicated website to help parents and carers to understand Google Classroom and how to use it. Please note that we will continue to use Show My Homework to set homework for years 7 to 11, so please continue to refer to this to find out what homework has been set for your child.

Have a lovely weekend.

Clare Borrill

Mobile phones in school

Just a reminder that whilst students are allowed to bring their mobile phones to school, they must remain

  • out of site at all times

  • switched off

Students caught using their phones will have them confiscated.

Petchey PE kit

Please note that the ONLY acceptable PE kit to be worn on days when students have PE or Dance is as follows:

  • Petchey Academy polo shirt

  • plain black shorts/tracksuit bottoms

  • plain black trainers

  • Petchey tracksuit bottoms and hoody (optional)

Items of clothing with large logos or other colours is not permitted.

KS3 PSHE Poster Competition

Last semester KS3 pupils explored issues surrounding the pandemic. Students looked at and analysed data, evaluated the impact and potential further impact the pandemic has had on different social groups and explored their own feelings and emotions about the last lockdown experience. To end the semester all KS3 students took part in a competition to create a poster that would offer guidance and support for if we entered another lockdown.

We are so proud of all pupils and the way that they have engaged with discussions about the pandemic through PSHCE over this challenging period – their personal resilience, their compassion towards others and their commitment to producing support posters to help inform and educate others has been outstanding.

Winner - Nelly Jozwiak 7b – £20 Amazon Voucher

Runner up 1 – Lilli Vuori Wiegel - £10 Amazon Voucher

Runner up 2 – Safa Hussein- Box of Chocolates

Schools Challenge 2020

Mentors from J P Morgan met with their year 9 mentees virtually in this year’s J P Morgan Schools Challenge 2020.

The programme aims to inspire students about Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, whilst helping them develop core job skills such as team work, problem solving and presentation skills, and they are coached by mentors from finance and investment firm J P Morgan.

Selected year 9 students will be tasked trying to find solutions to some real world problems, they have six months to develop and present their ideas to make London a better place to live.

Support for young people

Cool Down Café is a new open access space for young people to help explore their mental health and wellbeing.

Supported by the fantastic Peer Mentors from Hackney CVS, Youth workers from Pembury and Psychologists from Young Hackney - it’s a great space for young people to just come along and chat or get direct access to psychologists and to find out more about opportunities for ongoing support in the borough.

Over the next few months the sessions will be focusing on a book written by one of our peer mentors Yolanda Lear following the journey of her mental health. ’The Journey To The Undefeated Minds’. It’s an incredibly positive and powerful message written by a young person being used as a tool to support other young people.

Please spread the word to all 11-18 year olds you know and guide them to the Instagram @COOLDOWNCAFE2020 or forward this link for registration - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrf--srzooEtOmvgzZchUGLrP3kmQWlTtJ

Project Indigo, is a youth support group for any young person who identifies as LGBTQI+, or is questioning their sexuality or gender identity.

The group offers a safe, supportive space to meet (currently online) and now has an arm for 13-15 year olds as well as the existing 16-25 group. If you think anyone would be of interest for joining the group, please get in touch at indigo@family-action.org.uk

Support for parents & carers

Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.

Text: 85258

Samaritans -Provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.

Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call)

Covid-19 Bereavement Service

St Joseph’s Hospice are now offering bereavement support for children, young people (CYP) and families who have lost a family member, care giver or other significant person due to COVID-19.

This is available for CYP up to the age of 18 who either live in City & Hackney or are registered with a City & Hackney GP. Support may include 1-2-1 and family sessions, parenting support, groups, art therapy and memorial events, and will be delivered virtually or face-to-face at the hospice.

Self or professional referrals are accepted. For an initial discussion, enquiry or referral please contact the St Joseph’s Patient & Family Counselling Team on 0208 525 3229 or by email on STJ-PFC@STJH.org.uk.